Air Transport

New route trims Asia-Europe times

A new international air route over western China will cut up to 25min off flights from Europe to southern China and the Philippines, says the International Air Transport Association.

IATA says the new route, designated B213, was commissioned on 7 July after two years of work with Chinese authorities.

B213 bridges the gap between the recently opened route L888 north of the Himalayas - an alternative for flights between South-East Asia and Europe - and the established route B330 serving southern China. Few airlines use L888, preferring to fly south of the Himalayas. L888 was pioneered by Qantas in 2000, but its use demands upgrades to communications, navigation and surveillance equipment since it traverses the mountainous Tibetan plateau.

IATA says L888 has not been popular due to its "previously limited application...to South-East Asian destinations", but the opening of B213 "should significantly increase the importance and utilisation of L888".

IATA says "reduced flight times as a result of B213 bring cost savings to daily operations between Europe, southern China and Manila. These could play a major role in the expansion of services to the Pearl River Delta area, particularly with the opening of Guangzhou's new Baiyun airport next month."

IATA also says it is working with Chinese authorities on three other route improvements (IATA-1, -2 and -3, see diagram) "that could bring in potential further savings".

NICHOLAS IONIDES / SINGAPORE