Orient Aviation’s Week in the Asia-Pacific
By Dominic Lalk
The focus was on India this week in Asia-Pacific commercial aviation. At the International Aviation Summit in New Delhi, IATA urged the Indian government to update its aviation infrastructure and policies to meet demand growth. In the interim, New Delhi agreed to inject another US$140 million into embattled Air India, Jet Airways announced five new domestic routes, Vistara aims to cut costs and GoAir unveiled its maiden international destinations.
Also in the news, AirAsia Group cancelled the establishment of AirAsia China but reported a second quarter group net profit of US$76 million despite troubles at Indonesia AirAsia and Thai AirAsia. THAI this week welcomed Sumeth Damrongchaitham as its new president who must revise the carrier’s survival plan. Air China has sold its cargo unit for US$358 million and the Hainan Airlines Group announced a US$80 million first half profit and a new president.
IATA urges India to modernize its aviation industry policies Read More »
News
AirAsia China MoU has “lapsed”
Malaysia’s AirAsia Group has ceased negotiations with potential joint venture partners in China and has said the launch of AirAsia China would not go ahead as announced in May 2017. Read More »
News
New THAI president to revive turnaround plan
Sumeth Damrongchaitham formally took up the position of Thai Airways International (THAI) president on Monday, replacing acting president, Usanee Sangsingkeo. Read More »
News
Air China sells cargo unit for US$358 million
Air China, has announced plans to sell its 51% shareholding in Air China Cargo to sister unit, Capital Holding, for US$358 million amid uncertainties in international trade and cutthroat competition. Read More »
News
Hainan Airlines reports US$80 million first-half profit, eyes Virgin Australia sale
China’s Hainan Airlines Group has posted a first-half net profit of CNY548 million (US$80 million), a decline from the CNY1.15 billion attributable net profit reported in the same period last year. Read More »
News
China’s CIB Leasing converts CRJ order to 90-seater Q400
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft and Industrial Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd (CIB Leasing) this week agreed to convert an order for 10 Bombardier CRJ Series aircraft to five 90-seater Q400 turboprops and five CRJ900 regional jets. Read More »
News
Osaka Kansai Airport severely damaged in typhoon
Osaka Kansai International Airport (KIX) was severely damaged this week as Typhoon 21 – otherwise known as “Jebi” – swept across the airfield. Read More »
News
AirAsia Group posts US$76 million second quarter net profit
AirAsia Group, which for accounting purposes includes AirAsia Berhad in Malaysia, Thai AirAsia, Indonesia AirAsia and Philippines AirAsia, has posted a second quarter net profit of MYR315 million (US$76 million), up 125% year-on-year. Read More »
People
Former International Air Transport Association director general and also former Cathay Pacific Airways CEO, Tony Tyler, will join the board of Australia’s Qantas Airways as a non-executive director in October, subject to shareholder approval. Read More »
People
Singapore Airlines appoints David Gledhill to board
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced the appointment of David Gledhill to the airline’s board as an independent non-executive director from September 1. Read More »
Short Takes
MRO: Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company (HAECO) has entered into a long-term agreement with Astronics Connectivity Systems and Certification to establish a centre in Xiamen, in China’s Fujian province to offer Astronics and its airline customers with Line Replaceable Units services on the Mainland and in the wider Asia-Pacific. Read More »
