Eugene Koh

And a fleets of dirty planes..

Slightly off topic and not worth setting up a new thread! Since MH is doing lots of MRO for Qantas, does anyone in KL manage to capture shots of QF planes in KUL? Haven't seen one in Airliner or Jetphotos or Msian Wing so far. Other wish would be to see 2 or 3 (even better) of SQ A380s in Spore.

AirAsia-Jetstar merger brewing By B.K. SIDHU Airlines’ bosses mulling over idea PETALING JAYA: Something may be in the air between Qantas Airways Ltd and AirAsia Bhd. If things work out, a merger between AirAsia and the Australian carrier’s units Jetstar and JetstarAsia may be in the offing. The talks are still in preliminary stages and it is learnt that AirAsia’s boss Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes and Qantas new chief executive officer Alan Joyce have been mulling over it. They last talked on the issue last week, a source said. This comes at a time when Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is also in talks with Qantas for a possible alliance, but any alliance between Qantas and MAS will be between the network airlines. Last week Qantas and British Airways announced the calling off of plans to merge into a mega carrier after failing to agree on key terms. The merger could have created an A$8bil plus carrier by market value with a fleet of about 500 planes. The end of talks with BA opens new doors for other players such as MAS and AirAsia to search for synergies with Qantas. Now the brewing merger involves the low-cost carriers – AirAsia, Melbourne-based Jetstar and Singapore-based JetstarAsia. Fernandes, when contacted yesterday, told StarBiz that “we are always talking and looking at ways to strengthen AirAsia into a global brand. If there are opportunities of equals which will enhance the brand, then it is something worth considering.’’ He declined to comment further. Qantas’ Joyce was not immediately available for comment. But a Qantas spokesman, in an e-mail response to a query from StarBiz, said: “We talk to airlines all the time about possible partnerships, relationships and cooperative agreements.’’ Jetstar’s Australian operation is wholly owned by Qantas but is managed separately and operates independently. Jetstar’s intra-Asian operation – JetstarAsia – is a Singapore-based partnership between Qantas (49%), local businessmen Tony Chew (22%) and FF Wong (10%), and Temasek Holdings (19%). JetstarAsia officials declined to comment when contacted yesterday. In an economic downturn when passenger traffic is on a decline, airlines look to cooperate by forming code shares, alliances, strategic partnerships and even mergers to sustain operations. If a merger shapes up, it could possibly involve a share swap, a source said. “A possible merger of Jetstar, JetstarAsia and AirAsia would mean that the operations of the airlines will be merged to create a stronger airline which could potentially be known as AirAsia/Jetstar with a larger network, a bigger aircraft fleet and wider access to many more markets. “There are synergies by combining AirAsia and Jetstar. With a merger, passengers from Asia will have wider choices to fly to Asia, Australia, New Zealand, India, China and even Honolulu (via Jetstar),’’ he said. The Kangaroo route (from any Australian point to KL and on to Europe) is a possible route that these airlines will capitalise on. Jetstar stopped flying the Sydney-KL route in September due to the economic slowdown. Qantas and MAS talks were still progressing, another source added. He said the alliance would be modelled alongside the KLM/Air France structure. That model allows MAS to retain its identity. MAS first began talking to Qantas a year ago. Yesterday Qantas also announced that it has reduced its international and domestic fuel surcharges for the third time in recent months because of falling oil prices. The new surcharges apply to tickets bought on, or after, Dec 23. Qantas executive general manager John Borghetti said the group’s fuel bill this financial year would still be A$400 million higher than in 2007/08. The surcharge has been cut by A$20 to A$35 for shorter-haul Asian destinations such as Bali. The fuel surcharge for a one-way ticket from Australia to the United Kingdom and Europe has been cut by A$30 to A$160. Qantas joins the league of airlines that are reducing fuel surcharges since crude oil prices have fallen over 70% from its July height of US$147 a barrel.

