<a href="https://www.airnewzealand.com/">Air New Zealand</a> has acquired 30 million liters of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced by Neste, which will be used for its flights in Los Angeles and San Francisco until February 2026. The incorporation of SAF will represent an 80% reduction in carbon emissions over its lifecycle compared to traditional jet fuel. Neste produces this SAF in Singapore using fully renewable waste and residue raw materials, such as animal fat remnants and used cooking oil.
This purchase accounts for 1.6% of the New Zealand airline’s supply for fiscal year 2025, meeting its SAF target for the upcoming year, which aims to quadruple the volume of sustainable fuel the airline used in fiscal year 2024. 
Air New Zealand aims to reach 10% SAF usage by 2030 and is also investing in studies for domestic production in New Zealand using raw materials like woody biomass. The airline continues to implement strategies to reduce its environmental impact and set sustainability goals.
«We are proud to support Air New Zealand’s efforts to increase its use of SAF as a key lever to reduce aviation emissions. This supply of our Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel at Los Angeles and San Francisco airports is another great step in our cooperation, and we look forward to continuing to work together with Air New Zealand to achieve its climate goals,» said Alexander Kueper, Vice President of Renewable Aviation Business at Neste.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently reported that by 2024, 1.3 billion liters of SAF will be produced, doubling the 600 million liters manufactured in 2023. SAF constituted 0.3% of global jet fuel production and 11% of global renewable fuel production. This is significantly lower than earlier projections, which estimated SAF production of 1.9 billion liters for 2024, as major SAF production facilities in the United States have delayed production until the first half of 2025.
See also: <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/12/virgin-australia-and-air-new-zealand-strengthen-partnership-with-codeshare-flights/">Over 300 weekly flights between Australia and New Zealand included in the new codeshare agreement between Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand</a> 
«`

Air New Zealand’s SAF Push: 30 Million Liters to Power US Flights

<a href="https://www.malaysiaairlines.com/us/en/home.html">Malaysia Airlines </a>performed the first commercial operation of its first Airbus A330neo, a model that will replace the current A330ceo and modernize its wide-body fleet. The event was attended by Loke Siew Fook, Malaysia’s Minister of Transport, along with Dato&#8217; Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir, CEO of Khazanah Nasional Berhad, MAG’s main shareholder; and Datuk Captain Izham Ismail, Group CEO of MAG.
The first passenger commercial route was flight MH 149 operated by the A330neo registered as 9M-MNG, which departed from Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 22:38 local time on December 19 and landed at Melbourne&#8217;s Tullamarine International Airport at 09:05 the following day after seven hours and 27 minutes. An additional 19 aircraft are expected to join the fleet progressively through 2028.
«The debut of our first A330neo marks a transformative moment for MAG as we modernize our fleet and usher in a new era of air travel where innovation, comfort, and sustainability blend seamlessly. This commitment highlights our dedication to placing our passengers at the center of everything we do, offering an exceptional and unforgettable journey that embodies the warmth and care of Malaysian hospitality,» said Datuk Izham Ismail, Group CEO of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG).
Malaysia Airlines&#8217; A330-900neo has a capacity of 297 seats: 28 in Business Class with direct aisle access, sliding doors, and a 1-2-1 configuration. In the Economy section, there are 269 seats, 24 of which offer extra legroom. These aircraft are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, which represent a 14% reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions compared to the aircraft they will replace.
The A330-900neo offers free high-speed Wi-Fi onboard; additionally, Business Class passengers can enjoy the SkySnacks offering. This model will serve routes in the Middle East, Northeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
Currently, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) operates a fleet of 107 aircraft across its subsidiaries, including Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, MASwings, and MASkargo. The Group plans to expand its fleet to 62 narrow-body and 52 wide-body aircraft by 2033. The company’s fifth Boeing 737-8 was delivered in mid-December, with the remaining 20 expected between 2025 and 2026.

Malaysia Airlines Launches First Airbus A330neo: A Step Toward Fleet Modernization

<a href="https://www.china-airlines.com/">China Airlines </a>has been studying the possibility of placing an order for Boeing 777X aircraft, considering the 777-9 variant, and Airbus A350-1000 to replace its Boeing 777-300ER fleet and boost capacity for long-term growth, according to Reuters. This deal could be valued at nearly $12 billion, and negotiations are nearing completion.
China Airlines stated that it might purchase ten 777-9 and ten A350-1000 aircraft, as well as four 777-8 freighters, with deliveries of the new aircraft scheduled to begin in 2029.
The Taiwanese airline has been continuously evaluating fleet expansion and increasing its presence in global passenger and cargo markets. The A350s will be powered by Rolls-Royce engines, while the 777-9s will be equipped with General Electric engines.
China Airlines President Hsieh Shih-chien said that the airline had no political pressure influencing the decision to modernize its long-haul fleet. The Taiwanese carrier also plans to upgrade the cabins of its A350-900 fleet operating on routes to Europe, Oceania, the west coast of the United States, and Southeast Asia.

