Welcome to my 179th weekly routes article! It includes six mini-stories about subjectively exciting services that took off between August 12 and 18. While dozens of routes worldwide were introduced during the examined period, only a select few intriguing additions are covered in this article. Alas, celebratory images could not be found for all entries.
Take Off: Spirit Begins These 6 Routes
The troubled and changing Spirit, which is much smaller than it was, has started six routes in the analyzed week, excluding seasonal resumptions and those back after a short absence. As usual, frequencies and periods of operation vary.
Photo: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport
The additions are Detroit-Orange County (brand-new to Spirit’s map), Miami-Atlantic City (briefly served in 2021/2022), Newark-Savannah (brand-new), Hartford-Nashville (brand-new), Minneapolis-Myrtle Beach (limited operations; served in 2018/2019), and Reno-San Diego (limited operations; brand-new). It is its first time in Savannah.
Photo: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport
In August, the only market without head-to-head competition is Miami-Atlantic City, which has been unserved for three years. Spirit’s three/four-weekly flights coexist with its long-term operation between Fort Lauderdale and Atlantic City, which it has flown for 32 years.
AirAsia’s New Long 5th Freedom Service
Taipei Taoyuan to Fukuoka is a huge market of over 950,000 round-trip passengers. AirAsia debuted on August 15, with a daily A320ceo/A320neo operation.
Photo: AirAsia
The Malaysian unit of the low-cost Group operates. It does so on a fifth-freedom basis, with flights beginning/ending in Kota Kinabalu. It is the first time the Borneo city has had flights to Fukuoka, whether nonstop or (as in this case) one-stop. AK1510 leaves Kota Kinabalu at 07:40 and AK1511 returns at 22:50.
Photo: AirAsia
It has become the fifth passenger operator between Taipei and Fukuoka. It is also the only foreign carrier. It joins China Airlines, EVA Air, STARLUX, and Tigerair Taiwan. Other non-Taiwanese or Japanese airlines have operated historically, most notably Cathay Pacific until 2017.
Aurigny Arrives In Corsica
On August 16, Aurigny took off from Guernsey (a self-governing dependency of the British crown) to Bastia (in Corsica). While unconfirmed, it appears to be the first time the route has been served.
Photo: Aurigny
Time-limited flights operate on Saturdays until September 27. The ATR 72 has been scheduled, with a considerable block time of up to 3h 15m. However, Flightradar24 shows that G-POWX, a 13.3-year-old E190 leased from Titan, was used on the first round-trip servic
Originally reported by Simple Flying Read More
