Bonza, an Australian low-cost airline, announced last April 29th the suspension of operations. The company had six Boeing 737 MAX 8s in its fleet, including aircraft with Australian and Canadian registrations.

Its first flight was on January 31st, 2023. Tim Jordan, Bonza’s CEO, had said on its first anniversary, “It really is a Bonzaversary to remember’ since our inaugural flight on 31 January 2023′ Bonza has expanded to operate 38 routes to 21 destinations from three bases and’ of these routes’ 84% are unique to Bonza”.

“We have big plans for 2024 and the Australian public will benefit. We predict we will save domestic travelers around an additional $250 million next year. Competition in Australian skies is a fantastic thing for Australian travelers and more than 750,000 customers have already experienced the benefits of Bonza,” he concluded.

Bonza was forced to cease operations after lessor AIP Capital removed flight manuals from some of the airline’s aircraft.

Emirates continues its expansion in Asia with the launch of new routes, as well as an increase in weekly frequencies.

What are the airline’s current destinations in this market?

Ahmedabad, Angeles City, Auckland, Baghdad, Bangalore, Bangkok, Basra, Beijing, Brisbane, Cebu, Chennai, Cochin, Colombo, Delhi, Denpasar, Dhaka, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Jakarta, Karachi, Kolkata, Kuala Lumpur, Lahore, Male, Manila, Melbourne, Moscow, Mumbai, Osaka, Perth, Peshawar, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sialkot, St. Petersburg, Sydney, Tehran, Tokyo (HND and NRT) and Trivandrum.

We will review Emirates’ new developments later in the report.

These are other highlights of the Asia/Oceania market in May

• Air India will operate a new international route with its Airbus A350s.

• Aurora to fly between Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and Beijing.

• Bhutan Airlines adds two new connections.

• Cambodia Angkor Air will serve Da Nang from Phnom Penh.

• Cebu Pacific launches a new route to Bangkok.

• China Eastern will have flights between Beijing Daxing and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi.

• China Southern and its new routes.

• Korean Air launches its first international destination from Jeju.

• Lao Airlines began flights between Pakse and Guangzhou.

• Malaysia Airlines confirms three new international connections.

• Myanmar Airways International (MAI) will launch flights to Doha.

• Nauru Airlines, the only company to operate between Australia and Palau.

• Qantas and its developments in the Asian market.

• SpiceJet will commence a new route, which will be operated with Sky Angkor Airlines’ Airbus A320.

• Tigerair Taiwan announces three new connections from Taichung.

Air India

As of June 1st, the airline will start operating between Mumbai and Dubai with its new Airbus A350-900s. According to our database, Air India performs this route on Airbus A319, Airbus A320 and Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

Daily (A350)

• AI 983  Mumbai BOM 20:25 · 21:55 DXB Dubai
• AI 984  Dubai DXB 23:40 · 04:20+1 BOM Mumbai

Mumbai – Dubai will be Air India’s second international Airbus A350 route, after Delhi – Dubai.

Aurora

The carrier will open a new international connection from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk beginning June 11th. In line with its website, services will be available until late August.

Tuesday

• HZ 4696  Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk UUS 23:30 · 00:25+1 PKX Beijing

Wednesday

• HZ 4697  Beijing PKX 01:35 · 08:05 UUS Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Harbin is currently its only international destination to/from the Russian city. The other connections are Blagoveshchensk, Iturup, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Okha, Petropavlovsk, Shakhtyorsk, Sovetskaya, Tymovskoye and Yuzhno-Kurilsk, all in Russia.

Bhutan Airlines

From September, the airline plans to add services to Bangalore and Mumbai.

Operations will be combined with Kolkata, using Airbus A319-100 aircraft in both cases.

Mumbai · September 24th

Monday

• B3 738  Paro PBH 15:15 · 15:55 CCU Kolkata
• B3 738  Kolkata CCU 16:25 · 19:05 BOM Mumbai
• B3 739  Mumbai BOM 08:35 · 12:20 PBH Paro (Tuesday)

Thursday

• B3 738  Paro PBH 10:30 · 11:10 CCU Kolkata
• B3 738  Kolkata CCU 11:40 · 14:20 BOM Mumbai
• B3 739  Mumbai BOM 04:00 · 07:40 PBH Paro (Friday)

Bangalore · September 25th

Tuesday

• B3 738  Paro PBH 15:15 · 15:55 CCU Kolkata
• B3 738  Kolkata CCU 16:25 · 19:05 BLR Bangalore
• B3 739  Bangalore BLR 04:00 · 07:40 PBH Paro

Friday

• B3 738  Paro PBH 10:30 · 11:10 CCU Kolkata
• B3 738  Kolkata CCU 11:40 · 14:20 BLR Bangalore
• B3 739  Bangalore BLR 04:00 · 07:40 PBH Paro (Saturday)

Cambodia Angkor Air

Phnom Penh – Da Nang, Cambodia Angkor Air’s new route.

