Search

read all about it! June is a big month for our daily newspapers as we are at both IATA's annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur and the Paris Air Show [...]

The article discusses the attraction of aircraft maintenance providers in the emerging markets. It cites the benefits gained by U.S. carrier Southwest from moving maintenance work to Aeroman in El Salvador. According to Frank Buratti, director of aircraft maintenance at JetBlue Airways, cost is not the deciding factor for the carrier when seeking vendors to maintain its aircraft fleet. Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association Federal Secretary Steve Purvinas talks about the advantages of doing in-house heavy maintenance checks.

The article reports on the market potential of the aircraft leasing and finance industry in China. Some banks and local financiers are set to penetrate the aircraft leasing market. Access to leased aircraft is more important in China than in many other countries because Chinese carriers need to lease aircrafts to their market growth plans.

Focuses on the development of airports in China. Forecast on the growth of airports in the country according to Civil Aviation Administration of China; Contribution of airports in the economy of China; Foreign investment opportunities in the airports.

The article reports on the opening of the aviation market between political rivals China and Taiwan, under which non-stop flights will start. Carriers from China and Taiwan are looking to take advantage of more lenient restrictions on flights. It is noted that tourism will be the key factor in passenger traffic. Airlines serving the routes include EVA Air and China Airlines.

The article announces the appointment of executives at the airline industry including the resignation of Jeff Carr as group finance director at EasyJet, appointment of Roman Pakhomov as deputy director of Rosavia and the appointment of Arvind Jadhav as managing director and chairman of Air India.

The article reviews blogs about the BBC broadcast of its Panorama programme on Ryanair, the environmental efforts of All Nippon Airways and AirTran Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bob Fornaro's views on the carrier's prospects in Milwaukee, Wisconsin market.

The article reports on the expansion and increasing profits posted by the Indonesian carrier Garuda Indonesia. A net profit of 669 billion Indonesian rupiah was posted by the carrier in 2008 and its president Emirsyah Satar confirmed higher profits in 2009. There have been plans by the carrier to increase its fleet to 20 Airbus A330, 90 Boeing 737 and up to six Boeing 777-300ER by 2014.

The article deals with the performance of the airline industry in Asia-Pacific in 2009. According to Andrew Herdman, director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, the effect of the economic downturn is considered worse than high fuel prices in 2008 because the downturn impacts top line revenues. He believes the airlines located within the region have reached the bottom. Both Singapore Airlines and Qantas Airways have been reported to be the most profitable carriers in the region.

The article reports that Lion Air, Indonesia's largest privately-owned carrier, has ventured into airport management and expanded its airline business by adding ATR turboprops, Boeing 747-400s and more 737-900ERs. It has an 80% stake in an airport management company, in which the Indonesian air force holds the remaining 20%. According to Lion Air President Director Rusdi Kirana, the airport venture received defence and finance ministry approval to manage and use Jakarta Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport.

The article reports on the growth in the domestic airline traffic in China as of July 2009. As of April 2009, domestic carriers Air China, China Eastern and China Southern posted 16%, 25% and 6% domestic revenue passenger kilometre (RPK) increase respectively. Peter Harbison of Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation explains the reason for the poor recovery of international cargo traffic in the country.

The article deals with the opinion of ACE Aviation Holdings Chief Executive Robert Milton that airlines is not a good business. Milton argues that airlines make poor shareholder returns and adds that it is an irrelevant industry in terms of market capitalisation. He discusses the businesses that were spun off by Air Canada. The article also notes the view of Air New Zealand Chief Executive Rob Fyfe that the root cause of the airline industry's poor performance is airline overcapacity.

The article reports on the move of Asian countries to set aside political differences and liberalise air services in an effort to help airlines overcome the economic downturn. A new air services agreement was signed by Malaysia and Singapore which paved the way for others to compete. China and Taiwan have also agreed to liberalise their air services agreement which allows the introduction of scheduled services for the first time.

The article reports on the submission by troubled Thai Airways International of an initial turnaround plan to the Thai government as it bids to overturn the heavy loss it posted in 2008. The two-stage plan aims to boost revenues and cut costs in 2009 by around 10 billion Baht, followed by addressing its longer term strategy. A full year loss of 23 billion Baht was posted by the airline after a troubled year, due to the impact of political instability on the country's tourism industry.

The article reports that low-cost carrier Jetstar will be expanding its medium-haul international network as it copes with Boeing 787 delivery delays and faces growing competition from Asian rivals. Chief executive officer (CEO) Alan Joyce said that the carrier will be adding services to Singapore and Indonesia in 2008 using its fleet of Airbus A320. According to the article, Jetstar was supposed to receive the first of at least 15 787 in August 2007 but now it expects to receive the first aircraft in May 2009.

The article reports on the move being made by the Chinese government to continue to ease restrictions on where local carriers may establish secondary bases as it allows for more competition in the fast-growing market. Airlines that have subsidiaries in Beijing are identified. The article also offers information on the move made by China Southern Airlines to be able to start basing aircraft in Beijing.

The article reports on the intention of several airlines to join the Star alliance in China. The acceptance by Shanghai Airlines Co. of the invitation of Star to join the alliance is discussed. Information on the preparation of Air China Corp. to join the alliance is presented. The article also reports on the interest of Star to invite Indian carriers to join the alliance.