New airline routes launched (11 June – 17 June 2019)

Kenya Airways Nairobi to Geneva

Kenya Airways launched a nonstop service from its base in Nairobi to Geneva on 13 June. Kenya Airways pulled out all the stops to commemorate the inaugural launch with a cake cutting ceremony followed by an evening reception dinner.

• Kenya Airways launched services from Nairobi (NBO) to Geneva (GVA) on 13 June. According to OAG Schedules Analyser, the non-stop route which spans a 6,083-kilometre sector distance will utilise the SkyTeam members newest B787 Dreamliner on Mondays and Fridays. Kenya Airways is the sole operator of this service. After established routes already to Amsterdam, London and Paris, the introduction of Geneva is part of Kenya Airways’ network expansion strategy steered towards growing its market share, increasing revenues and financial turnaround. Geneva’s addition will bring the destinations KQ serves in Europe to five and 55 worldwide.

SunExpress Oslo to Konya

SunExpress launched a once weekly service connecting the Norwegian capital of Oslo to Turkey’s Konya on 13 June. A beautiful cake was baked by SunExpress to commemorate the inaugural route launch.

• SunExpress launched a once weekly service between Oslo (OSL) and Konya (KYA) on 13 June. The LCC is the sole carrier to cover the 2,892-kilometre sector distance and will utilise a B737 on the route which is operational on Thursdays. The initiation of the route comes at a time when the Norwegian market has grown considerably. SunExpress’ investment in the Oslo market will see the airline offer over 33,000 seats from the airport in 2019, which is an overall increase of 267% versus the summer of 2018.

The rest of this week’s new routes (A – Z by airline)

Celebrating the inaugural launch of the Bahrain to Malaga route on 15 June, alongside crew and a senior aena representative were Gulf Air’s CEO (third-right) Krešimir Kučko.

• Gulf Air launched a twice-weekly service between Bahrain (BAH) and Malaga (AGP) on 15 June. According to OAG Schedules Analyser the 5,279-kilometre sector route will be operated by a B787-9 for the flights evening departures which will occur on Wednesdays and Fridays. Commenting on the inaugural launch of the route was Gulf Air’s Chief Executive Officer Krešimir Kučko. “This is a remarkable event for us to fly, for the first time, to Spain and especially to Malaga, which is widely popular for being a summer resort for many of our passengers. From today until mid-September we will fly twice a week to Malaga and provide this great opportunity for everyone to try our newest Dreamliner and our newest premium leisure destination.” In addition to this route Bahrain also introduced Salalah (SLL) to its network on 16 June. The three-times weekly service will be seasonal until 14 September and will utilise a fleet of A320s to cover the 1,085-kilometre sector distance.

   

A ribbon cutting ceremony took place to commemorate the relaunch of LOT Polish Airlines’ nonstop service between Warsaw and Beirut from 14 June. Rafał Milczarski, CEO, LOT Polish Airlines (left) was present to mark the occasion.

• LOT Polish Airlines relaunched a nonstop service between Warsaw (WAW) and Beirut (BEY) on 14 June. The 2,345-kilometre sector distance will be operated by a fleet of Embraer and B737 aircraft four times a week. According to OAG Schedules Analyser LOT Polish Airlines will be the sole operator for the late evening flight from Warsaw. Rafał Milczarski, CEO, LOT Polish Airlines commented on the relaunch. “Beirut is extremely important to us. Year by year, we observe increasing trade exchange between Poland, the European Union, and Lebanon. In addition, we see a huge potential in the sales of organised trips. This is confirmed by ticket sales statistics, as around 25 percent of all bookings are group reservations.”

Passaredo Airlines commenced a new daily service between Petrolina to Salvador Bahia on 14 June. Pictured celebrating the inaugural route launch was (left) Marc Gordien, CCO, Salvador Bahia Airport, VINCI Airports, Brazil.

• Passaredo Airlines launched a daily service between Petrolina (PNZ) to Salvador Bahia (SSA) on 14 June. The short 463-kilometre sector distance will operate utilising an AT7 aircraft for the late afternoon flights. According to OAG Schedules Analyser, Passaredo Airlines is the sole carrier to operate on this route. Commenting on the launch was José Luiz Felício, President of Passaredo “The new route will allow Petrolina and Juazeiro passengers to have direct access to Salvador. In addition, there will be total connectivity in the national and international network operated in codeshare with LATAM and interline with GOL,” he explains.

TAP Air Portugal inaugurated a non-stop service between Lisbon and San Francisco with the carriers latest Airbus A330neo.

• TAP Air Portugal launched two new international routes from Lisbon (LIS), with the airline initiating San Francisco (SFO) as its first route on 14 June. The 9,119-kilometre route to the US will operate five times weekly using the airline’s new A330neos. The Portuguese carrier will be the sole operator on this transatlantic route. In addition to this route, Washington Dulles (IAD) was introduced on 17 June. According to OAG Schedules Analyser the 5,763-kilometre sector distance will be covered by the Star Alliance members newest fleet of A330neos five times a week. The route will face direct competition from United Airlines which operates a daily flight connecting the two-tech cities.