QANTAS may pursue Malaysia Airlines following the demise of the Australian carrier's $8 billion merger plans with British Airways. Merger talks between Qantas and BA ended on Thursday night with failure to agree on a merger ratio. The market appeared unperturbed by the news, pushing Qantas shares up 21c to $2.64. Qantas had wanted majority ownership in the deal, reflecting its bigger market value, but BA was not prepared to become a junior partner. The two had been proposing a dual listed company that would keep both airlines as separate brands, with headquarters in both London and Sydney. But the deal -- which received a cool reception from analysts, the Australian Government and unions -- faced a number of significant hurdles. These included governance and the structure of the BA pension fund and its liabilities, currently put at $4 billion. The airline's management is also understood to have been split on the BA deal with those who supported it seeing the failed deal as a lost opportunity. The end of merger talks leaves Qantas looking for a new partner in a climate where the opportunities could start to diminish as international aviation is liberalised. Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation executive chairman Peter Harbison said Qantas would need to find a partner before it became marginalised in the push to consolidate. Mr Harbison said a deal with Malaysia Airlines, run by savvy ex-petroleum industry executive Idris Jala, appeared the most likely partnership option in Asia. Qantas held unsuccessful exploratory talks with Malaysia earlier this year and executives say it does not have any active merger discussions on the cards at this stage. The Malaysians have since indicated they are still willing to talk. "I think that could be quite an effective operation," Mr Harbison said. "Really, get Jetstar installed there and you are well into Asia. "But then again, you have still got to do the deal and Idris is no pushover." Mr Harbison said a merger with Singapore Airlines, often touted as a good match, was unlikely because of questions of control and potential competition issues. He believed another possibility often raised, Cathay Pacific, was also unlikely, as were Thai Airways, Garuda, Philippine Airlines and the Chinese carriers. However, he did not rule out a possible partnership with another European carrier or Japan Airlines in the longer term. "They have certainly run the flag up the pole and because everybody at the moment is chasing around looking for dance partners before the music stops, it is an important activity to be involved in," he said. "You have to do something now or your options will be abbreviated." Sources close to Qantas also suggested Malaysia was the most likely match for the airline in this region.

MAS starts talks with Qantas KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) said yesterday it has begun talks with various carriers, including Australia’s Qantas, to form tie-ups, including joint ventures, as carriers face a tough economic environment. Managing director and CEO Datuk Seri Idris Jala had previously denied reports that Malaysian and Australian carriers were in merger talks. Jala made the latest comments after Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak reportedly said the Government was open to a tie-up involving MAS. The Government owns more that 90% of the national carrier. Jala said that while MAS would pursue strategic partnerships, the Government would have the final say in the decision to go ahead with a tie-up. - AFP

Qantas a keen suitor December 4, 2008 QANTAS has committed itself to forging a tie-up with a foreign carrier even if its planned $9 billion merger with British Airways falters. Qantas has pitched its biggest proposal since the botched Macquarie Group-led buyout last year, confirming it is in merger talks with its former cornerstone shareholder, British Airways. Qantas said the merger could involve the formation of a dual-listed holding company. But given the numerous obstacles the deal faces, Qantas admitted "there is no guarantee that any transaction will be forthcoming". Some of its institutional shareholders are already ruling out accepting a merger of equals, emphasising that Qantas is a better franchise than British Airways. British Airways is expected to lose money this year and next. Qantas is forecasting a $500 million pre-tax profit. Shares in Qantas surged as much as 9 per cent yesterday before closing up 10c, or 4 per cent, at $2.35 as investors took a sceptical view of the benefits of a planned tie-up. A successful deal could be the first step in the formation of the world's first transcontinental mega-carrier. British Airways is also discussing an alliance with American Airlines. "It is an exciting step towards a truly global airline," said the airline's chief executive, Willie Walsh. The main sticking points for Qantas in any deal will be the price each airline is worth in the combined entity and clarity about British Airways' pension scheme. The latter has been a stumbling block in talks between BA and the Spanish airline Iberia. Under the pension scheme, BA's liability remains constant even if its asset base declines, creating a deficit which it is responsible for paying. Qantas is likely to insist that British Airways does not run its talks with Iberia in tandem with its own negotiations. However, it is expected to be willing to consider Iberia joining a merged entity at a later stage. The combined entity would have about $23 billion in sales and 500 aircraft. The two airlines would retain their own brands. The few obvious benefits include lower costs from a single entity purchasing aircraft and other goods. The British Airways talks came after Qantas held merger discussions with Malaysia Airlines earlier this year. Qantas is believed to be keeping its options open on that alliance in case the BA deal falters. Qantas is also said to have long harboured a desire to merge with Cathay Pacific. The Hong Kong carrier has a large international hub and extensive freight operations, and also has strong links into the fast-growing Chinese aviation market through its subsidiary Dragonair, which is focused on the mainland. Cathay out-manoeuvred Singapore Airlines in 2006 to obtain a 20 per cent stake in Air China. But while Qantas in the past has been willing, it is believed Cathay has failed to reciprocate. The managing director of Integrity Investment Management, Paul Fiani, said a deal with BA would succeed only if it reflected the fact Qantas had a superior business to BA. "A simple merger of equals will not add value to the company. The merger ratio has to reflect that Qantas has a strong domestic business and a very valuable frequent flyer business," said Mr Fiani, whose firm has a stake in Qantas. Qantas suspended the Malaysia Airlines talks earlier this year because the two could not reach agreement over the merger ratio and governance issues. WOULDN'T IT BE NICE IF ALL GOES WELL, IT'S A GREAT PARTNETSHIP!

