Nigel Mayes is the senior vice president, consulting & product development at ASM. Nigel has more than 15 years’ experience in route development and is responsible for product development at ASM.
The sister company to Routes, ASM is the world‘s leading route development consultancy and has supported the creation of new air services since 1993.
Route 1: Shenzhen – Vienna
Data
| Carrier |  |
| Aircraft | Boeing 787-8 (switching to 787-9 from 1 Nov) |
| Frequency | Twice weekly |
| Start date | 20 October 2018 |
| Distance | 8,696 km |
| O&D traffic demand (2017) | 823.89 |
| Growth % YOY | 90.8% |
| Average one-way fare $ (2017) | $345.77 |
Insight
Following the roll-out of the Shenzhen-Brussels and Shenzhen-Madrid services, this is Hainan Airlines' third direct flight from Shenzhen to Europe announced this year. With the launch of the service, the carrier has increased the number of its international and regional routes originating from Shenzhen to 15, signalling its intention to develop Shenzhen as an intercontinental base. Austria is a partner of the Chinese government's the Belt and Road Initiative, with the two countries signalling their intention to boost cooperation. “The launch of the Shenzhen-Vienna service is an effective step jointly taken by China and Austria to enhance the connections between the two countries, attract more Chinese tourists to Austria and promote in-depth cultural, economic and artistic exchanges among Chinese and Austrian visitors,” said Austria’s president Alexander Van der Bellen.
Route 2: Hong Kong – Davao
Image: Aero Icarus
Data
| Carrier |  |
| Aircraft | Airbus A320 |
| Frequency | Four weekly |
| Start date | 28 October 2018 |
| Distance | 2,117 km |
| O&D traffic demand (2017) | 18,670 |
| Growth % YOY | -6.3% |
| Average one-way fare $ (2017) | $141.94 |
Insight
Cathay Dragon is introducing Davao City and Medan from 28 and 29 October respectively. Davao City, the main trade, business and tourism centre of the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines, will be served four times a week. It will become the only non-stop route from Hong Kong. The route will complement the Cathay Pacific Group’s existing three services to Manila, Cebu and Clark in the Philippines. Cathay Pacific's chief customer and commercial officer Paul Loo said the new services reflect the group’s commitment to growing its reach to destinations not otherwise served directly from Hong Kong, providing customers with more choice and strengthening Hong Kong’s status an international aviation hub.
Route 3: Kuala Lumpur - Amritsar
Data
|
Carrier |
 |
|
Aircraft |
TBC |
|
Frequency |
Four weekly |
|
Start date |
16 August 2018 |
|
Distance |
4,298 km |
|
O&D traffic demand (2017) |
40,747 |
|
Growth % YOY |
27.0% |
|
Average one-way fare $ (2017) |
$167.40 |
Insight
AirAsia X is to fly direct from Kuala Lumpur to Amritsar in northern India as part of its ongoing expansion in the country. The carrier said the route has the potential of an annual capacity of 156,832 seats. It is the third destination in India for AirAsia X and the 21st destination in India for AirAsia Group. AirAsia X’s two other destinations are New Delhi and Jaipur. The route will strengthen its position in India, offering the possibility of expanding Europe and North America.
Source: Sabre Market Intelligence
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