alberttky

Vietnam Airlines' pilots are leaving because Vietjet pays way better. But the aircraft choice is correct.

And also to go home for a break?

Bombardier just need to set up a training centre with sims in the Asia Pacific region and the airlines here will buy.

KCH just lack attractions that can attract visitors by the masses. Those clowns in charge of the tourism ministry continue to apply the formula: "Have flights = Tourist will come".

Read more at http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/honolulu-harbin-among-5-new-destinations How long is Kuantan and Kuching gonna last?

Male is already served by MI and TR.

Not as long as their CNS - SIN flight.

Interesting to see they go that route. When MH takes delivery of the 738 they went via Hawaii and Guam.

Nothing to be annoyed. Tony always welcome competition.

SINGAPORE - Budget travellers in Singapore can look forward to an "aloha" getaway with plans by Scoot to fly to Honolulu, famed for its Waikiki beach among other attractions. The service, with a stop in Osaka, Japan, is pending approval from the authorities in the United States, The Straits Times understands. If all goes well, the new flight operated by the Singapore Airlines (SIA) subsidiary could be launched by the end of the year. The seventh Singapore-US link will be a boon to Changi Airport which is out to establish itself as the preferred airport and hub for both full-service and budget travellers. As part of plans to strengthen the SIA group amid intense competition especially in the premium sector, the airline has been expanding its budget operations through subsidiaries Scoot which operates medium- and long-haul flights, and Tigerair which operates shorter flights within the region. Both are in the midst of an integration and by the end of July, are expected to operate under a single brand. Scoot which currently flies within the Asia-Pacific, Australia and India, will launch its maiden route to Europe in June, with flights to Athens. Its planned Singapore-Honolulu link will come hot on the heels of a Kuala Lumpur-Osaka-Honolulu service that Malaysian rival AirAsia X intends to launch at the end of June. The Straits Times has reached out to Scoot for comments. http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/budget-carrier-scoot-aims-to-fly-to-honolulu-hawaii-by-year-end?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&xtor=CS1-10#link_time=1494472190

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Bhd is expanding its operations in Southeast Asia, with the proposed low-cost carrier (LCC) joint venture with Gumin Company Ltd and Hai Au Aviation Joint Stock Company. AirAsia said on Friday its unit AirAsia Investment Ltd (AAIL) had signed a shareholders agreement and a share subscription agreement with Gumin, Tran Trong Kien and Hai Au Aviation to establish a LCC in Vietnam. HAA, which is operating a general aviation business in Vietnam, will form the vehicle for the JV. Currently, HAA has a paid-up charter capital of one billion Vietnam dong (RM19.4mil) and undertakes to increase its charter capital to one trillion dong (RM194mil) for the JV. It said AAIL will hold a 30% stake or 30 million shares; Gumin 69.9% (69.99 million shares) and Tran one share. AAIL and the JV company also signed a new shareholder loan agreement. Under the deal, AAIL will provide a loan of US$2mil (RM8.84mil). Separately, Gumin will provide a US$4mil to the JV Co. “The rationale for the JV is to be an airline in Vietnam which offers an affordable but high-quality airline service to Vietnamese and foreign tourists by leveraging the best-in-class LCC business model which is expected to give the Vietnamese population a greater choice as well as spur overall economic growth. “Improving connectivity in Vietnam would further support an uptick in GDP, providing a boost in multiple industries namely tourism, export related industries, logistics, airport retailers and airline support industries. “An increase in connectivity will also stimulate demand for air travel amongst the population, opening doors to studies abroad, work related travel and sprouting of new small and medium industries,” it said. AirAsia said the JV will require a capitalisation of one trillion dong of which, AirAsia will contribute 30% (300bil dong/RM58.2mil) of the aforesaid capital, with further support provided, at the discretion of the Board of AirAsia by loans, advances or other securities it sees fit. “This commitment further cements AirAsia’s belief that this is a key strategic Joint Venture in the region. AirAsia will raise internal funding for its portion of the equity,” it said. Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2017/03/31/airasia-sets-up-low-cost-carrier-jv-in-vietnam/#cWbYg8OGQ71wYRSs.99

No demand bro. But no harm dreaming.

ICN doesn't use 3 runways simultaneously???

