Orient Aviation’s Week in the Asia-Pacific
By Dominic Lalk
It has been a week of uncertainty in Asia-Pacific aviation after Beijing announced a retaliatory 25% import tariff on B737NG aircraft following President Trump’s proposed tariffs on 1,300 made in China products.
Uncertainty also surrounds the fate of Air India. The country’s government hopes to sell 76% of the carrier, but it will require a buyer to absorb more than billions of the airline’s debts and liabilities. India’s largest airline, IndiGo Airlines, immediately announced the capital requirements were too harsh and dropped out of contention as a bidder.
Also in India, the country’s second-largest airline, Jet Airways, this week placed a top-up order with Boeing for an additional 75 B737 MAXs, which increased its orders for the MAX to 150 aircraft.
In Australia, Air New Zealand said it would cease operating its trans-Tasman alliance with Virgin Australia. In the same week, Virgin Australia confirmed the commencement of a Sydney-Hong Kong route from July, adding to its Melbourne-Hong Kong flights launched last year. And in Europe, Air Belgium, part funded by Hong Kong investors, said it would start flying A340s between Hong Kong and Brussels Charleroi Airport from the end of the month.
Delhi puts 76% of Air India on sale and Jet Airways orders another 75 B737 MAXs Read More »
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Beijing threatens U.S. with 25% tariff on Boeing aircraft
On Wednesday, the Chinese government announced its intention to impose a 25% import tariff on all U.S.-manufactured single aisle aircraft that weighed between 15 tons and 45 tons. Read More »
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Air New Zealand departs Virgin alliance as Virgin adds Sydney-Hong Kong
Air New Zealand (Air NZ) this week said it would exit its trans-Tasman alliance with Virgin Australia from October 27. Read More »
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Air Belgium’s Charleroi-Hong Kong goes to market
New market entrant, Air Belgium, this week started selling tickets on its maiden Charleroi-Hong Kong route. Read More »
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Seoul approves Korean Air-Delta joint venture
The trans-Pacific joint venture between Korean Air and Delta Air Lines has been approved by regulatory authorities in the U.S. and South Korea, including the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT). Read More »
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China Eastern reports largest profit in two decades
Shanghai based China Eastern Airlines has reported a 2017 full-year net profit of CNY6.35 billion (US$1 billion), its best annual result since 1996 and a 41% improvement over the previous 12 months. Read More »
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BOC Aviation orders six B787-9s
Singapore-based lessor, BOC Aviation, has ordered six B787-9 Dreamliners, valued at US$1.69 billion at list prices, with deliveries scheduled for 2018 and 2019. Read More »
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HNA Group wins concession for Plovdiv Airport; plans to sell Hilton stake
China’s HNA Group will be running Plovdiv Airport in Bulgaria for the next 35 years with plans to invest US$98 million to upgrade and expand the airport. Read More »
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Lion Group places US$5.5 billion CFM engine order
Transportation Partners, the leasing arm of Lion Group, has finalized a US$5.5 billion order for 380 CFM International LEAP-1A engines to power its incoming A320neo and A321neo fleets. Read More »
