Air China to commence Beijing Chiang Mai service

By BA Staff

Air China Limited will introduce a new thrice a week service between Beijing and Chiang Mai from November 7, 2013.

Located in Thailand's northern mountainous region, Chiang Mai is Thailand's second largest city and also northern Thailand's political, economic and cultural centre. This city, celebrated for its Buddhist traditions, is also called "Rose of the Northern Thailand".

Air China will deploy a Boeing 737-800 on this route with flight numbers CA823 and 824.

On Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays the flight departs Beijing at 18:30 arrives Chiang Mai at 22:40. The return flight leaves Chiang Mai at 23:45 arrives Beijing at 05:00, the next morning.

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Embraer Releases China Executive Aviation Market Outlook 2014-2023

By BA Staff

Photo Courtesy Embraer Executive Jets

Embraer Executive Jets presented its China Executive Aviation Market Outlook 2014-2023 during the press conference held today at the Chinese International Business Aviation Show (CIBAS) 2013, in Beijing, China. The Company forecasts that a total of 805 executive jets will be in demand the Chinese market over the next decade. The large-cabin business jet class is expected to represent 51% of this demand, accounting for 78% of the total value of deliveries.

Guan Dongyuan, Senior Vice President of Embraer and President of Embraer China had this to say about this release:

“Over the past 12 years, Embraer has built a strong position as one of the top business jet manufacturers, with a full line of state-of-the-art products that meet and exceed the expectations of customers worldwide,” said Guan Dongyuan, Senior Vice President of Embraer and President of Embraer China. “Embraer’s decade-long investment in China’s commercial aviation market has resulted in a fleet of 120 commercial jets in service, and we are now building our presence in the Chinese executive aviation market, affording our executive jet customers the high quality service and support that our airline customers already enjoy.”

Embraer has positive hopes about its future in Chinese aviation because of its recent economic studies. China’s fleet of executive jets has experienced an average annual expansion of 27%, fueled by a 26% growth of the wealthiest population, from 2008 to 2012, according to the data released by Hurun Report, which is considered to be one of the most influential publications of the luxury genre in the country.

Since 2004, when its first executive jet was delivered to this region, Embraer has booked orders for 38 executive jets in China, including five options. The company has several Authorized Service Centers for executive jet customers in the Greater China region, an accomplishment that they achieved because of their efficient service network and facilities.

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Hainan Airlines commences Beijing Chicago non-stop flights

by BA Staff

China's Hainan Airlines commenced non-stop service from Chicago to Beijing, opening the airline's newest American gateway. Currently the flight operates twice a week using an Airbus A340-600 seating 288 passengers in a three class configuration. The airline is hoping to obtain government approval to change equipment to a two class Boeing 787 Dreamliner in November, and to increase frequency to four times a week in December, and to a daily by June 2014.

Hainan's Dreamliner will feature 36 fully flat-bed business seats configured 2-2-2, as well as 177 economy seats configured in the bone crunching 3-3-3 nine abreast configuration. Each seat has a 15-inch touch screen panel and a power outlet. Each business seat also has a USB port.

The current schedule is:
HU498 departs Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) at 3:25 pm and arrives in Beijing Capital International Airport at 7:05 pm the following day.
HU497 departs Beijing at 12:35 pm and arrive in Chicago at 1:25 pm the same day.

On the A340-600, Business class passengers are pampered with priority check-in and access to the lounge. On board, they can relax in luxurious seats that convert into comfortable (160 degree reclining) seats and feature turn-down service complete with fluffy pillows, fine cotton sheets and a duvet, pajamas and slippers. First class passengers enjoy a fully flat bed with the same amenities, gourmet Chinese or western cuisine and wines are served on fine china, glassware and linens; customers may choose when they wish to dine. Freshly brewed coffee and a selection of teas are available. Amenity kits feature famous Bulgari® cosmetics. Individually controlled entertainment system offers over 100 movies, audio selections and games on demand.

In Beijing, with advance reservations, premium passengers are treated to complimentary private Mercedes-Benz® limousine service both on arrival and departure. Those making connections to other Chinese destinations may take advantage of the new business class lounge in Terminal 1 offering a wide range of luxurious amenities.

