This week: Cathay Pacific to add tenth destination in North America; Qatar Airways increases Scandinavian focus; and Vietjet set for second link to Japan.
The shortlists for the prestigious Routes Asia 2018 Marketing Awards have been revealed, with 22 airports and destinations recognised for their exceptional marketing services.
The approval from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) allows AirAsia X to operate services to any destination within the US market and it will now formalise its development plans to serve the market to coincide with the future delivery of new widebodied equipment. The airline is known to have been considering flights to several US states including Hawaii as part of its route expansion plans.
The Japanese airline will become the first low-cost carrier in Japan to operate A320neo aircraft. The order, worth $1.4 billion, was announced at a signing ceremony in Tokyo attended by the carrier’s managing director and CEO alongside the Airbus president and CEO.
The Japanese airport, in operation since 1994, is in the midst of an exciting growth period. Last year, Kansai International Airport handled 23,214,756 passengers, a 20 percent increase. International passengers were up by 24 percent.
The resumption of the non-stop seasonal service between Auckland and Osaka by Air New Zealand between November 2016 and March 2017 will contribute an estimated $24 million to the New Zealand economy, during the operation, according to Auckland Airport.
The new routes will support the growing demand for travel between Japan and Manila, a popular year-round destination with a wide selection of shopping, leisure activities as well as vibrant arts, entertainment and gaming. The flights are also expected to meet demand from Japanese travellers, and Filipino expatriates residing in Japan as well as Filipino holiday-makers or those visiting family members.
HK Express has announced a number of service increases on operations across both Japan and Korea during the summer 2015 season, as well as a new service to China.
The carrier launched domestic operations in July 2012 and has its main operational base at Tokyo Narita, but is believed to feel it can generate a better penetration of its international activities and develop enhanced synergies with the wider Jetstar Group from Osaka, where it opened a secondary base in June 2014.
Since its debut, AirAsia X has carried over one million passengers to and from its Japan routes and Japan contributes over 12 per cent of the airline’s total revenue to date. The airline is committed to Japan and the additional flight frequency to Narita is in line with its expansion strategy for the region, says the carrier.
South Korean carrier Asiana Airlines will launch regional passenger operations with the Airbus A380 in the middle of June and will then deploy the aircraft on its scheduled route between Seoul Incheon and Los Angeles from August this year.
