A trusted source of Asia-Pacific commercial aviation news and analysis


NOVEMBER 2017

Week 45

Orient Aviation’s Week in the Asia-Pacific

By Dominic Lalk

This week in Asia-Pacific aviation kicked off with the surprise announcement that Qatar Airways had bought almost 10% of Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways, a purchase that added to the Doha carrier’s existing equity in IAG, LATAM and Meridiana.

Boeing had another stellar week. On Thursday, during U.S president Donald Trump’s visit to China, Beijing confirmed orders for 300 wide body and single-aisle aircraft for its state-controlled carriers, a commitment estimated to be worth US$37 billion at list prices. On the same day, China’s CDB Leasing finalized an order for 60 Boeing aircraft, including MAX 10s and B787s.

On the airline front, THAI told Orient Aviation the airline is seriously evaluating Seattle as a network addition for 2018. In China, Air China took delivery of its first B737 MAX, which it will start flying to Urumqi from tomorrow. In Tokyo, All Nippon Airways (ANA) once again withdrew from plans to establish a joint venture carrier in Myanmar and the Emirates Group posted a 77% profit increase in its fiscal first half, to US$631 million.

Qatar Airways takes 9.61% stake in Cathay Pacific Read More »

 

News

China confirms 300 Boeing aircraft order during Trump visit

China Aviation Suppliers Holding Company (CASC) on Thursday signed an agreement for 300 Boeing aircraft at a ceremony in Beijing. Read More »


 

News

Emirates Group profit rockets by 77%

On Thursday, the Emirates Group announced its interim results, to September 30. Read More »


 

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THAI seriously considers Bangkok – Seattle route launch

Thai Airways International (THAI) is seriously considering adding Seattle to its route map, the airline’s vice-president of network and fleet planning, Chaiyong Ratanapaisalsuk, told Orient Aviation last week. Read More »


 

News

HK Express banned from expansion

HK Express, the Hong Kong-based low-cost subsidiary of HNA Aviation, has been banned from adding new aircraft and services to its operations, the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (HKCAD) announced on Thursday. Read More »


 

News

Singapore Airlines profit increases but warns of capacity overload

“Headwinds remain as competitors mount significant capacity in key markets. Read More »


 

News

All Nippon Airways withdraws from Myanmar start-up

ANA HOLDINGS this week confirmed that it has abandoned plans to establish a new carrier in Myanmar, the second time it has changed its plans to invest in Myanmar aviation. Read More »


 

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News

Etihad cuts Dallas and blames American Airlines for the termination

Etihad Airways is continuing to trim its U.S. network. Read More »


 

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Air China chooses Urumqi for its first B737 MAX route

Air China is scheduled to perform its maiden B737 MAX revenue flight tomorrow, November 11, on the Beijing-Urumqi route. Read More »


 

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News

Kenya Airways axes Hanoi and Hong Kong routes

Kenya Airways has suspended flights from Nairobi to Hanoi and Hong Kong on a day’s notice and said it would redeploy the freed up capacity on its African network “where the demand outlook remained strong” and capacity was “insufficient on certain routes”. Read More »


 

News

Tom Enders: “We will still produce A380s in 10 years”

Speaking on the side lines of the delivery ceremony for the 100th A380 to Emirates Airline in Hamburg, Airbus CEO, Tom Enders, said the European OEM would “still produce A380s in ten years”. Read More »


 

People

Jeff Knittel named chairman and CEO of Airbus Americas

Industry veteran C. Jeffrey Knittel, 58, will join Airbus as chairman and CEO of Airbus Americas, based in Herndon, Virginia, from January 12. Read More »


 

Short Takes

Airlines: Air New Zealand will install more than 5,500 Bluetooth devices across its cargo containers and pallets in an effort to better track its shipments and equipment. Read More »