Overview
It has been an important week for Hong Kong’s aviation development as IATA director general, Tony Tyler, returned to the city to advocate the need for a third runway at HKIA, and to emphasize that its funding should come from the private sector, not the public. Cathay Pacific Airways chief, Ivan Chu, agreed with Tyler, and cautioned authorities to reach consensus fast to ensure the long-term competitiveness of Hong Kong as a premier aviation hub. Read More »
Airline News
Mainland carriers boost long-haul networks
China’s “Big Three + 1” carriers – Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Hainan Airlines – are looking to increase their presence in the US and Africa as visa liberalisation and strong trade flows facilitate market entry. Read More »
Airline News
Vietnamese carriers plan expansion
The first A350-900 for Hanoi-based Vietnam Airlines (VNA) has rolled out of the Airbus paint shop in Toulouse. The new aircraft type is supposed to be a game changer for the carrier looking to replace its entire B777-200ER long-haul fleet with the 14 A350s and 19 B787s it has on order for delivery between May and early 2019. Read More »
Airline News
LCCs establish Japan bases, Seoul Air to launch
Asiana Airlines’ second low-cost carrier, tentatively named Seoul Air, will launch later this year to focus exclusively on currently unprofitable international Asiana routes, Ryu Kwang-hee, new Seoul Air chief and former head of Asiana’s passenger division, told the Korean Times. Read More »
Airline News
MAS acknowledges battery lapse as global tracking picks up
Malaysia Airlines (MAS) last week said the expired battery in the underwater locator beacon of the flight data recorder on missing flight MH370 would have made no difference in the search for the plane. Read More »
Airline News
Turkish orders more A330Fs, Kathmandu crash unsolved
Turkish Airlines has reiterated its commitment to the cargo segment as it signed a firm order for four additional A330-200F. The first frame will arrive at the carrier’s Ataturk base next month, while the rest will follow in April 2016, October 2016 and January 2017. Read More »
People
ATR appoints Flight Safety Officer
ATR has announced the appointment of Christopher McGregor as Flight Safety Officer. He will be responsible for the development and implementation of flight safety strategy at the manufacturer, including leading its flight safety board, responding to ICAO annex 13 investigations and the promotion of flight safety initiatives within the customer community, aviation authorities and safety forums. Read More »
People
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has appointed Dr. Fang Liu of China as its new secretary general for a three-year term, beginning August 1. Read More »
Financial Round Up
Singapore-based aircraft lessor, BOC Aviation, hit a new record after-tax net profit of $309 million in the financial year ended December 31, 2014. Read More »
People
The US Senate has unanimously confirmed Christopher Hart as the new chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) with a 97-0 vote. Read More »
Short Takes
AIRLINES: HK Express deputy chief, Andrew Cowen, said his airline was actively seeking out lessors to supply it with A321s to operate in capacity-constrained markets. Hong Kong Airlines’ dual currency IPO has lapsed after the carrier failed to file the formal application and supporting documents within a six-month deadline. Read More »