China Airlines Plans Fleet Expansion with Boeing 777-9 and Airbus A350-1000 Orders

<a href="https://www.delta.com/">Delta Air Lines </a>increases capacity on several transpacific routes from Seattle-Tacoma to key markets in South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.
Starting on the 29th, Delta Air Lines will operate Airbus A350-900 aircraft to Seoul-Incheon and Taipei, marking the first time this model has been used in Taiwan. For the summer 2025 season, it will have six daily flights with the same aircraft to the South Korean capital, making it Delta&#8217;s transpacific destination with the highest seat capacity offered.
Beginning May 23, 2025, the A350 will be introduced on the route to Tokyo-Haneda. Previously, this model operated to Narita between 2019 and 2020. The A350 will replace the Airbus A330-900neo on all these routes, allowing for an increase in premium seats.
The configuration used for these A350s will be the standard 306-seat layout: 32 Delta One Suites, 48 Premium Select, 36 Delta Comfort+, and 190 Main Cabin.
Additionally, one of the two flights on the Atlanta-São Paulo route will be operated with an Airbus A350-900, replacing the A330. This is the third destination in South America to use this model after Santiago de Chile and Lima.
The configuration employed will be the premium A350 layout with 275 seats: 40 Delta One Suites, 40 Premium Select, 36 Delta Comfort+, and 159 Main Cabin.
See also:<a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/12/delta-adds-double-daily-flights-to-argentina-and-chile-for-holiday-travel-demand/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> For the first time, Delta Air Lines flies twice daily from Atlanta to Argentina and Chile </a>
<h4>Competition in Seattle-Tacoma</h4>
This move by Delta comes after Hawaiian Airlines, in partnership with Alaska Airlines, announced their first long-haul services from Seattle, launching flights to Tokyo-Narita and Seoul-Incheon next year.
Delta has led the long-haul market in Seattle-Tacoma for years and is preparing strategies to compete with Hawaiian and Alaska in this segment.

Delta Air Lines Introduces Airbus A350 on Long-Haul Routes to Asia

The Embassy of Pakistan in France announced on Monday that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plans to resume its regular flights to Paris, marking its return to the European Union.
This became possible after the European Commission <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/11/tras-cuatro-anos-de-prohibicion-pia-vuelve-a-volar-a-paises-de-la-union-europea/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">decided to remove the airline from the list of banned carriers within the EU</a>, citing that both PIA and the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) have made «substantial progress in improving safety performance and oversight capabilities.»
PIA will operate two weekly flights (Fridays and Sundays) between Islamabad (ISB) and Paris (CDG) starting January 10, 2025.
«The direct flights between Pakistan and France will facilitate travel and contribute to enhancing business, tourism, family visits, and people-to-people contacts«, stated an announcement posted on the official Twitter account of the embassy. «Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad held a meeting with the PIA marketing representative to discuss preparations for the flight to be operational in January 2025«, it added.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Good news &#8211; Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to resume operation to Paris. Direct flights between ???? will facilitate travel &amp; contribute towards enhancing business, tourism, family visits and people-people contacts. Amb <a href="https://twitter.com/Asimiahmad?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Asimiahmad</a> held a meeting with PIA marketing rep… <a href="https://t.co/L2ZUtzifEA">pic.twitter.com/L2ZUtzifEA</a>
— Pakistan Embassy France (@PakinFrance) <a href="https://twitter.com/PakinFrance/status/1868228787688624154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Nevertheless, Pakistan&#8217;s state-owned airline faces operational challenges, with nearly half of its fleet grounded due to a lack of spare parts. Earlier this year, a privatization attempt failed, attracting only a bid of PKR 10 billion, well below the reserve price. This led to the rejection of the proposal and a decision to launch a new bidding round.
Launched in the 1960s as a symbol of national pride, PIA has struggled for years with mismanagement, political interference, and overstaffing, accumulating debts of around $3 billion.
Last year, the airline reported losses of $270 million. Additionally, its aging fleet remains a persistent issue, leading to cancellations and rescheduling of flights due to debts owed to the state oil company, Pakistan State Oil.
Currently, the flight offerings between Pakistan and Europe are as follows:
<ul>
<li>British Airways
<ul>
<li>3 weekly flights between London Gatwick and Islamabad.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Pegasus
<ul>
<li>4 weekly flights between Istanbul (SAW) and Karachi.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Turkish Airlines
<ul>
<li>10 weekly flights between Istanbul (IST) and Islamabad.</li>
<li>7 weekly flights between Istanbul (IST) and Karachi.</li>
<li>11 weekly flights between Istanbul (IST) and Lahore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
This represents a weekly offering of approximately 18,000 seats.

