Overview
The stakes were high this week in Asia-Pacific aviation as a group of lenders in Japan finalised the rescue package for bankrupt Skymark Airlines, while in Thailand written accusations surfaced from within Thai Airways International alleging board incompetence might have played a role in the flag carrier’s financial performance since 2009. Meanwhile, as the investigation into the Asiana crash at Hiroshima continues, officials have established there were no technical issues with the stricken A320.
ANA offers lifeline to Skymark Read More »
Airline News
Former THAI Airways International (THAI) executives have petitioned transport minister, Prajin Juntong, asking why the national carrier is wracked by heavy losses. They are questioning major board decisions dating back to 2009. Read More »
Airline News
Japan safety investigators report “no abnormalities” found with Asiana A320
Following the crash-landing of the Asiana Airlines A320 at Hiroshima Airport last week, Koji Tsuji, chief accident investigator with the Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB), said: “so far, we have judged there were no abnormalities in the aircraft.” Read More »
Airline News
AirAsia chief, Tony Fernandes, last week said he saw great potential for the group’s expansion and hoped to raise as much as $600 million from Initial Public Offerings (IPO) for the company’s Indonesian and Philippine franchises. Read More »
Airline News
Emirates/Qantas alliance to continue?
Emirates Airline chief, Sir Tim Clark, has signalled the Gulf carrier would look at expanding its alliance with Qantas Airways beyond the initial five-year term. "[The alliance is] doing really well. We're filling our aeroplanes up. Read More »
Airline News
EU to lift ban on Philippine carriers?
Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) spokesman, Eric Apolonio, said a five-man team from the European Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency were in the Philippines last week to assess the safety measures the CAAP and the airlines had undertaken to lift the European Union (EU) ban imposed in 2010 after the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) downgraded the country. Read More »
Financial Round Up
China’s Juneyao Airlines has secured approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission to launch an initial public offering (IPO) to fund its expansion. Read More »
People
THAI legend, Chatrachai Bunya-ananta, dies at 82
One of Thailand’s most eminent aviation and tourism pioneers, Khun Chatrachai Bunya-ananta, the first civilian to become president of Thai Airways International (THAI), passed away on April 18 at the age of 82 after suffering from a blood infection. Read More »
Short Takes
AIRLINES: India’s Jet Airways is exploring both an outright sale and a sale-lease-back of its ten B777-300ERs and twelve A330-200s “to drive sustainable profitability”. Read More »
