Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines has announced that it will be increasing its flights to Accra, Ghana to 5 weekly effective Dec 12th using a B 763ER nonstop from JFK.

However from Dec 22nd till Feb 1st, it will operate a daily flight on this route to meet high seasonal demand for seats. DL is reportedly experiencing load factors in the mid 70% range on its newly launched JFK-ACC flights.

Iberia

Iberia of Spain has released its Winter 2007-08 timetable which sees few changes to its network.

The main highlights are as follows :

GRU - increased to double daily

SCL - capacity increased to daily A 346

GIG - increased to daily A 343 services from January.

EZE - increased to 17 flights per week from December.

BOG - increased to 10 flights a week from January.

IST - frequencies increased to double daily.

AMS - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 times daily.

Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines has announced that it will be suspending all its flights to Amsterdam, Holland and instead increasing services to Brussels from 3 to 6 times per week. This will come into effect from Oct 28th 07. Three of the BRU flights will be flown via FRA and the other 3 via CDG. All six flights though will be operated with the Boeing 767-300ER. In addition, the airline's CEO has announced that it is extremely interested in increasing its flights to North America by launching new routes to YYZ, ORD, ATL and restarting NYC.

Analysis :

Its good to know that ET is interested in flying to North America but it must be careful on how it handles its expansion as it mustn't expand too rapidly. Currently, it flies to IAD via FCO with full 5th freedom rights. As for YYZ, there is no bilateral treaty in place between ADD & YOW, thus not permitting ET to fly there until one is negotiated. It would be best if ET delayed their ambitious plans until their B 787s arrive which means 2009 at the earliest.

Also, it would be wise for them not to consider ORD and instead fly to MIA which has a huge African population in the MIA/FLL area. MIA has already offered KQ and ET an attractive package to launch new flights to the city such as one year's worth of landing fees being waived as well as other discounts on ground handling services.

As for how their USA flights should be routed, ET should look into flying to MIA via ACC (5th freedom rights available as the U.S. and Ghana have an open skies agreement) with the Boeing 787-900 three times a week initially to test the market and then expand further based upon the route's performance.

Varig

Varig of Brazil has announced a major European expansion for this winter season which includes new flights to Paris, Rome and Frankfurt .

Details are as follows :

CDG & FCO - daily flights from GIG via GRU to start Dec 3rd using a B 763ER. Routing is GIG-GRU-CDG-FCO.

FRA - effective Dec 3rd, a second daily service to be launched from Brazil, this time from GIG nonstop using a B 763ER. Currently, the route is served daily from GRU with a B 763ER.

Analysis :

It seems that the new Varig management has learnt absolutely nothing from the mistakes made by the old management. The main reason for saying this is due to the way in which the CDG & FCO route is structured. Why would anyone from GIG fly to FCO via GRU & CDG when they can fly one stop on IB/LH/AF via their respective hubs! Forget that, the B 763ER is too small of an aircraft to use for such a route combination as capacity between each station has to be shared equally and the smaller capacity of the B 763ER cabin negatively affects the airline.

EVA Air

EVA Air has released its timetable for the Winter 2007-08 season which sees many changes done to its long haul route network.

The main highlights are as follows :

BKK - capacity of terminator flights increased to daily B 773ERs.

NRT - maintains double daily A 332 service.

KIX - maintains daily B 773ER service.

SGN - capacity increased to daily B 744 + 4 weekly A 332.

DPS - capacity reduced from 3 weekly B 744s to 3 weekly A 332s.

CDG - from Dec 21st, capacity is reduced from 3 weekly B 744s to 3 weekly B 773ERs.

SEA - capacity increased from 4 weekly B 74Es to 4 weekly B 773ERs.

LAX - maintains 17 weekly B 773ERs.

SFO - maintains 12 weekly B 74Es.

LHR - capacity increased from 6 weekly B 773ERs to 6 weekly B 744s.

CGK & KUL - capacity increased to 5 weekly B 74Es.

SIN - capacity increased to daily B 74Es.

Jet Airways

Jet Airways of India has announced that it will be launching new daily flights to New York's JFK from Delhi via Brussels effective Oct 28th 07 using a Boeing 777-300ER. As a result, there will be no more same plane service offered from DEL to YYZ by 9W.

Instead, insiders at 9W reveal that YYZ's flights will originate from Chennai-MAA from November.