Pakistan International Airlines Begins Selling Tickets for Its Return to Europe

Global Crossing Airlines Group, the fastest-growing charter airline in the United States, announced that it has formed a joint venture with ATB Aviation Australia to establish a new airline based in Melbourne.
The new airline, which will serve the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, a market with dynamic growth potential, will operate as a charter airline offering both charter and ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) services.
This innovative aviation model promises unparalleled convenience for passengers and businesses throughout the APAC region. The charter and ACMI business models are widely recognized for their efficiency, flexibility, and economic viability, particularly compared to traditional commercial airlines.
<h4>Charter services</h4>
Like its U.S. counterpart, the new joint venture will provide passenger and cargo transportation services to Australia and key Asian markets. The joint venture will operate a fleet of Airbus A320 family aircraft once it has successfully met all regulatory and compliance requirements, including obtaining its initial application, approval, and the Australian Air Operator Certificate (AOC).
The APAC region, encompassing East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Oceania, is one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic aviation markets in the world. The charter flight market in APAC is projected to reach $6.8 billion annually, positioning the new joint entity well to capitalize on this demand. It will also support major regional airlines during peak travel seasons.
<h4>Asia Pacific</h4>
Eric Dang, President of ATB Investment &amp; Partners, stated: «With the launch of our joint venture in Asia Pacific, we are offering more options to customers in the charter flight segment. This joint venture, backed by the proven expertise and resources of GlobalX, will introduce innovative models and tailored products for Asia Pacific customers, just as they have successfully done in North America, the UK, and Europe.»
GlobalX, the fastest-growing charter airline in North America, is one of the most dynamic charter airlines in the narrow-body passenger and cargo markets. The airline currently operates a fleet of 18 passenger and cargo aircraft from the Airbus A321 family, serving markets in the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America. GlobalX is also the sole North American operator of the Airbus A321P2F freighter.
<h4>Expansion</h4>
Ryan Goepel, President and CFO of GlobalX, commented: «We are thrilled to partner with ATB Aviation to launch this joint venture in Asia Pacific, marking an important step in the global expansion of our innovative charter and ACMI flight model. With significant untapped potential in the Asia Pacific market, we are committed to ensuring the success of this joint venture. GlobalX&#8217;s knowledge and operational excellence, combined with the proven talent and expertise of our partners at ATB Aviation, will establish a strong foundation for a successful new airline.»
The new joint entity, which plans to commence operations by the end of 2025, aims to expand its fleet to 10 aircraft within its first five years of operation.

GlobalX and ATB Aviation Announce Joint Venture for a New Airline in Asia-Pacific

Aircalin, the flag carrier of New Caledonia, has confirmed an order for two Airbus A350-900 aircraft to support the modernization of its fleet and the expansion of its long-haul route network. This move represents a key step in the company’s strategy to increase its operational capacity and introduce ultra-long-haul flights.
Currently, Aircalin’s wide-body fleet consists of two Airbus A330neo aircraft. The new A350s will be configured in a premium three-class design, accommodating over 320 passengers, including an expanded business class. This configuration will represent a 15% increase in capacity compared to the A330neo.
“These aircraft are essential for operating our recently inaugurated Nouméa-Paris route via Bangkok. They will open the doors to ultra-long-haul flights and allow Aircalin to continue its development strategy,” stated Georges Selefen, CEO of Aircalin.
The A350-900 will be central to Aircalin’s growth plans. The 25% improvement in fuel efficiency, operating costs, and CO₂ emissions, compared to previous-generation aircraft, will enable the airline to operate its current routes with better margins and explore high-demand destinations with additional seating capacity.
Meanwhile, Benoit de Saint-Exupery, Executive Vice President of Sales at Airbus Commercial Aircraft, emphasized: “The A350 will enable Aircalin to further develop its potential and open new long-haul routes. This order is yet another testament to the unmatched efficiency and comfort the A350 offers.”
The A350 is already capable of operating with up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and Airbus aims to achieve 100% compatibility by 2030. As of November 2024, more than 1,300 A350 aircraft had been ordered by 61 customers worldwide.

