December 1st 2022

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October

In one of the most anticipated re-openings of an international border since the pandemic’s outbreak, Japan welcomed vaccinated independent visitors back to the country without quarantine requirements from October 11. Read More »

The full reopening followed a period where restrictions were partially eased, allowing visitors to travel to Japan as part of package tour groups.

The relaxed entry arrangements for vaccinated travellers was expected to fuel a surge in foreign arrivals and support the ongoing recovery of Japan’s airlines, which were already on an upward swing amid strong growth in the domestic market.

That was certainly the case at ANA HOLDINGS INC, parent company of All Nippon Airways, which this month reported a net profit of 19.5 billion yen (US$143 million) for the six months to September 30, a near 120 billion yen turnaround from a 98.8 billion yen net loss in the same period in 2021. The company lifted its forecast for net profit to 40 billion yen for its full financial year (which ends on March 31, 2023) up from its April estimate of 21 billion yen.

While Japan became the latest country to reintegrate with the international community while continuing to manage the impact of COVID-19, the same could not be said of China, where the government continued to vigorously pursue its “dynamic zero-COVID strategy”.

This included the ongoing use of lockdowns to quell local outbreaks of COVID-19 and maintaining an effectively closed border.

These measures were having a punishing impact on the country’s airlines. The so-called Big Three - Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines – reported losses of 4.2 billion yuan for the three months to September 30, more than three times the 7.9 billion net loss a year earlier.

The Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines (AAPA) was planning its first in-person assembly of presidents since 2018 with representatives of its 13 member carriers to gather in Bangkok. AAPA director general, Subhas Menon, said the 2023 general outlook for Asia-Pacific air travel remains positive, albeit with significant downside risks.

At the assembly’s conclusion, Air India joined the airline lobby group.

On a sad note, the aviation industry paid tribute this month to the legendary contribution of former Singapore Airlines managing director and Changi Airports International chair, Lim Chin Beng, who died on October 21. He was 90.