Effective July 11th, lights are scheduled twice a week with 186-seat Airbus A320-200 aircraft.

Thursday and Sunday

• K6 846  Phnom Penh PNH 10:20 · 11:35 DAD Da Nang
• K6 847  Da Nang DAD 12:25 · 13:40 PNH Phnom Penh

Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Nanning, Siem Reap (Cambodia) and Zhengzhou are the current routes of Cambodia Angkor Air in Phnom Penh. For its part, the airline operates to Da Nang from Siem Reap.

Cebu Pacific

Starting July 16th, Cebu Pacific will launch services between Manila and Bangkok (DMK). As stated on its website, the carrier will offer three weekly flights on this route using 180-seat Airbus A320-200 jets.

Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday

• 5J 863  Manila MNL 19:25 · 22:00 DMK Bangkok
• 5J 864  Bangkok DMK 23:00 · 03:40+1 MNL Manila

China Eastern

For the following month, China Eastern Airlines will be flying between Beijing Daxing and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi.

The first operation will be on May 27th, according to its website. These services will be carried out on Airbus A320s with a capacity of 158 passengers in single class, until late June.

Daily except Thursday

• MU 2071  Beijing PKX 19:15 · 23:20 BKK Bangkok

Daily except Friday

• MU 2072  Bangkok BKK 00:40 · 06:35 PKX Beijing

Thai Vietjet Air currently operates one daily frequency between the two airports with A320 airplanes.

China Southern

The airline will open five new international routes from China between June and July.

• Harbin (HRB) – Hong Kong (HKG): 2 weekly · June 2nd
• Zhengzhou (CGO) – Kuala Lumpur (KUL): 7 weekly · June 20th
• Guangzhou (CAN) – Islamabad (ISB): 3 weekly · June 25th
• Guangzhou (CAN) – Budapest (BUD): 4 weekly · June 27th
• Beijing (PKX) – Singapore (SIN): 7 weekly · July 1st

In addition, last May 11th, China Southern Airlines inaugurated its services between Shenzhen and Mexico City. We will talk more about this in the Latin America report.

China West

At 19:39 on May 16th, China West Airlines’ first flight from Chongqing landed in Hanoi. The company will offer two frequencies per week on Airbus A320s.

Tuesday and Saturday

• PN 6575  Chongqing CKG 18:55 · 20:00 HAN Hanoi
• PN 6576  Hanoi HAN 21:00 · 00:15+1 CKG Chongqing

In the next Asia/Oceania report, we will mention two new routes that China West will inaugurate in mid-June.

Emirates

As mentioned above, the airline will have the following changes in the Asian market, all from/to Dubai:

• Kuala Lumpur (KUL): July 1st · first flight with Airbus A380
• Ahmedabad (AMD): October 27th · first flight with Airbus A350
• Mumbai (BOM): October 27th · first flight with Airbus A350
• Colombo (CMB): January 1st, 2025 · first flight with Airbus A350
• Kuala Lumpur (KUL): January 1st, 2025 · increase from 7 to 14 (A380)
• Ho Chi Minh City (SGN): January 15th, 2025 · increase from 7 to 14

Furthermore, Emirates resumed services between Dubai and Phnom Penh on May 1st. The company will operate under the following schedule, in accordance with our database:

Daily

• EK 348  Dubai DXB 02:30 · 14:05 SIN Singapore
• EK 348  Singapore SIN 15:35 · 16:35 PNH Phnom Penh

• EK 349  Phnom Penh PNH 20:50 · 23:50 SIN Singapore
• EK 349  Singapore SIN 01:40 · 04:55 DXB Dubai (following day)

Iran Airtour

Iran Airtour’s Airbus A310-324, registered EP-MDH, entered service last May 12th. The Iranian airline had incorporated this 33-year-old aircraft in May 2023, following its retirement from Mahan Air.

Fleet

• Airbus A300-600: 4
• Airbus A310-300: 4
• Airbus A320-200: 1
• McDonnell Douglas MD-82: 5
• McDonnell Douglas MD-83: 1
• McDonnell Douglas MD-87: 1

Jetstar Japan

On May 8th, the Japanese carrier began international operations with Airbus A321LRs.

The Tokyo Narita – Shanghai Pudong route will be offered between two and three weekly times as follows:

• GK 035  Tokyo NRT 22:25 · 00:50+1 PVG Shanghai
• GK 036  Shanghai PVG 02:05 · 06:20 NRT Tokyo

Jetstar Japan also operates this leg on Airbus A320-200 aircraft.