New Caledonia’s Aircalin Orders Airbus A350s to Modernize Fleet

<a href="https://www.fijiairways.com/en-us/">Fiji Airways </a>inaugurated a nonstop service between Nadi and Dallas/Fort Worth, increasing its offering to four routes in North America, complementing its services to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver.
Flight FJ 890 was operated by an Airbus A350 registered as DQ-FAN and named “Island of Vatulele.” It departed Nadi International Airport at 9:53 PM local time on December 10 and landed the same day at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport at 3:11 PM, after 11 hours and 19 minutes, covering more than 10,600 kilometers. This service is the longest route in the Fiji Airways network.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-348328" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/WhatsApp-Image-2024-12-11-at-5.25.43-PM.jpeg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/WhatsApp-Image-2024-12-11-at-5.25.43-PM.jpeg 1024w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/WhatsApp-Image-2024-12-11-at-5.25.43-PM-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/WhatsApp-Image-2024-12-11-at-5.25.43-PM-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/WhatsApp-Image-2024-12-11-at-5.25.43-PM-150x100.jpeg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
Dallas/Fort Worth is one of the largest hubs of Oneworld, an alliance that Fiji Airways will join next year. This service will provide multiple connections across North America through its future partner, American Airlines.
«This new route strengthens Fiji Airways&#8217; connectivity in North America, facilitating access for U.S. travelers to Fiji and the South Pacific, with seamless connections to Australia and New Zealand. In line with our mission, &#8216;We Fly for Fiji,&#8217; this new service will bring up to 1,000 passengers to Fiji every week, supporting our nation’s tourism industry and creating new avenues for commercial collaboration between our two countries,» said Andre Viljoen, CEO and Managing Director of Fiji Airways.
<h4>Flight schedule between Nadi (NAN) and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)</h4>
<ul>
<li>Flight FJ 890: NAN 9:15 PM &#8211; DFW 3:20 PM Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.</li>
<li>Flight FJ 891: DFW 9:55 PM &#8211; NAN 5:20 AM+2 Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.</li>
</ul>
The route will be operated with Airbus A350-900 aircraft with a capacity of 334 seats in two classes: 33 in Business Class and 301 in Economy Class.
This new route becomes Fiji Airways&#8217; 26th nonstop connection. Additionally, the airline&#8217;s network continues to grow with the addition of a service to Cairns, Australia, which will begin on April 10, 2025.

Fiji Airways Launches Longest Route: Nonstop Flights from Nadi to Dallas/Fort Worth

With Tokyo&#8217;s metro system being notoriously one of the busiest and most crowded in the world, Japan Airlines (JAL) is introducing a new same-day baggage delivery service specifically designed for foreign tourists.
This initiative comes in response to the significant influx of international tourists, with 2.87 million visitors arriving in Japan in September alone, according to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.nl/japan-airlines-doesnt-want-you-to-take-your-luggage-on-the-train-when-you-visit-tokyo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Business Insider</a>.
Tokyo&#8217;s metro, which employs the well-known «oshiyas» or «passenger pushers» to ensure as many people as possible can fit into the crowded trains, could face even more pressure with the increase in tourists and their bulky luggage.
As a solution, JAL is now encouraging visitors to leave their larger suitcases at Haneda Airport rather than taking them on the trains.
After collecting their luggage from the carousels and passing through customs, passengers can head to a dedicated counter in the arrivals hall to drop off larger items, which will then be delivered directly to their hotels or Airbnb accommodations.
Japan Airlines states that the service was designed to «address social issues such as congestion in public transportation and the shortage of storage lockers.»
Additionally, JAL had previously launched a clothing rental service for international travelers, aiming to reduce environmental impact by encouraging passengers to pack less, thus lowering aircraft weight and fuel consumption.
The baggage delivery service, while less innovative than the «Any Wear, Anywhere» program, currently covers only specific areas of Tokyo, such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, and Koto. However, the service is not free, costing up to 4,500 yen (approximately $30) per suitcase.

