Orient Aviation's Week in the Asia-Pacific
By Dominic Lalk
Across the region it has been a good week in aviation. Airbus and Boeing secured the first batch of export licenses needed to deliver aircraft to Iran’s rejuvenated airline sector, while Bombardier and Mitsubishi made progress with their respective CS300 and MRJ models. In China, Shenzhen Airlines will receive six A330s from parent Air China, while Juneyao Airlines will help to solve Air China’s (and Star Alliance’s) growth conundrum in Shanghai by joining the airline grouping. But China’s regulator, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), is continuing to restrict airline start-ups in an effort to reduce market saturation, ease delays and boost safety. In Kathmandu, Nepal Airlines is looking for A330s, while in Jakarta, Sriwijaya Air is seeking proposals for three B777s. In Doha, Qatar Airways has said it would be the first carrier to adopt a minute-by-minute aircraft tracking standard in 2018, three years ahead of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO’s) mandate of 2021 for the new rules.
Airbus and Boeing secure Iran licences and Bombardier and MRJ enter next test phases Read More »
News
China’s aviation regulator announces policy changes amid onslaught of start-ups
The Mainland’s aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), is looking to limit market saturation and address growing airport congestion and safety concerns by tightening the rules for setting up new airlines. Read More »
News
World Routes kicks off in China’s Chengdu
Speaking at the World Routes conference in Chengdu this week, top executives at Chinese carriers said some airlines may not be able to continue their rapid long-haul expansions if the fuel price rebounds and local government subsidies abate, making consolidation a likely scenario. Read More »
News
Shenzhen Airlines to receive six A330s, Shanghai’s Juneyao joins Star Alliance
Air China subsidiary, Shenzhen Airlines, will receive six A330-300s from its parent airline’s order book with Airbus, Aviation Week confirmed this week and noted the subsidiary had hoped for A350s or B787s with trans-Pacific range. Read More »
News
Hawaiian considers A330neo and A380 for flights to Europe
Hawaiian Airlines is evaluating the viability of flying nonstop between Hawaii and London from 2019 with its six on-order A330-800neos. Read More »
News
Indonesia’s Sriwijaya plans B777 order ahead of March 2017 IPO
Jakarta-headquartered Sriwijaya Air plans to order three B777-300ER aircraft for hajj flights, said its owner and CEO, Chandra Lie. The first wide body is scheduled by year-end, with the remaining two due for delivery next year. Read More »
News
AirAsia X seeks European LCC partners and AirAsia Group launches Singapore subsidiary
Long-haul low-cost carrier (LCC), AirAsia X, is planning a return to Europe with its 66-on-order A330neo aircraft from 2018 and is on the lookout for potential European partners to feed into its long-haul services. Read More »
News
Network Aviation becomes oneworld affiliate and Virgin-SIA alliance extended
Qantas Airways’ regional subsidiary, Network Aviation, has joined its parent as an affiliate member of the oneworld alliance. The carrier has a fleet of 17 Fokker 100s that operates from Perth to eight destinations across Western Australia. Read More »
News
Qatar Airways pioneers minute-by-minute flight tracking solution
Qatar Airways will be the first carrier to adopt a minute-by-minute aircraft tracking standard in 2018, three years ahead of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO’s) Global Aeronautical Distress Safety System (GADSS) mandate. Read More »
News
Nepal issues A330 RFP and IndiGo converts 20 A320neos to the A321neo
Nepal Airlines has approved the acquisition of two A330-200s to replace its ageing B757-200s and has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for aircraft that should be Rolls-Royce Trent 772B-powered and not be older than two years. Read More »
News
Air Canada targets Asia-Pacific growth
Star Alliance member, Air Canada, continues to aggressively target the Asia-Pacific. This week the Canadian flag carrier announced the launch of several routes to the region next year. Read More »
People
Hong Kong Airlines appoints former police commissioner as vice chairman
Former Hong Kong police commissioner, Tang King Shing, 62, on Thursday was officially appointed vice-chairman and executive director of Hong Kong Airlines. Read More »
Short Takes
Airlines: Cebu Pacific Air has taken delivery of the first of 16 on order high-density ATR72-600s, configured with 78 versus the more typical 68 seats. Read More »
