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


SEPTEMBER 2019

 

Cover Story

Vistara’s market grab

August was a landmark month for Vistara’s Leslie Thng and his team at the Indian joint venture carrier. Read More »


 

Main Story

Region’s aviation roiled by Hong Kong protests and trade conflicts

Weeks of protests in the heat of Hong Kong’s humid summer have sent shock waves through the region, with the demonstrations forcing the cancellation of more than a thousand flights at one of the region’s busiest and most prestigious airports. Read More »


 

Main Story

Only way was out for Cathay Pacific CEO

When the news broke on August 16 that Cathay Pacific CEO, Rupert Hogg, had resigned along with chief customer and commercial officer, Paul Loo, it was clear the airline group was in damage control mode. Read More »


 

Industry Insight Special Report

Independent MROs stand their ground against OEMs

Boeing’s Services Market Outlook 2019-2028 has forecast the global aviation support and services 10-year market would be worth US$3.1 trillion to 2028, with an annual growth rate of 3.5%. Read More »


 

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Airports

Beijing Daxing opening resets competition between “Big Three” carriers

Beijing Daxing’s opening at the end of this month will be lauded for being completed in five years. Read More »


 

Airports

Climate change, talent shortfalls and infrastructure costs challenge Asia-Pacific airports

Climate change mitigation, staff shortages and best in class models for funding Asia-Pacific infrastructure were the major issues addressed at the Airports Council International (ACI) World 56th Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific in Kathmandu last month. Read More »


 

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News Backgrounder

December deadline for Project Sunrise pay deal “very ambitious”

At press time, formal enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) talks between Qantas and its pilots about pay and conditions for crewing Project Sunrise flights had just begun with the pilots awaiting an offer from the airline group. Read More »


 

News Backgrounder

Last ditch efforts to rescue Malaysia Airlines

After several chief executives, including two from overseas, have failed to revive Malaysia Airlines (MAS) the carrier’s government owners have enlisted global investment bank, Morgan Stanley, to explore strategic options for the airline, including a partial sale to strategic investors. Read More »


 

Air Cargo

Tariff gloom – and cargo boom?

Initial Public Offerings (IPO) logically tend to be in favour when a sector is at its peak or at least performing strongly. Read More »


 

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News Backgrounder

Come together to revive THAI pleads its president

Thai Airways International (THAI), dealing with deepening losses revealed in its latest quarter, is attempting another recovery plan that includes an appeal to passengers to help solve the airline’s problems. Read More »


 

News Backgrounder

Jobs go at Virgin Australia, Qantas reports profit decline

Qantas Airways continues to pile up cash with its announcement last month of a bumper underlying profit before tax of US$880 million for the year to June 30. Read More »


 

Training

Vietnam and China attract joint venture training partners

Bamboo Airlines, launched in January this year, may be one of Vietnam’s newest airlines, but with 10 A320s in service and 77 more aircraft on order, including 30 787-9s, it has moved quickly to ensure it has the cockpit crew to fly its fleet. Read More »


 

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Training

Qantas pilot academy ready for first student intake

Qantas’s first pilot training academy will accept its inaugural cadet intake this month although the south eastern Queensland Wellcamp Airport campus will not formally open its doors until January. Read More »


 

Addendum

Air New Zealand’s Luxon shifts professional gears

Christopher Luxon will bow out as Air New Zealand CEO later this month after leading the airline through one of its most successful periods in recent history. Read More »


 

Addendum

Cathay Pacific CEO’s baptism of fire as protests continue across Hong Kong

A fortnight into his new job as CEO, Augustus Tang’s leadership of Cathay Pacific has been tested at every level of the airline group’s operations. Read More »


 

Addendum

Asia-Pacific air growth to suffer from political and tariff tensions

The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) latest airline industry report said the Asia-Pacific had a 37.1% share, or 1.6 billion customers, of the global airline passenger market to December 31, 2018, an increase of 9.2% over 2017. Read More »


 

Industry Addendum

China Southern Airlines introduces digital BAGTAG for domestic and global flights

An electronic luggage tag, developed by five-year-old BAGTAG of the Netherlands, has found a customer in China Southern Airlines (CSA), Asia’s largest airline and one of the world’s fastest growing carriers. Read More »


 

Industry Addendum

NEC and Star Alliance make pact to advance biometric data recognition technology

Japan’s NEC Corporation and the world’s largest airline alliance, Star, have formed a research partnership to develop a biometric data-based identification platform that will improve interaction with the frequent flyers of its carrier members. Read More »


 

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Industry Addendum: Leasing

Vietnam Airlines accepts first 787-10 from ALC

Air Lease Corporation (ALC) delivered the first of eight 787-10s to Vietnam Airlines last month. Read More »


 

Industry Addendum: Leasing

Willis Lease Finance posts strong quarterly profit

Willis Lease Finance has reported a pre-tax profit of US$21.8 million for the three months to June 30, on revenues of $95.8 million, an increase of 21.7% over the same months a year ago. Read More »


 

Industry Addendum: MRO and Components

SR Technics signs exclusive engine agreement with Turkish LCC

Turkish LCC, Pegasus, has entered into a long-term CFM56-5B engine maintenance deal with global MRO provider, SR Technics. Read More »


 

Industry Addendum: MRO and Components

Embraer and Mongolian Hunnu Air agree to E190 pool parts program

Brazil’s Embraer and E190 customer, Mongolian Hunnu Air, have signed a long-term components pool program agreement for the airline’s leased E190 fleet. Read More »


 

Industry Addendum: MRO and Components

Australia’s Heston MRO launches components unit

Brisbane-headquartered Heston MRO has opened a components unit as part of its strategy to become a Total Technical Care provider for its customers in Australia and the Pacific. Read More »


 

Industry Addendum: MRO and Components

Asiana Airlines and Lufthansa Technik do deal for component support

Asiana Airlines has confirmed a new 10-year contract with Lufthansa Technik for Total Component Support (TCS) for the Korean international carrier’s A320-A321neo family, which will number 79 aircraft. Read More »


 

Industry Addendum: Airlines

Hahn Air inaugurates NDC platform

A global leader in airline distribution and German airline and ticketing group, Hahn Air, has unveiled its NDC (New Distribution Capability) platform, a solution powered by the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) NDC standard, on scheduled flights between Luxembourg and Dusseldorf. Read More »


 

Industry Addendum: Airlines

IATA expands user-friendly access to New Distribution Capability

Last month, the International Air Transport Association, (IATA), unveiled web-based tool, NDC Matchmaker, that introduces more visibility to partners collaborating and utilizing the New Distribution Capability. Read More »


 

Comment

Airlines across Asia hit hard by political strife

The Sino/U.S. trade war, the Japan-South Korea dispute and political upheaval in Hong Kong are wiping millions off the balance sheets of several airlines in the region, most particularly in North Asia. Read More »