MASkargo, the air cargo subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, has said that once its contract on the four Boeing 747-200F’s it wet leases from Air Atlanta Icelandic expires next year it hopes to acquire more modern and larger aircraft, possibly either 747-400’s or Airbus A330’s, to boost its capacity. The carrier had laid up one of its 747’s in March due to plummeting volumes, but this has since returned to service following early signs of a recovery. … [Read more...] about MALAYSIA: MASkargo charts expansion plans

Japan Airlines (JAL) will start code sharing on flights operated by Vietnam Airlines (VN) between Fukuoka and Hanoi from 27 October, JAL said. Vietnam’s sustained high economic growth has continued to attract many foreign investments including from Japanese enterprises, and as a tourist destination, has also been gaining popularity for its unique heritage, art and culture. To meet the rising demand for both business and leisure travel, JAL has been expanding its reach to Vietnam. … [Read more...] about JAPAN: JAL code shares with Vietnam Airlines

Japan’s second-largest air carrier All Nippon Airways posted a first half fiscal 2009 loss of US$278 million for the year ending 30 September, compared with a group net profit of $242 million a year earlier. The ANA group’s revenue from its overall operations tumbled 18.8 per cent in the April-September period from the same six-month period last year to $6.7 billion. ANA attributed the dismal results in the first half of fiscal 2009 to declining domestic and … [Read more...] about JAPAN: ANA posts first half $278 million loss

The Japanese government has effectively placed Japan Airlines under its control over fears that domestic aviation service would be thrown into chaos should JAL be forced to dramatically scale back flights or, cease to fly altogether. Construction and transport minister Seiji Maehara has shown he will not hesitate to use public funds to rehabilitate JAL if circumstances warrant. At the same time, the government plans to ask JAL’s top management, rank-and-file employees and former … [Read more...] about JAPAN: JAL fate still uncertain

South Korean authorities have warned three Japanese carriers over their possible violation of that nation’s anti-trust law in their international cargo operations. The Korean Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) warned Japan Airlines Corp. (JAL), All Nippon Airways (ANA), and Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) about their activities, the latest in the ongoing investigation in cargo price fixing by competition authorities around the globe. JAL, ANA and NCA all said in their statements that they … [Read more...] about JAPAN: Three Japanese carriers warned on cartel activity

Thai Airways International will resume its Phuket-Hong Kong service on October 25 as part of its strategy to turn Phuket into its second hub, the Bangkok Post reported, citing its executive vicepresident for commercial sales, Pruet Boobphakam. The Phuket-Hong Kong service was suspended soon after People’s Alliance for Democracy protesters blockaded Bangkok’s two airports late last year. Industry observers say the move is to combat the budget carrier Thai … [Read more...] about THAILAND; Thai to resume Phuket- Hong Kong service