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New Routes: Tons of Transpacific News

At least 10 airline start-ups are coming to Asia and the Pacific this year, including a few low-cost carriers. The geeks at the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) say that the new carriers and routes stem from an influx of foreign travelers to the regions, and the potential Australia-United States open skies agreement has to be helping. That has us psyched: More choices and new hubs mean more competitive pricing.

So what new airlines are we waiting for? There will be at least five joint-venture airlines (such as Indonesia's Lion Air and Australia's SkyAirWorld) and low-cost carriers adding international routes (like a subsidiary from ANA). Start-ups include Virgin's V Australia and New Zealand's Kiwijet. Some of the new airlines and routes include larger capacity planes; no one will be flying any 787s anytime soon.

According to The Australian, CAPA says:

The next few weeks will provide a much cleared picture of [what's next]. Meanwhile, airline managements are growing increasingly nervous.

Nervous? We're elated.

Related Stories:
· Crowded skies for Asia-Pacific airlines [The Australian]
· New Routes coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Wikipedia]