Korean Air

As of July 19th, the South Korean carrier will offer three services a week between Jeju and Tokyo Narita. Operations will be performed with 173-seat Boeing 737-900ER planes.

Wednesday, Friday and Sunday

• KE 2125  Jeju CJU 13:05 · 15:35 NRT Tokyo
• KE 2126  Tokyo NRT 16:35 · 19:25 CJU Jeju

The Japanese capital will be Korean Air’s first international destination from Jeju, as its current destinations are Busan, Cheongju, Daegu, Gwangju, Jinju, Seoul Gimpo, Ulsan and Yeosu. Busan and Seoul Incheon are its connections from Tokyo Narita.

Lao Airlines

Guangzhou, new Lao Airlines destination.

The company began flights from Pakse, Laos, on May 19th using Airbus A320 aircraft.

Sunday

• QV 888  Pakse PKZ 23:05 · 02:05+1 CAN Guangzhou

Monday

• QV 889  Guangzhou CAN 03:05 · 04:05 PKZ Pakse

Current routes – Pakse

• Guangzhou (CAN): 1 weekly · Airbus A320 (Lao Airlines)
• Ho Chi Minh City (SGN): 3 weekly · ATR 72 (Lao Airlines)
• Luang Prabang (LPQ): 3 weekly · ATR 72 (Lao Airlines)
• Siem Reap (SAI): 3 weekly · ATR 72 (Lao Airlines)
• Vientiane (VTE): 17 weekly · A320/ATR 72 (Lao Airlines)
• Vientiane (VTE): 2 weekly · Xian MA-60 (Lao Skyway)

Malaysia Airlines

The airline announced the expansion of its network, with the opening of three new international connections from Kuala Lumpur (all with Boeing 737-800s):

• Male (MLE): 7 weekly · August 1st
• Chiang Mai (CNX): 5 weekly · August 15th
• Da Nang (DAD): 7 weekly · September 24th

Myanmar Airways International

MAI plans to launch operations between Yangon and Doha from June 1st. Services will be on 140-seat Airbus A319s, under this schedule:

Tuesday and Saturday

• 8M 120  Yangon RGN 14:30 · 17:50 DOH Doha
• 8M 121  Doha DOH 18:50 · 04:30+1 RGN Yangon

MAI Routes to/from Yangon

Cambodia

• Phnom Penh (PNH): 3 weekly · Embraer 190

China

• Guangzhou (CAN): 3 weekly · Airbus A319
• Kunming (KMG): 5 weekly · Airbus A320

India

• Chennai (MAA): 1 weekly · Embraer 190
• Delhi (DEL): 3 weekly · A319/E190
• Kolkata (CCU): 2 weekly · Airbus A319

Laos

• Vientiane (VTE): 1 weekly · Airbus A319

Malaysia

• Kuala Lumpur (KUL): 12 weekly · A319/A320

Myanmar

• Dawei (TVY): 1 weekly · Embraer 190
• Mandalay (MDL): 8 weekly · A319/E190
• Myeik (MGZ): 5 weekly · Embraer 190
• Myitkyina (MYT): 5 weekly · Embraer 190

Singapore

• Singapore (SIN): 14 weekly · Airbus A320

South Korea

• Seoul (ICN): 3 weekly · Airbus A319

Thailand

• Bangkok (BKK): 31 weekly · Airbus A320
• Bangkok (DMK): 19 weekly · A319/A320/E190
• Chiang Mai (CNX): 3 weekly · Embraer 190
• Phuket (HKT): 1 weekly · Embraer 190

United Arab Emirates

• Dubai (DXB): 4 weekly · Airbus A319

Vietnam

• Hanoi (HAN): 2 weekly · A319/E190
• Ho Chi Minh City (SGN): 3 weekly · A319/E190

Nauru Airlines

The company expands its services to Australia with a new route from Palau.

At the time of publication, Nauru Airlines will perform this route once per week by Boeing 737-800 with capacity for 189 passengers.

Tuesday (first flight May 21st)

• ON 80  Brisbane BNE 23:30 · 04:30+1 ROR Airai

Wednesday (first flight May 22nd)

• ON 81  Airai ROR 22:30 · 05:30+1 BNE Brisbane

Nauru Airlines is the only carrier operating between Australia and Palau.

Qanot Sharq

As of June 23rd, the Uzbek airline intends to inaugurate flights between Tashkent and Shanghai Pudong, which will be operated with a weekly frequency on Airbus A320s.

Sunday

• HH 3311  Tashkent TAS 14:00 · 23:55 PVG Shanghai

Monday

• HH 3312  Shanghai PVG 01:30 · 06:30 TAS Tashkent

Fergana, Jeddah, Moscow, Namangan, Nha Trang, Phuket, Samarkand and Sharm el-Sheikh are Qanot Sharq’s current routes from/to Tashkent.