Economy class passengers can also enjoy complimentary beverages, meals, snacks as well as the same on-demand entertainment system on individual seat-back screens. If connecting in Beijing, an exclusive transit lounge is open to economy class passengers as well.

Visit Hainan Airlines.

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Air France launches A380 flights to Shanghai

by BA Staff

European SkyTeam member Air France has launched Airbus A380 flights to Shanghai's Pudong International Airport today (2nd September 2013), beating Star Alliance rival Lufthansa as the first European carrier to offer A380 services from Shanghai by 24 days. The flight is currently (as of 8:00 am Bangalore time) in the air as the following screen cap from Flight Aware shows.

Air France plans to operate its A380s, configured with 516 seats in a 4-class configuration (9F / 80J / 38Y+ / 389Y), on three of its fourteen flights per week to Shanghai. Flight schedules for the two daily flights are as follow:

AF 116: Leaves Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 23:20, arrives in Shanghai-Pudong at 16:20 the following day AF 111: Leaves Shanghai-Pudong at 23:20, arrives in Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 5:35 the following day

Flight 116, the red-eye, will have A380 services on three of seven days each week.

Frédéric Gagey, Chairman and CEO of Air France, had this to say about the launch:

The arrival of our superjumbo in Shanghai illustrates Air France’s intention to continue its expansion in China, a strategic and fast-growing region. With the A380, our customers can enjoy an optimum travel experience in all cabin classes, as well as services specially adapted to the Chinese culture

Air France-KLM group has the largest European presence in China amongst European carriers, with 93 flights per week from its two European hubs at Paris and Amsterdam to nine Greater Chinese destinations: Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong,Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Xiamen and Taipei.

Shanghai becomes the sixth A380 destination for Air France, after New York JFK, Washington Dulles, and Los Angeles in the US, Johannesburg in Africa, and Tokyo Narita in Asia. Air France operates a fleet of 8 Airbus A380-800s as part of its passenger fleet of 245 aircraft, used to serve 199 destinations around the globe. 

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Japan Airlines revises its flights and fleet plans for financial year 2013~14

Japan Airlines Group (JAL) today announced revisions made to its flight frequency and fleet plans for the remaining of fiscal year 2013(ending March 31, 2014).

In regards to the airline's domestic network, flight frequencies on select routes will be adjusted to better meet demand as well as the changes in customer travel patterns including seasonal travel patterns in order to further maximize revenue. JAL will also strive to further improve customer convenience by expanding its domestic network.

In regards to the airline's international network, new Boeing 787-8 aircraft will be deployed onto flights between Tokyo (Narita) and Sydney as well as between Tokyo (Narita) and Bangkok to improve cost efficiency as well as to provide customers with updated products and services. In addition, the fully revamped Boeing 777-300ERs (JAL SKY SUITE 777) including the JAL SKY SUITE (named "Best Business Class Airline Seat" at SKYTRAX's 2013 World Airline Awards) will be introduced between Tokyo (Narita) and Los Angeles from November 2013 as well as between Tokyo (Narita) and Chicago from January 2014.

JAL will introduce completely revamped Boeing 767-300ERs (JAL SKY SUITE 767) between Tokyo (Narita) and Vancouver from December 2013 as well as between Tokyo (Narita) and Kuala Lumpur from January 2014.

*The following schedules are subject to government approval.

Domestic Network

Flight Frequency Changes

Route	Details	Date Effective
Haneda = Osaka (Itami)	Increase from 15 to 16 daily round-trip flights	Oct. 27, 2013 ~ Mar. 29, 2014
Haneda = Sapporo	Increase from 16 to 17 daily round-trip flights	Oct. 27, 2013 ~ Mar. 29, 2014
Haneda = Izumo	Increase from 5 to 6 daily round-trip flights	Oct. 27, 2013 ~ Mar. 29, 2014
Fukuoka = Matsuyama	Increase from 7 to 8 daily round-trip flights	Jan. 7, 2014 ~
Okinawa (Naha) = Ishigaki	Increase from 9 to 10 daily round-trip flights	Sep. 1, 2013 ~ Jan. 6, 2014 Feb. 3, 2014 ~ Mar. 29, 2014
Okinawa (Naha) = Okayama	Increase from 1 to 2 daily round-trip flights	Oct. 1, 2013 ~ Mar. 29, 2014(*)
Osaka (Itami) = Fukuoka	Decrease from 5 to 4 daily round-trip flights	Oct. 27, 2013 ~
Sapporo = Hanamaki	Decrease from 4 to 3 daily round-trip flights	Oct. 27, 2013 ~ Mar. 29, 2014
Kagoshima = Matsuyama	Decrease from 2 to 1 daily round-trip flights	Jan. 7, 2014 ~

