Taiwan’s China Airlines says it expects to set up a branch in China – the first by a Taiwanese airline – and to break even this year despite recent losses. “We’ll have a branch in Beijing very soon,” spokesman Bruce Chen told Reuters. China Airlines recorded a loss of US$90 million in the first quarter of this year. … [Read more...] about TAIWAN: China Air to open Beijing office

Hong Kong Express Airways’ plan to launch a cargo service in September is being blocked by one of its shareholders. Andrew Tse, who owns close to 15 per cent of the small city airline that is controlled by the mainland’s HNA Group, filed an objection with the Air Transport Licensing Authority after Hong Kong Express applied for a cargo licence, the South China Morning Post reported. The airline withdrew the application but has since submitted another one. Tse, a nephew of … [Read more...] about HONG KONG: HK cargo bid blocked by billionaire’s nephew

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways and its subsidiary Dragonair have reported moderating declines in cargo tonnage with the two carriers uplifting a total 123,860 tonnes of cargo and mail in June, down 10 per cent on June 2008. The airline’s cargo spokesman said June cargo traffic was down yearon- year, though the monthly drop was the lowest so far this year. “There are signs that the airfreight market has bottomed out, though as yet we are not seeing any sustained … [Read more...] about HONG KONG: June figures up for Cathay, but yields hurting

Juneyao Airlines, a Shanghai-based privately-owned carrier, has taken delivery of its first purchased A320 recently. Juneyao Airlines currently operates 10 leased Airbus aircraft – two A319s and eight A320s – with 10 more A320s, via operating lease and purchase, due to join the fleet by the end of 2012. The aircraft, the first of six ordered in June 2007 will be used on routes between Shanghai and other destinations in China, as well as other Asian destinations. … [Read more...] about CHINA: First A320 for China’s Juneyao Airlines

During a ceremony held at Hamburg, Germany, Shanghai Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus aircraft, an A321, becoming a new operator of Airbus aircraft. The aircraft is the first of 10 A321s ordered by the Shanghai-based carrier in 2006 and 2007. The aircraft will initially be deployed on domestic routes followed in the future by regional routes including Japan and Korea. Headquartered in Shanghai, the carrier now operates 68 aircraft on more than 170 domestic, regional and … [Read more...] about CHINA: Shanghai Air takes delivery of its first Airbus aircraft

The long-awaited marriage of China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines looks set to finally be consummated with the two carriers announcing today that money-losing China Eastern would acquire its smaller, Shanghai Airlines through a share swap in a deal valued at 8.9 billion yuan (US$1.3 billion). China Eastern said the merger would help it expand its market share and integrate resources in Shanghai, China’s biggest business centre and a major transportation hub. Under the … [Read more...] about CHINA: China Eastern acquisition of Shanghai Air confirmed