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines has announced that it will be increasing its flights to Brisbane, Australia between the months of January and February only. An extra 3 weekly flights will be flown nonstop from SIN using a Boeing 777-200. As a result of this, the total number of SQ operated flights between BNE & SIN rise to 17 times a week during this period.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways has released details of its Winter 2007-08 timetable which sees numerous changes all across its network.

The main highlights are as follows :

IAD - upgraded to daily B 773ER (2 class configuration) effective January 1st 08.

LHR - capacity reduced to daily A 346 + daily A 332 + 7 weekly A 333

ISB - frequencies reduced from 3 weekly A 330s to 2 weekly A 333s.

LHE - capacity reduced to 2 weekly A 332s.

MAN - capacity increased to 6 weekly A 333 + weekly A 332

DEL - frequencies increased to 6 weekly A 332s + 2 weekly A 333s.

HKG - capacity increased from daily A 332 to daily A 346.

DAC - frequencies reduced from 8 weekly to daily A 330 flights.

JED - capacity increased to 5 weekly A 343s (ex SQ aircraft).

DXB - frequencies increased from 5 to 8 daily nonstop flights.

IKA - frequencies increased from daily A 320 to 10 weekly A 320s.

CDG - effective Dec 12th, capacity increased to 9 weekly A 333 + 2 weekly A 332

ZRH - capacity reduced to 4 weekly A 332 from 2 weekly A 333s + 2 weekly A 332.

MUC - capacity reduced to 5 weekly A 332s + 2 weekly A 333s.

ARN - new 4 weekly nonstop flights to be launched effective Nov 19th using an A 319LR.

IST - capacity increased to 1 weekly A 333 + A 332 + A 321 each respectively.

ALG - capacity increased to 4 weekly A 332s from 4 weekly AB6s.

RUH - capacity reduced to 3 weekly A 332s.

MHD - frequencies increased from 2 to 3 weekly A 320s.

RGN - frequencies increased from 4 to 5 weekly AB6s.

MNL - reduced from 10 to 9 weekly A 330s.

Analysis :

It seems weird that QR is reducing capacity to Northern Pakistan and DAC especially between Nov-Jan which is the pre & post Hajj-Eid season when all flights bound for the Gulf are pretty much full.

Its good to see RGN-Yangon increased as that is a niche market which if handled correctly can be profitable.

What is definitely unjustified is sending the A 346 to HKG as the capacity of QR's 3 class A 332 or A 333 is more than enough for this route which in any case isn't a good performer for the airline.

Alitalia

Alitalia's management board has approved a radical restructuring plan of its business model which sees the airline once again make Rome-FCO its primary hub and severly scale back the number of long haul intercontinental flights flown from its Milan-MXP hub.

The main highlights of the new business plan are as follows :

a) All flights to India and China to be suspended soon.

b) MXP will only see nonstop flights to NRT, JFK, EZE & MIA.

c) Flights to YYZ, ORD, GRU, BOS, KIX, CCS & EWR will be flown nonstop from FCO.

d) Three Boeing 767-300ERs will be grounded i.e. those used for India and China flights.

e) 10 ATR 72-500s + 12 MD 80s + 2 EMB 145s will be retired.

f) Proposed new routes to LAX, SFO & YUL to be put back on the shelf for now.

For more info :

Click on the Alitalia icon displayed above the MD 11 picture to be directed to the Times UK article.

Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus of Ireland has been cited by an Irish newspaper namely the Irish Independent of its intentions of suspending its newly launched flights to Dubai from Summer 2008 in favor of adding a new U.S. route.

Source :
http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/aer-lingus-to-say-goodbye-dubai-in-favour-of-us-1069677.html

KLM

KLM has officially released its long haul timetable for the Winter 2007-08 season which sees major changes. The main highlights are as follow :

Note : 74E stands for B 747-400 Combi

DEL - capacity increased to daily B 744 from daily MD 11.

HYD - frequency increased to 5 weekly MD 11 till Jan 8th and thereafter 6 weekly MD 11s.

JFK - capacity reduced to daily A 332 + 5 weekly B 74E + 2 weekly B 772ERs.

IAD - from Jan 8th, capacity reduced to daily MD 11 from daily B 772ER.

DTW (by NW) - frequencies reduced to 3 daily A 333s + daily B 752 from 5 daily A
333s + daily B 752.