Japan Airlines Introduces Same-Day Luggage Delivery Service for Tokyo Tourists

The decision by <a style="color: #000080;" href="https://www.alaskaair.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqCDcH-zMHJii_-Jn5Zz2YyNwlkPI2vKAsqS_pF-XSe0gd3DHWu">Alaska Air Group</a> to establish Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) as a global hub gains momentum with the addition of transpacific flights operated by its Oneworld alliance partner Hawaiian Airlines. 
These new routes expand international connectivity options from the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, offering travelers greater possibilities.
Next year, Hawaiian Airlines will launch flights from Seattle to Tokyo-Narita in Japan and Seoul-Incheon in South Korea. With both routes, customers will have the option to connect to Alaska Airlines&#8217; extensive network of destinations from its primary hub.
The nonstop service between Seattle and Tokyo-Narita will begin on May 12, 2025, and will be operated with Airbus A330-200 aircraft. 
These flights will provide connections to other Asian destinations with Japan Airlines, a member of the Oneworld alliance. Tickets are now available for purchase on both airlines&#8217; websites.
<h4>Flight schedule between Seattle (SEA) and Tokyo-Narita (NRT)</h4>
<ul>
<li>Flight HA 823: SEA 13:30 &#8211; NRT 16:00+1 daily flights.</li>
<li>Flight HA 824: NRT 18:25 &#8211; SEA 11:30 daily flights.</li>
</ul>
The nonstop connection to Seoul-Incheon will begin in October 2025 and will be available for booking early next year. 
“We believe our guests will be as excited as we are about these new nonstop flights to Tokyo and Seoul, two of the world&#8217;s most dynamic cities. From our global gateway in Seattle, we can conveniently connect travelers from across our network heading to Asia and beyond,” said Ben Minicucci, CEO of Alaska Air Group. 
This new service adjusts Hawaiian&#8217;s schedule between Japan and Hawaii, as this market is experiencing low demand. 
The aircraft used on the Honolulu-Tokyo Narita route will be reassigned to Seattle, and the service between Honolulu and Tokyo-Haneda will increase from 12 to 14 weekly flights. Nonstop connections from Honolulu to Osaka-Kansai and Fukuoka will also remain available. 
A total of 24 weekly flights will be offered between Japan and Hawaii.
Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines together will add new services, increase frequencies, and boost capacity on existing routes.
<h4>Hawaiian Airlines frequency increases from Honolulu</h4>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Seattle-Tacoma: increases from one to four daily flights</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">San Diego: increases from one to three daily flights</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Portland (Oregon): increases from one to three daily flights</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">San Francisco: increases from one to two daily flights</li>
</ul>
<h4>New Hawaiian Airlines service</h4>
From June 12 to August 20, 2025
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Seattle-Anchorage: two daily flights on Airbus A330-200</li>
</ul>
<h4>Hawaiian Airlines capacity increases from Honolulu</h4>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Two of the four daily flights to Los Angeles will be operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Service to Sacramento will use Airbus A330-200 aircraft.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Service to Seattle will use Airbus A330-200 aircraft for three daily flights.</li>
</ul>
<h4>New Alaska Airlines routes between Hawaii and the West Coast</h4>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Kona-Los Angeles: starts June 12, 2025, with daily flights</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Kona-San Francisco: starts June 12, 2025, with four weekly flights</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Lihue-San Francisco: starts June 13, 2025, with three weekly flights</li>
</ul>
See also: <a style="color: #ffcc00;" href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/11/alaska-airlines-expands-winter-routes-new-connections-from-the-u-s-west-coast/">Alaska Airlines launches new flights from the West Coast to vacation destinations in Latin America and the United States</a> 
«`

Alaska Air Group Expands Seattle Hub with New Hawaiian Airlines Transpacific Routes

<a style="color: #000080;" href="https://wwws.airfrance.com/">Air France</a> returns to the Philippines after 23 years with the launch of its nonstop flights between Paris and Manila. This service, operating three times a week, complements its sister airline KLM&#8217;s service via Taipei, bringing the Franco-Dutch group’s total to seven weekly flights to Manila.
Flight AF 208 was operated on an Airbus A350 registered as F-HTYJ and named “Cannes.” The aircraft departed Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport at 23:48 local time on December 7 and arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 19:16 the following day after 12 hours and 28 minutes of flight.
In addition to the new Manila connection, Air France&#8217;s offering in East Asia for this winter includes services to: Tokyo-Haneda (up to 15 flights per week), Osaka-Kansai (up to 3 flights per week), Beijing-Capital (up to 7 flights per week), Shanghai-Pudong (up to 7 flights per week), Hong Kong (up to 7 flights per week), Seoul-Incheon (up to 7 flights per week), Bangkok (up to 13 flights per week), Singapore (up to 10 flights per week), and Ho Chi Minh City (3 flights per week).
The Philippine capital is the third new service launched by the French airline this 2024/2025 winter season, following Salvador de Bahia in Brazil and Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (with a stop in Zanzibar). The airline has also scheduled the opening of routes to Malé in the Maldives starting December 20 and Kiruna in Sweden starting December 21.
<h3>Flight schedule between Paris (CDG) and Manila (MNL)</h3>
<ul>
<li>Flight AF 208: CDG 23:20 &#8211; MNL 19:30+1 Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.</li>
<li>Flight AF 209: MNL 21:50 &#8211; CDG 05:50+1 Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.</li>
</ul>
The route is operated with Airbus A350-900 aircraft configured with 324 seats across three classes: 34 in Business Class, 24 in Premium, and 266 in Economy.
See also: <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/12/saudi-arabian-airlines-and-air-france-klm-forge-new-strategic-aviation-agreement/">Saudia and Air France-KLM advance in a strategic agreement for technical and commercial collaboration</a>

