A trusted source of Asia-Pacific commercial aviation news and analysis


APRIL 2016

Week 14

Overview

It has been an important week in global aviation as the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA’s) board recommended Alexandre de Juniac to succeed retiring director-general and CEO, Tony Tyler, from June. In Indonesia, aviation authorities must be in a pensive mood, following yet another significant incident under its jurisdiction. On the Mainland, passenger numbers grew 10% in 2015, while in Hong Kong, the new midfield concourse has officially opened. Meanwhile, Airbus has announced further improvements to the A380, and TAP has been named as launch customer for the A330neo and the new Airspace concept.

De Juniac to become new IATA chief Read More »

 

News

Another incident for Indonesia

On Monday, a Batik Air B737-800 and a TransNusa ATR 42-600 collided at Jakarta’s Halim Airport. This latest incident under Indonesia’s notoriously unsafe skies could squash the hopes of Batik Air, Lion Air and Citilink for a reappraisal of the European Union’s carrier blacklist later this month. Read More »


 

News

SriLankan to receive managerial help from ME carrier?

Notoriously-unprofitable SriLankan Airlines is doing it again. After its failed partnership with Emirates Airline from 1998 to 2008, Sri Lanka’s Sunday Times this week quoted government sources as saying SriLankan is back at the negotiating table with an undisclosed Middle Eastern carrier for help and oversight of the carrier’s management. Read More »


 

News

CAAC issues 2015 statistics as HNA and CEFC go shopping, again

Mainland airports handled a combined 914.8 million passengers in 2015, up 10% year-on-year, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Read More »


 

News

Tianjin tweaks London launch, Air China places Recaro order

HNA Group subsidiary Tianjin Airlines will launch its first long-haul service on June 25 with a twice-weekly Tianjin-Chongqing-Gatwick flight. Read More »


 

News

HKIA opens Midfield terminal, Cathay Dragon rolls out

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has officially opened its new Midfield Concourse (MFC). The 105,000-square-metre, five-storey building provides 20 parking positions and has increased the ratio of passengers boarding and disembarking aircraft using airbridges. Read More »


 

News

Air NZ announces Manila ahead of HCMC launch

Kiwi flag carrier Air New Zealand (Air NZ) is continuing its Pacific Rim expansion. The airline under the leadership of chief Christopher Luxon this week announced a new thrice-weekly B767-300ER service between its Auckland hub and Manila’s Ninoy Aquino from December. Read More »


 

News

Airbus names A330neo Airspace launch customer, GoAir prepares for A320neo

TAP Portugal will be the A330neo's launch operator, Airbus announced this week at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, where the manufacturer is displaying its Airspace cabin mock-up for the first time (click here for details). Read More »


 

People

SITA names new CEO

The SITA board of directors has announced Barbara Dalibard as new SITA CEO from July 1, replacing Francesco Violante who will step down in second-half 2016 after more than thirteen years of service. Read More »


 

Short Takes

AIRLINES: Air France said it would permit female crew to opt out of flying to Tehran after some said they did not want to be forced to wear headscarves. Cebu Pacific Air has reported a 4.4 billion pesos ($93.6 million) 2015 net profit, up significantly from the 85.3 million pesos net profit posted the previous year. Read More »