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


SEPTEMBER 2016

Week 35

Orient Aviation's Week in the Asia-Pacific

By Dominic Lalk

It has been another week of numbers and figures in Asia-Pacific aviation as the reporting season continues across the region. The Mainland’s “Big Three” reported significant foreign exchange losses, yet they managed to continue their profit runs. In Bangkok, THAI become the eighth operator of the A350, marking a new chapter for the flag carrier, according to CEO Charamporn. In Japan, All Nippon Airways (ANA) continues to be affected by serious engine issues with its B787 fleet. The problems forced another Dreamliner, bound for Mumbai, to return to Tokyo on Tuesday, ending the aircraft’s hitherto stellar dispatch reliability with the carrier.

A new chapter opens for THAI Read More »

 

News

Mainland carriers report first-half results

It’s reporting season on the Mainland. Flag carrier, Air China, on Wednesday said its first-half net profit fell 12.5% year-on-year, to 3.46 billion yuan ($518 million). Read More »


 

News

B787 engine failures disrupt All Nippon Airways

Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) has taken delivery of its 50th B787. The Star Alliance member is the largest operator of the type and, until now, its senior executives only had praise for the aircraft. Read More »


 

News

Delhi approves India-U.S. trans-Pacific flights

India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has told India’s carriers they could route their India-U.S. West Coast flights over the Pacific, provided they meet all regulatory and operational requirements. Read More »


 

News

MAB reports 68% load factor and AirAsia boosts profit

Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) is still haemorrhaging. Newly-installed CEO, Peter Bellew, last week told Channel News Asia that the airline’s load factor is averaging 68%, way lower than the projected 80% needed to turn a healthy profit. Read More »


 

News

Qatar Airways cancels two more neos and hints at major aircraft order

Akbar Al Baker is keeping his promises. The Qatar Airways CEO has cancelled another two A320neo orders after Airbus and engine manufacturer, Pratt & Whitney, failed to fix performance deficiencies during high-temperature operations in the time allotted for the work. Read More »


 

Manufacturers

Beijing launches $7.6 billion engine manufacturer

In its latest effort to develop home-grown high-tech firms to compete internationally, Beijing has now officially set up Aero-Engine Group of China, a state-controlled aircraft engine maker to tackle Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney and CFM International. Read More »


 

Leasing

BOC Aviation increases interim profit and orders five additional A321ceos

BOC Aviation has reported a 24% first-half net profit growth, to $212 million. The lessor’s revenues and other income for the first six months to June 30 rose 8.2%, to $579 million. Read More »


 

Leasing

U.S. lessor confirms Mitsubishi jet order

Miami-headquartered, Aerolease Aviation, has signed a definitive purchase agreement for ten Mitsubishi MRJs and ten options, firming up a Letter of Intent signed at the 2016 Singapore Airshow. Read More »


 

People

De Juniac takes over as IATA director-general and CEO

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Alexandre de Juniac has officially taken on the role of director general and CEO of the organization from September 1, succeeding Tony Tyler. Read More »


 

People

Rob Gurney is oneworld’s new CEO

On Wednesday, the oneworld airline alliance announced that industry veteran, Rob Gurney, will be its new CEO from October, succeeding Bruce Ashby. Read More »


 

Short Takes

MRO: Asiana Airlines has signed a five-year agreement with AAR for landing gear overhaul and exchange services on the carrier’s B767 and B777 fleets. Read More »