Thai Lion Air plans Mumbai late-Sep 2017 launch

Thai Lion Air this week accelerated its planned India debut, as the airline opened reservations for the Bangkok Don Mueang – Mumbai route, set to commence on 27SEP17. Initially the service operates twice a week (Day 37), increasing to thre weekly (Day 357) from 29OCT17. The following schedule is effective 27SEP17 – 28OCT17.

SL218 DMK0255 – 0540BOM 738 37
SL219 BOM0650 – 1240DMK 738 37

Previously reported on Airlineroute on 11SEP17, the airline in the OAG Schedules Analyser filed proposed daily schedule for Bangkok Don Mueang – Kochi route, tentatively scheduled for 20OCT17 launch.

Go Air plans overseas journey in October

KOLKATA: Private low-cost carrier Go Air would start flying overseas from October this year, its Managing Director Heh Wadia said. 

"We have plans to start overseas operations from October this year", Wadia told PTI today. 

He said, initially, the airline would fly to the destinations of Asia and reviewing the destinations within the region. 

Go Air, which had ordered for 143 Airbus neo A320 aircraft to add to the existing 24-strong fleet, had got the delivery .. 

He also denied any plans of an IPO, he said. 

AirAsia adds Johor Bahru – Kolkata from Nov 2017

AirAsia from November 2017 is adding new nonstop service to India from Johor Bahru, with the new Johor Bahru – Kolkata service, from 28NOV17. This route, the carrier’s overall 6th international and overall 15th route from Johor Bahru, will be served by Airbus A320 5 times a week.

AK1020 JHB2130 – 2310CCU 320 x13
AK1021 CCU2340 – 0625+1JHB 320 x13

Singapore Airlines expands A350 network from July 2017

Singapore Airlines in last week’s schedule update filed 2 additional destinations to be served by the new Airbus A350-900XWB, effective from 01JUL17. Planned service as follow.

Singapore – Mumbai SQ422/421, replacing 777-200ER
SQ422 SIN0740 – 1030BOM 359 D
SQ421 BOM1145 – 1950SIN 359 D

Singapore – Munich 4 of 7 weekly operated by A350, replacing 777-300ER
SQ328 SIN0030 – 0655MUC 77W 135
SQ328 SIN0030 – 0655MUC 359 x135

SQ327 MUC1310 – 0700+1SIN 77W 135
SQ327 MUC1310 – 0700+1SIN 359 x135

Fares of Tejas train 20 per cent more than Shatabdi

NEW DELHI: Fares of Tejas Express train will be 20 per cent more than that of the Shatabdi Express. 

Equipped with modern facilities such as CCTV cameras and smoke-and-fire detection system, Tejas Express will be flagged off from Mumbai for Goa on May 22 by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu. 

Unlike the Shatabdi Express, passengers will have the option to opt for onboard food. If a passenger opts for food while buying ticket, the catering charge will be included in the fare. .. 

There is an increase of more than 20 per cent in the base fare for Tejas as against the Shatabdi, said a railway ministry official. 

The superfast surcharge, reservation fee and catering charges will be levied separately. 

The Executive Class fare in Tejas has been fixed at Rs 2,540 (US$ 39) without food and Rs 2,940(US$ 45.50) with food.

The Chair Car fare Rs 1,850(US$28.50) with food and Rs 1,220(US$ 19) without food. 

The Shatabdi fares are Rs 2,390(US$36.75) and Rs 1,185(US$ 18) in EC and CC respectively which include food also. 

Since the train is equipped with better facilities, the fare will also be slightly higher as compared to normal mail/express service, Prabhu had said while inspecting the new Tejas coaches on Friday here. 

Equipped with CCTV cameras besides smoke and fire detection system, the 19-coach Tejas train will have bio- vacuum toilets and GPS-based passenger information display system. 

There will be comfortable seating arrangements and each seat will have LED TV with touch control system and call bell facilities. 

