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


DECEMBER 2017

Orient Aviation December 2017-January 2018

ORIENT AVIATION PERSON OF THE YEAR 2017
SHINICHIRO ITO
Chairman, ANA HOLDINGS INC.

ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS KINGMAKER
Shinichiro Ito’s leadership at ANA and its holding company has transformed Japan’s “second international carrier” into a world beater

• Dubai pushes for Open Skies with China

• Alliances challenged by new joint ventures?

• The great divide in aviation security

• SPECIAL REPORT: Year in Review: winners, losers & the Trump factor

 

Cover Story

All Nippon Airways kingmaker

The first of April 2009 was not the most auspicious day for Shinichiro Ito to take up his new job as president and CEO of All Nippon Airways (ANA). Read More »


 

Main Story

Limitless skies for low-cost carriers

With more than a thousand aircraft scheduled for delivery to Asia-Pacific low-cost carriers (LCCs) in the next decade, expansion of the sector in the coming 12 months is a foregone conclusion, especially as investor appetite for budget carriers is evident in India, South Korea and several Southeast Asian markets. Read More »


 

Year in Review

Airlines deliver strong performance in a challenging year

In the last 12 months in Asia-Pacific aviation, North American carriers have lost their supremacy on Trans-Pacific routes to predatory Mainland carriers. Read More »


 

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Year in Review

China stalking first world aerospace manufacturers

It was years behind schedule, but China’s first commercial single-aisle jet, the C919, made its maiden flight in May, several years beyond its original launch deadline. Read More »


 

Year in Review

Newsmakers of the year

The revolving door was busy at airline C-Suites across the Asia-Pacific in 2017 as several airline CEOs were sidelined, departed prematurely or just decided to take a break. Read More »


 

News Backgrounder

Airport monopolies fail airlines and their passengers

Privatized airports have been a failure with no country or government able to efficiently regulate them, the International Air Transport Association director general and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac, said at a recent industry conference in Taipei. Read More »


 

News Backgrounder

Good times ahead for airlines in 2018

Airlines in the Asia-Pacific are expected to earn up to $9 billion in profits in 2018 compared with $8.3 billion in 2017, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecast early this month. Read More »


 

News Backgrounder

Bang goes the oil price

After a long period of pain when oil prices stayed stubbornly low, well-hedged airlines are poised to reap benefits from rising fuel prices. Read More »


 

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News Backgrounder

The great divide in aviation security

Global standards are critical to effectively manage the security of a global industry, said IATA director general and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac, earlier this month. Read More »


 

Addendum

Emirate pushing for “Open Skies” with China

At the Dubai Air Show last month, the CEO of the emirate’s colossal airport group, Paul Griffith, made it clear that attracting a greater share of Asia’s passenger market, particularly travelers from China and Southeast Asia, was a top priority for the group. Read More »


 

Addendum

Increased loan costs heighten HNA Group scrutiny

At press time, Mainland aviation, tourism and grass roots lender, HNA Group, attracted additional speculation about its financial health when the Bloomberg news service reported the HSBC banking group had advised its bankers against writing deals with the Chinese conglomerate in recent months. Read More »


 

Addendum

Alliances under challenge as joint ventures increase

Asia-Pacific carriers are looking outside their traditional alliances for growth and investment opportunities. Read More »


 

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Industry Addendum

MTU Aero Engines upgrades 2017 profit forecast

Germany’s leading engine manufacturer, MTU Aero Engines, has reported a 17% profit jump for the nine months to September 30 and revised upwards its predicted profit for the full year to Euros 390 million (US$452.0 million). Read More »


 

Industry Addendum

Honeywell and Lufthansa Technik create global MRO capability for A350 fleets

Global aerospace manufacturer, Honeywell, has signed on Lufthansa Technik as a licenced component repair centre and exclusive asset provider for all Honeywell components on the HGT 1700 Auxiliary Power Units (APU) on A350 aircraft. Read More »


 

Industry Addendum

Tata Consultancy and Rolls Royce set up Bangalore analytics hub

Information technology and business solutions firm, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and propulsion manufacturer, Rolls-Royce, announced last month that they will expand their partnership “to exploit future data innovation opportunities” and accelerate their “Digital First” vision. Read More »


 

Industry Addendum

JALCargo and CHAMP Cargo systems deepen technology ties

Japan Airlines (JAL) and IT cargo solutions and distribution company, CHAMP Cargosystems, deepened their three-year-old partnership last month with an agreement to employ IT streamlined solutions to the global carrier’s cargo and mail operations. Read More »


 

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Industry Addendum

Narita Airport buys Smiths Detection hold baggage scanner systems

Japan’s Narita International Airport has ordered 20 Smiths Detection high speed CTX 9800 DSi explosive detection systems (EDS) for its hold baggage screening, for delivery and installation from 2019-2022. Read More »


 

Industry Addendum

Siemens, Airbus and Rolls-Royce fast track electric development

Three giants of the manufacturing world have formed a partnership to develop a near term flight demonstrator that will bring hybrid electric powered commercial aircraft closer to production. Read More »


 

Comment

Load factor up, profits challenged

It’s been a big year in Asia-Pacific aviation. Read More »