This thread is for aviation-related news/developments in Southeast Asia. Countries here are:

Thailand
Malaysia
Indonesia
Singapore
Laos
Cambodia
Vietnam
Brunei
Timor Leste
Myanmar

To kickoff - MH & JL inks MOU for JV. I feel this was probably driven by a G2G move, since the current PM is an ardent Japanophile to the point that he's making several trips to Japan. Could this be the start of a closer relationship between JL/MH?

viewtopic.php?t=1421697

Per RoutesOnline, there are some new flights, and service changes announced:

OD launches VNS; 3x a week with a 738.
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... july-2019/

Z2 launches a new route out of CRK and increases one existing route to 10 weekly:
CRK-KHH; A320, 3x a week
CRK-CEB; A320, increased to 10x a week.
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... gust-2019/

TR reduces TXL to 3x weekly
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... y-changes/

VN will be launching x3 weekly DAD-PUS using A321 aircraft starting July 20.

http://www.flightsinasia.com/article/4440

New routes and service changes:
KE launches DLI in Vietnam, 2x weekly with 737-900ER
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... june-2019/
9C launching PVG-RGN from July, 4x weekly with A320
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... july-2019/
D7 suspends KUL-CTS from 01AUG19 to 30SEP19
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... e-changes/
MU launching SZX-BKK, 3x daily with A321
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... july-2019/
HO launching PVG-KOS with A320, 2x weekly.
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... june-2019/

Indonesia's government is considering granting foreign airlines rights to operate domestic flights.

http://www.flightsinasia.com/article/4444

Per RoutesOnline, CI is upgauging TPE-DPS to a 744 from 08AUG19 to 21AUG19.

It's a good Idea with this thread
Any news on the TG fleet renewel plan that the government stopped?

fessor wrote:

It's a good Idea with this thread
Any news on the TG fleet renewel plan that the government stopped?

Well, according to Thai media, the plan went from buying just 31 aircraft to something like 100(?) aircraft, then the plan got shut down by the parliament.

Route updates:
SQ resumes HKT with 77E from 1/7/2019 to 26/10/2019
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... july-2019/
QG launches CGK-PNH from 21/6/2019
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... june-2019/
6E launches MAA-KUL, adds frequency on TRZ-SIN.
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... july-2019/
5J schedules A320NEO on CEB-SIN and CEB-NRT from late-July.
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... july-2019/
Other
XJ's first A330NEO cabin pictures:

12 J seats pictured here. Seems to be the same J seat used by TK,ET, SL, and KQ. No PTVs.

Rest of the cabin seems to be in D7/XJ's default A330 interior, configured with 365 Y seats in a 3-3-3 configuration.

Other
XJ's first A330NEO cabin pictures:

12 J seats pictured here. Seems to be the same J seat used by TK,ET, SL, and KQ. No PTVs.

Rest of the cabin seems to be in D7/XJ's default A330 interior, configured with 365 Y seats in a 3-3-3 configuration.

Got to love how red and black go well together.

Thai Airasia X starting DMK - Shenyang (SHE) and Brisbane (BNE) flights today at 2x and 4x weekly respectively. Both routes operated by A333 but BNE is being upgraded to A339 next month (read somewhere Shenyang was as well?) . Hopefully both routes are a success for them and both routes are increase in the short or long term.

Service Changes
CA upgauges PEK-SIN from A333 to A359 from 1/7/2019
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... july-2019/
8L launches CTU-KOS, 3 weekly.
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... june-2019/

oskarclare wrote:

Thai Airasia X starting DMK - Shenyang (SHE) and Brisbane (BNE) flights today at 2x and 4x weekly respectively. Both routes operated by A333 but BNE is being upgraded to A339 next month (read somewhere Shenyang was as well?) . Hopefully both routes are a success for them and both routes are increase in the short or long term.

BNE: High chance of that happening
SHE: No, either PVG or NRT has a higher chance of getting the A333

Air Asia is converting 253 A320neos to the larger A321neo. It is now the single biggest customer of A321neo now at 353 planes
https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news ... to-a321neo

For aviation-related news/developments in the Philippines, please refer here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1411777

And not on this forum.

