Overview
It has been a week of numbers and figures in Asia-Pacific aviation as China’s “Big Three” state carriers and independent Hainan Airlines presented their solid 2015 profits, despite hefty foreign exchange losses. Down Under, it has been a week of speculation and uncertainty after Air New Zealand signaled it wants to sell its shareholding in Virgin Australia. In India, Tata Group increased its stake in AirAsia India after Arun Bhatia withdrew from the budget airline, and in Japan, previously-bankrupt Skymark says it will post a full-year profit for the financial year ended March 31.
China’s Big Three + Hainan report $2.65 billion in 2015 profits, short of estimates Read More »
News
Air NZ eyes Virgin Australia exit, Luxon quits board
Air New Zealand (Air NZ) on Wednesday issued a statement saying it is considering selling its 26% stake in Virgin Australia. Air NZ CEO, Christopher Luxon, resigned from the Australian carrier's board the same day. Read More »
News
Vietstar applies for AOC, VietJet’s Thao to become Vietnam’s first woman billionaire after IPO
Vietnamese media reports this week said the country’s Ministry of Transport has asked the Prime Minister’s permission to grant an air operator’s certificate (AOC) to Vietstar Airlines Multirole Corporation for domestic passenger and cargo services. Read More »
News
Tata increases AirAsia India stake to 49%, Air India’s B787 troubles continue
India’s Tata Group conglomerate on Wednesday formally announced plans to increase its stake in AirAsia India from the current 41.06% to 49%. It is seeking Telestra’s 7.94% shareholding in the LCC. Read More »
News
PAL mulls regional aircraft order as Cebu Airport gets busy
Philippine Airlines (PAL) this week said it continues studying a suitable replacement aircraft for its fleet of nine Bombardier Dash 8-300s, which are on average twelve years old, making them the second oldest type in its fleet after the A340-300. Read More »
News
Thai LCCs boost their networks
Thai Lion Air, the Thai division of Indonesia’s fast-growing Lion Group, plans to take delivery of five new B737-800s and -900ERs this year, joining its current fleet counting 19 Boeing narrowbodies. Read More »
News
Egyptair hijack ends, carrier to sell off surplus aircraft
An EgyptAir A320 with 81 passengers and crew on-board was hijacked and forced to land in Cyprus on Tuesday. The hijacker, who used a fake suicide belt, gave himself up after several hours. Read More »
News
Skymark eyes $13 million profit, JAL upgrades services
"In light of the fact that we have performed the additional (final) repayment of the rehabilitation claims and are expected to eventually complete the repayment of all rehabilitation claims, the Tokyo District Court issued an order revoking the supervision order and closing the rehabilitation proceedings for Skymark today," Skymark Airlines said on Monday. Read More »
People
Beijing Capital Airport names new CEO
Beijing Capital International Airport last week appointed Han Zhiliang, 51, as general manager and CEO, effective immediately. Han was previously the general manager of Hubei Airport Group. Read More »
Short Takes
MANUFACTURERS: Boeing said it is cutting approximately 4,000 jobs in its Commercial Airplanes unit by mid-year as part of a cost reduction campaign. Read More »
