► ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian outlines initial Winter 2013/14 timetable; to start Singapore from mid December.

Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has outlined its initial changes to its timetable in time for the Northern Winter 2013/14 season. According to AirlineRoute, among the most notable changes is the incorporation of the previously postponed Singapore flight.

► EGYPT: Egyptair outlines further changes to its Winter 2013/14 schedule.

Further to the last post on the subject, AirlineRoute reports that Egyptair (MS) has unveiled further planned changes & developments to its Winter 2013/14 Timetable set to come into effect from October 27.

►► PHILIPPINES: Ethiopian Airlines cancels planned Manila, Ho Chi Minh City routes; nixes Singapore.

[UPDATE 17 JULY] According to AirlineRoute, Ethiopian Airlines (ET) plans to adjust its East Asia operations from 18JUN13, with the tentative launch of 3 new destinations: Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Manila (Philippines) and Seoul Incheon (South Korea).

► SOUTH AFRICA: Thai Airways cuts Johannesburg flights from late July 'til September.

Thailand carrier Thai Airways International (TG), will from 27 July until 19 September, temporarily reduce its Bangkok – Johannesburg operation. With the loss of Friday flights during the period, frequencies will drop to 3x weekly from the current four.

► CHINA: Kenya Airways reduces Bangkok - Guangzhou route in early 2014.

As per the 23MAY13 GDS timetable/inventory display, Kenya Airways (KQ) is currently displaying service reductions on its Nairobi - Bangkok - Guangzhou route, effective 10FEB14. The airline plans to operate 5 weekly instead of a daily service, however further changes remain possible in the next few months.

► THAILAND: Air Austral switches Chennai/Bangkok flights to night time ops from late March.

Réunion-based carrier Air Austral (UU), from 31MAR13, is to adjust its operational schedule on its St. Denis de la Réunion – Chennai (Madras) – Bangkok service. Currently, the airline operates morning and night-time departure from St. Denis, 1 weekly each. This will be changed to a night-time departure only.

►► KENYA: Kenya Airways to adjust Thailand, China, India, Dubai, Hong Kong ops from late March.

[UPDATE 14 FEBRUARY] AirlineRoute reports that as per the 06FEB13 GDS timetable and inventory display, Kenya Airways (KQ) is to adjust its operations to Thailand, China, India, Dubai, and Hong Kong.

► SOUTH AFRICA: Thai Airways boosts Johannesburg flights from 31 March.

According to AirlineRoute, as per the 11FEB13 GDS timetable and inventory display, Thailand carrier Thai Airways International (TG) has opened reservation for its planned added 4th weekly Bangkok – Johannesburg service, due to start from 31MAR13. New flight operates on Fridays. 

► CHINA: Kenya Airways signs codeshare deal with China Eastern Airlines.

China Eastern Airlines (MU), China's second biggest carrier by market value, and Kenya Airways (KQ), the flag carrier of Kenya, have signed a code.share deal which will see cooperation on MU's China - Thailand route and KQ's Thailand - Kenya routes, effective 1 December 2012.

►► THAILAND: Ethiopian Airlines boosts Bangkok, Hong Kong flights from late November.

[UPDATE 22 NOVEMBER 2012] Ethiopian Airlines (ET), will from 24 November 2012, increase its Addis Ababa – Bangkok – Hong Kong 767 operated service from 4x weekly, to daily. As a result, Bangkok will see an increase from 7x to 10x weekly flights.

► VIETNAM: Kenya Airways, Vietnam Airlines sign code share deal.

Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced the signing of a code share agreement with Vietnam Airlines (VN) that will see the Kenyan carrier expanding its footprint in the South East Asian market. Recently, KQ signed a similar code share deal with Korean Air (KE) and Saudia(SV).

► MALAYSIA: Ethiopian Airlines launches Kuala Lumpur from late October 2012.

As reported by The African Aviation Tribune in late July, effective 31 October 2012, Ethiopian Airlines (ET) is to start a 3x weekly service from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia via Bangkok, Thailand using a Boeing 767-300ER. 

