Here’s our weekly roundup of new routes, flight frequency changes and partnerships.
Finnair expands network in China
Finland’s flagship carrier has announced Nanjing as its seventh destination in Greater China.
Taking off on May 13, 2018, the new Helsinki-Nanjing service will be operated with an Airbus A330 aircraft. The route will be operated thrice weekly during the summer season and twice weekly in winter.
Vietjet links up Hanoi, Yangon
Vietjet launched daily Hanoi-Yangon services on August 26, its second route connecting Vietnam and Myanmar.
Flights depart Hanoi at 12.05 and arrive at 13.30, while the return service departs Yangon at 14.30 and arrives in Hanoi at 16.55.
Singapore Airlines, Alaska Airlines in codeshare deal
Singapore Airlines (SIA) will from September 27 enter into a codeshare partnership with Alaska Airlines to expand its footprint in the North American market.
Under the agreement, SIA will add its SQ designator code to Alaska Airlines flights on routes serving 18 destinations within the US and to Mexico. Existing codeshare flights operated by Virgin America – which was acquired by Alaska Air Group in 2016 – on routes serving 19 destinations within the US will also be included under the new agreement.
Members of SIA’s frequent flyer programme KrisFlyer will be able to accrue miles when travelling on both carriers from September 27, while Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan members will be able to redeem miles for SIA-operated flights at a later date.
Shree Airlines jets off
Nepal’s largest operator of helicopters Shree Airlines has expanded into commercial passenger jet service, following its recent acquisition of three Bombardier CRJ Series aircraft – two CRJ200 and one CRJ700.
The Nepali carrier commenced services with its first CRJ200 aircraft on August 11, and plans to equip its CRJ700 with six seats in business class.
Shree will operate between Kathmandu and the regional destinations of Bhadrapur, Bhairawaha, Dhangadi, Biratnagar and Nepalgunj.