Qantas

In Q4, Qantas confirmed it will boost flights to the Asian market.

Connections to Bangalore and Singapore will have the following changes, in addition to a new start:

Brisbane

• Singapore (SIN): from 7 to 9 · October 27th
• Manila (MNL): 4 weekly · effective October 28th

Sydney

• Bangalore (BLR): from 5 to 7 weekly · December 12th
• Singapore (SIN): from 7 to 8 weekly · October 30th

On the other hand, the airline will discontinue services between Sydney and Shanghai from July 28th. It currently operates five times a week using Airbus A330-300s.

Somon Air

The Tajik carrier launched services between Khujand and Urumqi in mid-May. At the time of publication, Somon Air will offer a weekly flight on 189-seat Boeing 737-800s.

Thursday

• SZ 159  Khujand LBD 21:00 · 02:40+1 URC Urumqi

Friday

• SZ 160  Urumqi URC 04:00 · 03:40 LBD Khujand

Somon Air has six aircraft in its fleet (4 Boeing 737-800 and 2 Boeing 737-900).

SpiceJet

Effective May 31st, the Indian low cost airline will have a daily frequency between Delhi and Phuket. These services will be operated on Sky Angkor Airlines’ leased Airbus A320s with the following schedule:

Daily

• SG 89  Delhi DEL 09:00 · 15:15 HKT Phuket
• SG 90  Phuket HKT 16:15 · 19:20 DEL Delhi

From Delhi, Bangkok is the carrier’s only current destination in Thailand, which is offered once a day with Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Spring Airlines

The Chinese low cost carrier will add a new route to Vietnam as of July 6th.

According to its website, Spring Airlines will operate four weekly between Shanghai and Ho Chi Minh City:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday

• 9C 7557  Shanghai PVG 14:35 · 17:55 SGN Ho Chi Minh City
• 9C 7558  Ho Chi Minh City SGN 18:55 · 23:55 PVG Shanghai

Tigerair Taiwan

During July, the Taiwanese airline will begin three new connections from Taichung, which will be carried out by Airbus A320-200 aircraft.

Nagoya · July 1st

Monday and Friday

• IT 778  Taichung RMQ 11:55 · 15:45 NGO Nagoya
• IT 779  Nagoya NGO 16:45 · 18:50 RMQ Taichung

Tokyo Narita · July 2nd

Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday

• IT 790  Taichung RMQ 08:20 · 12:40 NRT Tokyo
• IT 791  Tokyo NRT 13:40 · 15:55 RMQ Taichung

Busan · July 3rd

Wednesday and Saturday

• IT 8636  Taichung RMQ 11:55 · 15:10 PUS Busan
• IT 8637  Busan PUS 16:10 · 17:35 RMQ Taichung

Xiamen Airlines

Xiamen Air’s operations between Quanzhou and Bangkok (BKK) will commence on June 15th.

In accordance with its website, services will have three frequencies per week on Boeing 737-800s with 189 seats.

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

• MF 8693  Quanzhou JJN 09:40 · 12:00 BKK Bangkok
• MF 8694  Bangkok BKK 13:00 · 17:20 JJN Quanzhou

Current Xiamen Air routes in Bangkok and Quanzhou

Bangkok

• Fuzhou (FOC): 7 weekly · Boeing 737-800
• Xiamen (XMN): 21 weekly · Boeing 737-800

Quanzhou (international routes)

• Davao City (DVO): 2 weekly · Boeing 737-800
• Hong Kong (HKG): 4 weekly · Boeing 737-800
• Macau (MFM): 7 weekly · Boeing 737-800
• Manila (MNL): 7 weekly · Boeing 737-800

With respect to new additions (some of which are not new from the factory), we have the following airlines that have taken delivery of aircraft during the last month.

• Air India (x3)

• Air India Express (x2)

• Chengdu Airlines

• China Airlines

• China Southern (x3)

• FlyArystan

• Garuda Indonesia

• Hainan Airlines

• IndiGo (x3)

• Korean Air

• Pegasus

• Shandong Airlines

• Singapore Airlines

• Virgin Australia

*It is not new from the factory.

Eastern Airlines’ Boeing 777-212(ER), registration N771KW, will operate for Garuda Indonesia under this same registry.

Following the cessation of Bonza, its Boeing 737 MAX 8s are now returning to their lessors. For more information about the planes that were part of Bonza’s fleet, you can click here.

Other reports we have published:

• United States and Canada
• Latin America
• Europe
• Dubai deep dive: How Emirates runs its megahub
• China-Australia flights approaching pre-pandemic levels

Cover photo: ToanLa – JetPhotos (Singapore).