A digest of the key route development and schedule updates from around the world...
AeroMexico to Start Cancun - Bogota Service
SkyTeam member AeroMexico starting 10MAY12 is launching Cancun - Bogota route, its 2nd route to Colombia. This route will be served by Boeing 737-700 three times a week. Overall service to Bogota will increase from 11 to 14 weekly as a result of this route launch. In March 2012, AM increased Mexico City - Bogota flight from daily to 11 weekly.
Cyprus Airways to Launch Athens - London Heathrow in October 2012
Cyprus Airways is continuing its service expansion in Greece, with the launch of 1 daily Athens - London Heathrow service starting 01OCT12. Initially service to be operated by a mix of Airbus A320 and A321, but this will change to daily A321 operation from 28OCT12. As a result of this service launch, the airline's twice daily Larnaca - London Heathrow will reduce to 1 daily.
SilkAir Plans Hanoi Service
Singapore Airlines' regional subsidiary carrier SilkAir starting 05JUN12 is launching its second destination in Vietnam, where it'll offer 3 weekly Singapore - Hanoi service on board Airbus A319/320 aircraft. The afternoon service is to open reservation to general public shortly.
Air France Transfers Marseille - Toulouse Link to AirlinAir
Starting 29MAY12, Air France is transferring its 2 daily service on Marseille - Toulouse route to regional carrier AirlinAir. This results in capacity reduction by nearly 70% as AF operates A319/320 aircraft, while AirlinAir operates ATR42 turboprop aircraft.
Allegiant Air Opens New Base at Punta Gorda in Florida
US leisure carrier Allegiant Air from 27JUN12 will launch a new base in Punta Gorda in Southwest Florida, where it'll base 1 MD80 aircraft, resulting in 4 new routes, to: Ft. Wayne, Niagra Falls/Buffalo, Peoria and South Bend.
SriLankan Airlines Reverses Decision on Europe Reductions
SriLankan Airlines has reversed its decision to further reduce its European operation, followed by reports that the island nation's president requested the airline not to discontinue service to Italy and Switzerland. Sri Lanka's local media reported this matter over the weekend.
China Eastern to Start Wuhan - Singapore Link
China Eastern Airlines starting 19APR12 will launch Qingdao - Wuhan - Singapore service, operating 3 times a week on board Airbus A320 aircraft. On Wuhan - Singapore sector, China Eastern will begin this service 5 days earlier than Silk Air. Coincidentally, operational schedule from Wuhan to Singapore is nearly identical to Silk Air's.
United Plans Winter Transatlantic Capacity Reduction
Based on schedule updates over the weekend of 07APR12, United Airlines is implementing capacity reduction on Trans-Atlantic flights to Europe for Winter 2012 season.
Copa Airlines Outlines 2012 Expansion Plan
Copa Airlines has outlined its planned expansion for Northern Summer 2012 season, which are now available for reservation in the GDS and on the airline's website. The airline is adding five new destinations (four of them has been announced previously) in summer, while a number of routes sees frequency increase.
Condor Expands to Cape Verde Islands and Gambia in Winter
German leisure carrier Condor in Winter 2012 season is expanding service to Gambia, where service to Banjul is increasing from 1 to 2 weekly. At the same time, it is introducing service to Cape Verde Islands with flights to Ilha do Sal and Boa Vista.
Transavia to Open Winter Amsterdam - Chambery Service
Transavia in Winter 2012/13 season is adding new ski destination link from Amsterdam, offering weekly Amsterdam - Chambery flight, on board Boeing 737 aircraft. Service begins from 22DEC12.
Turkish Airlines to Start Kinshasa Service
Turkish Airlines from late-August 2012 is launching service to the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it'll operate 4 weekly Istanbul - Kinshasa nonstop flight on board Boeing 737-900ER aircraft. Kinshasa is TK's 4th African destination to be launched in Summer 2012.
Air Moldova Expands Italy Service
Air Moldova starting June 2012 is expanding operation to Italy, with the introduction of 3 new destinations - Bologna, Venice and Verona.
Air France Introduces New Strasbourg European Links
Starting 02JUL12, Air France is introducing 2 new European routes from Strasbourg, where its franchise carrier Regional will operate 4 weekly to Rome and 3 weekly to Vienna. Planned operational schedule:
China Airlines Boosting Hong Kong & Jakarta Service
Skyteam member China Airlines starting May 2012 is increasing operation to Hong Kong and Jakarta, where overall service will incrase from 11 to 12 daily and 14 to 17 weekly, respectively. From 06MAY12, China Airlines begins 12th daily Taipei - Hong Kong service, where 3 of the 7 weekly service will extend to Jakarta. Its Hong Kong - Jakarta sector will raise from daily to 10 weekly as a result, offering red-eye flights.
Spirit Airlines Continues Dallas Expansion
Spirit Airlines on Tuesday (03APR12) announced latest round of service expansion from Dallas/Ft. Worth, which includes the launch of daily flight to Detroit, San Diego and Toluca/Mexico City, starting 21JUN12.
Southwest Airlines Continues AirTran Network Optimisation
Southwest Airlines has announced latest changes for network optimisation with AirTran, which includes the launch of 2 new seasonal routes, as well as flight increases. Selected AirTran stations will be converted to Southwest as well.
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