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


MAY 2018

Week 18

Orient Aviation’s Week in the Asia-Pacific

By Dominic Lalk

Qantas Airways this week ordered six more B787-9s after the airline decided the aircraft was the best fit for its long and thin routes. The -9s will replace Qantas’ B747-400s, with the last of the Jumbo jets to be retired from the carrier in 2020.

In Toulouse, Cathay Pacific Airways’ first A350-1000 performed its maiden five hour flight on Thursday with the aircraft on track to arrive at the carrier next month. Also in Toulouse, Thai Airways International took delivery on Friday of its 12th and final A350-900 – at least for now.

In Hanoi, Vietnam Airlines is considering the establishment of a dedicated cargo subsidiary and in Haikou, the HNA Group sold a portion of its equity in Azul Brazilian Airlines to United Airlines.

Qantas confirms order for six more B787-900s Read More »

 

News

Cathay Pacific A350-1000 performs first flight

Cathay Pacific Airways’ first A350-1000 performed its maiden flight on Thursday in Toulouse. Read More »


 

News

Emirates parks 46 A380s and B777s?

Gulf media reported this week that Emirates Airline would park 46 A380s and B777s at Dubai’s World Central (DWC) Airport in coming months because of its forecast pilot shortage. Read More »


 

News

HNA Group sells Azul holding to United Airlines

China’s indebted HNA Group has sold approximately 20% of its shareholding in Azul Brazilian Airlines to another minority shareholder in the South American carrier, United Airlines. Read More »


 

News

Boeing continues supply chain consolidation with US$4.25 billion KLX Inc. acquisition

Boeing on Tuesday announced it had agreed to buy aviation parts and services provider KLX Inc. for US$4.25 billion in an all-cash transaction of US$63 a share and the assumption of approximately US$1 billion of net debt. Read More »


 

News

Spring Airlines reports US$61 million Q1 net profit

Shanghai-headquartered low-cost carrier (LCC), Spring Airlines, has reported a 2017 net profit of CNY385 million (US$61 million), up 27% year-on-year. Read More »


 

News

SIAEC signs US$363 million deal with SilkAir and LoI with Cebu Pacific

SIA Engineering (SIAEC) has signed a S$484 million (US$363 million) MRO deal with SilkAir to cover the airline’s incoming fleet of 37 B737 MAXs. Read More »


 

News

New Delhi extends deadline for potential Air India bidders

The Indian government in New Delhi has extended the application deadline for potential bidders interested in acquiring a 76% majority stake in Air India and Air India Express, as well as a 50% shareholding in ground handling firm Air India SATS. Read More »


 

News

Vietnam Airlines mulls dedicated cargo carrier and signs joint venture with ST Aeropsace

Vietnam Airlines is considering the formation of a dedicated cargo carrier to tap booming demand for electronics and consumer goods that are ‘Made in Vietnam’, the carrier’s CEO, Duong Tri Thanh, told Bloomberg. Read More »


 

News

Vietnam Airlines renews Sabre GDS deal and agrees MRO joint venture with ST Aerospace

Vietnam Airlines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ST Aerospace for a component MRO solutions joint venture (JV). Read More »


 

People

Aditya Ghosh quits IndiGo

In a stock exchange announcement, InterGlobe Aviation Ltd., the holding company of IndiGo Airlines, said Aditya Ghosh had resigned as a ‘whole time director’ and CEO of the airline, effective April 26. Read More »


 

Short Takes

Code shares: Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic have expanded their code share partnership on London-Hong Kong-Sydney from July 2, the date that Virgin Australia commences its Sydney-Hong Kong service. Read More »