Just by reading this thread, everyone is bashing AirAsia for this unfortunate incident, shouldn't Airbus be held accountable since it is a brand new plane as well, rather than the airline?

Do anyone here in this forum have few SIA A380s together in a single snapshots?

Any idea when is the delivery to Sydney?

Just curious, does this mean MAS flight to LA goes direct or via another port or cancel altogether.

MAS flights to Taiwan cancelled KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines has cancelled its flights into and out of Taiwan due to Typhoon Sinlaku. Its director of operations, Datuk Tajuden Abu Bakar, said the cancelled flights for yesterday were MH94 Kuala Lumpur/Taipei/Los Angeles, MH68 Kuala Lumpur/Kota Kinabalu/Taipei and MH69 Taipei/Kota Kinabalu/Kuala Lumpur. He said Flight MH69 Taipeh/Kota Kinabalu/Kuala Lumpur scheduled for today is also cancelled. Passengers can call Malaysia Airlines at its toll-free 24-hour Call Centre at 1 300 88 3000 for updates. In Taipei, passengers can call +886 338 34855 and in Los Angeles +1 310 646 9376. Schools and businesses were closed yesterday in Taiwan and residents stocked up on food as the powerful typhoon churned toward northern Taiwan and the heavily populated capital of Taipei. According to foreign media reports, heavy rains and high winds were already pummeling the city. About 64km to the northeast, fishing boats and other craft headed for shelter as large waves pounded the coast near the port city of Yilan. If the typhoon stays on course, it is expected to make landfall in northern Taiwan today, the reports said. Typhoons frequently hit Taiwan between July and September, often causing casualties in mountainous regions prone to landslides and flash floods. — Bernama WB . Just curious, does this mean MAS flight to LA goes direct or via another port or cancel altogether.

http://microvoltradio.com/kpae1120.htm

Cut-price airline AirAsia X has announced it is to begin new Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur flights. The Malaysian based airline would start four new Airbus A330 return flights a week from November, the Victorian government announced on Wednesday. Industry and Trade Minister Theo Theophanous said the announcement was great news for Victorians, for local business and international education services. "The airline flying to Melbourne is yet another impressive aviation victory facilitated by the Brumby government - with more direct flights meaning more business, more trade and ultimately more jobs for the Victorian economy," Mr Theophanous said. Additional flights are planned to be introduced during peak periods, moving to daily services from March next year. The AirAsia X flights come on top of other recent newcomers to the Melbourne market, including new services by Etihad and increased services by Emirates and Pacific Blue. AirAsia X is part of the AirAsia Group that includes carriers in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

Transmile Air is selling all 4 of its MD-11s. Anyone know who they're selling to? Perhaps MAS should buy them for MasKargo!

Turmoil for Qantas as craft grounded August 14, 2008 QANTAS yesterday grounded a 747 aircraft because a crucial piece of equipment needed urgent maintenance, leaving the plane's tail at risk of breaking away. The airline confirmed that QF31, due to depart Sydney for London via Singapore, had been delayed because of "maintenance requirements associated with a horizontal stabiliser jack screw". The union representing aircraft maintenance engineers warned last night that if the jack screw was not lubricated regularly it could seize up and lead to a disaster. Eight years ago an Alaska Airlines MD-80 jetliner crashed off the coast of Los Angeles, killing all 88 people on board, after its horizontal stabiliser jammed. Steve Purvinas, the secretary of the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association, told the Herald: "The jack screw is an important component that has been known to seize up in the past. Regular lubrication and checking of the jack screw is vital because corrosion poses a real risk and must be eliminated to prevent this key component from seizing up." He said the manufacturer, Boeing, had advised airlines that the jack screw needed to be overhauled between June last year and February. "Boeing issued a directive that this component needed to be checked more rigorously and more regularly." A spokesman for Qantas confirmed that "there was a maintenance issue involving the lubrication of a jack screw on a Boeing 747-400. Qantas found this through a routine check of our maintenance records. "The jack screw had been inspected and the aircraft will operate tomorrow." But the spokesman rejected any comparison with the Alaska Airlines crash. "There is no connection at all with any other aircraft incident. The Alaska incident involved a different aircraft type and design with different safety features," the spokesman said. In a day of turmoil for Qantas, it was also revealed that a flight experienced an in-flight engine shutdown as it flew to Auckland, while a 767 was grounded in Melbourne because of a problem with the flap indicator in the cockpit. A Qantas spokeswoman said all passengers aboard QF438 from Melbourne to Sydney were able to take alternative flights within 2½ hours. Qantas also confirmed that on approach into Auckland one of the four engines on its 747-300 was "reduced to idle". The crew restored power and the jet landed without incident. With the latest incident (Aug 13), I wonder who to blame since it was not maintain by MAS!!!! Like everyone here in OZ says, MAs is just a scapegoat...

