Singapore Airlines (SIA) prefaced its report on its annual performance for FY2012/13 with attribution to high fuel prices and lower yields owing to a weak global economy for its lacklustre results. The announcement concluded with an equally dismal outlook, saying very much the same thing, warning that “the global economic outlook remains uncertain with the ongoing weakness in the eurozone and sluggish recovery in the United States” and that “yields …Read More
Interview: Inmarsat Asia Pacific aviation senior director Bill Peltola
An interview with Bill Peltola, Senior Director, Asia Pacific, Aviation, Inmarsat Inmarsat is a leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services. It was the first civil operator to introduce satellite communications services for the aeronautical industry, complying with the standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Bill Peltola is responsible for developing market opportunities for Inmarsat aviation services in Asia Pacific. He has wide experience …Read More
Qantas pushes ahead with Asian strategy
While rivals such as Cathay Pacific Airways and Singapore Airlines (SIA) report lacklustre performance, Qantas seems to be upbeat about making headways with its Asian strategy to turn around its loss-making international operations. The Australian flag carrier took another step forward to enhance its presence in the region when it expanded its codeshare agreement with China Eastern Airlines (CEA). Qantas International manager China Andrew Hogg said, “We said we would …Read More
Plunging Cathay profits: What went wrong?
With Cathay Pacific Airways, one of the world’s leading airlines, announcing an 83% plunge in annual profit, one must begin to wonder what went wrong. Almost five years since the onset of the global economic crisis, the fortunes of the airlines can be best alluded to the unpredictable movements of the yo-yo. It was only at the end of last year that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) could with …Read More
Is the premium economy trend finally catching on?
Is the premium economy trend finally catching on as Air Canada becomes the latest airline to announce its introduction as “a new class of travel”, starting with the Montreal-Paris non-stop route in July 2013. New, perhaps for the Canadian carrier, but not quite globally. Eva Air of Taiwan was one of the first carriers to introduce the premium economy class, when it launched its operations in 1991. There was a …Read More
Is Qantas back on track?
Judging by its FY2012/13 first half performance, Qantas looks like it is back on track. The Australian flag carrier reported a net group profit of A$111 million (US$114 million), which is almost triple last year’s A$42 million. This was achieved in spite of the continuing show of red ink for its international operations, which one may even say was an impressive result considering the reduced losses of A$91 million from …Read More
Optimism returns to aviation
There is renewed optimism for the airline industry, going by the latest industry body Geneva-based International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecast that 2013 will see an improvement in global airline profitability from US$6.7 billion to US$8.4 billion. This has been revised from an earlier estimate of US$7.5 billion. IATA chief economist Brian Pearce said: “I think we are past the low point, which was earlier this year.” The positive mood …Read More
Air Canada and WestJet shake up Canadian skies
The usual lack of excitement in the Canadian aviation scene is about to change. Air Canada’s new low-cost carrier (LCC) Rouge will take to the skies in July next year. It will start with two Boeing 767s and two Airbus A319s, flying initially from Toronto and Montreal to leisure destinations in Europe and the Caribbean, with plans to expand the fleet to 50 aircraft eventually and to also fly to …Read More
Delta’s interest in Virgin Atlantic starts a British war
The interest of the world’s second-largest carrier, Delta Air Lines in Virgin Atlantic has certainly caused some excitement in the aviation scene, if not started a British war between old rivals International Airlines Group (IAG) chief executive Willie Walsh and Virgin Group chief executive Richard Branson. The following looks at what the deal means to each of the key players, including those on the sideline. Singapore Airlines Delta has reached …Read More