Overview
It has been a fast-paced week in Asia-Pacific aviation as the Singapore Airshow 2016 took centre stage, producing significant engine, MRO and IT deals, but falling short of airframe contracts. Nevertheless, Philippine Airlines (PAL) inked a long-awaited commitment for six A350s, plus six options, while Okay Airways gave Boeing a boost when it signed for twelve B737s, plus eight options, making it the Chinese launch customer for the MAX 9. Boeing also confirmed that Air Niugini was the previously unidentified customer for four B737 MAX 8s. Meanwhile, Japanese and U.S. authorities on Thursday agreed to a breakthrough deal for ten day time landing slots for U.S. services at Haneda Airport. In Malaysia, MAB decided to retain its six A380s until 2018, while in Indonesia, flag carrier, Garuda Indonesia, posted a $76 million 2015 net profit, reversing a $370 million year-ago loss. In Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific Airways outlined its initial A350 operations and in Thailand, the CAAT asked the International Civil Aviation Organisation to postpone its safety review until next year.
Singapore Airshow 2016 light on airline orders Read More »
News
Japan and U.S. forge landmark Haneda slot deal
Japanese and U.S. aviation authorities on Thursday amended the “Open Skies” agreement between the two countries to allow for ten day time landing and take-off slots at Tokyo’s downtown Haneda Airport, for services to the U.S. from October. Read More »
News
Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) has delayed plans to sell off its A380s until 2018, CEO Christoph Mueller told Reuters on Monday. "We need them for the long-haul market," he said. "We are still evaluating what we want to do with the A380. Read More »
News
Mahan Air ll barred from aircraft orders as Iran Air eyes a return to Tokyo
Iran’s Mahan Air has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to enhance Islamic tourism ties between the two countries. Read More »
News
Virgin Australia posts $32 million interim net profit and sells E170 fleet
Qantas Airways rival, Virgin Australia Holdings, last week posted a A$45.7 million ($32.4 million) net profit for the first half ended December 31, which reversed a net loss of A$53.1 million in the corresponding year-ago period. Read More »
News
CAAT “likely” to delay next ICAO review to 2017 and THAI fails to find suitors for A340s
On Monday, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), a government arm under the leadership of Chula Sukmanop, Read More »
News
Cathay Pacific unveils initial A350 operations
Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways this week said it planned to receive its first A350-900 “in late April”, after delivery delays by seat manufacturer Zodiac Aerospace. "The Cathay team is working closely with Airbus and the product supplier to minimize the risk of any further delays." Read More »
News
HNA to acquire equity in TAP Portugal as Tianjin Airlines receives the long-haul nod
HNA Group is continuing its relentless striving for influence in global commercial aviation. Read More »
News
Garuda books $76 million net profit for 2015
Indonesian flag carrier, Garuda Indonesia, on Tuesday reported a $76 million net profit for the year ended December 31, 2015, citing low oil prices and cost cuts achieved through its Quick Wins restructuring. Read More »
People
Honeywell appoints Aerospace Asia Pacific chief
Honeywell has selected Steven Lien as president of Aerospace Asia Pacific. Lien succeeds Briand Greer, who will be staying in the Asia Pacific region and assuming a new leadership position within Honeywell. Read More »
Short Takes
MRO: Ameco Beijing has won a heavy maintenance contract from Condor Airlines for four B767s. The first Condor B767 will be inducted for a C-check in April. Swiss MRO SR Technics has signed a six-year component support contract with VietJet Air for the carrier’s A320 Family fleet. Read More »
