Orient Aviation Daily Digest March 5, 2021
A look at the week
By Jordan Chong
There was grim news on the jobs front this week with reports Thai Airways International (THAI) would cut its workforce by half. THAI’s turnaround plan, which includes a 50 billion baht (US$1.6 billion) capital injection, a fleet reduction and shrinking of the route network, will be submitted to a vote of creditors in May.
In Australia, Qantas domestic and international chief executive, Andrew David, raised the possibility the airline group could make more staff redundant above the 8,500 jobs already earmarked to go if operations continue to be impacted by snap domestic border closures and ongoing international travel restrictions.
An indication of the state of the market was highlighted by a Singapore Airlines' (SIA) announcement this week that passenger capacity across the airline group would reach 25% of January 2020 levels by May 2021. Read More »
News
Malaysia Airlines Group retains support of wealth fund owner
Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund, Khazanah Nasional Berhad, the sole shareholder of Malaysia Airlines Berhad's (MAB) parent company Malaysia Aviation Group Berhad (MAGB), said in its annual review published yesterday it would continue to "provide full support and close cooperation in comprehensive efforts to ensure the national carrier’s sustainability post-pandemic". Read More »
News
SIA says frequent flyer data affected by SITA data breach
Singapore Airlines (SIA) said yesterday some personal details of the 580,000 members of its KrisFlyer frequent flyer and PPS programs have been affected by a data security breach involving air transport information technology company SITA's passenger service system (SITA PPS). Read More »
News
“More opportunities to travel by June forecasts AirAsia Thailand boss
AirAsia Thailand CEO, Santisuk Klongchaiya, said yesterday he expected the domestic tourism market to "recovery continuously from this March and April" as Thailand’s Songkran holidays and other seasonal events provided more opportunities for travel. Read More »
News
Air China and China Southern top two earners in December 2020
The International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) air transport monitor monthly report showed the top two airlines by revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) in December 2020 were China Southern Airlines (CSA) at 15.6 billion and Air China at 10.4 billion, with China Eastern fourth at 9.7 billion. Read More »
News
Cebu Pacific secures US$330 million loan facility
Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) said today it had secured a 16 billion peso (US$330 million) 10-year loan facility with a syndicate of Philippine banks. Read More »
News
South Korea announces additional funding for aviation sector
The South Korea government has outlined a 115.3 billion won (US$102 million) package of measures to support the country's aviation industry. Read More »
