Singapore Airlines reported (16-May-2018) the following traffic highlights for Apr-2018:
Virgin Australia, in an application to Australia's International Air Services Commission (IASC), stated (15-May-2018) the carrier is interested in renewing Indonesia and Papua New Guinea determinations allocating capacity to Virgin Australia which are due to expire within the next 12 months as follows:
AirAsia Group recorded (15-May-2018) its 500 millionth passenger on 18-Mar-2018 after 16 years of operations. CEO Tony Fernandes said 60% of the passengers were first time flyers. [more - original PR]
Australia's Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo stated (15-May-2018) Australia is "welcoming record numbers of international tourists who are staying longer and spending more". Australia welcomed a record 9.02 million international visitors in 12 months ending Mar-2018, an increase of 7.7% year-on-year, with visitor spend of a record AUD41 billion (USD30.6 billion). Mr Ciobo noted that China is leading the record breaking surge, recently overtaking New Zealand to become Australia's largest source of international tourists. China now accounts for one in six international visitors to Australia, and more than a quarter of total international visitor spend. Mr Ciobo noted that Australia's open capacity aviation arrangement with China and the recent China-Australia Year of Tourism is driving growth from this key market. Australia is also enjoying strong growth from the US with a record 9.2% increase in US visitors during the past 12 months. [more - original PR]
CAAC recently amended (14-May-2018) its "one route, one airline" policy for long haul services to allow for increased competition on long haul international services among Chinese airlines, effective 01-Oct-2018. CAAC is amending the policy - which was introduced in 2009 to mainly prevent China's state backed airlines from competing too aggressively on routes deemed difficult to profit from - in response to a changing aviation market as well as the 2019 opening of a second international airport in Beijing. The amended legislation involves dividing international services into two categories. The first category will comprise unrestricted routes to destinations in countries with at least a partial open skies agreement with China. Long haul destinations in the second category will be subject to certain restrictions. [more - original PR - Chinese]
Thai AirAsia appointed (14-May-2018) Tassapon Bijleveld as executive chairman and Santisuk Klongchaiya as CEO, replacing Mr Tassapon, effective 14-May-2018. Mr Santisuk was previously director of commercial. Mr Tassapon is also Asia Aviation executive chairman and Mr Santisuk was also appointed as Asia Aviation CEO. The company stated Mr Tassapon "will be in charge of executive policy in the interest of sustainable growth". Mr Tassapon said: "My focus will now be on the overall executive picture and the company's direction in seeking out new opportunities for sustainable growth. I will also focus on enacting government policies and collaborating with private sectors to ensure Thailand establishes a leading position in the aviation industry". [more - original PR - Thai AirAsia] [more - original PR - Asia Aviation]
Christchurch Airport and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) signed (14-May-2018) a MoU which will help New Zealand businesses tap into Chinese e-commerce platform Alibaba. The MoU will see the parties work together to help small to medium sized businesses from both regions sell products and services to Chinese consumers who use the range of digital platforms owned by the e-commerce company. Christchurch Airport chief aeronautical and commercial officer Justin Watson stated: "This is a great example of two large organisations - at either end of the country - working together to grow New Zealand's collective tourism and export success. In short, the MoU will enable kiwi businesses to connect and do business with the record number of Chinese visitors coming to New Zealand - before, during and after their trip". [more - original PR]
Japan Airlines announced (14-May-2018) plans to establish a new LCC business, expected to be established in Jul-2018, for the international market, as it looks to cultivate new business opportunities. The new LCC business, which will be a consolidated subsidiary of the JAL Group, will operate medium to long haul services from Tokyo Narita to destinations in Asia, Europe and the Americas. In the first stages of its establishment, the carrier will operate two Boeing 787-8 aircraft, with a target launch date from 2020 summer, when Tokyo Narita Airport completes planned facilities upgrades. [more - original PR]
PAL Group reported (11-May-2018) the following financial highlights for the three months ended 31-Mar-2018:
*Based on the average conversion rate at PHP1 = USD0.01941 for 1Q2018
*Based on the average conversion rate at PHP1 = USD0.019977 for 1Q2017
Singapore Airlines announced (14-May-2018) plans to replace 312 seat Boeing 777-200ER with 253 seat A350-900 equipment on daily Singapore-Christchurch service from 07-Jan-2019 (NZ Herald/Stuff, 14-May-2018). The A350 will be configured with 42 business class, 24 premium economy and 187 economy class seats, marking the introduction of the airline's premium economy product on the route. GM New Zealand Simon Turcotte said: "The introduction of premium economy will make Singapore Airlines the only long haul carrier offering the cabin daily out of Christchurch on a year round basis". [more - original PR]