Air France Resumes Direct Flights Between Paris and Manila After 23 Years

<a href="https://www.aircanada.com/home/ca/en/aco/flights">Air Canada </a>will operate non-stop flights between its transpacific hub, Vancouver, and Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Philippines. The announcement was made during an event of the Government of Canada&#8217;s Trade Mission currently in the Philippines, commemorating 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
This new route to Manila is Air Canada&#8217;s third destination in the Southeast Asian region launched in recent years.
«We are delighted to add Manila to our global network with a new year-round, non-stop service from Vancouver, Air Canada&#8217;s Pacific hub. This continues our international network strategy of expanding into large, rapidly growing markets that currently lack direct service from Air Canada. The Philippines is a significant market that reflects the longstanding family ties between our two countries, alongside growing business connections and tourism opportunities,» said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President of Revenue and Network Planning and President of Cargo at Air Canada.
Air Canada is the only Canadian airline scheduled to fly to the Philippines and the second North American carrier. Currently, Manila is the largest Asian market without direct service from Air Canada. The new service will initially operate three times weekly starting April 2, 2025, and will increase to four times weekly on May 1, 2025, utilizing Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
Manila is Air Canada&#8217;s twelfth route in its transpacific network from Vancouver, complementing services to Japan, South Korea, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. With this new connection, Air Canada is scheduled to operate over 180 weekly flights between Canada and the Pacific next summer.
<h4>Flight schedule between Vancouver (YVR) and Manila (MNL)</h4>
From April 2 to April 30, 2025
<ul>
<li>Flight AC 17: YVR 01:55 &#8211; MNL 06:20+1 Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.</li>
<li>Flight AC 18: MNL 09:25 &#8211; YVR 06:20 Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.</li>
</ul>
Starting May 1, 2025
<ul>
<li>Flight AC 17: YVR 01:55 &#8211; MNL 06:20+1 Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.</li>
<li>Flight AC 18: MNL 09:25 &#8211; YVR 06:20 Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.</li>
</ul>
See also: <a style="color: #ffcc00" href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/12/air-canada-expands-fleet-with-boeing-787-10-and-airbus-a321xlr-for-south-america-routes/">Air Canada intends to fly with Boeing 787-10 to Argentina and Brazil</a> 
«`

New Direct Route: Air Canada to Connect Vancouver and Manila with Boeing 787

<a href="https://www.goindigo.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IndiGo</a>, the largest airline in India, filed a lawsuit against Mahindra Electric Automobile Limited (one of the leading car manufacturers in the country) for using «6E» in the name of its new electric vehicle model, BE 6e. According to the Hindustan Times, the airline argues that «6E» is not only its official designator but also a key element of its brand and services.
IndiGo uses «6E» to identify a range of services associated with its brand, such as 6E Prime, which includes seat selection, priority check-in, and free snacks, and 6E Flex, which offers flexibility in rescheduling and canceling flights. Additionally, the airline offers add-ons under the name 6E add-ons, allowing passengers to customize their experience with options such as extra baggage, pre-selected meals, and access to VIP lounges.
<h4>Legal Details and Trademark Registrations</h4>
The case was filed on Tuesday, December 4, and will be reviewed in a hearing scheduled for December 9. However, Judge Amit Bansal decided to recuse himself from the case, according to the Indian media. Meanwhile, Mahindra has contacted IndiGo to discuss the dispute, according to statements from the airline&#8217;s lead lawyer, Sandeep Sethi, cited by the Hindustan Times.
IndiGo registered the trademark «6E Link» in 2015 under classes 9, 35, 39, and 16, which allows it to use it in advertising and transportation services. On the other hand, Mahindra registered «BE 6e» on November 25 of this year under class 12, which authorizes its use on a wide variety of vehicles, excluding motorcycles and mopeds.
<h4>Launch of the BE 6e</h4>
<a href="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/mahindra-6b.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-347417" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/mahindra-6b.jpg" alt="" width="1353" height="761" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/mahindra-6b.jpg 1353w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/mahindra-6b-300x169.jpg 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/mahindra-6b-768x432.jpg 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/mahindra-6b-150x84.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1353px) 100vw, 1353px" /></a>
The Mahindra BE 6e, designed as a compact SUV with a coupe-like sporty profile, is expected to hit the market in February 2025. According to the Hindustan Times, the model will have an initial price of 18.90 lakh (about 22,800 USD at the current exchange rate) and will compete with vehicles like the Tata Curvv EV, MG ZS EV, and the upcoming Hyundai Creta EV.

IndiGo Takes Legal Action Against Mahindra for «6E» Trademark Infringement in BE 6e EV

