Orient Aviation's Week in the Asia-Pacific
By Dominic Lalk
It’s been an interesting week for Asia-Pacific aviation as three of the region’s most critical suppliers, Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney, announced management shake-outs and cost-cutting drives, respectively. The biggest news of the past seven days was the yet to be confirmed report that Airbus Group chief, Tom Enders, is to embark on a restructuring drive to address losses, structural issues and supply chain problems at both its military and civil aircraft companies. According to several news agency reports, the Airbus Group boss also is about to appoint the boss of Airbus’s commercial airplane division, Fabrice Bregier, as group chief operating officer of the parent group. Bregier will retain his leadership of the civil aircraft program, which will be renamed Airbus Commercial, reported Reuters news agency in Europe.
At Rolls-Royce, the engine manufacturer’s CEO, Warren East, is ready to cull another 200 management positions from the company, which would bring mid-level jobs eliminated at the Derby UK-headquartered group to 20% of the suit and tie stratum. Like Airbus, Rolls-Royce is a major OEM supplier to the Asia-Pacific airline fleet.
And there was more engine bad news for airlines when Pratt & Whitney announced it had lowered its geared turbofan (GTF) output forecast from 200 to 150 engines for this year. The decision creates more delays for Airbus and also for Bombardier and Embraer. Both these manufacturers mount GTFs on their latest aircraft.
Locally, Hong Kong Airlines is planning to acquire Gate Gourmet Hong Kong and placed a top up order for nine A330-300s last week. In Taiwan, China Airlines (CAL) is preparing to accept its first A350XWB next week. The flag carrier intends to expand its European network including a return to London.
Airbus Group boss readies for aerospace shake-up Read More »
Airlines
A380 loses its appeal for Singapore Airlines
Airbus also is facing headwinds on the A380 program after launch customer, Singapore Airlines (SIA), last week confirmed it would not extend the lease on its first very large aircraft, despite its popularity with passengers. Read More »
Manufacturers
WTO delivers a victory for Boeing in subsidy war
A World Trade Organisation (WTO) compliance panel ruled on September 22 that the European Union had failed to meet its obligation to remedy multi-billion subsidies provided to Boeing rival, Airbus, over the last four decades. Read More »
Manufacturers
Rolls-Royce CEO announces next round of management cuts
British engine maker, Rolls-Royce, under the leadership of Warren East, continues to trim its executive fat. The OEM announced 200 management positions would be eliminated at the company as part of the CEO’s radical restructuring plan. Read More »
Airlines
Hong Kong Airlines orders nine A330s and HNA Group is set to acquire Gate Gourmet Hong Kong
HNA Group’s Hong Kong offshoot, Hong Kong Airlines, last Friday confirmed a top-up order for nine A330-300s with Airbus. Read More »
Airlines
CAL to expand presence in Europe and prepares for its first A350 delivery
Taiwan’s China Airlines (CAL) this week confirmed it will receive its first A350-900 from Airbus on September 30. CAL has 14 A350s on firm order, with options on another six. Read More »
Airlines
Qantas and Virgin tweak networks as Qatar A380 arrives in Sydney
Australia’s two long-haul airlines, Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia (VA), this week announced several important network changes. Read More »
Airlines
Korean Air approves $53 million in emergency aid to Hanjin Shipping
Hanjin Group has secured 100 billion won in emergency funding to pay for the offloading of cargo aboard Hanjin Shipping freighters stranded at countless North American, European and Asian ports since declaring bankruptcy on August 31. Read More »
Airlines
Air China and Lufthansa finalize joint venture
Germany’s Lufthansa Group and Beijing’s Air China this week signed a long anticipated and wide- ranging partnership that will commence in the northern summer of next year. Read More »
Airlines
Sichuan Airlines this week became the third Mainland carrier to select the A350XWB, following Air China (10) and China Eastern Airlines (20). Read More »
MRO
Lufthansa Technik and MTU exploring MRO partnership
On a related note, Lufthansa Technik and MTU Aero Engines this week announced they are looking into options to jointly provide MRO services for P&W’s PW1000G family of GTFs. Read More »
People
ST Engineering appoints new CEO
ST Engineering has named current group deputy CEO (corporate development), Vincent Chong, its new president and CEO from October 1, replacing Tan Pheng Hock, who will retire after 35 years with the company, although he will continue to serve as an adviser to Chong. Read More »
Short Takes
GDSs: Indian budget carrier, IndiGo, has signed global distribution system (GDS) agreement with Travelport, a U.S. listed travel commerce platform, the first time the fast-growing carrier has established a GDS partnership. Read More »
