Interesting Times
Asia-Pacific’s carriers face growing opportunities and increased challenges in this year of the unpredictable Black Water Dragon.
ANA pilot unions warn of 24-hr. strike Wednesday
All Nippon Airways (ANA) pilot unions have threatened a 24-hr. strike Wednesday but the airline said it is continuing negotiations to try stave off the planned industrial action and disruption to passenger services.
ANA pilot unions threaten 24-hr. strike Wednesday
All Nippon Airways (ANA) pilot unions have threatened a 24-hr. strike Wednesday but the airline said it is continuing negotiations to try stave off the planned industrial action and disruption to passenger services.
AAPA optimistic for long-term growth
The Assn. of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) has released preliminary figures for 2011 showing steady growth in international air passenger demand but weak international freight markets.
The 16 member airlines carried 190 million international passengers in 2011, 3.5% more than the previous year, while RPKs grew by 3.7%.
Capacity growth for the year was 6.3%, resulting in an international passenger load factor of 76.4%, down two percentage points.
Dubai International posts 8% passenger growth in 2011
Dubai International (DXB) reported passenger traffic of 51 million in 2011, up 8%, compared to 47.2 million in 2010, posting another record year for the airport.
Aircraft movements totaled 326,317, up 6.2% over 2010. Average passenger numbers remained flat at 184.
In 2011, DXB added 28 destinations and discontinued 17, boosting overall passenger destinations to 215, compared to 204 in 2010. Its strongest markets include India, the UK, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Qatar, Germany and the US.
AirAsia X is Sydney bound
Kuala Lumpur-based AirAsia X has announced it will fly to Sydney Australia from April 1.
Sydney is AirAsia X’s fourth Australian destination after Gold Coast, Melbourne and Perth.
Cathay commits to six more A350s
Cathay Pacific Airways (CX) has ordered six more AirbusA350-900s for delivery between 2016 and 2017.
The order builds on the airline’s original commitment to the A350-900 for 30 aircraft placed in September 2010 (ATW Daily News, Sept. 17, 2010).
CX announced an additional order for two A350-900s in August last year. The A350s will replace the airline’s A340s and eventually its A330 fleet.
JAL announces route 2012 plans
Japan Airlines (JAL) has outlined its plans for routes, fleet and flight frequency for the first half of fiscal year 2012 year ending March 31, 2013, as the Boeing 787 is introduced into service (ATW Daily News, Dec. 15, 2011).
According to JAL, it will launch the first 4X-weekly 787 nonstop service between Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Boston April 22, increasing to daily from June 1.
Virgin Australia will deploy A330s on Melbourne-Perth route
Virgin Australia (DJ) will deploy Airbus A330s on the Melbourne (MEL)-Perth (PER) route to tap the resources boom in Western Australia and attempt to capture more of the business market from Qantas (QF). According to the airline, the move will add 20,000 seats a year.
In a significant ramp-up in the intensifying competition between the two airlines, DJ will take delivery from Airbus of two new 278-seat A330s in May and put them into service on the MEL-PER route from May 14. The A330s will replace 168-seat Boeing 737s.
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