Ethiopian Airlines 767 at Bangkok, Thailand (AJori)

The existing Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Bangkok, Thailand – Hong Kong service is to be reduced from 5x to 4x weekly. Consequently Bangkok will see a daily service once again.

Ethiopian Airlines: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Bangkok, Thailand – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

-Effective 31 October 2012

• ET618 ADD0025 – 1320BKK1430 – 1900KUL 763 357
• ET619 KUL2150 – 0125+1BKK0240+1 – 0750+1ADD 763 357

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Bangkok, Thailand

• ET608 ADD0040 – 1335BKK1435 – 1845HKG 763 x357
• ET609 HKG2150 – 0100+1BKK0210+1 – 0725+1ADD 763 x357

Source [Airline Route]

► MADAGASCAR: Air Madagascar announces Asia operational changes for Summer.

Air Madagascar (MD) has announced that it will introduce its Airbus A340-300 on its Asian routes for the duration of 5 July to 27 October 2012. Presently, the airline operates a Boeing 767-300ER on its Antananarivo – Bangkok – Guangzhou and Antananarivo – Bangkok routes.

Air Madagascar's A340 "F-GLZL" (Didairbus)

The Madagascan carrier signed a 6 year lease with Air France for two Airbus A340-300s in March of this year, with the option of buying the two aircraft when the lease expires. Previous attempts in May of last year to modernize the fleet with other Boeing 767s ran into a brick wall as the planes were added to the European Union's Banned Operator's List.

Antananarivo – Bangkok – Guangzhou

• MD010 TNR1625 – 0540+1BKK0720+1 – 1110+1CAN 343 15
• MD011 CAN1355 – 1555BKK1730 – 2205TNR 343 26
• MD012 TNR1850 – 0805+1BKK 343 3
• MD013 BKK2315 – 0350+1TNR 343 4

 Read More Here [Airline Route]

► RÉUNION: Air Austral quits Sydney, Nouméa; starts Bangkok via Chennai.

Reunion-based carrier Air Austral (UU), has decided to cancel its two weekly flights to Nouméa, New Caledonia, via Sydney, Australia with effect from 28 October 2012, in what is seen as a knock on effect of the continuing Euro-zone crisis that has been affecting airlines the world over.

Air Austral Boeing 777

The French Overseas Territory carrier had initially planned to axe the route, along with several others to the French mainland beginning summer of this year, but later reconsidered.

"An Air Austral Boeing 777 has been linking Noumea with Paris, flying via Sydney and La Reunion since early 2009.

In December, the airline said the high cost of jet fuel forced the suspension of the flights but in February it decided to keep flying the route. The latest change has been due to ongoing losses.

New Caledonia’s daily paper says the end of the service has caused concern among travellers whose route to France is now likely to be almost exclusively via Japan."

Read More Here [Radio New Zealand]

In other Air Austral related news, the carrier has announced via Twitter, a new service to Bangkok via Chennai, India to be operated with a Boeing 737-800. No schedule has yet been released.

► ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian brings forward SE Asia route changes.

Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has brought forward the changes to to Bangkok, Guangzhou and Hong Kong that it had originally intended to implement in August, to 16 May 2012.

Addis Ababa – Guangzhou
- Planned daily nonstop service due to start 16August 2012, will commence 16 May 2012.

• ET606 ADD0005 – 1500CAN 763 D
• ET607 CAN0135 – 0715ADD 763 D

The airline currently remains on track to operate Boeing 787-8 aircraft on this route, starting 16AUG12

Addis Ababa – Bangkok – Hong Kong
- Overall service to Bangkok reduced to 4 weekly, Hong Kong remains unchanged.

• ET608 ADD0025 – 1315BKK1415 – 1815HKG 763 x357
• ET609 HKG2230 – 0040+1BKK0140+1 – 0610+1ADD 763 x357

Planned 5th weekly service is to start from 15 August 2012

 Read More Here [Airline Route]