Manufactured at the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala, the coaches will have automatic entrance door, a first in non- suburban train in the Indian Railways. 

Promised in the budget, Tejas Express will also be pressed into service in Delhi-Chandigarh and Delhi-Lucknow sectors soon

SpiceJet July - Oct 2017 Kabul service changes

SpiceJet in the second-half of summer 2017 season is adjusting operational frequencies to Afghanistan, where it currently serves Delhi – Kabul route 5 times a week. From 01JUL17 to 28OCT17, overall service will be reduced to 3 weekly, on board Boeing 737 aircraft.

SG021 DEL0825 – 0950KBL 737 246
SG022 KBL1120 – 1430DEL 737 246

Air India begins Boeing 777 Delhi – Chennai service from May 2017

Air India this week expanded capacity offering on Delhi – Chennai route, with the introduction of Boeing 777-300ER service. Since 08MAY17, 2 of 5 daily service switches from Airbus A320/321 to Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, including First Class cabin sevice.

AI439 DEL0605 – 0845MAA 77W D
AI429 DEL0955 – 1240MAA 321 D
AI142 DEL1230 – 1515MAA 320 D
AI042 DEL1720 – 2005MAA 77W D
AI540 DEL2045 – 2335MAA 321 D

AI440 MAA0605 – 0855DEL 321 D
AI143 MAA0845 – 1135DEL 320 D
AI430 MAA0955 – 1255DEL 77W D
AI539 MAA1700 – 1950DEL 321 D
AI043 MAA2110 – 2355DEL 77W D 

Air India schedules 747-400 service to Kabul in 2Q17

Air India in the next few weeks plans to boost capacity to Afghanistan, currently serving Delhi – Kabul route 4 times a week. The following dates will see Boeing 747-400 operating, replacing Airbus A320 aircraft: 18MAY17 / 20MAY17 / 21MAY17 / 10JUN17 / 11JUN17 / 17JUN17 / 18JUN17 / 20JUN17.

AI243 DEL1235 – 1345KBL 744
AI244 KBL1515 – 1820DEL 744

The airline also operated 747-400 flight on this route on 02MAY17.

Turkmenistan Airlines adds Abu Dhabi flights in S17

Turkmenistan Airlines at the launch of summer 2017 season has added new service to the United Arab Emirates, with the opening of Ashgabat – Abu Dhabi service. Based on OAG Schedules Analyser and GDS schedules filing, the airline on 31MAR17 inaugurated this service, on board Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

This route is served twice a week.

T5827 ASB1305 – 1430AUH 738 7
T5825 ASB1950 – 2115AUH 738 5

T5828 AUH1600 – 1915ASB 738 7
T5826 AUH2245 – 0155+1ASB 738 5

SpiceJet doubles Kolkata – Dhaka service from May 2017

India’s low-cost carrier SpiceJet later this month plans to expand service to Bangladesh, through the introduction of 2nd daily Kolkata – Dhaka flight. The new flight departs at afternoon/evening hours, will begin on 16MAY17. Dash8-Q400 aircraft operates this route.

SG071 CCU0705 – 0835DAC DH4 D
SG076 CCU1605 – 1745DAC DH4 D

SG072 DAC0920 – 0940CCU DH4 D
SG077 DAC1830 – 1900CCU DH4 D

IndiGo plans Bangalore – Singapore launch from late-June 2017

Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo has opened reservation for expanded service to Singapore, with the opening of Bangalore – Singapore route. First flight from Bangalore is scheduled on 30JUN17, Singapore on 01JUL17. The airline currently operates 2 daily Chennai – Singapore flights.

6E073 BLR2120 – 0430+1SIN 320 D
6E058 SIN0530 – 0800BLR 320 D

SriLankan Airlines outlines A321neo S17 service

SriLankan Airlines in the 3rd quarter plans to induct Airbus A321neo aircraft to its fleet, with configuration of J12Y176. Planned A321neo schedule for summer 2017 season, until 28OCT17, as follow.

