Overview
This week in Asia-Pacific aviation marked the arrival of new beginnings for Malaysia Airlines. New chief executive, Christoph Mueller, arrived in Kuala Lumpur and jumped right into action, starting with an email to all staff warning of cost cuts and operational challenges. Mueller’s humble start at MAS was juxtaposed with another boastful ‘Al Baker week’ at Qatar Airways in Doha. In typical top form, the chief inked a new partnership in Africa that will strengthen the carrier’s growing global influence. In Southeast Asia, both the Indonesian and Thai authorities continue grappling with the latest safety contraventions involving, and affecting, their carriers.
Out with the old, in with the new at MAS Read More »
Airline News
Qatar Airways strengthens U.S. presence, signs JV
More fuel was added to the Gulf vs. U.S. carrier dispute over alleged unfair competition last week after Qatar Airways announced three new routes to the U.S., causing an immediate backlash from Washington-based lobby group Partnership for Open & Fair Skies, Read More »
Airline News
Last week brought more bad news for the B787, when the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an airworthiness directive (AD) ordering operators to periodically shut off power completely at least once every four months. Read More »
Airline News
AAPA to review Indonesian safety
The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) has said it plans to carry out security and safety inspections at Indonesia’s airports after the December 28, 2014, crash of an Indonesia AirAsia jet revealed significant safety loopholes in the archipelago. Read More »
Airline News
Thailand’s Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) has come under renewed scrutiny for failing to update foreign authorities about the “significant safety concerns” raised in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO’s) last audit in January. Read More »
Financial Round Up
Emirates Airline has reported a 40% full-year profit increase, rising to 4.6 billion dirham ($1.3 billion). The Dubai-based carrier, run by chief Sir Tim Clark, said revenue for the financial year ended March 30 grew 7% to reach a record 88.8 billion dirham, while operating costs increased 6%. Read More »
Financial Round Up
Lucio Tan’s Philippine Airlines (PAL) has reported a first-quarter net profit of 3.8billion pesos ($85 million), up from a $20.7 million net loss in the year-ago period. Read More »
Financial Round Up
Singapore’s Tigerair Group has announced a fourth-quarter net loss of S$18.8 million ($13.7 million), an 80.3% improvement over a net loss of S$95.5 million in the corresponding year-ago period, while its yield and load factor rose 12% and 3.9%, respectively. Read More »
People
ATR has announced the appointment of Tom Anderson as new Senior Vice President, Commercial and Customer Support. Read More »
Short Takes
AIRLINES: Indian regional carrier, Air Costa, has ordered three additional E-190s to join its current fleet comprising two E-170s and two E-190s on around 35 flights a day from its home base at Chennai International Airport. Air Tahiti Nui has finalized an order for two B787-9s and will lease two more from Air Lease Corp. Read More »