http://microvoltradio.com/kpae1064.htm

2008 TPC Report Highlights Airline Survivability from Aviation Week and Aerospace Aug 8, 2008 By Adrian Schofield and James Ott The latest Top-Performing Companies report proves once again how quickly fortunes can change in the airline industry. The 2007 version showed legacy carriers gaining strength as the lingering effects of the post-2001 slump finally dissipated. But just a year later, the focus has switched to which can best ride out yet another potentially destructive downturn. With few exceptions airlines are under extreme financial pressure as economies falter and oil prices remain abnormally high. A siege mentality is beginning to take hold, with traffic demand starting to slide and airlines in most regions slashing capacity. "The industry will go on, but only after a deep transformation and a new focus on efficiency," observes Christian Torrego of PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the advisers who helped Aviation Week & Space Technology analyze this year's TPC results (see p. 54). The TPC study offers clues about who the winners and losers will be as this transformation unfolds. One trend in particular that stands out is the continued strong showing of Asia-Pacific carriers at the top of the rankings. Four of the first eight in the major airlines category are from the Asia-Pacific region. Singapore Airlines (SIA) is at the head of the list for the fourth year in a row, biggest improver Malaysia Airlines is in second place, and Qantas and Cathay Pacific are not too far behind. The TPC advisory panel agrees that these airlines are among the best situated to weather the latest slump. Another common thread from last year's study is the stability of European national airlines compared with the U.S. majors, which are firmly ensconced in the bottom half of the list. The gap between the Asian and European top performers and the U.S. airlines has only grown larger over the past year. The TPC airline formula has been revamped this year, with much more emphasis placed on "survivability" measures like liquidity and financial health. Liquidity is the factor that really sets the highest-ranked airlines apart, notes TPC analyst George Hamlin of ACA Associates. "There's a stark difference [in liquidity] when you get below the top 10." There are many reasons why the leader board is heavy on Asian carriers - true, these airlines enjoy some advantages unique to their markets. But the TPC analysts also stress organizational strengths that stem from good management rather than geographical location. The inherent advantages are simple, says Raymond Neidl of Calyon Securities: long-distance routes with very little competition. Hamlin adds that these airlines operate in a region where economies are still robust, and low-cost competitors have been a relatively recent arrival compared with the U.S. and Europe. Lower labor costs help, too. Another factor that must be considered is state ownership. Many airlines in this region - including Malaysia and SIA - have significant levels of government investment, which is not factored into the rankings. While this can be an advantage, the TPC analysts agree that in the case of the top two in particular, they are so commercially successful that any government safety net is probably of little consequence. To be sure, regional advantages only tell part of the story: After all, Asian carriers also dominate the bottom eight of the majors' ranking chart. The four at the top end have management structures that for years have focused on financial discipline, Hamlin says. TPC adviser Michael Dyment, of Nexa Capital Partners, notes SIA's management in particular has been bottom-line oriented, focused on efficiency, and has invested well in technology and equipment. SIA has been a perennial overachiever, and it recorded a massive $1.5-billion net profit for the fiscal year ending March 2008. The TPC rankings use data from SIA's previous fiscal year, but the analysts agree that latest results prove it deserves its place at the top. Malaysia has turned out to be the biggest surprise in this year's report. The airline bounded from 17th to second place in the course of a year by making sound decisions on route streamlining and dramatically improving its revenue management. The TPC analysts believe that Europe's national carriers are also comparatively well positioned to endure high oil prices. Panelists tended to agree that European airlines pay close attention to adjusting capacity to specific markets, are well managed and possess greater pricing power than their U.S. counterparts. Even without government ownership, they doubtless have advantages in their home markets. A big problem in the U.S. is the inability of legacy carriers to raise ticket prices enough to cover costs. Because of cutthroat competition, "airlines have trained people to look for cheap tickets," says Neidl. U.S. airlines' rankings reflect the reality that they have suffered most from rising fuel rates and sinking demand. TPC Project Manager Michael Lowry has calculated which of the U.S. airlines are at greatest risk of filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection (see p. 56). Lowry ranks US Airways as a high risk for a bankruptcy filing this winter, assessing the carrier's liquidity as being inadequate by the end of the year. American, AirTran, Northwest and Continental are also at risk in 2009. However, some notable caveats exist. Banks and financial institutions are proving willing to extend more credit to major airlines, and allow them flexibility on credit covenants. As Neidl notes: "The banks keep giving the airlines more and more rope." This attitude may not extend to debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing during a Chapter 11 process, however. "This time, [obtaining] DIP financing will be much more difficult," Neidl predicts. "The banks will say ýýýweren't you guys here two years ago?'" Even if airlines aren't pushed into bankruptcy filings, there is still the possibility they could opt to do so for strategic reasons. While American has obtained cost cuts from its employee groups, "there are still things they could do in Chapter 11 that they would have a hard time doing now," Neidl says. The airline is facing further cost pressure from contract talks with its major unions. Northwest and Delta, on the other hand, have little to gain from another trip through bankruptcy court, the TPC panelists concur. These carriers already cut labor costs dramatically when they entered Chapter 11 in 2005. So any bankruptcy filing on their part would likely be involuntary. Also, it is still to be determined what effect a planned wave of capacity cuts this fall will have on revenue. The airlines probably have more cuts up their sleeves, which should boost yields and offset some of the cost increases. And if any smaller airlines are forced to liquidate, this will also help trim capacity and possibly reduce bankruptcy risks. For now, Dyment doesn't see a light at the end of the tunnel. "The fuel crisis has left us with few viable business models," he says. "The next 12 months will be shaky and there will be no return to the status quo . . . airlines are in a morass." Next year's TPC study will no doubt reveal which have the ability and desire to initiate the degree of change the situation demands.