Colombo – Abu Dhabi eff 15JUL17 1 daily
Colombo – Chennai eff 18JUL17 UL129/130 1 weekly
Colombo – Delhi eff 15JUL17  UL195/196 1 daily
Colombo – Hyderabad eff 12JUL17 UL177/178 4 weekly
Colombo – Kochi eff 15JUL17 UL167/168 1 daily 
Colombo – Singapore eff 16JUL17 UL306/307 1 daily
Colombo – Visakhapatnam eff 13JUL17 UL159/160 1 weekly

AirAsia India schedules Ranchi mid-April 2017 launch

AirAsia India later this week plans to launch service to Ranchi, where the airline plans to offer 2 daily flights from both Delhi and Kolkata. First flight is scheduled on 15APR17.

Delhi – RanchiI5545 DEL1220 – 1355IXR 320 D
I5546 DEL1945 – 2125IXR 320 D

I5541 IXR0930 – 1125DEL 320 D
I5549 IXR1720 – 1905DEL 320 D

Kolkata – Ranchi
I5541 CCU0805 – 0905IXR 320 D
I5549 CCU1550 – 1655IXR 320 D

I5545 IXR1420 – 1520CCU 320 D
I5546 IXR2150 – 2250CCU 320 D

SpiceJet plans Thiruvananthapuram – Male route in S17

SpiceJet from next month is launching its first international route from Thiruvananthapuram, as the airline opened bookings for Thiruvananthapuram – Maleroute. From 10MAY17, Dash8-Q400 aircraft will operate this route on daily basis.

SG093 TRV1225 – 1325MLE DH4 D
SG094 MLE1410 – 1610TRV DH4 D

Himalaya Airlines plans Dubai launch in April 2017

Himalaya Airlines in recent OAG Schedules Analyser filing has filed planned service to the United Arab Emirates. Based on schedule filing, the airline plans to operateKathmandu – Dubai Al Maktoum route on daily basis, with Airbus A320 aircraft.

Currently the airline files service launch on 28APR17.

H9557 KTM1040 – 1325DWC 320 x23
H9557 KTM1125 – 1410DWC 320 23

H9558 DWC1425 – 2020KTM 320 x23
H9558 DWC1510 – 2105KTM 320 23

IndiGo plans Qatar launch in May 2017

Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo next month is launching service to Qatar, starting 05MAY17. The airline plans to operate Airbus A320 aircraft from Delhi and Mumbai to Doha, 1 daily flight each. Planned schedule as follow.

Delhi – Doha
6E1701 DEL0150 – 0330DOH 320 D
6E1702 DOH1330 – 2000DEL 320 D

Mumbai – Doha
6E1708 BOM1120 – 1230DOH 320 D
6E1709 DOH0430 – 1020BOM 320 D

Pakistan International expands 737 International routes in S17

Pakistan International Airlines last week expanded Boeing 737-800 operations for international service, including flights to Abu Dhabi and Mumbai. Planned operation as follow.

Karachi – Abu Dhabi eff 26MAR17 2 of 3 weekly
PK237 KHI2300 – 0005+1AUH 738 57
PK238 AUH0105 – 0405KHI 738 16

Karachi – Mumbai eff 30MAR17 1 of 2 weekly
PK274 KHI0940 – 1150BOM 738 4
PK275 BOM1410 – 1530KHI 738 4

Domestically, the 737-800 also operates Karachi – Peshawar route from 29MAR17, once a week.

tigerair assumes Scoot Jaipur flights from March 2017

tigerair later this month is adding new service to India, offering Singapore – Jaipurnonstop service. Subject to Government Approval, the airline will assume this route from Scoot from 26MAR17, operating 4 times a week.

TR2684 SIN2055 – 0035+1JAI 320 x246
TR2685 JAI0135 – 0950SIN 320 x357

Ethiopian Airlines adds A350 Mumbai flights in April 2017

Ethiopian Airlines has revised planned airbus A350-900XWB operation, which sees additional destination added for the new aircraft type. From 26MAR17 to 01MAY17 (ADD departure), the A350 will operate 1 of 2 daily Addis Ababa – Mumbai route. 