(*) Flight frequency will be back to 1 daily round-trip flight during the following period:

Oct. 15,20,21,27,28,30; Nov. 8~10,26,28; Dec. 1,3,5,7,8,10 ~12; Jan. 17~25,27~31; Feb. 1,2,4

International Network

Boeing 787-8 will be introduced onto the following routes

Boeing 787-8 configured with the JAL SHELL FLAT NEO in Business Class will be introduced between Tokyo (Narita) and Sydney as well as between Tokyo (Narita) and Bangkok.

Route	Aircraft Type	Date Effective	Remarks
Narita = Sydney	787-8	Dec. 1, 2013 ~	JL771/JL772(JL772 from Dec. 2, 2013)
Narita = Bangkok		Dec. 2, 2013 ~	JL707/JL718, 4 among 7 weekly round-trip flights (JL718 from Dec.3, 2013)

*The type of aircraft might be changed due to the delivery schedule of Boeing 787-8.

Other aircraft type changes

JAL also aims to further improve the quality of its products and services offered on other routes, on all 3 daily round-trip flights operated between Tokyo (Haneda/Narita) and Bangkok, an improved JAL Business Class will be offered including the JAL SHELL FLAT SEAT installed on Boeing 777-200ERs, and JAL SHELL FLAT NEO installed on Boeing 787-8s.

Route	Aircraft Type/Date Effective	In-flight Service	Remarks
Haneda = Bangkok	From 767-300ER to 777-200ER /Dec. 1, 2013 ~	Business Class: JAL SHELL FLAT SEAT	JL33/JL34*1
Narita = Bangkok*2	From 767-300ER to777-200ER,787-8*3 /Dec. 1, 2013~	Business Class: JAL SHELL FLAT SEAT(777-200ER) JAL SHELL FLAT NEO(787-8)	From Narita to Bangkok: JL717/Daily/777-200ER JL707/Mo,Tu,Th,Sa/787-8 JL707/We,Fr,Su/777-200ER From Bangkok to Narita: JL718/Mo,Th,Sa/777-200ER JL718/Tu,We,Fr,Su/787-8 JL708/Daily/777-200ER

*1 Premium Economy service will be provided on JL33/JL34 from Dec. 1, 2013.

*2 Among 14 weekly round-trip flights, 10 round-trip flights will be operated with Boeing 777-200ER, 4 round-trip flights will be operated with Boeing 787-8. Premium Economy service will be provided on flights with Boeing 777-200ER.

*3 The type of aircraft might be changed due to the delivery schedule of Boeing 787-8.

Flight frequency changes

Flight frequency will temporarily decrease in response to the passenger demand

Route	Details	Date Effective	Remarks
Narita = Beijing	Decrease from 14 to 7 weekly round-trip flights	Nov. 25 ~ Dec. 8, 2013	JL863/JL864 decreased

Improving the quality of products and services on Europe, North America and Southern Asia routes

JAL is now gradually introducing fully revamped cabin which are both spacious and functional on its Boeing 777-300ERs (JAL SKY SUITE 777) on Europe and North America routes. Additionally, the airline will introduce fully revamped Boeing 767-300ERs (JAL SKY SUITE 767) on middle and long-haul routes.  

                       

1.       Expansion of
JAL SKY SUITE 777                         

JAL SKY SUITE 777 is now available daily between Tokyo (Narita) and New York, London as well as Paris. Moreover, the new configuration will be introduced on routes between Tokyo (Narita) and Los Angeles as well as between Tokyo (Narita) and Chicago.

