Overview
It has been a Mainland China week in Asia-Pacific aviation as three carriers announced their international debuts in 2016, putting paid to the view that China’s slowing economy would take a toll on the aviation industry. In the Middle East, Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways gave a boost to the A380, while Air Austral cancelled its order for the very large aircraft and instead committed to two B787s. In Turkey, Turkish Airlines is considering a share buy-back. In Southeast Asia, Malaysia’s Rayani Air has been grounded and Singapore Airlines has slightly increased its shareholding in Virgin Australia.
More Chinese carriers expand onto international routes in 2016 Read More »
News
Turkish Airlines considers share buy-back and cancels A340 operations
Turkish Airlines, a Star Alliance member, this week said it is considering reacquiring up to 10% of its shares, currently valued at approximately $485 million, to protect its bottom line from the currency fluctuations of the weak Turkish lira. Read More »
News
HKIA continues expansion and attracts controversy
Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) last week officially opened its new Midfield Concourse (MFC). The 105,000-square-metre, five-storey building provides 20 parking positions. Read More »
News
Emirates orders two A380s, Oman Air weighs A350 vs B787
Emirates Airline this week ordered two more A380s, with deliveries expected in the fourth quarter of 2017, bringing its A380 order book to 142, with 75 of the aircraft already in service. Read More »
News
Rayani Air ordered to suspend operations
Malaysia's Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) has suspended Rayani Air's air operator’s certificate for three months after frequent disruptions that left thousands of passengers stranded since the carrier began operations last December. Read More »
News
SIA increases equity in Virgin Australia, but what’s next?
Everyone is interested to see what is going to happen next about Air New Zealand’s (Air NZ’s) proposed sale of its 25.9% shareholding in Virgin Australia. Read More »
News
Chinese carriers blamed for incidents in Cheongju and Haneda
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has blamed China Southern Airlines (CSA) for the near collision between one of its A319s and an incoming Korean Air B737 on the runway in South Korea’s Cheongju on March 18, according to leaked audio tapes obtained by several media outlets. Read More »
News
Airbus and Boeing announce March orders and deliveries
Airbus lost to U.S. rival Boeing in both aircraft orders and deliveries in March. Read More »
People
Former China Southern executives on trial
Two former China Southern Airlines executives are standing trial this week for allegedly taking bribes. Read More »
Short Takes
MANUFACTURERS: Airbus and Siemens have signed a collaboration agreement to work on hybrid electric propulsion systems to create hybrid aircraft seating up to 100 passengers that will be partly powered by electricity. Read More »
