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Whether in new airliners, fighter competitions, air traffic management requirements or finding new ways to calm jittery passengers, the Asia-Pacific region has regained its place as the world's most dynamic market. The aerospace industry gathers this week in Singapore for Asian Aerospace 2004. Airbus and Boeing are both putting new versions of long-haul medium and large transports into the market this year. Singapore Airlines Ltd. debuted the Airbus star earlier this month on a flight the carrier has long wanted to make — nonstop from Los Angeles to Singapore.

Reports the installation of satellite-based electronic-mail system for passengers by several airlines. Account of the system introduced by Singapore Airlines; Launch of the Seattle-based Tensing Communications on Flight No. SQ30 on the Singapore-Taipei-Los Angeles route; Installation of tensing system for the Scandinavian airlines.

Reports on the investigation into the October 31, 2000 crash of Singapore Airlines Flight SQ006 in Taipei, Taiwan. Casualties; Focus of investigation on three issues, including a night takeoff into bad weather, possible departure from the wrong runway and a collision with an object on the runway.

Reveals the factors which influenced Singapore Airlines Ltd.'s decision to buy the Airbus A3XX over the Boeing 747X. Comparison between the two jet planes; Discounts from the manufacturer; Possibility that the purchase will entice more carriers into the Very Large Aircraft category.

Competition from the discounters has prompted Singapore Airlines Ltd., Cathay Pacific Airways, Thai Airways International and Malaysia Airlines to slash fares on a triangle of routes to three of Southeast Asia's favorite cities. The resulting bonanza for passengers stems from discounters entering an already crowded market. Fares that low have prompted a flurry of special rates, ranging from Bangkok-based Thai Air Asia's $24.75 for one-way trips, to Singapore-based Valuair's round-trip fare of $85. Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways slashed fares on selected flights by more than 50% to $128 round trip, while the region's low-fare challenger, Air Asia, is offering one-way fares of $27-78. -

As it looks forward to being the first airline to receive the Airbus A380, in March 2006, Singapore Airlines Ltd. is positioning itself as the early leader for overhauling the 555-seat transport. Besides the 10 orders for Singapore, Qantas, Korean Airlines and Malaysia Airlines complete the Asia Pacific A380 list with total firm orders of 23 aircraft. For instance, it became a partner with Rolls-Royce plc on Trent overhauls after introducing that engine into its fleet with Trent 800s. For instance, Lufthansa Technik, which operates one of the industry's largest MRO networks with hangars in China and Ireland to complement those in Germany, isn't sure how it will approach A380 airframe work, even though Lufthansa German Airlines AG has ordered 15 aircraft, CEO August Wilhelm Henningsen said.

Singapore Airlines (SA) has selected three outsiders to help it form a discount carrier with a big profile but small prices. Called Tiger Airways, the new discounter is to begin services in the latter half of next year and will be controlled by the Singapore government through two holdings. The first is the 49% owned by SA, which is controlled by Temasek Holdings, the government's investment arm. In addition, Temasek will hold 11% of Tiger's shares outright. Indigo Partners LLC, a U.S. air transport investment firm holds a 24% share.

The article focuses on tension between the management and pilots of Singapore Airlines (SIA)Ltd. The government plans to eliminate the traditional right of rank-and-file union members to approve contracts. Tension between pilots and the airline has escalated, especially after pay-cuts were implemented in June following SIA's first-quarter loss of S$270 million. The government plans to introduce a law that removes the right of members of the Air Line Pilots' Association-Singapore from having a final say in any negotiations with the carrier's management.

While Singapore Airlines (SIA) ponders losses and a shrunken network, Lim Chin Beng, who headed SIA from 1972-80, has registered the company as ValuAir and plans to offer flights from Singapore to popular tourist destinations in China. If it is started, ValuAir would face competition from its home base by SIA, its SilkAir regional subsidiary and Region Air, a charter carrier. Two other regional carriers are planning to launch international flights in late 2003.

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. has asked all of its staff to take four weeks of unpaid leave to help the company cut expenses as it battles the downturn in passenger business caused by the spread of SARS virus. The plan is expected to save the carrier about 1.1 billion Hong Kong dollars. The carrier is reportedly in talks with Boeing and Airbus about delaying deliveries of six aircraft, five from Airbus and one from Boeing. Singapore Airlines Ltd. (SIA) said it will ground its fleet of nine A310-300s. SARS-related cuts in capacity means SIA has parked 22 other aircraft, a mix of 747-400s and 777s, the two aircraft types left in its fleet. SIA also is cutting traffic to Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia and South Africa. It has terminated flights into Brussels, Chicago and Las Vegas as passenger load factors across its network dropped 30-49%. Japan Airlines, the worst hit of that country's carriers because of its big international network, has been cutting routes. Service pullbacks included those to Hawaii, Thailand,China, South Korea, Great Britain, France, Guam and within Japan.

Reports on the earnings of Singapore Airlines (SIA) Ltd. for the first half of fiscal 2002 with a pretax profit of 386 million dollar. Concern of the company over the possibility of war in Iraq; Percentage increase in operating profits of SilkAir, regional subsidiary of SIA; Reasons for the increased profits; Restoration of all of the services to the U.S. by SIA that were suspended after the September 11 terrorist attacks, 2001.

Reports the effects of terrorist attacks to the business of Singapore Airlines (SIA) in Singapore. Decrease in net profits; Business losses in joint ventures with other airline companies; Optimism of the executive personnel to recover from the financial condition of SIA.

Reports the effect of the economic recession in the United States on the operations of the Singapore Airlines Group. Decline of operating profits; Reduction of expenditures due to the airline's aircraft depreciation schedule; Cancellation of job hirings.

Reports on the financial performance of Singapore Airlines for the fiscal year 2000. Pre-tax profit; Gains from initial public offerings of shares for Singapore Airport Terminal Services and SIA Engineering Co.; Increase in passenger revenue.

Reports that Singapore Airlines Engineering Co. is set to become the first provider of maintenance services for the Airbus A380 aircraft. Construction of two hangars at its Singapore Changi airport; Singapore Airline's operation of the Airbus A380.