CHINA: Hainan Airlines, SilkAir, Who’s Flying Where?

Hainan Airlines adds double Laos link
Where? Haikou (China) to Vientiane and Luang Prabang (Laos)
When? Three times a week (twice to Vientiane, once to Luang Prabang), effective immediately
Who? Hainan Airlines
Why? Rising Chinese tourism and investment in Laos
Anything else? These are the first direct links between Laos and Hainan, China’s island province

Across the Sea of Japan
Where? Vladivostok (Russia) to Osaka Kansai (Japan)
When? Twice a week (reduced to once a week in May-June)
Who? S7 Airlines
Why? Reflects improved relations between Russia and Japan
Anything else? Vladivostok is only 1,020km from Osaka, but 9,100km from Moscow

SilkAir to make debut in Sri Lanka
Where? Singapore to Colombo (Sri Lanka)
When? Three times a week from April 2017
Who? SilkAir
Why? Subsidiary continues to take over more of Singapore Airlines’ regional services
Anything else? SIA will continue to operate daily flights on the route

Russian city gets international link
Where? Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, pictured (Russia) to Tokyo Narita (Japan)
When? Twice a week in summer 2017
Who? Yakutia Airlines
Why? Long-awaited international connection for city located north of Japan
Anything else? Located on the remote Kamchatka Peninsula, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky has no road links to the rest of the world