Route	Aircraft Type	In-flight Service	Date Effective	Remarks
Narita = Los Angeles	777-300ER	JAL SKY SUITE 777 (*1) First Class: NEW JAL SUITE Business Class: JAL SKY SUITE Premium Economy: JAL SKY PREMIUM Economy: JAL SKY WIDER	Nov. 2013 ~	(*2)
Narita = Chicago			Jan. 2014 ~

(*1) For more details on JAL SKY SUITE 777, please visit http://www.jal.co.jp/en/newsky/ss7/

(*2) The actual operating date will be introduced on JAL homepage when it has been decided. 

2.       Introduction of JAL SKY SUITE 767                       

JAL SKY WIDER, which is now being installed onto all Boeing 777-300ERs will also be installed on Boeing 767-300ERs. Highlights of the JAL Economy Class seat include increased pitch and a slim style seatback design resulting in approximately 10 cm (Max.) more legroom than the present seat pitch. In JAL Business Class, a new 180-degree fully reclining JAL SKY SUITE II seat will be installed, which was designed specifically for this aircraft type. In addition, each seat in the 1-2-1 configuration provides unobstructed aisle access for an undisturbed flight allowing maximum personal enjoyment and a soothing rest.

Route	Aircraft Type	In-flight Service	Date Effective	Remarks
Narita = Vancouver	767-300ER	JAL SKY SUITE 767 (*1) Business Class: JAL SKY SUITE II Economy: JAL SKY WIDER	Dec. 2013 ~	(*2)
Narita = Kuala Lumpur			Jan. 2014 ~

(*1)  For more details on JAL SKY SUITE 767, please visit http://www.jal.co.jp/en/newsky/ss6/

(*2)  The actual operating date will be introduced on JAL homepage when it has been decided.

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Hawaiian adds service to Beijing; when will India come on their radar?

by Vinay Bhaskara

Honolulu, Hawaii based full service carrier Hawaiian Airlines has announced new service to Beijing, China, with thrice weekly flights commencing in April 2014 utilizing 294 seat Airbus A330-200 aircraft configured as (18P/276Y).  The new service will be made possible because the existing 3 weekly flights to Manila in the Philippines will be cancelled from July 31st, 2013.

The new flights mark a continuation of the feverish Asian expansion begun by Hawaiian back in 2010, and fuelled by steady stream of A330 deliveries to sustain growth. Since June 2010, Hawaiian has added or announced new flights toSeoul Incheon, Osaka-Kansai, Fukuoka, Tokyo-Haneda, Sapporo, Brisbane, Auckland, Sendai, and Taipei. The flights are in large part a reflection of the changing nature of Hawaii’s tourism market; the traditional American and Japanese tourists are there in droves, but a rising number of affluent East Asians, especially Chinese, are making Hawaii a luxury destination of choice. And they are likely not done with growth to Asia, as Hawaiian has 11 more A330s scheduled for delivery.

As with China, Singapore, and the other East Asian nations, Indian tourism to China has grown by leaps and bounds over the past decade. However, inbound arrivals to Hawaii are still nowhere near enough to support a nonstop flight. However, at current growth rates, within 5-6 years, demand should be strong enough to support direct one-stop flights between India and Hawaii. In fact to some degree, the market has actually been held back by a lack of convenient one-stop options between India and Hawaii. Currently, the only option is to connect onto United in Newark, which entails a journey of more than 28 hours. Especially once Hawaiian begins to take delivery of its Airbus A350 aircraft, with their lower operating costs, a one-stop tag to India from one of Hawaiian’s Asian destinations could be viable.

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Analysis: Qantas restructures Asian operations, looking at Indian service from 2016 onwards

by Vinay Bhaskara

Qantas A380 - Image courtesy QANTAS

Earlier today, Australian national carrier Qantas announced a restructuring of its Asian network. After launching an in-depth partnership with Middle Eastern carrier Emirates and switching its Kangaroo Route services to operate via Dubai instead of Asia, Qantas announced a renewed focus on strengthening its Asian operation. The key features of the news are as follow:

• Increased capacity and better frequency/timings for services to Singapore and Hong Kong
• Improvements to the cabin, in-flight experience, and lounges – dedicated capacity increase of 10% to Hong Kong and 40% to Singapore
• Earlier arrival times into Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Singapore to increase onward connectivity
• New code share service on Melbourne-Kuala Lampur, Melbourne/Brisbane-Singapore, and Sydney-Bangkok through Emirates 5th Freedom services
• Brisbane-Hong Kong increased to daily service from 4 weekly
• Melbourne/Sydney – Hong Kong re-timed for earlier arrival, Sydney – Hong Kong loses 4 weekly frequencies, Brisbane-Hong Kong increased from 4 weekly to daily, and re-timed, Perth – Hong Kong cancelled
• Perth  - Singapore reduced to daily from double daily and re-timed, Brisbane-Singapore re-timed, Sydney-Singapore gets daily service as does Melbourne-Singapore, Adelaide-Singapore is cancelled
• Sydney – Bangkok re-timed for earlier arrival. 
• A new Qantas lounge in Singapore (scheduled to open 31st March), and a new First Class lounge in Hong Kong– Combined investment in these lounges was $9 million
• An expanded Asian code share network through OneWorld partners Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Malaysia Airlines
• Investigating increased destinations in Asia including Beijing, Seoul, Mumbai, Delhi, and Tokyo-Haneda using 787-9 aircraft from 2016 onwards. 
• Potential refresh of the international Airbus A330 fleet with lie-flat seats in business class

The shit to focus on Asia for Qantas is a necessary change, especially as demand for both business and leisure travel has grown by leaps and bounds between rapidly developing East Asian nations and Australia. The better timings for onward connectivity also will buoy Qantas’ operations as they will allow for better integration with OneWorld partners. It should even be possible for Qantas passengers to connect through Asia onto British Airways for the Kangaroo route, though the timings are far from optimal.

But the decision to wait until 2016 for further Asian expansion is too far down the line; Beijing, Seoul, and Haneda are all viable destinations today. By 2016, Asian carriers will have had the opportunity to expand services on these routes even further, removing Qantas’ potential for expansion. Bangalore Aviation instead suggests that Qantas utilize its existing fleet of Airbus A330s to increase service to Asia, or at the very least use its fleet of 787-8s once the issues surrounding the 787s batteries are resolved.

In terms of serving Delhi and Mumbai, it would be wise to allow the market to develop and mature. None of the Indian carriers beyond the basket case national carrier Air India have any plans to serve Australia within the next 3-4 years, and Qantas can easily dominate Air India on the route. The Boeing 787-9 is the perfect aircraft for the route with enough range to make the route year round and strong unit costs to improve profitability. In terms of routes, the only city pair with enough volume to sustain nonstop service is Melbourne-Delhi, and even there the demand is primarily of the visiting family and relatives (VFR) variety, which is typically low yielding. So the profitability of Qantas services to India, even after 2016, is questionable at best.

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Airport Traffic Roundup: Beijing Airport hits 80 million passengers in one calendar year, Dubai Airport continues to grow

by Vinay Bhaskara

Earlier this week, Beijing Capital Airport (PEK), the world's second busiest airport by passenger enplanements, crossed 80 million passengers carried in one calendar year. According to Zhang Guanghui, general manager of Beijing Capital International Airport co., the airport is likely to cross the 90 million passengers per annum mark by 2015, allowing it to pass Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport as the world's busiest airport by passengers carried.

Meanwhile, Dubai Airport (DXB) reported a robust 10% growth in passenger traffic for November 2012. Dubai is now projected to handle more than 56 million passengers in 2012, and a whopping 66 million in 2013, which would exceed the current capacity of the airport. However, thanks to the opening of the new A380 concourse next year, passenger capacity should rise to around 75 million passengers per annum.

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Ethiopian Airlines orders additional Boeing 777-200LR

Boeing announced that Ethiopian Airlines has ordered an additional Boeing 777-200LR aircraft, in addition to the airline's fleet of five 777-200LRs.

Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines said

"The 777-200LR has been a fantastic airplane for Ethiopian Airlines," "The performance and range of the airplane allowed us to open direct routes from Washington D.C to Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa to Beijing, Toronto to Addis Ababa, as well as other long range routes . In line with our Vision 2025, we plan to provide more and more non-stop long haul flights to connect east, west, north and south, using the strategic location of our Addis Ababa hub. We need at least two airplanes on each route to operate daily service efficiently to long range routes. This additional airplane will let us take full advantage of the performance and economics of this great airplane."

No details on the delivery schedule of the aircraft were provided at this time. The carrier also has an outstanding order for six Boeing 777F freighters.

