Budget Airline Guide

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Aeroflot launches new budget carrier Dobrolet with flights to Moscow

By Budget Airline News

Aeroflot’s new budget low cost carrier, Dobrolet, launched flights between Moscow and Crimea with two additional routes slated to begin in next month. Moscow to Perm and Moscow to Vologorad are estimated to begin in August with flights starting at 999 rubles to 3499 rubles (approximately $29-$102). Fares will include one piece of carry-on luggage up to 10kg/ 22lbs while any additional baggage, meals and seat selection requiring additional fees.

By the end ofthe year routes will be extended to 10 destinations with Russia and beginning 2016 the first international destinations will be launched. While no specific international destinations have been announced, it is anticipated that the airline will fly to to Tel Aviv, Istanbul and Barcelona.

Dobrolet is the third attempt at a low cost carrier within Russia. Two previous airlines went bankrupt in 2011 due to high costs and strigent Russian Air Code regulations that made it difficult for airlines to turn a profit utlizing the classic discount airline business model. With recent changes in regulations, Dobrolet has improved chances for success.

Thai AirAsia X to restart low cost Bangkok- Japan flights September 1st

By Budget Airline News

Beginning September 1st, Thai AirAsia X will begin 4 times weekly service from Bangkok to Narita and Osaka airports.  To jump start the new service, AirAsia X is offering promotional fares starting at 2,990b each way from now until July 13th with travel valid from September 1st through July 31st 2015.

Starting November 21st, service from Kuala Lumpur to Narita and Osaka will also begin with daily service planned for May 1st 2015. The airline is expanding service from South East Asia to Northern Asia in response to an increase in visitors to and from Japan. During a press conference CEO Azran Osman Rani remarked that the new service “significantly strengthens our position as we are using Kuala Lumpur as a connecting hub to connect people in Japan to not only Southeast Asia but also…to Australia”

Tigerair to start Singapore – Maldives flights in January

By Budget Airline News

Starting from 24 January 2014, Tigerair will operate four weekly flights between Singapore and Male Airport, main international airport in the Maldives.

Tigerair will be the only budget airline offering direct Singapore – Maldives flights. AirAsia X also recently announced flights to Maldives from Kuala Lumpur.

“If you haven’t visited Maldives, you really owe it to yourself to make that trip because you will love the place,” said Mr Alexander Knigge, Chief Commercial Officer at Tigerair, “It is a perfect holiday destination regardless of whether you are taking a honeymoon, a family vacation or treating yourself to a much needed break from your busy life. We are very excited to be the first and only no-frills airline to fly to Maldives from Singapore.”

Jetstar launches direct Phuket – Melbourne flights

By Budget Airline News

Jetstar Airways started non-stop flights between Phuket and Melbourne on December 14th. The direct flights between Phuket and Melbourne will operate every Saturday and Sunday with a third day to be introduced in April 2014.

The second Australian city to be joined to Phuket by direct flights will be Sydney, starting in February next year, when Jetstar will fly state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliners between the two cities. [Read more…]

THAI Smile starts Bangkok – Mandalay flights

By Budget Airline News

Starting from 31 March, 2013 THAI Smile will operate roundtrip flights from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport to Mandalay International Airport five flights per week. THAI Smile inaugural flight TG781 from Bangkok took off at 07.25 hours on 31 March 2013 and arrived in Mandalay at 08.50 hours (local time).

THAI organized a warm welcome upon arrival in Mandalay , which was attended by representatives from the aviation and tourism sectors in Mandalay , the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. The return flight to Bangkok was TG782, departed at 09.30 hours (local time) on 31 March 2013 from Mandalay and arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 11.55 hours. [Read more…]

Cebu Pacific to start daily direct flights to Dubai in October 2013

By Budget Airline News

Cebu Pacific will operate direct daily flights between Manila and Dubai, beginning October 7, 2013. Cebu Pacific will be the only Filipino carrier to fly direct to Dubai. Daily flights from Manila to Dubai are scheduled to depart at 4:40PM (Manila time), while flights from Dubai airport to Manila depart at 11:10PM (Dubai time). It will be the budget airline’s first long haul destination.

“Cebu Pacific is proud to be the only Filipino carrier to fly direct to Dubai. We are glad to be of service to over 700,000 Global Filipinos who are in UAE. Now, Filipinos in Dubai can enjoy fares that are up to 40% lower than current offerings and fly direct to Manila, a mere 9 hours away from their loved ones, via a CEB flight,” said Alex Reyes Cebu Pacific General Manager, Long Haul Division.

“With CEB’s direct service to Dubai, Filipinos overseas can look forward to going home more often. Their relatives and friends can also visit them in Dubai more often,” added Reyes.

Data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) shows that UAE ranks second to Saudi Arabia in terms of number of land-based new hires and rehires. In 2010, there were 201,214 land-based workers deployed to UAE.

“Dubai is the largest long-haul market to and from the Philippines. IATA PaxIS data indicate more than 70% of passengers in this route take multiple stops, and connecting flights because no home carrier offers a non-stop service,” said Reyes.

CEB’s Manila-Dubai flights will be operated on the Airbus A330-300 aircraft with a configuration of more than 400 all-economy class seats. Guests can also enjoy WiFi connectivity inflight.

SpiceJet launches Kochi – Maldives flights

By Budget Airline News

On November 29, 2012, Indian low-cost airline SpiceJet launched its newest international route from Kochi, India to Male, Maldives.Daily flights will  be operated using a Bombardier Q400 aircraft.

“This is the airline’s first international launch on any international route from Kerala,” said SpiceJet Chief Commercial Officer Harish Kutty, “At present, SpiceJet operates international flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Madurai.”

One-way fares on the Kochi – Male route start from 4,999 India Rupees ($92 USD) including taxes.

 

China’s Spring Airlines announces new routes to Hong Kong

By Budget Airline News

Spring Airlines has announced it will offer four new routes from mainland China to Hong Kong.  Flights will be available from  Hangzhou, Chongqing, Xiamen and Nanjing and begin on December 16, 2012.

One-way promotional fares start from $30 USD + taxes.

Spring Airlines was founded in 2005 and is China’s only budget airline. It is based in Shanghai and already offers flights from Shanghai to Hong Kong.

AirAsia announces it will fly to Shanghai

By Budget Airline News

Air Asia has announced it will offer direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai, China starting February 19, 2013. The new route will be operated by its long-haul division Air Asia X using a A330-300 aircraft.

At the announcement celebration, AirAsia X CEO Azran Osman Rani said: “Five months since we launched our first flight into Beijing, AirAsia is spreading its wings further into the country with the announcement of this service to Shanghai, one of the world’s largest cities by population.”

Online ticketing is available with one-way fares starting from $70 USD including taxes. Additional charges apply for checked luggage, meals and advance seat selection.

Cebu Pacific will fly to Bali (Denpasar) from March 2013

By Budget Airline News

Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ largest national carrier, has announced it will offer direct flights from Manila to Bali, Indonesia, with effect from March 16, 2013.  Bali is the budget airline’s 20th international destination.

The schedule will be two round-trip flights per week on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Outbound flights will depart Manila at 4:00am and arrive in Bali (Denpasar) at 7:50am. Return flights will depart Bali (Denpasar) at 8:35am, and arrive in Manila at 12:25pm.

Promotional fares start from 888 PHP ($22 USD) + taxes for one-way travel.