Orient Aviation’s Week in the Asia-Pacific
By Dominic Lalk
It’s been a sobering week for Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways as the legacy carrier announced its first full-year loss since 2008 after punitive fuel hedging contracts took their toll on the airline’s bottom line.
Also in Hong Kong, the mood was much lighter and more positive as Qantas Airways CEO, Alan Joyce, received the Orient Aviation Person of the Year Award for his contributions to the industry at the city’s China Club on Thursday night. The event was co-sponsored by Airbus and Boeing.
Boeing China also had a good week with the disclosure of an order for 30 B737MAXs from China Development Bank’s leasing arm and news emerged that the U.S. OEM will break ground on its B737 completion facility in the China’s Zhoushan later this month.
After a rocky February, Airbus also has reason to celebrate this week. The European aircraft maker secured an important contract from South Korean start-up, KAIR, securing it early-mover advantages with the Cheongju-based airline.
Air India is asking lessors for proposals for six widebodies, American Airlines received an extension on its failed Beijing-Los Angeles launch and China Eastern Airlines will add a Shanghai-Houston route toits network.
Cathay Pacific posts first loss since 2008 Read More »
News
Alan Joyce receives Orient Aviation Person of the Year Award
Qantas Airways CEO, Alan Joyce, on Thursday night received the Orient Aviation Person of the Year Award for his contributions to the industry. Read More »
Photo Gallery
Orient Aviation Person of the Year Gala Dinner and Award Presentation Photo Gallery Read More »
News
Boeing’s lands orders of $5 billion in February
Chicago-headquartered Boeing received 42 commercial aircraft orders from seven customers in February, valued at $5 billion at list prices. Read More »
News
Airbus expects 30% fewer orders in 2017 and no new aircraft series
Airbus’ COO customers, John Leahy, told the ISTAT Americas conference he expected global commercial jet aircraft orders in 2017 to exceed 1,000 net orders, which would represent a 30% drop on last year’s 1,399 orders booked by Airbus and Boeing (731 vs. 668 orders). Read More »
News
Boeing breaks ground on Zhoushan B737 facility
Boeing plans to break ground on its B737 completion and delivery centre in the Chinese city of Zhoushan at the end of this month, Xinhua has reported, citing officials at the industrial park where Boeing’ first ever overseas completion centre will be located. Read More »
News
Air India is seeking proposals for six wide body leases
Air India is back in expansion mode. The Mumbai-headquartered flag carrier’s CCO and board member, Pankaj Srivastava, told ATW at Berlin’s ITB last week that the airline is seeking proposals from lessors worldwide for six wide bodies from late 2018, either B787-9s or B777-300ERs. Read More »
News
American granted DoT extension for Beijing-Los Angeles launch
The U.S.-China slot drama has entered the next round with the news this week that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) would give American Airlines six more months to acquire “commercially viable slots” at Beijing Capital Airport for a daily B777 service to Los Angeles. Read More »
News
China Eastern to launch Shanghai-Houston
Shanghai’s China Eastern Airlines plans to launch a Pudong-Houston route in the third quarter of this year. Asia’s second largest carrier by passengers carried will compete with Air China in the Houston market, albeit from Beijing. Read More »
News
Japanese airports deliver region’s best on time performance
Of all airports with more than 6,000 daily departures, Osaka’s Itami Airport achieved the world’s best on-time performance in February, the Civil Aviation Data Analysis bureau (CADAS) said in its latest update. Read More »
Short Takes
Airlines: Air Astana has signed a long-term V2500 repair and overhaul agreement, including warranty management and spare engine coverage, with Lufthansa Technik. EAP Shared Services, part of Etihad Aviation Group, has opened a global shared services centre in Belgrade. Read More »