SFO - capacity reduced from daily B 744 to daily B 772ER.

YYZ - frequencies reduced to 9 weekly B 772ERs from 3 weekly B 74E + 5 weekly B 772ER + 4 weekly B 744.

YVR - reduced from daily MD 11 to 5 weekly A 332s.

LIM - increased from 6 weekly B 772ERs to daily B 772ERs effective 6th Dec.

GRU - capacity increased from daily B 772ER to 3 weekly B 773ER + 4 weekly B 772ER effective 1st March.

NBO - capacity reduced from daily B 744 to 4 weekly B 744 + 3 weekly B 74E.

JNB - capacity increased to daily B 744 from daily B 74E.

MCT - new 5 weekly A 332 flights flown via KWI.

DXB - capacity increased from double daily B 772ER to 10 weekly B 772ERs + 4 weekly B 773ERs.

IKA - reduced from 5 to 4 weekly A 332s.

ICN - increased from 6 weekly B 74E to daily B 74E.

CTU - reduced from 3 weekly A 332s to twice a week.

Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways has revealed further changes to its Winter 2007-08 timetable. The changes are not only frequency related but capacity as well.

The major highlights are as follows :

A 320 destinations - include KHI, COK, TRV, KWI, BAH, BEY, MCT, DOH, AMM, DAM, IKA & CAI.

BRU & GVA - both cities to get an additional 4th weekly flight using an A 332.

MNL - increased from 4 weekly to daily flights effective 4th October. All flights to be flown with a B 773ER.

SIN/BNE route - to be upgraded from a 3 weekly A 332 to a 3 weekly B 773ER service from Nov 25th.

LHR - to be increased from 14 to 19 weekly flights i.e. daily A 346 + daily A 332 + 4 weekly A 345s.

BAH - to be increased from double daily to 4 times daily all using an A 332.

DUB - to be increased from 4 to 6 weekly flights.

MCT - to be increased from daily to triple daily flights i.e. 2 daily A 332s + daily A 320.

FRA - to be increased from 7 to 10 weekly flights all using an A 332.

Analysis :

From January 1st 2008, COK & TRV will receive the A 320s nonstop from AUH which isn't a good move. These 2 Kerala markets see high density demand year round to AUH and other cities within the GCC in addition to having a large air cargo industry. This is because of the huge expat Keralite labor population (approximately 1.2 million in the GCC) residing not only in AUH but all across the GCC. FYI, the population of Keralites in the GCC are highest in DXB, AUH & KWI.

By flying smaller planes compared to the competition flying larger wide bodies (EK B 772s/A 332s, KU AB6/A310), EY risk losing not only market share from the passenger side but also from the cargo side as the A 320 can only carry 4 tonnes of cargo which is 8 tonnes less than what can A 332 can carry in its belly. Currently EY flies A 332s & A 343s to Kerala nonstop from AUH and it should remain that way. EYs in-flight product on board its A 332 is far superior to the A 320 which will not please the Keralites working in AUH especially.

SAS

SAS has confirmed that it will be thoroughly reviewing its long haul strategy and is interested in launching new flights to ORD & BKK nonstop from its Oslo hub in 2008. The airline feels very threatened by Finnair who has taken a huge slice of its market share to Asia from Stockholm and Oslo thus feels the need to respond effectively. It has also been let down by Emirates who was approached to code share with them on the new CPH-DXB flights which will be launched from this October onwards. SAS were banking on EK to provide them with useful onward feeder traffic to help the CPH-DXB flight loads but EK politely declined the offer.

Swiss

Swiss has confirmed that it will be placing an order for 9 Airbus A 330-300s via its parent company i.e. Lufthansa to replace its fleet of A 332s as it finds the A 332 too small to effectively use on most of its long haul flights to Africa and Eastern USA where demand in the premium cabins is very high.

Analysis :

Some might wonder why is LX wanting to replace its A 332s when they're only 8-9 years old only. The reason being is that currently, they seat 196 pax in a 3 class configuration and with further upgrades needed to be done to the F & J class cabins (which were last done in 2002), capacity on board would be reduced to 185 seats which is obviously insufficient when flying such a large aircraft on long haul flights to Asia, USA & Africa. Therefore with the A 333s, extra seating capacity is available which would help revenue. It is expected that LX's A 333s would see a new F & J class cabin product which would seat approximately 225-230 pax in a 3 class configuration.

