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


MARCH 2018

Week 9

Orient Aviation’s Week in the Asia-Pacific

By Dominic Lalk

It has been an excellent week for Malaysia-headquartered AirAsia Group. The conglomerate reported a full-year net profit of US$406 million, including year-on-year revenue, traffic and load factor gains. Moreover, following a two-year search for potential suitors, the group’s Asia Aviation Capital leasing unit sold a portfolio of 84 aircraft and 14 engines for US$1.2 billion to firms managed by BBAM Limited Partnership.

In Beijing, Mainland aircraft maker, COMAC, inked an agreement with China Huarong Financial Leasing for 30 C919s and 20 ARJ21s – an important boost for both programmes.

Garuda Indonesia and THAI both reported net losses for the full-year ended December 31; Gulf Air initiated another major turnaround; and Hawaiian Airlines cancelled two route launches, blaming Pratt & Whitney GTF delivery delays.

AirAsia reports US$406 million full-year profit; sells AAC to BBAM Read More »

 

News

COMAC receives fresh C919 and ARJ21 orders

China Huarong Financial Leasing, a Hangzhou-headquartered lessor, on Monday signed a letter of intent for 30 COMAC C919s and 20 ARJ21 regional jets. Read More »


 

News

Air New Zealand weighs A350 against B777X for fleet replacement

Auckland-headquartered Air New Zealand (Air NZ) is looking to replace its eight in-service B777-200ERs from 2022. Read More »


 

News

THAI reports best load factor in a decade but losses deepen

Thai Airways International (THAI) is still up against it. Read More »


 

News

Dubai Airport to close runway for 45 days from April 2019

Airlines flying to Dubai International Airport will be required to reduce service for a 45-day period starting April 16, 2019, as one of the airfield’s runways – 12R/30L – undergoes refurbishment. Read More »


 

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News

Qantas and American re-submit trans-Pacific application

Qantas Airways and oneworld alliance partner, American Airlines, this week resubmitted their application for renewal of their trans-Pacific joint venture (JV) to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT). Read More »


 

News

Yangon International Airport grows 8.5% in 2017

Yangon International Airport recorded 5.92 million passengers in 2017, an 8.5% increase compared to the previous year, comprising 3.93 million international and 1.99 million domestic passengers. Read More »


 

News

Gulf Air launches major turnaround

Gulf Air was once the dominant airline in the Middle East. Read More »


 

News

Garuda books US$214 million full-year loss

State-controlled Garuda Indonesia, a SkyTeam member, returned to the red in 2017. Read More »


 

News

First A350ULR aircraft to begin flight testing

The first A350 Ultra-Long-Range (ULR) variant has left the Airbus final assembly line (FAL) in Toulouse. Read More »


 

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News

Hawaiian cancels routes due to GTF delays

Hawaiian Airlines this week said it had no choice but to cancel two planned route additions this year in the face of anticipated Pratt & Whitney (P&W) geared turbofan (GTF)-powered A321neo delivery delays. Read More »


 

People

AviaAM Financial Leasing China appoints CEO

Zhengzhou-based AviaAM Financial Leasing China has appointed Tomas Sidlauskas its new CEO. Read More »


 

Short Takes

GDS: Amadeus has announced positive revenue and EBITDA growth of 8.5% and 9.7%, respectively, for the financial year ended December 31. Read More »