CDI Cargo has launched operations after a lengthy startup process. It is backed by significant investment and a strong, experienced, management team.

The airline, which operates a single Boeing 737-300 freighter, is based in Huangzhou, China. It is expected to take delivery of two more 737s by the end of the year.

It is currently flying between Huangzhou, Qingdao, and Changchun. However, with widebody aircraft planned for the near future, it is anticipated that the airline will begin cargo flights to Japan and South Korea, and expand its domestic network.

Seoul’s Incheon Airport is the South Korea’s main international airport, and it has ambitions to grow into one of the region’s biggest hubs.

Already the home base of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, Incheon handled 35 million passengers in 2011 – a rise of 7% over the previous year. A phase of development is currently taking place, which will add a second terminal, due to open in 2017, and increase the airport’s capacity to 62 million passengers per year.

The airport already prides itself on its connections within Asia. It currently serves more domestic destinations in Japan than either Tokyo Haneda or Narita airports do. As such, it acts as an important hub for onward connections for Japanese passengers.

In addition, Incheon’s management team are trying to push the airport as a major gateway to the region for European passengers, in particular, for connections to Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

Korean Air already has a strong network linking various European cities with Seoul, as does Asiana Airlines. British Airways will also begin their new Boeing 777 route from London Heathrow to Seoul Incheon in December (see story here)

Details of how to spot at both of Seoul’s Airports – Incheon and Gimpo – are covered in my book, Airport Spotting Guides Far East and Australasia, available here.

It covers the best places to spot around the airports, plus hotels with views, details of airlines you can see there, and much more information.

British Airways have announced that they’re going to restart their route between London Heathrow and Seoul Incheon in South Korea.

This is the first announcement to come since the IAG deal to buy bmi was completed, after which the airline promised to increase service to Asia.

The new route will commence on 2 December 2012, and is on sale now. It will utilise a Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, operating six times weekly.

The route was last operated in 1998. However, Dave Crawley, BA’s Commercial Director, says “We have seen significant growth in customers wanting to travel to Seoul for both business and pleasure.”

Seoul Incheon is one of the biggest airport hubs in Asia – very interesting for the spotter, and situated fairly close to the domestic Gimpo Airport where you can see the domestic Korean Air and Asiana Airlines fleets.

All you Asian and Far East spotters, here’s something to look out for in your skies very soon…

Korean Air‘s brand new Airbus A380 has been fully painted and will be delivered soon, with services beginning on 17th June 2011.

It will be based at Seoul Incheon, and fly trunk routes to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, New York JFK and Tokyo Narita.

I think you’ll agree it looks splendid in the smart blue colour scheme of Korean Air.

Photo (c) Okke Behm