Air Canada

Air Canada will be reducing its flights to Zurich for the upcoming winter season. From late October to January 8th 08, it will be flown 4 times a week, then increased to 5 times a week effective Jan 9th 08. All flights will continue to use a B 763ER. AC has also confirmed that it will be code sharing with LX on their new ZRH-DEL route. In addition, AC has also announced that from the winter season onwards, it will be increasing its Edmonton-Heathrow nonstop flights to year round operations using a B 763ER.

Air India

Air India has anounced that due to extremely poor load factors being witnessed on board its new nonstop BOM-JFK flights, it is reducing fares on this sector by nearly 30% to bring it in line with its other flights bound for JFK & EWR via LHR & CDG respectively. Currently AI was charging USD 1300 + taxes for the nonstop flight and has now brought it down to USD 950 + taxes which it hopes will help improve loads.

Analysis :

AI have no one but themselves to blame for this fiasco. They announced this new flight only a month before it was going to be launched and uploaded it on to the GDS reservation systems in late June thus not giving enough advance time for travel agents in USA and India to help fill the flight. Usually airlines give 3-5 months notice to travel agents if a new flight is being launched to help get advance bookings. AIs inaugural BOM-JFK flight only carried 80 passengers when the capacity is 238. Also many people would never pay an extra USD 350 just to fly nonstop in economy class from JFK to BOM compared to flying one stop via EU/UK/DXB/AUH. Yes, they would pay an extra USD 100-150 max but not $ 350! On Friday, DL and CO came up with even better prices of USD 650 + taxes as an introductory offer for their new EWR/JFK-BOM flights which will commence from this October onwards.

AI plans on launching another nonstop to JFK from DEL in January 2008 which would probably see the end of AI 101-102 which flies BOM-DEL-LHR-JFK. By having 3 daily flights from India to the NYC market (2 to JFK and 1 to EWR), I feel that is a bit too excessive for an airline of AI's calibre. I rather see them launch new long haul flights from India to niche markets in USA such as DEL-IAD nonstop with the B 77L and BOM-MAN-IAH with the B 773ER in 2008-09.

IAD-Washington DC is in desperate need for a direct same plane service to India as there is a large NRI population residing in the BWI / IAD geographical area + Carolina's + high yield traffic potential due to both IAD and DEL being the political capital cities of India and USA respectively. In addition, there is also high yielding I-T traffic on this route that can be effectively tapped.

My reasons for wanting AI to fly to IAH from BOM via MAN are varied. To begin with, no airline flies nonstop to BOM, let alone India from MAN where approximately over 300,000 plus NRI's reside and even a greater number in nearby areas of Leeds, Blackpool, Sheffield, East Midlands etc.

The same can be said of IAH-Houston where approximately 200,000+ Indians too reside in the Houston/San Antonio area where also an Indian Consulate is situated. From IAH too, no airline provides a direct or same plane one stop service to India via Europe. With the astronomical growth of the Indian middle and upper class both in India and USA, more and more of them are paying a premium to fly airlines that either offer nonstop or one stop/same plane service from their originating city to India and vice versa. These NRI's are paying premium because of the increase of their spare disposable incomes. In short, both markets i.e. MAN and IAH will see a lot of O&D traffic bound for BOM and other points in India.

On the MAN-IAH-MAN route, AI has 5^th freedom traffic rights for passenger and cargo. No airline flies this trans-atlantic route nonstop which is in AI's favor. In IAH too, AI can tap into the wealthy NRI community residing there plus the high yielding premium oil /gas / energy / I-T traffic.

Air China

Air China has released its Winter 2007-08 timetable details which see few changes to its medium and long haul route network. The main highlights are as follows :

YVR - capacity increased from daily B 767 to daily A 332.

LHR - capacity increased from daily A 343 to 5 weekly A 343 + 2 weekly B 747-400s.

CDG - capacity increased from Dec 9th to daily nonstop B 744 from PEK. However from PVG, flights to CDG are reduced from 3 to 2 weekly A 343s.

DXB - increased from 3 to 4 weekly nonstop B 762ERs.

DEL - increased from 3 to 4 weekly B 762ERs.

BKK - increased from daily B 752s from PEK to daily B 752 + daily B 738.

