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


SEPTEMBER 2020

Week 39

Orient Aviation Daily Digest September 25, 2020

A look at the week in the Asia-Pacific

By Jordan Chong

There were signs this week efforts to reopen borders to international travel were starting to bear fruit.

Japan's two major airline groups, Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA), boosted flight schedules to China, Vietnam Airlines started scheduled inbound flights from South Korea and a couple of Chinese carriers were reinstating some international routes.

In Australia, relaxation of domestic border restrictions between some states and territories led to Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia adding new services and routes to meet pent-up demand.

Despite such encouraging signs, industry bodies continued to express frustration at the ad-hoc, inconsistent and ever-changing regulations applying to international travel. Read More »

 

Daily Digest

Orient Aviation Daily Digest: Australia and Vietnam added to Singapore’s travel bubble list

October 1, 2020

  • The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said yesterday it was lifting border restrictions for visitors from Australia, except those from the state of Victoria, and Vietnam. In a scheme similar to arrangements announced in August for travellers from Brunei and New Zealand, visitors arriving in Singapore from Australia and Vietnam must undergo a COVID-19 test at Changi airport at a cost of S$300 (US$220) and self-isolate at their accommodation until their results are known, the CAAS said. Singaporeans also will be permitted to enter Australia, except Victoria, and Vietnam. Read More »

 

Daily Digest

Orient Aviation Daily Digest: Jetstar Japan follows LCC competitors into the red with losses of US$74 million in its latest fiscal year

September 30, 2020

  • Jetstar Japan has reported a net loss of 7.76 billion yen (US$74 million) for the 12 months to July 31, slumping into the red from a net profit of 914 million yen a year earlier after COVID-19 smashed passenger demand. Operating revenue fell 20.9%, to 47.9 billion yen, Jetstar Japan said in a statement yesterday. Read More »

 

Daily Digest

Orient Aviation Daily Digest: No let-up in losses Air New Zealand chair tells shareholders

September 29, 2020

  • Air New Zealand (Air NZ) chair, Dame Therese Walsh, told shareholders at the airline's annual general meeting, held virtually today, there was still a "huge degree of uncertainty, both in terms of how long this crisis will continue and what the landscape will look like" when it emerged from COVID-19. Read More »

 

Daily Digest

Orient Aviation Daily Digest: All Nippon Airways resuming nonstop flights from Tokyo to Singapore and Bangkok

September 28, 2020

  • All Nippon Airways (ANA) said today nonstop Tokyo Haneda-Singapore and Tokyo Narita-Bangkok services would resume in November, while more flights would be added from Haneda to Ho Chi Minh City, London Heathrow, Manila and Sydney. Read More »

 

News

AAPA's Menon says Asia-Pacific had "no international market to speak of" in August

Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines (AAPA) director general, Subhas Menon, said this week the latest traffic figures from the region showed there was "no international air travel market to speak of" amid ongoing border restrictions. Read More »


 

News

Airbus ZEROe concept aircraft good fit for Asia-Pacific

Airbus has launched a hydrogen-powered ZEROe concept aircraft, which Airbus president Asia-Pacific, Anand Stanley, said this week would be an aircraft well suited to the region. Read More »


 

News

Cathay Pacific Airways adds Pittsburgh to its Americas freight network

Cathay Pacific Airways this week commenced flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Pittsburgh via Hong Kong operated by a reconfigured 777-300ER. Read More »


 

News

International quarantine rules "are killing" the industry's recovery

International Air Transport Association (IATA) director general and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac, said this week called for 100% testing of international travellers amid depressed demand from border closures worldwide. Read More »


 

News

Boeing and Etihad Airways conduct ecoDemonstrator tests including maximum use of sustainable aviation fuel

Boeing said this week its ecoDemonstrator program included test flights powered by 50,000 gallons of a sustainable aviation biofuel blend. Read More »


 

Short Takes

China Southern Airlines (CSA) said in a regulatory filing to the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong this week the China Securities Regulatory Commission has approved its issue of up 16 billion yuan (US$ 2.3 billion) of convertible bonds with a term of six years. Read More »