ET610 ADD2100 – 0430+1BOM 350 D
ET640 ADD2335 – 0715+1BOM 763 D

ET611 BOM0525 – 0800ADD 350 D
ET641 BOM1115 – 1430ADD 763 D

Mahan Air plans Barcelona June 2017 launch

Iranian carrier Mahan Air earlier this month opened reservation for new service to Spain, with the offering of Tehran Imam Khomeini – Barcelona route. From 22JUN17, Airbus A340 aircraft will operate this route twice a week, operating on Thursdays and Sundays.

W5136 IKA0605 – 0955BCN 340 47
W5137 BCN1310 – 2100IKA 340 47

Lufthansa plans A350 Mumbai service from April 2017

Lufthansa in yesterday’s schedule update (08MAR17) opened reservation for Airbus A350 operating service on Munich – Mumbai route, set to commence on 15APR17. The A350-900XWB operates once a day, replacing A330-300 (A340-600 operates from 08APR17 to 14APR17, MUC departure).

LH764 MUC1140 – 2305BOM 359 D
LH765 BOM0105 – 0550MUC 359 D

Kuwait Airways doubles Mumbai service from May 2017

Kuwait Airways from May 2017 plans to expand Kuwait – Mumbai route, which sees the addition of 2nd daily rotation. The new flight, set to commence on 10MAY17, will be operated by Airbus A320 aircraft. Reservation for this new flight will be available soon.

KU303 KWI0550 – 1220BOM 320 D
KU301 KWI2140 – 0410+1BOM 77W D

KU302 BOM0525 – 0655KWI 77W D
KU304 BOM1325 – 1455KWI 320 D

Road to Saptasrungi Devi near Nashik

Mountain of Saptasrungi Devi at Vani

AirAsia plans Kuala Lumpur – Bhubaneswar service from April 2017

AirAsia from late-April 2017 plans to introduce new route to India, where the airline filed operational schedule for Kuala Lumpur – Bhubaneswar route. Preliminary schedule based on the week of 19FEB17’s OAG Schedules Analyser shows the airline intends to operate 4 weekly flights, effective 26APR17.

Reservation is currently not available.

AK031 KUL2210 – 2325BBI 320 x246
AK030 BBI2355 – 0620+1KUL 320 x246

United adds 777-300ER Tel Aviv service from May 2017

United Airlines during the weekend of 24FEB17’s schedule update filed its second long-haul route to be operated by the new Boeing 777-300ER. From 05MAY17, 1 of 2 daily Newark – Tel Aviv flight will be operated by -300ER, instead of -200ER.

UA084 EWR1640 – 1015+1TLV 777 D
UA090 EWR2245 – 1620+1TLV 77W D

UA085 TLV1215 – 1710EWR 777 D
UA091 TLV2310 – 0415+1EWR 77W D

UA090/091 by 777-300ER is subject to government approval.

flynas expands Etihad codeshare service to India from Feb 2017

flynas earlier this week expanded codeshare partnership with ETIHAD, as XY-coded flight numbers being placed on ETIHAD operating service to India. From 20FEB17, planned new codeshare routes as follow.

flynas operated by ETIHAD
Abu Dhabi – Bangalore
Abu Dhabi – Chennai 
Abu Dhabi – Delhi
Abu Dhabi – Hyderabad 
Abu Dhabi – Kochi 
Abu Dhabi – Kozhikode 
Abu Dhabi – Mumbai

flydubai resumes Sylhet route from March 2017

flydubai starting next month is once again expands service to Bangladesh, as the airline resumes Dubai – Sylhet service. First flight is scheduled on 15MAR17. Initially service will see 4 weekly flights, increasing to 6 from 16MAY17. The following schedule is effective 16MAY17.

