Always fun to look back at predictions. I'll have to do something different for 2017...
Feel free to comment on my predictions, and put out some of your own, below:
Hainan start operations to Beijing and announce plans to move to a daily service in either W16 or S17. Not a million miles away, just waiting for the announcement.
Air China announce the start of the route to Shanghai 4x weekly in late 2016. As above, just waiting for the announcement.
China Southern announce a new route to Guangzhou to start in 2017. This looks to be at least a year off.
Cathay Pacific announce the start of 8x weekly to Hong Kong - to start in 2017. This looks unlikely to happen in 2016 - shortly after this prediction it was announced that a series of labour disputes had pushed expansion at MAN and BOS back to 2017.
Singapore Air - announce a change. No idea what it might be. Half right - did not see IAH coming.
JAL - continue to sniff around, but don't commit to any firm plans. Likely 2017 announcement. This sounds right, JAL/ANA are a little distance from seriously looking at MAN.
Air Asia X - as above. Will look into APD issue upon devolution. This seems unlikely.
Tompson/Thomas Cook - further modest expansion of services. Some of the new routes (LAX/Phuket) will be watched with interest I fancy... Thompson I was about right (have they announced 2017 yet?) but miles off on TCX, who are one of the great success stories of 2016.
Virgin/Delta - I doubt much change will happen other than some minor capacity and equipment upgrades on existing routes. As with TCX, VS are one of the success stories with BOS, SFO and JFK starting in 2017. Lets hope the momentum continues into 2018 (unchecked by BA?)
American - equipment upgrades. Unless it is an equipment upgrade to BA, this seems unlikely. They did try with the B788 to ORD, but this was better on paper than the reality.
United - as above. Equipment upgrades. No change - given recent events we will do well to hang on to what we have.
Emirates - I think we may see an announcement of a 4th daily, but to start in 2017. My outside shout here is the return of a Qantas branded aircraft as part of the codeshare agreement. Not sure if it would work but it may be a good occasional stunt for them to pull. They have made a change - but all A380. Perhaps we will see EK23/24 in 2017.
Etihad - I doubt much changes. May see a one off A380 visit. Perhaps we see some change in 2017 ...
Qatar - minor equipment changes. Think they are up to 16 weekly flights now? Slight drop in frequency, numbers continue to improve.
Saudi - no significant changes. I missed the switch to B789 and 5th weekly.
PIA - no significant changes.
Air India - I think we will see an announcement of new routes to 2/3 Indian cities. Doubt they start in 2016 but this strikes me as a major underserved market.
