Orient Aviation’s Week in the Asia-Pacific
By Dominic Lalk
It has been a challenging week for the AirAsia Group after India’s Central Bureau of Investigation opened a bribery and deception case against the low-cost conglomerate’s AirAsia India joint venture and the group’s co-founder, Tony Fernandes. AirAsia and Fernandes are denying all allegations.
In Singapore, Singapore Airlines (SIA) this week announced its first A350-900ULR route, a 9,000nm flight from Singapore to Newark. Meanwhile, SIA’s Indian joint venture, Vistara, has reportedly decided to transition from an all-Airbus to an all-Boeing regional fleet, just like SilkAir, another SIA subsidiary.
In other news from this region, Royal Brunei has taken delivery of its maiden A320neo, Sichuan Airlines received its first A321neo, China Southern Airlines became the world’s sixth largest carrier in May and Hainan Airlines started a nonstop route from Tianjin to Vancouver.
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India’s Bureau of Investigation probes AirAsia India and Tony Fernandes
The Indian Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday started proceedings against AirAsia India and AirAsia Group CEO and co-founder, Tony Fernandes, alongside other executives. Read More »
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SIA announces first A350ULR route to Newark
Singapore Airlines (SIA) on Wednesday announced its first A350-900 ultra-long-range (ULR) route. Read More »
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Vistara to transition to all-Boeing fleet?
Indian full-service carrier, Vistara, is close to announcing a fleet transition from A320 Family aircraft to the B737 MAX series, several Indian media reported this week, citing Vistara sources. Read More »
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JetGo postpones Karratha launch following E190 delivery delay
Australian regional operator, JetGo Australia, is delaying the launch of Brisbane-Karratha flights from July to August 6, citing a delivery delay of the E190 aircraft it has ordered. Read More »
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Royal Brunei takes delivery of maiden A320neo
Royal Brunei has taken delivery of its first of seven on-order A320neo aircraft. Read More »
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China Southern now sixth largest airline in the world
Guangzhou-headquartered China Southern Airlines is now the sixth largest carrier in the world, OAG data shows. Read More »
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Sichuan Airlines receives maiden A321neo
Chengdu-headquartered Sichuan Airlines has taken delivery of its maiden Pratt & Whitney GTF-powered A321neo. Read More »
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Hainan Airlines launches Tianjin-Vancouver route
Regardless of its parents’ financial woes, Hainan Airlines continues adding long-haul services to its route map. Read More »
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Delta confirms return to Mumbai in 2019
U.S. heavyweight, Delta Air Lines, has confirmed its return to Mumbai “in 2019”, following “agreements between the U.S. and the governments of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to address the issue of government subsidies provided to state-owned carriers in those nations”. Read More »
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Scoot leases B777 as Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 issues cripple B787 fleet
Singapore Airlines (SIA) low-cost subsidiary, Scoot, will wet-lease a SIA B777-200ER as at least one of Scoot’s Rolls-Royce Trent 1000-powered B787s is undergoing mandated engine checks and possible replacement. Read More »
Short Takes
Routes: Cathay Pacific Airways is replacing the A330-300 with the B777-300ER on the daily Hong Kong-Chennai rotation starting December 1. Read More »
