AIRLINE NEWS

AIR ASIA X has launched its maiden flight to Chongqing – its sixth destination in China following Hangzhou, Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai and Xian. ALITALIA is set to resume services to South Korea after more than 20 years. The carrier will launch new A330-operated flights between Rome and Seoul from June. ASIANA AIRLINES will be increasing frequency of its Chengdu service on June 7 by adding an extra flight on the route that it currently flies once daily. CATHAY PACIFIC will expand its European presence with a four-times weekly service to Düsseldorf from September 1. Flights will be served by a four-class B777-300ER. HAINAN AIRLINES has opened reservations for flights between Chongqing–Rome; Shanghai Pudong–Boston; and Shanghai Pudong–Seattle, which are slated to begin on April 27, June 20 and June 22 respectively. KOREAN AIR has signed a codeshare agreement with American Airlines on flights between Dallas/ Fort Worth and Seoul-Incheon.

LUFTHANSA will expand its presence in South America with year-round A340 flights to Panama City, from November 16.

PEACH has debuted its Okinawa to Hong Kong service, which flies between the two destinations four times a week.

QATAR AIRWAYS has expanded its codeshare agreement with Bangkok Airways to cover an additional 10 sectors, including Bangkok to Chiang Rai, Udon Thani, Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Nay Pyi Taw and Siem Reap, together with Koh Samui to Singapore, Phuket to Kuala Lumpur and Phuket to Chiang Mai. QANTAS AIRWAYS has enhanced its economy class dining for customers travelling on flights between Hong Kong and Australia. There is now a wider choice of meals, larger servings and faster service. SINGAPORE AIRLINES will adjust capacity on its Singapore–Tokyo Haneda route this summer by adding the B777-300ER to the route.