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


JUNE 2018

Week 25

Orient Aviation’s Week in the Asia-Pacific

By Dominic Lalk

Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways this week became the second operator of the A350-1000 after taking delivery in Toulouse of the first of 20 on-order of the largest A350XWB variant. Another major Airbus announcement this week was the launch of a global A330neo route proving tour with stops in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Hong Kong.

Also in Toulouse, THAI top management visited the airframer today to discuss details of an impending widebody order. In Mumbai, Jet Airways took delivery of the first of 150 on-order B737 MAX jets. In Shanghai, COMAC’s C919 certification programme was halted and across the Taiwan Strait, in Taipei, China Airlines is reported to be close to a decision on its single aisle fleet renewal with an order split between the A320neo Family and the B737 MAX series the likely outcome.

A330neo route proving tour visits six Asian cities Read More »

 

News

Beijing extends lifeline to HNA Group

The Chinese government in Beijing has agreed to help debt-ridden HNA Group raise much needed funds, Bloomberg has reported, citing people involved in the negotiations. Read More »


 

News

C919 flight test programme halted

The C919 programme suffered another setback this week. Read More »


 

News

Chengdu Airlines applies for international traffic rights

Mainland carrier, Chengdu Airlines, has requested international traffic rights, an application with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) reveals. Read More »


 

News

China Airlines to split narrow body order?

Informed sources told Orient Aviation this week China Airlines (CAL) is preparing to split its single aisle order between Airbus and Boeing. Read More »


 

News

Jet Airways accepts first B737 MAX

Jet Airways this week received the first of 150 on-order B737 MAXs, making it the first Indian airline to fly the latest B737 variant. Read More »


 

News

THAI in Toulouse to discuss details of new order

Thai Airways International (THAI) is very close to announcing a new Airbus aircraft order. Read More »


 

News

Cathay Pacific takes delivery of first A350-1000

Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways took delivery this week of the first of 20 on-order A350-1000s. Read More »


 

News

Japan Airlines and Hawaiian seek antitrust immunity

Japan Airlines (JAL) and Hawaiian Airlines have filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) seeking immunity from antitrust laws so they can form a trans-Pacific joint venture (JV). Read More »


 

News

SAS switches Hong Kong service from Stockholm to Copenhagen

SAS has been facing “challenges when it comes to profitability” on the Hong Kong-Stockholm route “since it was launched three years ago”, SAS EVP Commercial, Karl Sandlund, said this week. Read More »


 

Short Takes

Routes: Air China plans to fly the A350 twice a daily between Beijing and Chengdu from September 1; the airline has reduced Shenzhen-Los Angeles B787-9 service from thrice- to twice-weekly. Read More »