Overview
It has been one of the busiest weeks for the aviation industry in 2016. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) held its annual general meeting (AGM) in Dublin, where it predicted better-than-expected 2016 global airline profits, but said passenger yields are set to dip another 7% year-on-year. The AGM followed Airbus’ Innovation Days in Hamburg, where the OEM’s sales chief, John Leahy, was in top form again, ever-more ready to take on rival Boeing, and far from announcing his retirement. Meanwhile, significant news came from Australia. Struggling Virgin Australia announced it will sell an initial 13% stake to Chinese conglomerate HNA Group, shaking up the Down Under market, and adding yet another player to the Kangaroo Route. In Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific received its first A350, and in Malaysia, Airen Omar-led AirAsia posted promising first-quarter gains.
HNA to buy initial 13% stake in Virgin Australia Read More »
News
IATA expects 7% yields decline this year
Speaking at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Dublin this week, outgoing IATA director-general and CEO, Tony Tyler, said he expects global passenger yields to drop 7% this year, while he predicts an 8% fall in cargo yields. Read More »
News
Vietnamese aviation in motion, but Leahy “disappointed” with VietJet
“We were disappointed with VietJet [Air]. There was clearly some political implication,” said Airbus customers COO, John Leahy. Read More »
News
Leahy: A320neo output could increase to 65 a month; LEAP-1A certified
During the Airbus Innovation Days 2016 in Hamburg, Airbus customers COO, John Leahy, said he was considering increasing the A320neo production output to 65 aircraft a month. Read More »
News
Cathay Pacific becomes latest A350 operator and Airbus ponders larger -1000 variant
Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways has taken delivery of its first A350-900, B-LRA. The twinjet is scheduled to make its commercial debut on June 1 on flights to Manila and Taipei. Read More »
News
Jet Airways achieves major FY2015/16 turnaround
Mumbai-based Jet Airways has reported a net profit of $185 million for the financial year ended March 30, reversing a previous-year net loss of $342 million. Read More »
News
Malaysian carriers report interim results
In its quarterly progress update, Kuala Lumpur-based flag carrier, Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB), said it was making good progress on its restructuring and turnaround plan. Read More »
News
HKIA confirms tax to foot third runway bill
Starting August 1, Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) will impose a new outbound and transit passenger tax to fund its expansion, most notably its much-needed third runway. Read More »
People
China Southern confirms Wang as chairman
Guangzhou’s China Southern Airlines has appointed Wang Changshun, 58, as chairman, following Si Xianmin’s resignation in January amid corruption allegations. Read More »
Short Takes
AIRLINES: Air China has temporarily shelved plans for a thrice-weekly Shanghai-San Jose A330-200 flight. The first A330-200 for Tibet Airlines – China’s first 242-tons MTOW variant – has performed its first flight. Read More »
