Orient Aviation’s Week in the Asia-Pacific
By Dominic Lalk
Asia-Pacific and Middle Eastern carriers signed off on massive aircraft orders at this week’s Farnborough Airshow in the UK. The vast majority of deals was for Airbus and Boeing single aisle jets as airlines continue to shy away from new widebody orders, excluding notable exceptions at AirAsia X, Sichuan Airlines and STARLUX Airlines.
Also in the news, Asiana Airlines is involved in a new controversy; HNA Group is working with Airbus to find payment solutions for parked A330s; the Civil Aviation Administration of China has certified the A350; THAI has named a new chairman; Cathay Pacific Airways has announced a Seattle route; and four SkyTeam members are launching a Europe-China joint venture.
Asia-Pacific carriers and lessors order big at Farnborough Read More »
News
Asiana shareholders threaten lawsuit; SK Group denies takeover plans
There is never a shortage of drama and controversy at South Korea’s two largest airlines, Asiana Airlines and Korean Air. Read More »
News
HNA and Airbus to “ease standoff” surrounding unpaid A330s
Airbus and HNA Group are seeking ways to ease a standoff surrounding six newly-built A330s parked at Airbus’ Toulouse facilities because HNA failed to pay for them as per contract terms, Reuters has reported. Read More »
News
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) this week issued type certification for the A350, paving the way for XWB deliveries to several Mainland carriers in the coming weeks. Read More »
News
Air France, KLM, China Southern and Xiamen Air to form joint venture
SkyTeam carriers Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines this week announced they would merge their separate partnership agreements on China-Europe routes into a single joint venture (JV), with the exception of flights between Paris and Beijing. Read More »
News
Peach to become Asia’s first A321LR operator
Japan’s Peach Aviation will become the first Asian operator of the A321LR, following the conversion of an existing order for two A320neo aircraft. Read More »
News
Cathay continues U.S. expansion with Seattle launch
Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways will launch a four-weekly Hong Kong-Seattle A350-900 service from March 31. Read More »
News
Qatar Airways accelerates Qsuite rollout on Asian routes
Qatar Airways is pushing the rollout of its Qsuite business class product on routes to the Asia-Pacific. Read More »
News
Korean and Delta add cargo operations to trans-Pacific JV
Korean Air and Delta Air Lines are adding cargo operations to their trans-Pacific joint venture (JV) inked earlier this year. Read More »
News
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has taken delivery of its first A350-900, becoming the 19th operator of Rolls-Royce XWB-powered long-range airliner. Read More »
People
Thai Airways International (THAI) has appointed Dr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas as chairman of the board of directors, replacing Dr. Areepong Bhoocha-Oom. Read More »
People
ATR appoints head of communications
ATR has appointed Maggie Bergsma as head of communications and corporate branding. Read More »
Short Takes
Routes: Air China will suspend its four-weekly Beijing-Brisbane A330-200 service from August 23 through to January 2; the airline will increase Beijing-Kuala Lumpur from four-weekly to daily, but downgrade the service from an A330-200 to an A321. Read More »
