December 1st 2023

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NOVEMBER

It was this month in 2020 when the South Korea government proposed merging the country’s two largest airline groups, with Korean Air to take over Asiana Airlines. Read More » Three years later, the deal has yet to get across the line as the two airlines continue to seek approval for the merger from regulators in several key international markets.

Efforts include an Asiana Airlines offer to divest its cargo business to alleviate competition concerns raised by the European Commission. Market watchers are not sure the offer will be enough to sway the EC regulator Asiana and KAL’s way.

As the year drew to a close, several of the region’s carriers detailed the impact on their operations from mandatory engine maintenance for the Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines. Cebu Pacific expects to have up to 20 A320neo family aircraft grounded in 2024. India’s IndiGo said its count is in the mid-thirties. Air New Zealand said schedule changes will be significant and could impact services for two years. Despite this setback, the airlines expressed confidence in meeting their targets for capacity growth.

After posting its highest annual profit in its history earlier in the year, Singapore Airlines Group (SIA) continued that momentum with another strong result and a positive outlook. SIA reported a record interim profit and Singapore Airlines and Scoot, its operating carriers, are forecast to exceed pre-COVID-19 capacity in fiscal 2024-2025.

Malaysia Airlines joined the list of 737 MAX operators this month when a 737 MAX 8, registration 9M-MVA, commenced commercial flying, with Kuala Lumpur-Kota Kinabalu its inaugural route.

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) announced this month, after the conclusion of its annual Assembly of Presidents, that Vietnam Airlines had rejoined the airline lobby group as its 15th member.

While competitors in the air, All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines said this month they are working together to standardise ground handling operations and share systems, terminals and facilities at several Japanese airports to ensure there were enough workers to support the growth of the industry impacted by an ageing workforce. Cooperation includes mutual recognition of each other’s ground handling qualifications, adding flexibility to the workforce.

Vietjet rounded out its rapid expansion into Australia with the additions of Perth and Adelaide as its fourth and fifth destinations, respectively, into the country. The LCC began flying to Australia last April, serving Melbourne and Sydney, before inaugurating Brisbane in June. It commenced flights to Perth this month and then rejigged the route to Ho Chi Minh City-Perth-Adelaide.

The Dubai Airshow, held this month, was headlined by a top up order from Emirates Airline for 90 777-Xs.

Akbar Al Baker stepped down, very abruptly, as Qatar Airways group CEO this month after 27 years in the role. The entertaining, often acerbic and controversial Al Baker was replaced by Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, chief operating officer of Doha Hamad Airport.