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Japan Airlines to operate Boeing 787 Dreamliner between Tokyo and New Delhi

Earlier today, Japanese national carrier Japan Airlines (JAL) announced that it would be introducing 5 weekly Boeing 787 services between Tokyo’s Narita Airport and New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) from the northern summer 2012 schedule which begins at the end of March, 2012.

The Dreamliner replaces the existing 5 weekly Boeing 777-200ER service.

Japan Airlines will also be introducing 787 services on the Narita-Moscow and Tokyo Haneda- Beijing routes in a similar timeframe, with direct flights between Tokyo Narita and Boston starting on April 22.

However, the plans could be derailed since Boeing is facing additional delays on the General Electric GEnx powered 787s.

The current Boeing 777-200ER used on the route seats 245 passengers in 3-class seating arrangement (56J/40Y+/149Y), thus the Boeing 787s, which has been reported to seat 186 passengers in a 2-class configuration, will represent a significant capacity reduction.

According to Japan Airlines’ booking engine photos, the 787’s business class will seat 42 passengers in a 2-2-2 configuration, while the economy class cabin will feature 144 seats in a 2-4-2 configuration. However Bangalore Aviation has learned that the business class cabin will feature the uncomfortable Shell Flat NEO seats, not a new generation of business class seats as many had hoped. Shell style seats, which feature hard seat backs (i.e non-reclining) and seat cushions that slide out, are notoriously uncomfortable for passengers

It is interesting that JAL chose to reduce capacity to Delhi, and remove the premium economy product, while it has been reported that this same route is doing extremely well for Indian national carrier Air India. Coincidentally Delhi-Tokyo is one of the routes Air India plans to introduce its 787s on.

With the 787s representing the new standard in onboard passenger comfort, we’re not sure that JAL could afford to not place the 787 on this route. The carrier only services New Delhi, leaving the commercial capital of Mumbai to All Nippon Airways which operates a very scaled down Boeing 737 Business Jet service.

Regardless, congratulations are in order for JAL: they will be the second carrier to start 787 operations to India after Air India.

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MAP: Lufthansa Airbus A380 operation in winter 2011-2012

The following is a map of Lufthansa's planned Airbus A380 operation in IATA's northern winter 2011-2012. All flights are daily, and this list does not include the few flights that will be operated in late December between Munich and New York JFK on the A380.



Maps generated by the Great Circle Mapper : copyright © Karl L. Swartz.

The operation is as of right now concentrated in Frankfurt (with the exception of previously mentioned Munich-JFK flights), as it is expected to be in the future. Lufthansa has 9 Airbus A380s on order, as well as 3 Airbus A330-300 and 20 Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental aircraft

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Luthansa takes delivery of third Airbus A380 D-AIMC names it Peking

German carrier Lufthansa took delivery of its third Airbus A380 D-AIMC MSN044 last week.

The Lufthansa "Lady Bee" is named Peking the German name for Beijing. Lufthansa will commence A380 services to the Chinese capital from Frankfurt tomorrow, September 1, 2010.

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Airbus delivers first Chinese assembled A320 aircraft to Sichuan Airlines

Airbus today delivered the first A320 aircraft assembled at its Final Assembly Line China (FALC) in Tianjin. At a grand ceremony, the aircraft was handed over by Airbus President and CEO, Tom Enders, to the Chairman of Dragon Aviation Leasing, Li Hai. The aircraft will be leased to and operated by Sichuan Airlines.

The FALC is a joint venture between Airbus and a Chinese consortium comprising Tianjin Free Trade Zone (TJFTZ) and China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC). Eleven A319 and A320 aircraft are scheduled for delivery in Tianjin in 2009. Airbus is planning a production rate ramp up to four aircraft per month by the end of 2011.

Sichuan Airlines, established in 1986 and commenced commercial flights in 1988, was the first Chinese carrier to introduce the A320 aircraft in China back in 1995. and it started commercial flight operation in 1988. The new A320 will join the existing fleet of 40 Airbus A320 Family aircraft.

The A320 delivered today is a two-class configuration, with eight first class seats and 156 economy seats. The aircraft will be deployed on domestic trunk routes between the airline’s base of Chengdu to such major cities like Beijing and Shanghai. It will enter into service on June 24 on the route from Chengdu to Beijing.

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