ROUTE UPDATES:
UB adds a 2nd daily flight on RGN-CTU on the 738
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... july-2019/
FD starts HKT-KWE, 3 weekly with A320
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... july-2019/
From 16/8/19 to 27/8/19, VN will upgauge DAD-NRT from A321 to A359.
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... t-changes/

Why should we exclude the Philippines just because they have their own thread? It’s still a major part of Southeast Asia...
Lets say that a new route is being launched between the Philippines and a Southeast Asian neighbour, shouldn’t that be posted here?

UPDATES:
QD(JC Cambodia) reroutes PNH-MFM via Mandalay(MDL).
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... july-2019/
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
SL schedules seasonal charters between:
CNX-NKG(13JUL-5OCT)
UTP-SJW
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... july-2019/
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
PN(China West Air) terminates CKG-SIN, last flight 30/6/2019
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... june-2019/

SERVICE CHANGES:
SQ upgauges SIN-IST and SIN-CPH to A359.
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... f-02jul19/
From 27/10/2019, OD will upgauge KUL-DPS-SYD to 737-900ER
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... t-changes/
From 1/10/2019, SL will launch MNL and REP
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... -oct-2019/

SERVICE CHANGES(2):
TG upgauges CTS to 744 from 773A starting from 27/10/2019
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... e-changes/

So news just arrived saying that GA's first 2 A330NEOs are going to QG(Citilink), to allow it to launch FRA and JED. Configuration will be 42W323Y.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/artic ... it-459394/

NEW ROUTES:

Qingdao Airlines is now launching new routes from LHW(Lanzhou) to CXR(Cam Ranh/Nha Trang) and UTP(Pattaya/U-Tapao)
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... july-2019/

Chinese LCC 9 Air launches CAN-KOS with a Boeing 737-800, 3 daily.
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... july-2019/

Bamboo Airways launches 3 new routes from Haiphong, to CXR, SGN and Quy Nhon.
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... june-2019/

SOFT PRODUCT CHANGES:
VN introduces W on HAN-SGN.
https://www.traveldailymedia.com/vietna ... ity-route/

AIRCRAFT TEST FLIGHTS AND DELIVERIES:

JT(Lion Air)'s first A330neo (registration: PK-LEI) had its first test flight last week.
https://twitter.com/CAlloing/status/114 ... 65409?s=20

ID(Batik Air) received PK-LZL, its newest A320-214 since 3/7/2019.

Royal Air Charter Services(Philippines) received an A319-132 registered RP-C9368, previously operated by Cambodia's Lanmei Airlines as XU-983 and TAM as PT-TMH.

HAJJ WET-LEASES:

GA(Garuda Indonesia) wet-leased an A330-243 registered EC-MNY and 3 737-400(reg: EC-MRM, EC-MDS, EC-MQK) from ACMI operator Wamos Air for Hajj operations.

Indonesia AirAsia Extra wet leased 2 of its A330-343 aircraft (reg: PK-XRA and PK-XRC) to BG(Biman Bangladesh) for Hajj operations.

AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURE:

AOT plans to connect DMK(Don Mueang Airport)'s terminals to the SRT Dark Red Line, which opens in 2020/2021.
(Link in Thai)
https://www.thebangkokinsight.com/16966 ... D420caiZao

Other news:

There was a viral video spreading in Indonesia of a QG flight to KJT(Kertajati) with only 1 filled seat, out of 180. It was proven false, as there were actually 10. Only 10 people on board.
(Link in Indonesian)
https://finance.detik.com/berita-ekonom ... g-faktanya

AOT(Airports of Thailand) blocks the opening of a shopping mall near BKK due to safety concerns.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/17 ... L5dP3Ck-Zs

SpiceJet has secured three pairs of slots at Singapore. The airline plans to launch daily services from DEL, BOM and BLR

NEW ROUTE LAUNCHES:

JAL's new LCC, Zipair, is launching BKK in 14/5/2020 with a 290-seater 787.
https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj20190 ... -2020.html

Taiwan's Starlux has been granted route authorities to fly into BKK,CNX and HKT.
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3738847

Any idea when SQ will add SIN-YVR? It's viable now with the A350-900 and they're already flying to SEA this September. There is no direct flights to Canada from southeast Asia.