<a href="https://www.united.com">United Airlines</a> has requested authorization from the United States Department of Transportation to begin passenger, cargo, and mail services between Los Angeles and Beijing starting May 1, 2025, using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. The U.S. airline is allowed 28 weekly flights between the U.S. and the Chinese capital, and with this proposed route, it aims to enhance travel options.
United&#8217;s proposed flight departs Los Angeles at 11:10 PM on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, arriving in Beijing two days later at 4:45 AM. On the return leg, it departs Beijing at 12:00 PM on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, landing the same day in Los Angeles at 9:35 AM.
Currently, the only airline operating between Beijing and Los Angeles is Air China. If the proposal is realized, United will be the only U.S. airline operating in this segment. Before the pandemic, American Airlines also offered services between Los Angeles and the Chinese capital.
There is currently a limit of 50 weekly flights between China and the United States, and United&#8217;s request does not affect the current level of frequencies between the two countries. The ongoing conflict of the Ukraine-Russia war has impacted flights between the U.S. and mainland China, complicating United&#8217;s return to routes from Newark, Chicago O’Hare, and Washington-Dulles.
United’s proposed flights between Los Angeles and Beijing will offer convenient schedules for travelers. This service also involves reducing the capacity on the San Francisco-Beijing route by using less dense aircraft, such as the Boeing 777-200ER.
See also: <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/11/united-airlines-to-connect-puerto-escondido-to-the-u-s-starting-april-2025/">United Airlines begins selling flights to Puerto Escondido</a>

United Airlines to Launch Direct Los Angeles-Beijing Flights in 2025

<a href="https://www.ana.co.jp/en/us/">All Nippon Airways (ANA)</a> begins its nonstop flights between Milan-Malpensa and Tokyo-Haneda with three weekly services. Thus, it becomes the second airline to offer a direct connection between Japan and Italy, following ITA Airways, which operates a service between Rome and the Japanese capital. The last nonstop service between Milan and Tokyo was in March 2020, operated by the now-defunct Alitalia, which was suspended as a consequence of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Flight NH 207 was operated by a Boeing 787 registered as JA892A, which departed Tokyo-Haneda Airport at 01:23 local time on December 3 and landed at Milan-Malpensa Airport at 07:52 after 14 hours and 29 minutes.
ANA is scheduled to launch other European services such as Stockholm-Arlanda starting January 31, 2025, and Istanbul beginning February 12, 2025. Both connections will be operated by Boeing 787-8 aircraft with 184 seats. Additionally, ANA offers flights to Brussels, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt, London-Heathrow, Munich, and Vienna.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-347253 aligncenter" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1733226363782.jpeg" alt="" width="1080" height="607" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/1733226363782.jpeg 1080w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/1733226363782-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/1733226363782-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/1733226363782-150x84.jpeg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" />
«We are pleased and delighted to welcome All Nippon Airways to Malpensa. The airline is one of the most prestigious in the world, and its decision to activate the flight from Milan-Malpensa further confirms the significant interest of the industry in the potential of the Milan metropolitan area and northern Italy,» said Luigi Battuello, Commercial Director of SEA Milan Airports. 
After fourteen years, a Japanese airline returns to fly to Milan-Malpensa, the last being Japan Airlines, which operated with a Boeing 747-400. Asian flights at Milan-Malpensa Airport have grown by 61% in passenger traffic in the first 10 months of the year and represent 27% of long-haul traffic to and from Malpensa.
<h4>Flight schedule between Tokyo-Haneda (HND) and Milan-Malpensa (MXP)</h4>
<ul>
<li>Flight NH 207: HND 01:05 &#8211; MXP 08:30 Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.</li>
<li>Flight NH 208: MXP 10:30 &#8211; HND 07:30+1 Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.</li>
</ul>
The flights will be operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft configured with 215 seats in three classes: 48 in Business Class, 21 in Premium Economy, and 146 in Economy. For this service, ANA offers travelers connections to destinations within Japan such as Osaka, Sapporo, Okinawa, Fukuoka, and other destinations in the Asia-Pacific region.
See also:<a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/09/all-nippon-airways-es-la-segunda-aerolinea-en-asia-en-instalar-la-tecnologia-piel-de-tiburon-en-sus-boeing-777/">All Nippon Airways is the second airline in Asia to install «sharkskin» technology on its Boeing 777s</a>

