Taipei–Amsterdam
OPERATING CARRIER China Airlines
AIRCRAFT A350-900
FREQUENCY Four-times weekly
START DATE September 2016
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? China Airlines currently operates daily flights between Taipei and Amsterdam via Bangkok. From December 2 the gas guzzling A340-300 currently serving the route will be replaced by the newer and more fuel-efficient A350-900, thereby allowing China Airlines to operate the route non-stop. The frequency will be reduced to four-times weekly from September 5, however, following a decline in travel demand for Europe.
Singapore–Manchester–Houston
OPERATING CARRIER Singapore Airlines
AIRCRAFT B777-300ER
FREQUENCY Five-times weekly
START DATE October 2016
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? Singapore Airlines currently serves Houston via Moscow, however from October 30 the airline will reroute the service through Manchester instead. The Star Alliance member is working hard to establish Manchester as a prominent UK base, as seen from the recent interline agreement with Flybe. Travellers flying with the European carrier out of Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness will be able to connect onto SIA flights to Singapore or Houston.
Guangzhou–Adelaide
OPERATING CARRIER China Southern
AIRCRAFT TBD
FREQUENCY Three-times weekly
START DATE December 2016
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? When China Southern begins operating flights to Adelaide this December, it will be the first carrier to serve the Australian city from the mainland. Currently, the easiest connection point for Chinese travellers to Adelaide is to travel via Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific. China Southern has been gradually expanding its presence in Australia, with services to Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney from Guangzhou. The Skyteam member also began operating a Shenzhen–Sydney service back in January.
Los Angeles–Auckland
OPERATING CARRIER American Airlines
AIRCRAFT B787
FREQUENCY Daily
START DATE July 2016
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? Non-stop connectivity between Auckland and Los Angeles is limited, with Air New Zealand and little-known Air Tahiti Nui previously being the only carriers to serve the route. From July American Airline’s new LA–Auckland service will mean that the Oneworld alliance can finally offer a non-stop link between New Zealand and the US.
Bangkok–Tokyo
OPERATING CARRIER Scoot
AIRCRAFT B787
FREQUENCY Daily
START DATE July 2016
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? The new fifth freedom service by Scoot that links Bangkok Don Mueang with Tokyo Narita began on July 20. The non-stop service allows Scoot to benefit from feeder traffic generated by joint venture carrier NokScoot. As both are members of Value Alliance, connecting customers can now book flights through either carrier and select a full range of service options in a single transaction.
Clement Huang