YYZORD wrote:

Any idea when SQ will add SIN-YVR? It's viable now with the A350-900 and they're already flying to SEA this September. There is no direct flights to Canada from southeast Asia.

PR is flying YVR and YYZ as of this posting, with YVR being served by B777 and YYZ by A359.

TG's Royal Barge is making a return, this time on a 777-3D7 registered HS-TKF.

cityairline wrote:

Why should we exclude the Philippines just because they have their own thread? It’s still a major part of Southeast Asia...
Lets say that a new route is being launched between the Philippines and a Southeast Asian neighbour, shouldn’t that be posted here?

Because the author excluded the Philippines from the list of Southeast Asian countries, or probably the author just forgot to label it.

krlgarcia01 wrote:

cityairline wrote:

Why should we exclude the Philippines just because they have their own thread? It’s still a major part of Southeast Asia...
Lets say that a new route is being launched between the Philippines and a Southeast Asian neighbour, shouldn’t that be posted here?

Because the author excluded the Philippines from the list of Southeast Asian countries, or probably the author just forgot to label it.

There’s a separate thread for Philippine aviation news.

krlgarcia01 wrote:

cityairline wrote:

Why should we exclude the Philippines just because they have their own thread? It’s still a major part of Southeast Asia...
Lets say that a new route is being launched between the Philippines and a Southeast Asian neighbour, shouldn’t that be posted here?

Because the author excluded the Philippines from the list of Southeast Asian countries, or probably the author just forgot to label it.

Well, I forgot to put that in.

TheEuphorian wrote:

krlgarcia01 wrote:

cityairline wrote:

Why should we exclude the Philippines just because they have their own thread? It’s still a major part of Southeast Asia...
Lets say that a new route is being launched between the Philippines and a Southeast Asian neighbour, shouldn’t that be posted here?

Because the author excluded the Philippines from the list of Southeast Asian countries, or probably the author just forgot to label it.

Well, I forgot to put that in.

Noted. I will take that to mean we are free to post Philippine aviation news then.

Aremaga wrote:

TheEuphorian wrote:

krlgarcia01 wrote:

Because the author excluded the Philippines from the list of Southeast Asian countries, or probably the author just forgot to label it.

Well, I forgot to put that in.

Noted. I will take that to mean we are free to post Philippine aviation news then.

Sure. Go ahead. I won't mind.

TheEuphorian wrote:

krlgarcia01 wrote:

cityairline wrote:

Why should we exclude the Philippines just because they have their own thread? It’s still a major part of Southeast Asia...
Lets say that a new route is being launched between the Philippines and a Southeast Asian neighbour, shouldn’t that be posted here?

Because the author excluded the Philippines from the list of Southeast Asian countries, or probably the author just forgot to label it.

Well, I forgot to put that in.

Oh wow, you forgot the second most populous country in the region but you remembered Brunei and Laos? I thought it was intentional... But okay, noted!

cityairline wrote:

TheEuphorian wrote:

krlgarcia01 wrote:

Because the author excluded the Philippines from the list of Southeast Asian countries, or probably the author just forgot to label it.

Well, I forgot to put that in.

Oh wow, you forgot the second most populous country in the region but you remembered Brunei and Laos?

And Timor Leste.

So some news regarding TG:

[LINK IN THAI]
So TG plans to launch MAN, SDJ and also relaunch MAD and (citation needed) they also plan to lease 3 777-300ER by the end of 2019.
https://www.khaosod.co.th/economics/news_2441709

TheEuphorian wrote:

krlgarcia01 wrote:

cityairline wrote:

Why should we exclude the Philippines just because they have their own thread? It’s still a major part of Southeast Asia...
Lets say that a new route is being launched between the Philippines and a Southeast Asian neighbour, shouldn’t that be posted here?

Because the author excluded the Philippines from the list of Southeast Asian countries, or probably the author just forgot to label it.

Well, I forgot to put that in.

Then why don’t you add it to the original post?

cityairline wrote:

TheEuphorian wrote:

krlgarcia01 wrote:

Because the author excluded the Philippines from the list of Southeast Asian countries, or probably the author just forgot to label it.

Well, I forgot to put that in.

Then why don’t you add it to the original post?

I can't edit it.