FZ595 DXB0950 – 1700ZYL 73H x4
FZ596 ZYL1800 – 2135DXB 73H x4

IndiGo schedules new Middle East routes in Mar/Apr 2017

Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo is planning to expand Middle East service in March and April 2017, including service to Muscat and Sharjah. Planned schedule, to be served one daily each, as follow.

eff 20MAR17 Kozhikode – Sharjah
6E1403 CCJ0605 – 0820SHJ 320 D
6E1404 SHJ0920 – 1430CCJ 320 D

eff 20MAR17 Kozhikode – Muscat
6E1303 CCJ1825 – 2015MCT 320 D
6E1304 MCT2115 – 0215+1CCJ 320 D

eff 08APR17 Thiruvananthapuram – Sharjah
6E1401 TRV2220 – 0100+1SHJ 320 D
6E1402 SHJ0200 – 0735TRV 320 D

AirAsia India adds new domestic routes in Feb 2017

AirAsia India later this month will introduce 3 new domestic service, linking Delhi with Bagdogra, Pune and Srinagar. The airline will operate 1 daily flight each, starting 19FEB17.

Delhi – Bagdogra
I5769 DEL1205 – 1410IXB 320 D
I5768 IXB1440 – 1655DEL 320 D

Delhi – Pune
I5731 DEL1530 – 1735PNQ 320 D
I5732 PNQ1800 – 2025DEL 320 D

Delhi – Srinagar
I5715 DEL0750 – 0930SXR 320 D
I5716 SXR1000 – 1135DEL 320 D

Pakistan International proposes Islamabad – Salalah service from Feb 2017

Pakistan International Airlines has filed preliminary schedule for expanded service to Salalah in Oman, where it proposed Islamabad – Salalah route. Proposed schedule sees 2 weekly operation starting 15FEB17, on board Airbus A320 aircraft, based on week of 22JAN17’s OAG Schedules Analyser update. 

Reservation for this service is currently not available.

PK215 ISB1040 – 1340SLL 320 5
PK215 ISB2105 – 0005+1SLL 320 3

PK216 SLL0105 – 0535ISB 320 4
PK216 SLL1440 – 1910ISB 320 5

Air India to soon start direct flights to Washington, Copenhagen

NEW DELHI: Outlining its network expansion plans which include new flights and increase in frequencies to the existing domestic and international destinations, Air India today said it expects to roll out non-stop services toWashington and Copenhagen from the national capital in next fiscal. 

As part of this, Air India is expected to add two new international destinations -- Washington and Copenhagen -- and increase frequencies on domestic routes likeNagpur, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh and Leh by July, the airline said. 

The state-run carrier had added 12 new flights in its domestic network while four flights were launched on international destinations in the previous year. 

As part of its international route network expansion plans, Air India is looking to launch its flight services to the Denmark capital Copenhagen from New Delhi in May, while the non-stop Delhi-Washington service is expected to take off in July, the airline said. 

The services to Copenhagen will be operated by the Boeing 787-8 (Dreamliner) while Delhi-Washington route would be serviced by B777, it added. 

Air India's Washington flight would be the fifth direct connection to the US, it said, adding the Copenhagen flight service will offer convenient onward connections to Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Norway, among others. 

Boeing says to deliver India's SpiceJet's first new planes in 2018

NEW DELHI - Boeing will deliver the first of the new MAX 737 jets it has agreed to sell Indian airline SpiceJet in the third quarter of 2018, a senior Indian executive at the manufacturer said on Friday. SpiceJet and Boeing announced an agreement for up to 205 planes on Friday, including a firm order for 100 new planes, 55 from a earlier 2014 deal and purchase rights for 55 more jets. Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president, Asia Pacific & India Sales at Boeing, told reporters in New Delhi that the first planes would be with SpiceJet from next year.

Read more at: http://www.sify.com/finance/boeing-says-to-deliver-indias-spicejets-first-new-planes-in-2018-news-policy-rbnnuraaafbeb.html