Airport World provides a snapshot of the latest route development news from Moscow-Sheremetyevo, Miami, Munich, Göteborg Landvetter and Stockholm Arlanda airports.
Belgium Day in Moscow
Moscow-Sheremetyevo International Airport held its own ‘Belgium Day’ on June 2 complete with waffles and, of course, a Smurf as the gateway celebrated the launch of Brussels Airlines’ new service to the gateway.
Indeed, the first flight was served by an ‘Aerosmurf,’ a unique plane with a livery featuring the legendary Belgian comic book creations of Pierre Culliford.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belgium in Russia, Jean-Arthur Regibeau, said: “Regular Brussels Airlines flights to and from Sheremetyevo is an important event that marks the beginning of the effective co-operation of Belgium’s national airlines and Russia’s largest airport.
“This will undoubtedly contribute to the enhancement of cultural ties and business relations between our countries.”
Brussels Airlines will operate A319 aircraft on the new four times weekly service to Sheremetyevo’s Terminal E.
Welcome to Miami
Miami International Airport’s international route network just got bigger with the addition of new non-stop B787-8 Dreamliner services to Warsaw operated by LOT Polish Airlines.
LOT is confident that its four weekly flights will appeal to some 500,000 Florida residents that are of Polish origin.
“LOT Polish Airlines is an exciting addition to MIA’s growing roster of international carriers,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor, Carlos Gimenez. “This new connection to Eastern Europe will go a long way toward expanding MIA’s role as a true global gateway.”
Munich’s network continues to expand
New American Airlines services to Charlotte and Dallas/Fort Worth and increased frequency to Chicago (Lufthansa and United) will ensure that Munich Airport handles 133 weekly departures to 13 US destinations this summer.
Munich Airport’s intercontinental route network this summer has also been boosted by daily Lufthansa and Thai Airways flights to Bangkok; double daily departures to Singapore (Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines); and daily flights to Osaka and Seoul (Lufthansa).
All ensure that in the summer of 2019, 22 airlines will offer 342 departures per week to 41 intercontinental destinations in 22 countries.
Air Serbia returns to Gothenburg
Air Serbia will resume operations to Göteborg Landvetter Airport on July 17 after a seven-year absence when it commences a twice weekly non-stop service to the Serbian city of Niš.
Located in eastern Serbia on the river Nišava, Niš is the third largest city in the country and considered to be at the very heart of the Balkans.
“It is gratifying that Air Serbia is now returning to Göteborg Landvetter,” enthuses airport director, Anna Strömwall. “We see steady growth in traffic to eastern Europe and can offer a wider selection of exciting new weekend destinations.
“The route will also make travel easier for passengers with Serbian roots who can conveniently visit friends and family.”
Air Serbia, which will use an A319 aircraft on the route, started operations in 2013 and is the successor to the carriers Aeroput (1927), JAT Yugoslav Airlines (1947) and Jat Airways (2003).
Winter journey
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has revealed that it will launch a new direct service between Stockholm Arlanda and Luxembourg on November 4. The airline will utilise a 90-seat Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft on the route which will operate three times weekly.
Swedavia’s director of aviation business, Elizabeth Axtelius, enthuses: “The majority of people who fly this route are travellers coming to Sweden, and one third are travelling for business purposes. That indicates there is demand for a direct air link to Stockholm Arlanda, which will enhance access between Luxembourg and Sweden.”