Nigel Mayes is the senior vice president, consulting & product development at ASM. Nigel has more than 15 years’ experience in route development and is responsible for product development at ASM.

The sister company to Routes, ASM is the world‘s leading route development consultancy and has supported the creation of new air services since 1993.

Route 1: Hong Kong – Bangkok Suvarnabhumi

Data

Carrier
Aircraft	Airbus A320
Frequency	Five weekly
Start date	31 March 2019
Distance	1,690 km
O&D traffic demand (year to 30 June 2018)	2,683,669
Growth % YOY	4.8%
Average one-way fare $ (year to 30 June 2018)	$144.29

Insight

HK Express is resuming service to Thailand’s capital city Bangkok from 31 March 2019 with five weekly flights from Hong Kong to Suvarnabhumi Airport. The service will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays using Airbus A320 equipment. As reported by Airlineroute, the low-cost carrier previously operated between Hong Kong and Bangkok Don Mueang from July to October 2015. The planned resumption means HK Express is re-entering an already crowded market, which is currently served by nine carriers. Eight of them operate between Hong Kong and Suvarnabhumi, while AirAsia flies to Don Mueang. Cathay Pacific has a dominant position, with a 35.8 percent capacity share of the market.

Route 2: Buenos Aires Aeroparque – Sao Paulo Guarulhos

Data

Carrier
Aircraft	Airbus A320
Frequency	Two daily
Start date	5 February 2019
Distance	1,693 km
O&D traffic demand (year to 30 June 2018)	671,639
Growth % YOY	-10.5%
Average one-way fare $ (year to 30 June 2018)	$203.00

Insight

Avianca Argentina is next month opening a new international service to Sao Paulo in Brazil after the country's National Civil Aviation Agency authorised the airline to operate regular passenger and cargo flights. The service will begin on 5 February 2019 using Airbus A320 equipment, with capacity for 162 passengers in a single class. Aerolineas Argentinas, GOL, LATAM Airlines Group currently operate between Buenos Aires Aeroparque and Sao Paulo Guarulhos, while Aerolineas Argentinas, Ethiopian Airlines, GOL, LATAM Airlines Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines operate to the Brazilian airport from Ezeiza International Airport. In addition, Azul Airlines flies from Ezeiza International to Viracopos/Campinas International.

Route 3: Cluj – London Gatwick

Data

Carrier
Aircraft	Airbus A320
Frequency	One daily
Start date	31 March 2019
Distance	1,118 km
O&D traffic demand (year to 30 June 2018)	340,968
Growth % YOY	17.8%
Average one-way fare $ (year to 30 June 2018)	$137.74

Insight

Wizz Air is introducing new link between Cluj and London with a daily service to London Gatwick starting on 31 March 2019. The low-cost carrier already flies between the Romanian city and London Luton, operating 19 flights per week. In summer 2019, Ryanair is also introducing a service Cluj and London Southend Airport, with three-weekly flights.

Source: Sabre Market Intelligence