A trusted source of Asia-Pacific commercial aviation news and analysis


MARCH 2018

Orient Aviation March 2018

DIGITALLY DRIVEN
Air New Zealand CEO, Christopher Luxon, focuses the carrier on achieving digital dominance

• Compensation mounts for engine manufacturers

• Asia-Pacific airlines unite to fight cyber threats

• Qantas to launch pilot training academy

• INDUSTRY INSIGHT SPECIAL REPORT Best options for slot shortages

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Cover Story

Digitally driven

Air New Zealand chief executive, Christopher Luxon, has every reason to be satisfied with the performance of his business. Read More »


 

Main Story

Compensation mounts as more engine faults emerge

Pratt & Whitney’s new PW1100G GTF (Geared Turbofan) engines, which power Airbus’ latest single aisle A320/321neo, took a turn for the worse last month when the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a formal warning that the power plants posed a potential shutdown risk. Read More »


 

Industry Insight Special Report

One global slot system for all countries

Airport capacity and airline demand for access to airports cannot keep pace with each other, said Head of Worldwide Airport Slots for the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Lara Maughan. Read More »


 

News Backgrounder

Digital innovation centre stage at Singapore Airshow

It was not surprising the closing press conference at the region’s biggest show, in Singapore in February, was cancelled. Read More »


 

News Backgrounder

Red tape to go promises Vietnam’s regulators

Vietnam is forecast to create a boom in new domestic airlines as traffic numbers soar in a market served by only four scheduled carriers. Read More »


 

News Backgrounder

Philippine Airlines readies for New York A350 launch

When Airbus’ newest long-range jet, the A350-1000, called in to Manila during an Asia-wide demonstration tour last month, Philippine Airlines (PAL) president, Jaime Bautista, made it clear he would be happy to have the US$366 million aircraft in his fleet. Read More »


 

Addendum

Good times roll on for Qantas Group

The Qantas Group has reported a strong interim pre-tax profit of US$761.7 million for the six months to December 31, 2017. Read More »


 

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Addendum

Qantas to train 500 pilots at its new academy

Separately last month, Joyce announced the Qantas Group would establish a training academy to train up to 500 pilots a year at an existing airport in regional Australia. Read More »


 

Addendum

Norwegian seeking Asian partner with view to marriage

Wanted: An Asian no-frills airline to partner with rapidly expanding Norwegian Air, which has been flying London-Singapore for six months. Read More »


 

Addendum

Asia-Pacific airlines and governments unite to fight cyber threats

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) is strengthening airlines’ defenses against cyberattacks with the formation of an alliance with regional governments. Read More »


 

Industry Addendum

LEAP engine veteran moves up at CFM

LEAP program director with the commercial engine division at Safran, Sebastien Imbourg, has succeeded Francois Bastin as CFM executive vice president. Read More »


 

Industry Addendum

SIA Engineering and GE Aviation form joint venture

Asia-Pacific MRO, SIA Engineering (SIAEC), and GE Aviation have announced they will form an engine overhaul joint venture in Singapore; a confirmation of their initial announcement in June last year. Read More »


 

Industry Addendum

Asiana signs five-year A380 MRO with Lufthansa Technik Philippines

Lufthansa Technik Philippines and Asiana Airlines have signed a five year-agreement to provide base maintenance for the South Korean carrier’s A380 fleet; an extension of previous MRO on Asiana A380s. Read More »


 

Industry Addendum

ST Engineering invests in IFE connectivity

ST Engineering subsidiary, Singapore Technologies Electronics Ltd, has agreed to form a joint venture with SatixFly UK Ltd, to increase the Singaporean company’s access to the high growth commercial aviation connectivity market. Read More »


 

Industry Addendum

Honeywell seals deals with Eastar and Lion Air Group

Last month, U.S. headquartered aerospace conglomerate, Honeywell, signed its largest Asia-Pacific contract to supply auxiliary power units, in fleet terms, with Indonesia’s Lion Air Group. Read More »


 

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Industry Addendum

Thales and Singapore to develop Next Gen ATM solutions

Global Aerospace, Transport, Defence and Security conglomerate, Thales, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to analyse digital ATM trends, including artificial intelligence as it applies to ATM. Read More »


 

Industry Addendum

Smiths Detection wins explosive screening contract in India

Aviation threat detection and screening technology company, Smiths Detection, has signed a US$50 million contract with Airport Authority of India (AAI) for the supply of high speed explosive detection systems for hold baggage screening at nine airports in India. Read More »


 

Industry Addendum

Pratt & Whitney marks 35 years in Asia-Pacific

Pratt & Whitney kicked off its 35th year in the region with the inauguration of a GP7200 overhaul capability at its Singapore engine centre, Pratt & Whitney Eagle Services Asia; a joint venture with the SIA Engineering Company. Read More »


 

Industry Addendum

AAR spreads its wings to India with Indamer partnership

Global provider of aviation services to commercial airlines, AAR, has announced a joint venture with India’s Indamer Aviation to establish an MRO facility in Nagpur, a relationship that has fast tracked to commencement of construction in the largest city in central India. Read More »


 

Industry Addendum

Jet Airways signs lease deal with Japan’s SMBC

SMBC Aviation Capital, a joint venture leasing company owned by Japan’s SMFG and the Sumitomo Corporation has signed a sale and leaseback agreement with Jet Airways in India for 13 B737 MAX 8s with first delivery scheduled for August this year. Read More »


 

Industry Addendum

Bullish business for MROs in Asia-Pacific

It’s good news for the world’s MRO providers and for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Boeing and Airbus, who continue to make significant inroads into the maintenance aftermarket space. Read More »


 

Comment

A different Singapore Airshow

It is unusual for an international air show to conclude without a single order from major airlines, especially in a region forecast to control 42% of the commercial aviation market in the next two decades. Read More »