China Southern ramps up London service
It wasn’t long ago that China Southern Airlines (CSA) launched their new Guangzhou-London service, and they’re already increasing the frequency of flights. Starting October 28, Heathrow will get daily service from Guangzhou, the only non-stop flight between the two cities.

Shenzhen starts-up Sydney service again
Hainan Airlines is returning to Sydney, Australia once more starting October 29 after a near nine-month hiatus – also making it the furthest international destination from Shenzhen to anywhere in the Asia-Pacific, let alone the world.

China Southern’s South East Asia shuffle
From September 21, Kuala Lumpur gets an extra daily flight from Guangzhou, taking the total to three flights a day.

Starting September 24 there will be extra flights from Guangzhou to Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore and Yangon. Ho Chi Minh goes thrice-daily, Singapore has been increased to four-a-day while Yangon temporarily doubles to four-a-week until October 26. Finally, starting October 1, twice-daily service resumes on the Guangzhou-Manila route after passenger traffic took a knock over rising political tensions between the mainland and the Philippines earlier this summer.

Hong Kong’s winter blues
Winter is the time of year where wings are clipped in the northern hemisphere as far as long-haul goes. British Airways are keeping to its 14 weekly departures from Heathrow, previously aiming for 17, while European rival Lufthansa reduces daily departures to a five or six flights a week service.

And in recent weeks, Hong Kong has been hit by strikes at Air India. While there’s been a resolution, flights from Delhi to Hong Kong and onwards to Osaka Kansai and Seoul Incheon are still suspended until September 1.

Emirates A380 Hong Kong u-turn
The Dubai-carrier has backed out of plans to introduce a 14-weekly A380 service to Hong Kong. It will stick to its previous seven A380 departures via Bangkok, with four other aircraft going to Hong Kong non-stop.

There’s still hope
It’s not all bad news in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Airlines is boosting services to Shanghai Pudong starting August 1. Its introducing an extra three flights on top of the 14-weekly in an all-new business class only flight. And from September 10, the number of flights will rise to 21 a week.

Source: Airline Route

The African carrier has stolen some of the limelight from China Southern Airlines, which was due to receive its first 787 ahead of Ethiopian in July.  So far, though it has made no announcements on its arrival, flight schedule or when fare-paying passengers can make reservations.

Guangzhou’s burgeoning “Little Africa” community concentrated in Yuexiu and Baiyun districts makes Guangzhou a prime destination for African carriers.  Furthermore, the decision for Ethiopian to utilise its new flagship plane on the route means capitalizing on the hundreds of billions of RMB being poured into Africa.

Ethiopian is the first airline to bring the revolutionary Dreamliner to the Pearl River Delta for regular passenger service.

The arrival of the 787 to Guangzhou is a huge coup for airport bosses, but it seen by some as a snub to its bigger, dominant rival the Hong Kong International Airport – which was originally in line to be serviced by the first round of Dreamliners.

But back on October 26 2011, the world’s first Dreamliner flight – an All Nippon Airways special charter – took off from Tokyo and landed in Hong Kong.  Boeing’s latest plane hasn’t been back since.

Source: Airline Route

Qantas, the owner of the budget brand, has teamed up with China Eastern Airlines to launch Jetstar Hong Kong, a new no-frills carrier, serving cities in mainland China, Japan, South Korea and South East Asia.

Following the demise of HK-based Oasis Airlines in 2008, Chek Lap Kok has been left without a permanent low-cost carrier, although it is still served by numerous low-fare airlines.

Jetstar Hong Kong is pledging to slash fares by 50 per cent compared to premium airlines. It will also go head-to-head against Cathay Pacific’s regional Dragonair brand and Hong Kong Airlines.

The move provides more choice and competition for travellers and it enables the Jetstar brand to link up passengers to more destinations in more countries through several Asian and Australian hubs.

The move into Hong Kong comes hot off the heels of a new Jetstar Japan airline.

Liu Shaoyong, the chairman of China Eastern, said he hoped Jetstar Hong Kong’s low fare approach would enable more people to fly more often for less and to stimulate the Hong Kong tourism industry and the broader economy.

Jetstar Group chief executive Bruce Buchanan said: “This is a unique opportunity for Jetstar to capitalise on the enormous potential of the Greater Chinese market.”

The other benefit of the PRD is having Hong Kong so close by for visa (and book) runs. Its highly-rated international airport with flights to destinations around the globe is an added bonus. With that in mind, Shenzhen is finally launching direct bus service from the Futian hub directly to Chek Lap Kok Airport on Lantau Island. Even better, you can actually check in for your flight in Futian, drop off your bags, and clear immigration!

Details from the Shenzhen Daily:

“The bus route will open Aug. 8 after one-week trial,” said Liu Ximu, general manager of Huatong Transport Co.

The bus will run at 20-minute intervals from 6:30 a.m. to 9:10 p.m.

The trip would take 90 minutes and cost 120 yuan (US$28) per person.

The transport hub will also open bus to Tsuen Wan, Prince Edward and China Hong Kong City.

Twenty-minute intervals is incredibly convenient, and beats the old method of crossing at Lo Wu or Futian Checkpoint and going from there. It is also a reciprocal arrangement: those in Hong Kong who are flying out of Shenzhen Bao’an Airport can check in at ELEMENTS mall in Kowloon for a direct bus link.

Finally, it’s not the only direct route from Shenzhen. You can also check in for your Hong Kong flight at Shekou Ferry Terminal and a ferry will take you directly to the airport.