GIC Pte, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, has emerged as the largest shareholder of Vietnam’s sole private carrier VietJet Aviation Joint Stock Co, after its billionaire founder. GIC owns 16.44mn shares or 5.48% of the budget airline, according to VietJet’s filings ahead of its listing. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, who started the airline and remains its chief executive officer, owns more than 60% directly and through holding companies and other entities, the filings showed. The carrier, known for its bikini-clad flight attendants, will hold its share trading debut on February 28, when it will list 300mn shares on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange at 90,000 dong a share. That will give it a valuation of about $1.2bn, making it a bigger airline than Asiana Airlines Inc and Finnair Oyj by market capitalisation. The emergence of low-cost operators is making air travel more affordable in Asia and has fuelled growth in passenger traffic in countries such as China and Vietnam. Airlines in Asia will fly more than 16,000 planes within 20 years, almost tripling the current number, according to estimates by Boeing Co. VietJet is the only publicly disclosed stake GIC owns in an airline, based on filings compiled by Bloomberg. Jennifer Lewis, a spokeswoman for GIC, declined to comment on the investment. VietJet forecasts 2017 profit to rise 30% from 2.3tn dong ($101.6mn) in 2016, Thao said last month. The airline forecasts 30% growth in passengers in 2017 after serving about 15mn travellers last year. http://www.gulf-times.com/story/532537

Don't you just love the media??? BURSTS INTO FLAMES!!! Pffffff..... https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2831214/plane-bursts-into-flames-at-jfk-airport-as-it-prepares-for-take-off/

Not surprised at all... given that the engines are assembled in Singapore.

AirAsia X offers RM499 promotional fare for new KL-Hawaii route Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2017/02/10/airasia-x-offers-rm499-promotional-fare-for-new-kl-hawaii-route/#2J5VfLPHTvFT4SX8.99

Boeing Co. is the front-runner as Singapore Airlines Ltd. closes in on an order for at least 35 wide-body aircraft amid a battle with Chinese and Middle Eastern carriers, people familiar with the matter said. Singapore is considering buying 20 of Boeing’s long-range 777-9 jets, which are set to debut at decade’s end, after studying a rival bid for Airbus Group SE’s A350 aircraft, one of the people said. The carrier also is poised to take at least 19 of the Boeing 787-10, the longest Dreamliner model, the person said. Those aircraft would be valued at $13.8 billion based on list prices, before the discounts that are customary in the industry. The order could be unveiled this week, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private. The aircraft to be purchased would replace aging Boeing models such as the 777-300ER, while giving Singapore Air or its low-cost subsidiaries rights to Boeing aircraft not yet on the market. Representatives of Singapore Air and Boeing declined to comment. Continue reading at https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-02-08/boeing-said-front-runner-for-13-8-billion-singapore-air-order

Exactly. In fact I was thinking they should have flown to Europe using their existing A330 via Sharjah where they can tap on Air Arabia's traffic.

AirAsia X granted London Gatwick rights; to use B777s The Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) has announced it has awarded AirAsia X (D7, Kuala Lumpur Int'l) air traffic rights to operate nine (9) weekly scheduled return flights between Kuala Lumpur Int'l and London Gatwick effective June 2017. According to CAPA, to ply the route, the longhaul budget carrier will dry-lease a pair of B777-300(ER)s with their delivery scheduled for the second quarter of the year. The carrier had originally planned to use its incoming fleet of A330-900neo to serve Europe but opted to go the B777 lease route given the upgraded A330's delivery has now slipped to early 2019. AirAsia X ended flights to Europe back in 2012 citing high fuel prices, "exorbitant" taxes, and weak travel demand. Back then, it used its now retired fleet of A340-300s to serve Paris Orly as well as London Stansted/London Gatwick (at different times). AirAsia Group chief executive Tony Fernandes has also been quoted in the Thai press indicating Thai AirAsia X (XJ, Bangkok Don Mueang) may also launch direct Bangkok Don Mueang-Frankfurt Int'l, Germany flights this summer as well. http://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/52958-airasia-x-granted-london-gatwick-rights-to-use-b777s

I'm surprised it actually lasted that long. What to do? Our tourism ministry refuse to accept that we need to have attractions substantial enough to attract crowds.

Xiamen used to fly that route with 737 also.

Please share some photos of Vietnam at http://www.vietnamaviation.org/index.php

Had the privilege of visiting the Lion's MRO centre at Batam and it will be massive by the time everything is built.

Had a long discussion with my cadets this morning in the classroom as to what they will do as an FO if they suspect their Captain of being intoxicated.