ACI Asia-Pacific: September 2019 pax numbers up 2 percent in Asia-Pacific: Passenger traffic in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East recorded growth in September at +2 percent and +2.2 percent respectively. In China, both the international and domestic sectors showed signs of improvements, likely benefiting from an increase in vacation travels during public holidays. Passenger traffic at Hong Kong (HKG) suffered a decline of -12.7 percent and continued to be adversely affected by civil unrest and softening in demand. Among major airports in China, Shenzhen (SZX) and Guangzhou (CAN) generated the highest growth at +13.4 percent and +8.5 percent respectively. The overall passenger traffic growth in India was stagnant and demand in both international and domestic segments showed signs of slowing. The three airports with the most passenger volume increase from last year were: Delhi (DEL) +1.1 percent, Kolkata (CCU) +2.5 percent and Cochin (COK) +4.4 percent.
Elsewhere in Asia-Pacific, Osaka Kansai (KIX) and Sapporo New Chitose (CTS) experienced substantial growth of +102.8 percent and +32.9 percent respectively. The airports benefited from a lower base last year, when both were impacted by typhoons and earthquakes. The recovery was driven mainly by passengers from China but partially offset by lower demand due to diplomatic tensions between Japan and South Korea.
In the Middle East, passenger traffic grew at +2.2 percent amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. Nonetheless, mixed results were recorded among major airports: Dubai (DXB) -2.8 percent, Doha (DOH) +11.9 percent and Jeddah (JED) +2.8 percent.
Overall, year-to-date, passenger traffic in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East grew +1.7 percent and +2.4 percent respectively. Although passenger traffic of major markets such as China, India and the United Arab Emirates improved in the second quarter, the pace of growth eased in the third quarter. Uncertain global economic environment and geopolitical tensions have negatively affected passenger traffic in both regions.
Air freight remained weak, impacted by the continued slowdown across Asian export markets. Asia-Pacific and the Middle East declined at -3.9 percent and -6.7 percent respectively. Hong Kong (HKG), the largest air freight hub in the world, declined at -6.2 percent, showing a narrower decline from last month. Among major air freight hubs, Shenzhen (SZX) and Guangzhou (CAN) managed to generate positive growth at +12 percent and +4.6 percent. Overall air freight traffic declined in the first nine months, with Asia-Pacific at -5.8 percent and the Middle East at -3 percent, amid ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China, which weakened manufacturing activities and exports in both regions.
BOC Aviation delivers second of 10 A320neos to Air China: BOC Aviation announced that it has delivered the second of 10 new Airbus A320neos aircraft to Air China. This aircraft is the 100th aircraft to be delivered to Air China’s Southwest Branch. “We congratulate Air China’s Southwest Branch on taking delivery of its 100th aircraft, in this significant milestone that reflects the continued importance of China as a market that displays robust air travel demand and growth,” said Robert Martin, managing director and CEO of BOC Aviation. “BOC Aviation is pleased to continue building on our long-term relationship with Air China, and we look forward to working closely with both Air China and Airbus on the delivery of a further eight A320NEO aircraft.”
China Airlines Selects Pratt & Whitney GTF: Pratt & Whitney and China Airlines announced the selection of the Pratt & Whitney GTF engine to power an order of up to 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft. The order includes 25 firm A321neo aircraft with purchase options for an additional five aircraft, and represents a combination of new aircraft purchases from Airbus and leased aircraft from ALC and CALC. Pratt & Whitney will provide China Airlines with engine maintenance through a long-term EngineWise Comprehensive service agreement. The order announcement was commemorated with a signing ceremony hosted in Singapore with Pratt & Whitney and China Airlines representatives in attendance.
Airbus orders for November: Airbus marked another month of high-volume bookings with new orders logged for 222 commercial aircraft in November, covering the A320neo family, A330neo and A350 XWB members of its product line – bringing the overall number of orders booked by the company to more than 20,000. During November, a total of 77 single-aisle and widebody aircraft were delivered to customers. The new business was paced by announcements during the 2019 Dubai Airshow, including Air Arabia’s firm order for 120 single-aisle A320 family aircraft, comprising 73 A320neo, 27 A321neo and 20 A321XLR extra-long-range versions. Also in the spotlight at Dubai was Emirates Airline’s purchase agreement for 50 widebody A350-900s; along with a firm order from flynas, Saudi Arabia’s first low-cost airline, for 10 A321XLRs. Other widebody order bookings during November involved 16 A330-900 versions of the A330neo for Cebu Pacific, 10 A330-900s for CIT Leasing, and four A330neo aircraft in the A330-800 configuration for an unidentified customer. Completing the month’s new business was easyJet’s order for 12 additional A320neo aircraft. Taking the latest orders, deliveries and cancellations into account, Airbus’ backlog of aircraft remaining to be delivered as of 30 November stood at 7,570. This total was comprised of 6,193 A320 family aircraft and 628 A350s.
Aero K to adopt Rusada’s ENVISION: South Korean start-up Aero K Airlines, has signed up for Rusada’s MRO and Flight Operations software, ENVISION. Aero K is scheduled to commence passenger flights in March 2020, serving destinations across Asia, including China, Japan and Vietnam. Aero K will use ENVISION to manage the airworthiness of their fleet and line maintenance activities as well as their human resources, finance & accounting and more, adopting seven modules in total. Rusada will begin the implementation project immediately so that everything is in place for Aero K’s launch next year.
VietJet to launch four international routes: To meet the rising travel demand in the year-end festive season, VietJet will launch four more international services linking the Vietnamese cities Dalat and Can Tho to Seoul, Can Tho to Taipei and Hanoi to Bali. These new routes aim to expand the airline’s international flight network and offer more travel opportunities from the north and south of Vietnam.
