December 1st 2023

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China’s big three airline groups – Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines – this month reported combined losses of 107.8 billion yuan (US$15.2 billion) for calendar 2022, a time when the country was cut off from the rest of the international community and its domestic market was subject to quickly imposed lockdowns to stem local outbreaks of COVID-19. Read More »

Despite the eye watering loss, the experiences of 2022 were well and truly in the rear view mirror when Air China said China’s civil aviation industry was at a turning point in recovery in 2023 and China Eastern Airlines talked up the strong demand trend and significant recovery.

Elsewhere in the region, U.S. carrier, United Airlines, said its Asia-Pacific capacity, – excluding China and Hong Kong, in the northern hemisphere summer season represented 115% of pre-pandemic operations amid “unprecedented demand for travel overseas”, senior vice president global network planning and alliances, Patrick Quayle, said.

In India, SpiceJet completed the transition of its cargo and logistics units to a new entity, SpiceXpress and Logistics Private Limited. The transaction strengthened SpiceJet’s balance sheet and offered SpiceXpress the possibility of raising capital to accelerate its grown, SpiceJet chair and managing director, Ajay Singh, said.

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) group CEO, Captain Izham Ismail, said the Firefly, Malaysia Airlines and MASwings parent company was on track to break even in 2023 after reducing its annual loss to 344 million ringgit (US$78 million) in 2022, from 1.65 billion ringgit in 2021.

ANA HOLDINGS INC. reported its first full year profit since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the result underpinned by the robust recovery in domestic and international travel demand, sustained cost management initiatives and lower fuel prices.

As part of efforts to increase production of its A320 aircraft to 75 a month by 2026, Airbus announced plans to open a second A320 Final Assembly Line at its Tianjin facility during a state visit to China by French president, Emmanuel Macron.

The news was not as positive from Boeing, which announced this month supplier, Spirit Aerosystems had identified a “quality issue” with the aft fuselage section on some 737 MAXs. While there was no impact on the safe operation of 737 MAXs currently in service, Boeing said some 737 MAX deliveries may be delayed as it worked to develop inspections and repairs for impacted fuselages.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) welcomed its newest member this month when Myanmar National Airlines joined the airline lobby group.

The aviation community paid tribute to Australian aviation legend, Charles Maxwell (Max) Hazelton, who died in Orange Australia on April 9 aged 95. Max and his brother Jim founded Hazelton Airlines in 1953. The airline, after several sales and restructurings, and has owned by a Singaporean consortium as Regional Express.