Thai Lion roars into Western China

Where? Bangkok (Thailand) to Chengdu (China)
When? Daily, effective 1 March 2017
Who? Thai Lion Air
Why? Mainly serving rising Chinese tourist traffic to Thailand
Anything else? Chengdu will become the westernmost point in Thai Lion’s network

New capital connection for Xinjiang’s regional capital

Where? Moscow (Russia) to Urumqi (China)
When? Three times a week, effective 30 April 2017
Who? S7 Airlines
Why? Expanding trade and tourism traffic between two of the world’s biggest countries
Anything else? As the main gateway to China’s remote Xinjiang region, Urumqi Airport now handles more than 20 million passengers per year

Saudia adds Kerala connections

Where? Jeddah and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) to Thiruvananthapuram (India)
When? Five times a week (twice from Jeddah, three times from Riyadh) effective 1 April 2017
Who? Saudi Arabian Airlines
Why? High capacity flights likely to be popular with large number of Indians working in Saudi cities
Anything else? Saudia will deploy a twin-aisle Airbus A330-300 aircraft on the route

Austrian flies to ancient Iranian cities

Where? Vienna (Austria) to Shiraz, pictured (Iran)
When? Four times a week, effective 2 July 2017
Who? Austrian Airlines
Why? The new route means that Austrian will offer more flights to Iran than any other Western European airline
Anything else? Services will operate via the ancient city of Isfahan