JFK / LAX & SFO - all 3 U.S. cities maintain a daily nonstop B 744 flight from PEK.

FRA - daily A 332 + daily B 744 all nonstop from PEK.

British Airways

British Airways has unveiled its Winter 2007-08 timetable which sees many changes to its long haul network in particular. The main highlights are as follows :

BLR - capacity increased to daily B 744 from daily B 772ER.

BOS - reduced to triple daily B 772ER from daily B 744 + double daily B 772ER.
CPT - increased from daily B 744 to double daily B 744.

DEL - capacity increased from double daily B 772ER to double daily B 744s.

DXB - capacity reduced to double daily B 772ERs from daily B 744 + daily B 772ER.

GRU - increased from daily B 744 to 10 weekly B 744s.

HKG - triple daily B 744s nonstop from LHR remain.

ISB - increased from 3 weekly B 744s to 6 weekly B 772ERs. From April 2008, it is expected to be further increased to 6 weekly B 744s.

IAD - reduced from triple daily to double daily flights i.e. daily B 744 + daily B 772ER.

MEX - reduced from 4 to 3 weekly B 744s.

SEA - capacity reduced to 5 weekly B 744s + 5 weekly B 772ERs.

YVR - reduced from 13 weekly B 744s to daily B 744.

YYC - reduced from 6 to 5 weekly B 772ERs.

Analysis :

The capacity increase to BLR is significant as its been done largely due to the high number of F & J class pax flying on BA to BLR from UK and North America. In order to cater for this surge in demand, BA made the wise move by deploying the larger B 744 to this route in the winter season as it has many more seats in F & J class cabins compared to the B 772ERs. This would make the route even more higher yielding and profitable for BA during the upcoming winter season. One fails to gather why 9W chose to fly from AMD & ATQ to LHR before BLR.

Emirates

Emirates has officially released details of its second daily flight to Shanghai flown nonstop from Dubai. This new flight will see an A 343 used 6 times a week and an A 332 used once a week in addition to the already existing daily B 773ER nonstop service.

Flight timing of the new flight is as follows :

EK 304 Dep DXB 1035 Arr PVG 2225
EK 305 Dep PVG 0615+1 Arr DXB 1250

Various media outlets are reporting that Boeing is close to finalizing a deal with Emirates for 20 Boeing 747-800s (passenger version) and an announcement concerning this is expected to be made in November during the Dubai Air Show. EK already has 10 B 748 freighters on order with Boeing. The only other airline to have ordered the B 748 passenger version is Lufthansa who ordered 20 of the type this spring.

Analysis :

In the past, EK had already indicated for its preference of using this aircraft initially for daily nonstop DXB-LAX flights as it felt it could fill up a 400 seater B 748 easily on this route year round. If the order goes ahead, other cities likely to receive the B 748 nonstop from DXB in the future include ORD, JFK, JNB & MEL.

Thai Airways

Thai Airways has officially released its Winter 2007-08 timetable which sees many changes to its medium and long haul route network. The main highlights are as follows :

ISB - to be increased from 3 to 4 weekly flights effective Jan 23rd 2008, all using an AB6.

LHE - increased from 5 weekly to daily nonstop using an AB6.

KHI - 4 weekly terminator flights to replace BKK-KHI-MCT. All 4 flights will be flown using an A 333. This will take effect from Oct 27th onwards.

MCT - 3 weekly dedicated terminator flights flown nonstop from BKK using an A 333.

MUC - capacity increased from daily nonstop A 346s to 3 weekly B 744s + 4 weekly A 346s from BKK.

PER - capacity increased from 5 weekly A 333s to 5 weekly B 773s.

DME - increased from 3 to 4 weekly flights all using a B 772ER.

CMB - capacity reduced from 2 weekly A 333 + weekly AB6 to 3 weekly AB6s.

KTM - daily B 772As.

DAC - capacity increased from daily AB6 to 3 weekly A 333 + 3 weekly AB6 + weekly B 772A.

SGN - increased from 16 to 17 times a week frequency all using an AB6.

CGK - capacity increased from 6 weekly AB6 + weekly A 333 to 3 weekly A 333 + 4 weekly AB6.

ICN - increased to 19 weekly flights i.e. 5 weekly B 773A + daily A 333 + daily B 772A.

