Asian air route updates from PAL, AirAsia, Hong Kong Airlines and more

Tianjin Airlines starts flying to Vladivostok

Where? Tianjin (China) to Vladivostok, pictured (Russia)
When? Twice a week, effective immediately
Who? Tianjin Airlines
Why? Connecting major Pacific port cities, whilst also providing Chinese gamblers with a new connection to Vladivostok’s casinos
Anything else? Vladivostok is just 1,300km from Tianjin, but more than 9,000km from Russia’s capital, Moscow

Langkawi gets Chinese tourism boost

Where? Langkawi, pictured (Malaysia) to Shenzhen (China)
When? Three times a week, effective 9 August 2017
Who? AirAsia
Why? Low-cost carrier provides new connection for Chinese tourists to Malaysian resort island
Anything else? AirAsia recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of its operations in Shenzhen

China Southern adds new Laos link

Where? Guangzhou (China) to Vientiane (Laos)
When? Three times a week, effective 27 September 2017
Who? China Southern Airlines
Why? Asia’s largest carrier continues to tap strong intra-regional traffic, connecting to neighbouring capital city
Anything else? China Southern will be the second airline serving the route, after Lao Airlines

Philippine Airlines returns to Abu Dhabi

Where? Manila (Philippines) to Abu Dhabi (UAE)
When? Three times a week, effective 31 October 2017
Who? Philippine Airlines
Why? National carrier resumes flights to UAE capital, mainly targeting overseas Filipino workers and Middle Eastern tourists
Anything else? PAL has reconfigured its twin-aisle aircraft from a single-cabin jet to a more premium product with business class seats

Hong Kong Airlines to fly A350 to LAX

Where? Hong Kong to Los Angeles (USA)
When? Daily, effective 15 December 2017
Who? Hong Kong Airlines
Why? HNA’s Hong Kong-based carrier to use new fleet of Airbus A350 aircraft to relaunch flights to the US
Anything else? The airline has ordered 17 A350s, which will be configured with 334 seats in two classes

Austrian Airlines plans to resume Tokyo flights

Where? Vienna (Austria) to Tokyo Narita (Japan)
When? Five times a week, effective 15 May 2018
Who? Austrian Airlines
Why? European national carrier resumes Tokyo service as part of Asian expansion strategy
Anything else? This will become the only direct service between the capital cities of Austria and Japan