Singapore Airlines’ latest disappointing financial results are ringing the alarm bells (“Singapore Airlines disappoints“, 20th May, 13). At first glance, Singapore Airlines (SIA) posted a 12.8% increase in FY2012/13 full-year profit to S$379 million (US$299.8 million) from S$335.9 million in the prior fiscal year on a 1.4% rise in revenue to S$15.1 billion from S$14.86 billion a year earlier. The operating profit for its namesake unit also improved by 3.3% …Read More
Tag Archives: Cathay Pacific
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
Cathay Pacific builds flexibility while embracing opportunities
In posting an 83.3% drop in its 2012 full-year net profit to HK$916 million (US$118 million) from 2011′s HK$5.5 billion (US$708.5 million), Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways has ridden through a turbulent year that saw Asia’s largest international carrier posting a HK$935 million 2012 first-half loss, its first since the 2003 SARS crisis, amid a cargo conundrum, softening passenger yields in premium classes and stubbornly high fuel prices. The result …Read More
Boeing 777X to spark mini-jumbo war
GE9X to feature 16 blades, versus 18 on GEnx engines Folding wingtip to be operated hydraulically Folding wingtip to improve lift-to-drag by 12% Folding wingtip 800lbs weight penalty, against 777-200′s 3,200lbs 777X to remain ICAO Code E aircraft on aprons 787-styled tail fin, elimination of overwing exit confirmed Elimination of overwing exit saves 1,000lbs of weight 787-styled larger dimmable windows, lower cabin altitude being studied 777-8X & -9X range boosted …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
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
Cathay Pacific to be a smarter & leaner airline in 2013
2012 has been a tumultuous year for Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways, with the “triple whammy” – a toxic mix of softening corporate travel demand owing to ensuing global economic uncertainties, stubbornly high oil prices and a cargo conundrum, pushing Asia’s largest international airline into a HK$935 million (US$120.6 million) first-half loss (“Gleam of hope for Cathay Pacific in stormy skies“, 13th Aug, 12). Notwithstanding this, Cathay Pacific has stayed …Read More
A tale of three airlines in a rough year: SIA, Cathay and Qantas
It has not been a good year for Singapore Airlines (SIA), Cathay Pacific Airways and Qantas – these three airlines that are the closest rivals in the Asia/Pacific region. What they do usually make headline aviation news, whether in shaping up the competition or feeding the gossip mill, and the airlines themselves most probably are keeping a close watch of one another’s moves. It is a year that they share …Read More
Virgin Australia’s acquisition spree strengthens foundation for growth
It is “game on”, indeed. Following successfully achieving the 20% corporate market share earlier than originally envisaged which saw the increasingly stiff competition in the lucrative business travel market pushing down domestic business fares to an unprecedented low level since the collapse of Ansett Australia in September 2001, Brisbane-based Virgin Australia did not stand still. Neither did its aspirations stop soaring when Australia’s second-largest carrier recorded a 113% increase in …Read More