Analysis for Asia

Earlier this month, we witnessed yet another example of an airline attempting to cash in on the success of a movie franchise by plastering well known images and characters all over a select aircraft. Jetstar Japan ensured the release of the new Spiderman movie, Spiderman: Homecoming, helped build brand awareness for the airline by not only splashing a giant Spiderman across an aircraft but also inviting guests to dress up as the friendly neighbourhood hero.

The Sep-2016 launch of flights by Singapore Airlines (SIA) has led to a more modest than expected increase in international traffic for Wellington Airport. The Wellington-Canberra sector of SIA’s new Wellington-Canberra-Singapore route has also struggled somewhat with an initial load factor of less than 65%. However, the Wellington-Singapore market could still potentially support a nonstop service in future as demand for Wellington-Canberra-Singapore been impacted by a less than ideal product.

Last week, the Blue Swan Daily teased you with our exclusive interview with Malaysia Airlines CEO, Peter Bellew, who visited the CAPA offices to discuss all things Malaysia Airlines in the Australia market.

AirAsia X is looking at expansion opportunities in Australia including the potential resumption of services to Adelaide. The airline’s recent expansion in China and India provides new opportunities for growth in Australia as a majority of its Australia traffic transits beyond Kuala Lumpur.

As Elon Musk fires up a battery arsenal in South Australia to back up that state's renewable energy supplies, Malaysia Airlines CEO, Peter Bellew, predicts airlines could be earning ‘super-profits’ next decade as the oil price stabilises amid surging growth in renewable energy sources and as battery technology improves.

Cairns Airport is the major international and domestic gateway to far north Queensland and is operated by Cairns Airport Pty Ltd, which is owned and operated by North Queensland Airports. A major tourist destination, Cairns Airport urgently hosts 14 airlines operating both domestically and internationally, with 24 airlines via codeshares.

For the third time since launching service to Cairns just over two years ago, SilkAir is adding capacity to the Cairns market. SilkAir’s continued expansion on the Singapore-Cairns route is a testament to the route’s success and the overall strength of the north Queensland market.

AirAsia Group Head of Corporate Sales Barry Klipp was in attendance at the 2017 CAPA-ACTE Aviation and Corporate Travel Summit this week. During his discussion Mr Klipp announced the launch of the carrier’s first ever corporate programme: My Corporate.

Fiji Airways is the latest airline from this region to forge a codeshare with Hong Kong Airlines. Fiji Airways plans to begin codesharing with Hong Kong Airlines in Jul-2017, at about the same time Virgin Australia starts to codeshare with the Hong Kong-based carrier.

Malaysia Airlines Group CEO Peter Bellew dropped by CAPA HQ this week to discuss all things Malaysia Airlines in the Australia market. With up to 43 weekly flights into Australia the carrier definitely is an important international supplier.