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China Southern expects A320neo, B787-9 before year-end
October 28th 2016
Guangzhou’s China Southern Airlines this week said it plans to take delivery of five A320neos and a leased B787-9 before year-end, bringing its total fleet tally to more than 700 aircraft. Read More »
The Pearl River Delta heavyweight continues expanding at breakneck speed, despite some recent setbacks. In September, China Southern registered 12.4% fewer passengers compared to the same month in 2015. This, paired with an overall 5.8% ASK increase (+2.6% domestic; +16.6% international; -14.9% regional), resulted in an average load factor of 80.8% in September, the lowest among the Big Three. Air China reported loads of 81.1%, China Eastern Airlines filled 81.4% of its available capacity and private Hainan Airlines topped the ranking with 87.6%.
Nevertheless, as it continues to grow, China Southern on Monday officially launched its 2017 cadet pilot program through which it hopes to recruit 920 male cockpit crew.
Also down south, in Shenzhen, Hainan Airlines has announced a new growth initiative from Bao’An. The HNA Group staple carrier will add five international routes from Shenzhen before year-end, including daily services to Auckland, Danang, Nha Trang, Chiang Mai and Phuket.
Under the CAAC’s latest five-year plan, Shenzhen has been designated to be expanded into an “international aviation hub” through to 2020. Air China already offers flights from Shenzhen to Frankfurt and Melbourne (which will be taken over by Shenzhen Airlines as the latter receives A330-300s next year), and China Southern flies thrice a week between Shenzhen and Sydney.
In Chengdu, Sichuan Airlines also continues its long-haul expansion. After launching service to Los Angeles and Vancouver, it plans to add New York City to its route map next August.
On the cargo front, Hangzhou-based YTO Cargo Airlines this week said it plans to expand its fleet to 50 aircraft by 2020, a significant increase from the five aircraft it operates now. YTO has 15 B737-800Fs on firm order so it remains to be seen where it will source the remaining 30 aircraft.
Separately, Guangzhou-based China Postal Airlines this week added a fifth B757-200F to its fleet, bringing its total freighter tally to 28 aircraft.