Slight off topic but with recent Qantas's incidents with more recerntly on Aug 7 with a B737 declared emergency due to ait conditioning issue! Anyway, does anyone here have pics of Qantas B737s in MAS hangar for maintenance and do they fly them direct or via where?

Hi, A friend of mine advised that MAS recently refurbished it's first Airbus A330-300 with new bright coloured fabric for the seats like ones in their B734s. They also added drop down screen at every 4 rows with another 13 A330s to go with this. Don't MAS plan to replace this old workhorse or not anytime soon?

Airline to offer $99 tickets to Malaysia . May 15, 2008 - 5:31PM . Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia X has launched its second Australia destination, starting direct flights between Perth and Kuala Lumpur from November. The services to the Malaysian capital will start with six flights per week, increasing to daily services by March 2009. AirAsia, which also has a Kuala Lumpur to Gold Coast service, announced an introductory offer on one-way flights from Perth to Kuala Lumpur for $99 for travel between November and April, 2009. Tourism Minister Sheila McHale said the deal between Tourism WA, AirAsia and Westralia Airports Corporation could inject nearly $100 million into the WA economy in the service's first year. Ms McHale said Malaysia is already one of WA's top tourism markets, with nearly 40,000 visitors every year spending $157 million. AirAsia next year plans to link Australia with London via Kuala Lumpur - which will further boost the number of United Kingdom visitors to WA. Ms McHale said low-cost carriers had historically been successful in boosting tourism by offering competitive fares and attracting visitors who had not travelled widely before. Westralia Airports Corporation chief executive Brad Geatches said the arrival of AirAsia would be a profitable win for the state's tourism industry. He said the deal presents an opportunity for Perth Airport to become a major hub for low-cost carriers. "Our recently announced $1 billion plan to consolidate the international and domestic terminals means we will be well-placed to meet the growing demand from people travelling through Perth," he said. In 2007, AirAsia carried 18.5 million passengers around its network of 90 routes across south east Asia and China. Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Group owns a 16% stake in Air Asia as well as a 25% stake in Virgin Blue. It has been suggested that Virgin Blue and AirAsia could possibly develop a partnership in the future with Virgin Blue feeding Air Asia's long-haul network from various points in Australia.

HI, Does anyone have the details of the exact time and date of SIA first A380 (SQ380) arriving into Sydney?

Aircraft is currentkly at Gatwick Airport.

S V Choong, True but in their Aug inflight magazine, it shows 14. Therefore the website info might have been outdated.

Noted in MAS website that is used to indicated MAS have 17 B744s but now only shows 13 B744s, what happened to the other 4 B744s?

Quick q: when is MAS next B744F delivery?