Orient Aviation’s Week in the Asia-Pacific
By Dominic Lalk
It’s been an agenda setting week for Asia-Pacific aviation as China’s increasingly powerful HNA Group and Virgin Australia filed for authorization of a proposed alliance for flights between Australia, Hong Kong and China and two of the region’s industry leaders, Air New Zealand and Qantas Airways, posted first-half profit declines.
The week also saw some significant route developments. Hainan Airlines plans to launch flights from Chengdu and Chongqing to Los Angeles and competitor, China Southern Airlines, will be the first Mainland carrier to start a service to Mexico City, scheduled for commencement in April.
Also in China, American Airlines is still without slots for its new Beijing-Los Angeles route while Tibet Airlines took delivery of its second A330.
At the same time, consolidation continues across the industry landscape. This week, Lufthansa Technik and MTU Aero Engines signed an agreement to establish a joint geared turbofan engine shop by 2020.
Virgin Australia and HNA form alliance Read More »
News
Mexico a new mecca for Japan and China airlines
Asia-Pacific carriers have long been absent from Latin and South America, but they are making up for their absence with a vengeance. Read More »
News
HNA reports 74% growth, adds Los Angeles to network and does Deutsche Bank deal
HNA Aviation, parent of Hainan Airlines, Beijing Capital Airlines, Tianjin Airlines et al, reported 21.1% year-on-year passenger growth for January: 19.2% domestic growth and 73.6% on international routes. Read More »
News
American Airlines in limbo with slots from Beijing to Los Angeles
American Airlines is continuing its uphill battle with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) as it applies to its own regulator, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), for an extension of the commencement deadline for its proposed Beijing-Los Angeles flights. Read More »
News
Tibet Airlines accepts A330 and Hebei Airlines adds B737
Tibet Airlines on Saturday took delivery of an A330-200, its second wide body from an order for three. It expects the third aircraft to be delivered in late March. Read More »
News
Air Mauritius defers A350s, signs ALC A330neo deal
Air Mauritius has deferred delivery of two A350-900s from 2020 to 2023. The Indian Ocean carrier placed an order for six A350-900s in 2014, of which two are on AerCap leases. Read More »
News
Nepal Airlines to auction B757s for US$1.7 million
Nepal Airlines is looking to sell its B757-200 for $1.7 million, the Kathmandu Post has reported. Read More »
News
LHT and MTU form engine maintenance joint venture
Germany’s two MRO heavyweights, Lufthansa Technik (LHT) and MTU Aero Engines, will form a joint-venture company for the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines (GTFs). Read More »
News
AirAsia is first international carrier to fly to India’s Bhubaneswar
The capital of the East Indian state of Odisha, Bhubaneswar, will receive its first international flight in April, four years after Bhubaneswar Biju Patnaik Airport was accorded international status. Read More »
News
AerCap profit drops 11% to $1.05 billion; CALC expects 60% profit hike for 2016
The world’s largest aircraft lessor, Dublin-headquartered AerCap, has reported a full-year 2016 net income of US$1.05 billion, an 11% decline from earnings of US$1.18 billion the previous year as total revenues declined 3% to US$5.15 billion. Read More »
Short Takes
GDS: Gulf Air has signed an order for Sabre’s AirCentre Flight Plan Manager solution to streamline the airline’s operations. Thai Lion Air has signed a content agreement with Amadeus, making its fares available for purchase through the GDS’ travel agency network. Read More »