CDG / ARN & CPH - all 3 cities maintain daily nonstop B 744 service.

FCO - 4 weekly nonstop B 744 service.

MXP - 4 weekly nonstop B 772ER service.

MAD - 3 weekly B 744s nonstop from BKK.

LHR & FRA - both cities maintain double daily B 744 service.

ZRH - from January 08, capacity is increased from daily A 346 to 2 weekly B 744s + 5 weekly A 346s.

ATH - capacity reduced from 3 weekly B 773s to 3 weekly B 772ERs.

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific has announced that it will be increasing its Karachi flights from October 2007 onwards by adding a 4th weekly frequency to the city.

All 4 flights will be flown via Bangkok (with full 5th freedom rights on the BKK-KHI-BKK sector) using the Airbus A 330-300 which will have a 2 class configuration. The new flight schedule has already been uploaded on major GDS systems and its timings are as follows :

Day: Saturday

CX 703 Dep HKG 1710 Arr KHI 2315

CX 700 Dep KHI 0025+1 Arr HKG 1230

Analysis :

As far as my views go on this decision taken by CX, I feel its an excellent move by them as they have consistently witnessed more than 70% load factors on an annual basis on their KHI flights for a few years now. Their next move in Pakistan should be to launch 3 weekly HKG-ISB nonstop flights with the A 333 as from ISB, there is a decent O&D and 6th freedom market to capture on this route. Now some of you might say why ISB-HKG nonstop with a large 300 seater A 333 and not be safe and fly HKG-BKK-ISB or why not fly HKG-LHE / HKG-BKK-LHE. My reasons are for wanting a HKG-ISB nonstop are varied.

TG & PIA already fly from ISB to BKK a combined 6 times a week hence there is enough capacity in this market segment but by flying HKG-ISB nonstop, CX would have a nice niche market to itself. ISB is also good for cargo as they have the potential of being over 80% on each flight as ISB is closely located to the industrial cities of Sialkot, Lahore & Gujranwalla. There is massive export/import of computers, electronics, pharmaceuticals, garments and agricultural related products/machinery conducted between this region and HKG, TPE, Japan, ICN and China which CX Cargo would obviously target and gain. By providing cargo agents with a one stop option from their home country via HKG to ISB and vice versa, the CX Cargo product would prove to be an attractive option giving TG Cargo a good run for their money on this sector. But CX would have a big advantage over TG here as the latter flies an old AB6 on the ISB-BKK route (3 times a week) and this aircraft can only carry 8 tonnes of cargo max per flight where as CX's A 333s can easily take 12-14 depending on the passenger payload.

Apart from cargo, my main reason for wanting a HKG-ISB nonstop flight is because I believe that the J class cabin of this flight can easily witness 75% loads on an annual basis. The logic being is that there is a large amount of J class traffic bound westwards from ISB destined for PEK, PVG, NGO, NRT, TPE, LAX, SYD, MEL, KIX, CAN, HKG & ICN which CX can easily tap into and get as their on board J class product on any wide bodied aircraft is far superior to TG's. By offering a convenient, hassle free ONE STOP flight from these Asian / U.S / Aussie markets via the HKG hub to ISB, it will be a hit with the diplomats, politicians and businessmen who usually fly business class. Therefore if your J class is 75% full year round + cargo is 80% full year round along side a 60% load factor in economy, the flight can still be profitable as the high yield generated from the J class traffic & cargo, I feel is more than enough to compensate for the 60% load factor in Economy which is lower yielding!

One mustn't forget that ISB is now slowly becoming the Pakistani head quarter city for many multinational companies due to its calm security and good law & order reputation with the international community. To ICN, NGO & NRT, CX can get the corporate contracts of the big car, electronics & film/photo companies who have a large presence in Pakistan such as Toyota, Hyundai, Daewoo, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba, Nissan, Suzuki, Fuji, Agfa & Kodak. From China and Japan, ISB can too be targeted as a tourist destination i.e. gateway to the Himalayas & Kashmir as many Chinese and Japanese people love to go mountain hiking as is evident by their large presence in the Kathmandu tourist market.

Lastly, many congratulations to the CX KHI staff for making this possible as it is due to their combined hard work and dedication that this additional flight came about. FYI, I interned at the CX KHI office for 3 summers (2002-03-04) and thoroughly enjoyed my experience there.