Hong Kong Airlines inaugurated its first flight between Hong Kong and Lijiang recently. To celebrate the launch of this new route, the company hosted inaugural ceremonies at both Hong Kong International Airport and Lijiang Sanyi International Airport.
Jeff Sun, President of Hong Kong Airlines, stated: “We are delighted to introduce this exclusive direct service to Lijiang, offering travellers a convenient option to reach this highly popular tourist destination. With the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival long holidays approaching, we believe this new route will become a favourite choice during the ‘Golden Week’ period, attracting more visitors to explore Lijiang’s unique charm.”
“This direct route not only significantly reduces travel time but also seamlessly integrates with our extensive international network. Passengers from our destinations in Australia and North America, including Sydney, Melbourne and Vancouver, as well as those on our exclusive Saipan service, can easily connect via the Hong Kong hub to Lijiang. With just one ticket for the entire journey and through-check baggage service, travellers enjoy a hassle-free transfer experience while effortlessly discovering the beauty of China.”
Situated in southwest China, Lijiang serves as an important gateway connecting the mainland to Southeast Asia. The launch of this route not only strengthens economic and cultural ties between Hong Kong and western mainland China, fostering deeper development in tourism between the two regions, but also underscores Hong Kong’s bridging role in the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’. Moreover, this further solidifies Hong Kong’s position as a bidirectional international aviation hub linking mainland China with the world.
Vietnam Airlines upgrades Mumbai-Ho Chi Minh with widebody
Vietnam Airlines said it will upgrade its service on the Mumbai (BOM) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) route. The airline will now deploy widebody aircraft, including the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, to meet the growing demand for travel between India and Vietnam. Driven by high demand and strong customer loyalty from Indian travelers, this strategic move aims to deliver a luxury flying experience at competitive fares.
This strategic upgrade underscores Vietnam Airlines’ strong commitment to the Indian market, following the successful introduction of wide-body flights on the Mumbai-Hanoi route due to soaring demand from Indian travelers. The new wide-body operations on the Mumbai-Ho Chi Minh City sector are a direct response to this demand, promising a world-class travel experience with enhanced amenities. With this upgrade, Vietnam Airlines is now operating daily wide-body flights from Mumbai, offering passengers superior comfort and service.
Nguyen Trung Hieu, Country Manager India at Vietnam Airlines, said, “Following the incredible response to our wide-body operations from Mumbai to Hanoi, we are thrilled to expand this enhanced service to our Mumbai-Ho Chi Minh City route. This upgrade reflects our dedication to offering Indian travelers unparalleled comfort and convenience. We are confident that this will further strengthen the air bridge between our two nations and cater to the booming tourism and business travel demand.”
Air India to fly twice daily between Delhi and Jaisalmer
Air India announced non-stop services between Delhi and Jaisalmer, starting 26 October 2025. The service will operate until 28 March 2026 to meet the seasonal tourism demand for India’s Golden City. Air India will operate double daily flights on this route using its A320 aircraft, offering the only full-service experience for travellers to Jaisalmer. The new flights to Jaisalmer are also timed to enable convenient connections to/from Europe, UK and major domestic stations.
“Our new services to Jaisalmer open the doors to India’s Golden City for travellers seeking its timeless charm and for those who prefer to fly full-service,” said Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India. “This seasonal service not only caters to the growing demand for cultural tourism but also underscores Air India’s dedication to making India’s heritage more accessible through seamless air travel.”
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