Orient Aviation’s Week in the Asia-Pacific
By Dominic Lalk
As has become the new norm, most of the action in Asia-Pacific aviation took place in Mainland China this week where heavyweights China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines reaffirmed their commitment to moving to Beijing’s under-construction Daxing International Airport with significant infrastructure spending.
Also on the Mainland, new HNA Group carrier Shenniao Airlines has been approved by the State Administration for Industry & Commerce, but it has not yet got the crucial air operator’s certificate from the CAAC to launch operations. In Chengdu, Shenniao joins sister carrier Lucky Air and rival Air China’s expansion drives.
In South Korea, start-up KAIR has sold a 20% stake to the Hanwha Group conglomerate, while in Taiwan ex-EVA Air chairman Chang Kuo-wei is getting ready to launch his own carrier. In Thailand, THAI is late submitting its findings of a probe into its illicit dealings with Rolls-Royce, while rival carrier NewGen Airways is setting up a new base at suddenly-trending U-Tapao Airport.
In the Gulf, the times are certainly changing. Emirates Airline this week announced significant network reductions to the U.S. following the Trump administration’s unpopular Muslim and electronics bans.
NDRC approves China Eastern, China Southern investments at New Beijing Airport Read More »
News
Mainland flag carrier Air China has added an A320ceo to its southwestern branch based in Chengdu. The aircraft was delivered from Airbus’ Tianjin FAL on April 14. Read More »
News
HNA’s Shenniao Airlines achieves certification milestone
HNA Group’s latest carrier, Chengdu-based Shenniao Airlines (‘sacred bird’), has received launch approvals from China’s State Administration for Industry & Commerce (SAIC), bringing it one step closer to obtaining an air operator’s certificate from the Mainland aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Read More »
News
China improves airport infrastructure
The Mainland has long pledged more money for airport infrastructure development, particularly for the less developed inland provinces. Read More »
News
KAIR receives Hanwha investment
South Korean start-up, Cheongju-based KAIR Airlines, has reportedly received a 16 billion won (US$14.1 million) investment from Hanwha Techwin Co. and Hanwha Investment & Securities Co., giving the Hanwha Group conglomerate an almost 20% stake in the fledgling low-cost carrier. Read More »
News
NewGen Airways sets up U-Tapao base
U-Tapao-Rayong-Pattaya International Airport is becoming popular at last. After Thai Lion Air last week said it would launch domestic and international flights from U-Tapao this year, NewGen Airways launched its maiden flight from the airfield on Monday. Read More »
News
Ex-EVA chairman sets up new carrier?
Chang Kuo-wei, the former chairman of EVA Airways, has set up a new Taipei-registered company – Hsing Yu Investment, the Ministry of Economic Affairs confirmed Tuesday. Read More »
News
Emirates trims U.S. network, citing Trump
Emirates Airline is feeling the pinch from punitive air travel regulations put in place by the Trump administration over the past three months and it is not afraid of calling the U.S. president out on it. Read More »
News
AerCap signs deals worth $7.2 billion in Q1
Irish aircraft leasing giant AerCap kicked 2017 off with a deal bonanza. During the first quarter ended March 31, the lessor signed US$7.2 billion worth of transactions, more than the US$4.6 billion it signed in all of 2016. Read More »
News
THAI asks for bribery probe extension, partners Royal Thai Navy in U-Tapao MRO project
Thai Airways International (THAI) has asked for an extension of its probe into illicit procurement deals for Rolls-Royce engines and after-sale maintenance packages from 1991 to 2005, Thai transport minister, Arkhom Termpittiyapaisith, has told the Bangkok Post. Read More »
Short Takes
People: Miami-headquartered MRO specialist AAR has appointed John Holmes as next president and COO from June 1, following the resignation of Timothy Romenesko as CFO and vice chairman, effective December 31. Read More »
