Overview
During the festive season Asia-Pacific aviation saw a long awaited breakthrough in cross strait relations with the announcement by Mainland Chinese authorities of a trial period that will allow passengers from three Chinese cities to transit via Taiwan to the U.S. and beyond. On the manufacturing front, Airbus and Boeing registered fewer orders last year than in 2014, but both manufacturers maintain bullish outlooks and have brushed off spreading concerns about China’s faltering economy. In Hanoi, Vietnam Airlines’ year-long search for a strategic investor has been answered with the news that Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) will take an 8.8% stake in the government-controlled carrier. In Singapore, 2016 is bound to be a year of expansion for Singapore Airlines (SIA) with the flag carrier believed to be launching services to Canberra and Wellington after announcing the addition of Dusseldorf to its network last month. While in Bangkok, Thai Airways International (THAI) continues to be mired in controversy.
Airbus tops Boeing in 2015 orders and breaks even on A380 Read More »
News
Trans-Tasman competition soars as SIA sets sights on Canberra and Wellington
Singapore Airlines (SIA) this week was tipped to be close to announcing a four times a week Singapore-Canberra-Wellington service later this year, bringing in even more trans-Tasman competition. Read More »
News
Controversy at THAI continues to bubble away
Another week, another controversy at Thai Airways International (THAI) or so it seems. An article in the Bangkok Post this week suggested the struggling flag carrier is about to confirm Bryan Banston as vice-president of sales to aid with its rehabilitation. Read More »
News
Beijing pledges $11.7 billion for aviation infrastructure development in 2016
China will invest approximately 77 billion yuan ($11.7 billion) in civil aviation infrastructure development in 2016, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Read More »
News
Breakthrough in China-Taiwan aviation policy
Beijing has released a proposal allowing Mainland passengers to transit through Taiwan on their way to third destinations, effective “soon”. The trial, available for flights departing Chongqing, Kunming and Nanchang, could pave the way for more development of Taiwanese aviation and strengthen cross strait relations. Read More »
News
Asia-Pacific cargo improves as Cargolux favours China joint venture
“The outlook for air freight and world trade remains fragile, but there are some more signs that earlier declines have bottomed out,” the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said in its latest traffic update, Read More »
News
All Nippon Airways confirms 8.8% stake in Vietnam Airlines
Vietnam Airlines’ (VNA’s) long quest for a strategic investor is over after it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan's ANA Holdings, the parent company of All Nippon Airways (ANA), for an $108 million 8.8% holding. Read More »
People
ATR appoints SVP Engineering
ATR has appointed Alessandro Amendola as new senior vice-president of engineering, responsible for all activities related to the fields of certification and airworthiness, Read More »
Short Takes
AIRLINES: On Monday, ANA (All Nippon Airways) and Boeing celebrated the carrier's 100,000th revenue flight with the 787 Dreamliner at a gate ceremony at Sea-Tac International Airport in Seattle. The milestone marks another record for ANA. It is the first airline in the world to reach 100,000 787 flights. China Airlines this week said it expected to take delivery of its first A350-900 in July. Read More »
