Overview
In this edition, This Week in Asia-Pacific Aviation has veered off into foreign lands, as we have visited Frankfurt for the unveiling of Lufthansa’s new premium economy class. Germany’s national carrier has said its primary target for the new subclass is the Asia-Pacific, which is part of the largest product upgrade of all travel classes in the carrier’s 88-year-old history.
At the side lines of the event, This Week in Asia-Pacific Aviation spoke to Karl Ulrich Garnadt, chief executive officer (CEO) of Lufthansa German Airlines and member of the executive board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, and Andreas Bartels, head of communications – both of whom offered valuable insights relevant for the Asia-Pacific region. Read More »
Airline News
Skymark and Airbus close to settlement deal?
Japanese daily The Asahi has reported that Airbus and Skymark Airlines are nearing an agreement over the cancellation penalty Skymark has to pay the manufacturer for non-fulfilment of a purchase contract for six Airbus 380 superjumbos signed in 2010. Read More »
Airline News
Etihad to switch B787 options to equity partners?
Etihad Airways could switch the options it has on 12 B787-10s to carriers in has stakes in if needed in the future. Read More »
People
New Garuda CEO still a mystery
Indonesian flag carrier Garuda Indonesia (GA) has yet to find a replacement for its departing chief executive officer (CEO) Emirsyah Satar who will leave office by end-October. Read More »
Financial Round Up
Royal Jordanian revenue down 7%
Jordan’s flag carrier Royal Jordanian (RJ) has reported an annual revenue of JOD744 million ($1.05 billion) in 2013, down 7.2% from JOD802 million in 2012. Read More »
The Lowdown
Politics curb mainland carriers’ international expansion
This Week in Asia-Pacific Aviation has been told that both China Southern Airlines and Xiamen Air have been pushing “for years” for traffic rights out of Beijing’s Capital Airport for long-haul operations to Australia, Europe and the U.S. Read More »
Short Takes
Communications: Etihad Airways has installed Wi-Fi on-board its fleet of 24 B777 aircraft and said its entire ‘old’ fleet of 89 passenger aircraft — 28 A320s, 26 A330s, 11 A340s and 24 B777s — will be retrofitted within "months". Read More »
