This will mark the return of direct flights into Asia for the Scandinavian flag carrier from Sweden’s capital city. In the past ten years it has previously offered links from Stockholm to both Beijing and Bangkok, the latter on a seasonal winter basis, but these were both suspended from spring 2009.
The Japanese airline is to launch a route between Narita and Houston from June 2015 as part of an expansion of its network between Asia and the Americas.
The carrier launched domestic operations in July 2012 and has its main operational base at Tokyo Narita, but is believed to feel it can generate a better penetration of its international activities and develop enhanced synergies with the wider Jetstar Group from Osaka, where it opened a secondary base in June 2014.
Latest data from The International Air Transport Association (IATA) for global air freight markets shows air cargo growth accelerated in May 2014, with 4.7 per cent growth compared to a year ago. This is up from the 3.8 per cent year-on-year growth recorded in April.
UAE national carrier, Etihad Airways, has revealed plans to launch its first passenger flights to Algiers, Edinburgh, Entebbe, Hong Kong, Kolkata and Madrid in the first half of 2015, while Brisbane will get its first non-stop flights using the carrier's new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
The flight will be operated using a four-class Boeing 777-300ER and will seek to take advantage of the strong business and leisure demand. Located right in the heart of Europe, Zurich is a top banking centre but is also the gateway to the scenic mountains and lakes of Switzerland.
South Korean carrier Asiana Airlines will launch regional passenger operations with the Airbus A380 in the middle of June and will then deploy the aircraft on its scheduled route between Seoul Incheon and Los Angeles from August this year.