Royal Brunei launched Royal Brunei Link, a regional airline servicing Borneo island, in partnership with Malindo Air of Malaysia.

> Two all white 72-seats ATR 72 will be servicing Balikpapan, Kuching, Bintulu, Sibu, Tawau, Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu.
> Cabin crew and Cockpit crew to be provided by Malindo Air. In initial phase, Royal Brunei crew will also be on board to ensure service delivery is par with BI's standard.

> Sandwich will be provided for flight more than an hour. BI in-flight magazine made available too.
> 15kg baggage allowance. For those transiting from international flight at Brunei International Airport, 30kg and 40kg via respective class of booking.

https://www.flyroyalbrunei.com/malaysia ... lindo-air/

NEW ROUTES
India's Vistara is launching its first international flights to Singapore from DEL and BOM:
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... -aug-2019/

Vietjet Air is launching Tokyo(Haneda) from Da Nang, Vietnam from late October, to be operated with an A321.
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... -oct-2019/

Vietnam Airlines is launching Haikou from SGN with the A321, starting from August 2019.
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... -aug-2019/

Myanmar Airways International is launching Hangzhou from Mandalay and Yangon with an A319.
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... e-in-3q19/

Fleet Movements:
JT(Lion Air)'s entire A330-300 fleet were leased to Flynas.

Airbus A330-343 1675 PK-LEF Lion Airlines posn 06 July 2019 CGK-MED on Hajj-lease to Flynas
Airbus A330-343 1680 PK-LEG Lion Airlines posn 03 July 2019 CGK-LED on Hajj-lease to Flynas
Airbus A330-343 1693 PK-LEH Lion Airlines posn 03 July 2019 CGK-JED on Hajj-lease to Flynas

One of PR'S A340-313(RP-C3441) was ferried to SBD for scrapping.

Airbus A340-313 474 RP-C3441 Philippine Airlines ferried 10 July 2019 MNL-SFO-SBD, for part-out & scrap, ex EC-IDF

TheEuphorian wrote:

Airbus A340-313 474 RP-C3441 Philippine Airlines ferried 10 July 2019 MNL-SFO-SBD, for part-out & scrap, ex EC-IDF

It's not going to Plus Ultra anymore?

filipinoavgeek wrote:

TheEuphorian wrote:

Airbus A340-313 474 RP-C3441 Philippine Airlines ferried 10 July 2019 MNL-SFO-SBD, for part-out & scrap, ex EC-IDF

It's not going to Plus Ultra anymore?

Seems to be cancelled.

Looks like TG is removing the A380 on its LHR route, replaced by the 77W.
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... y-changes/

TheEuphorian wrote:

Looks like TG is removing the A380 on its LHR route, replaced by the 77W.
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... y-changes/

Does this mean the TG A380s will soon go bye bye?

Also, there apparently was some kind of incident recently where an Indonesia blogger was apparently in detention after making a bad review of Garuda, which led Garuda to call that "defamation" and promptly banning taking of photos and videos in the cabin. Any updates on that issue? Sounds crazy if true.

Is there any update as to the situation with TG's 744's? It seems they are holding onto the Sydney and Phuket as the only permanent routes with the others being rather ad-hoc, are there plans to change these to A350's or B777's?

Ellofiend wrote:

Is there any update as to the situation with TG's 744's? It seems they are holding onto the Sydney and Phuket as the only permanent routes with the others being rather ad-hoc, are there plans to change these to A350's or B777's?

Well, if I remember correctly, TG 744 destinations are the following:
>SYD
>DPS
>HKT
>HND
>ZRH
>CTS (Seasonal)

And the last of them (HS-TGF and HS-TGG) will be retired probably in 2023/2024.

filipinoavgeek wrote:

Also, there apparently was some kind of incident recently where an Indonesia blogger was apparently in detention after making a bad review of Garuda, which led Garuda to call that "defamation" and promptly banning taking of photos and videos in the cabin. Any updates on that issue? Sounds crazy if true.

Yup. I heard about it yesterday, and it seems very controversial and GA is blowing it out of proportion.

http://737-max.blogspot.com/2019/07/sri ... n7669.html

SJ(Sriwijaya Air)'s first 737-8 has been spotted in final assembly.