All Nippon Airways Returns to Milan-Malpensa: New Direct Flights to Tokyo-Haneda

Cathay Pacific will expand its presence in Europe with the launch of new direct routes to Munich and Brussels for the summer season of 2025. The Hong Kong-based airline will operate direct flights to Munich for the first time and resume its service to Brussels, strengthening its offering for travelers between Asia and Europe.
On June 16, 2025, Cathay Pacific will launch its first direct flight to Munich, with four weekly frequencies. This new connection will complement the existing daily service to Frankfurt, expanding the airline’s presence in Germany, one of Europe’s key markets.
As for Brussels, the airline will resume its direct route on August 3, 2025. The Belgian capital, strategically positioned as a political and transport hub, will benefit from a direct connection via Hong Kong’s hub, facilitating access to a wide range of destinations across Asia.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-347279 aligncenter" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/grafic-cathay-300x264.png" alt="" width="832" height="732" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/grafic-cathay-300x264.png 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/grafic-cathay-768x675.png 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/grafic-cathay-150x132.png 150w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/grafic-cathay.png 920w" sizes="(max-width: 832px) 100vw, 832px" />
<h4>Strengthening connectivity with Spain</h4>
For the summer of 2025, Cathay Pacific will also expand its operations in Spain, increasing frequencies from Hong Kong to Barcelona and Madrid. In Barcelona, the airline will operate three weekly flights, with an additional frequency on Sundays from July 6 to October 25. Meanwhile, in Madrid, the airline will increase its weekly flights to Hong Kong to four, with departures on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
The new flights to Munich and Brussels, along with those to Madrid and Barcelona, will be operated with Airbus A350-900 aircraft configured with 38 lie-flat seats in Business, 28 seats in Premium Economy, and 214 in Economy.
“We are delighted to add Munich to our network for the first time, as well as to return to Brussels next year, making them our 10th and 11th destinations in Europe, respectively. Hong Kong is a leading financial, commercial, and international aviation hub, and these flights will provide our customers with a direct connection between our city and two of Europe’s most important centers,” said Lavinia Lau, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer of Cathay.
<h4>Network expansion and more options for travelers</h4>
From the summer of 2025, Cathay Pacific will operate up to 93 weekly flights to Europe, an increase from the current 78 weekly flights. In addition to the new routes to Munich and Brussels, the airline will also enhance its European network with daily flights to London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Manchester, Milan, Paris, and Zurich.
The airline offers an extensive network of destinations in the Asia-Pacific region through its hub in Hong Kong, including 19 destinations in mainland China, served by both Cathay Pacific and its subsidiary HK Express.
<h4>Cathay Cargo also strengthens its presence in Europe</h4>
In addition to passenger flights, Cathay Cargo will operate seven weekly cargo flights between Europe and Hong Kong during the summer of 2025. This increase in cargo services highlights the region&#8217;s importance to the airline’s commercial operations.

Cathay Pacific Expands European Routes: New Direct Flights to Munich and Brussels in 2025

China Southern Airlines has initiated the sale process for its entire fleet of 10 Boeing 787-8 aircraft, including two GE Aerospace GEnx-1B engines.
This announcement, made on November 19, suggests a fleet standardization strategy, as the company will continue operating the larger Boeing 787-9 model, according to <a href="https://aeroin.net/china-southern-inicia-processo-de-venda-de-toda-sua-frota-de-10-aeronaves-boeing-787-8/">Aeroin</a>.
The sale includes the first 787 aircraft delivered to China Southern, registered as B-2725, which was received in May 2013.
Deliveries of the models up for sale are expected to begin in 2025 and continue into 2026. China Southern&#8217;s proposal requires the sale of all aircraft and engines as a complete package, thus rejecting partial purchase offers.
With a fleet of 18 Boeing 787-9 aircraft, China Southern highlights a potential strategy to standardize its fleet, simplifying operations and maintenance. Currently, the airline operates a diverse fleet of more than 650 aircraft.

China Southern Airlines Streamlines Fleet, Sells All Boeing 787-8s

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) announced the lifting of the ban that had prevented Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from operating in its member states.
This decision marks a significant return for the airline, which had been banned in June 2020 due to concerns about the ability of Pakistani authorities, particularly the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), to ensure compliance with international aviation safety standards.
<h4>Accident</h4>
According to the affiliated outlet <a href="https://aeroin.net/apos-quatro-anos-banida-pia-volta-a-ter-permissao-de-fazer-voos-para-paises-da-uniao-europeia/?amp">Aeroin</a>, the original suspension of PIA’s operations in the European Union occurred after a tragic air accident that caused the crash of one of the airline’s planes and claimed the lives of 97 people.
Subsequent investigations revealed concerns about the validity of some pilot licenses in Pakistan, leading to the suspension of 262 out of the country’s 860 registered pilots, including 141 from PIA, whose licenses were deemed «dubious» by the then-Minister of Aviation.
<h4>Restoring Confidence</h4>
In a statement sent to Reuters, a spokesperson for EASA said that the agency had «restored sufficient confidence in the oversight capabilities of the PCAA», with the decision to allow PIA to resume its commercial operations in the EU based on the «significant efforts» made by the Pakistani authority to improve the situation. Although the investigation did not reveal serious issues, the PCAA was under pressure to demonstrate improvements.
Pakistan International Airlines celebrated the restoration of its status and pledged to strictly adhere to EASA standards. Pakistan&#8217;s Defense Minister, Khwaja Asif, expressed that lifting the ban would revitalize the national airline, which is facing serious financial challenges and privatization efforts.
<h4>Financial Impact</h4>
The ban had a significant financial impact on PIA, which failed to generate around 40 billion Pakistani rupees (approximately USD 144 million) annually due to the restriction. Both PIA and the government of Pakistan worked hard to persuade EASA to lift the ban, even if only temporarily.
In a social media post, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, celebrated the decision, calling it “wonderful news” for the airline and the country’s aviation sector.

Asia-Pacific