Whilst most carriers in Asia suffered dismal numbers for 2020 after witnessing the collapse of international airline operations brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, there were some who banked on air cargo to rake in profits despite a challenging year. For the quarter ended 31 December 2020, Indian express operator Blue Dart posted ₹937.83 million (US$12.8 million) in profit after tax, from the previous year’s ₹330.80 million (US$4.5 million) loss, whilst revenue from operations stood at … [Read more...] about Air cargo makes profit for Asia’s smaller airlines
AAPA
Travel demand likely to rebound with ‘conducive’ conditions, AAPA says
With cross-border travel effectively grounded, the Assembly of Presidents of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) highlighted survival and continuity during their virtual meeting on 13 November. The Assembly concluded with AAPA, IATA and ACI Asia-Pacific jointly declaring their solidarity and commitment to work with governments to revive air travel. Industry The health crisis has triggered unimaginable losses for airlines exceeding US$84 billion worldwide this year. Asia … [Read more...] about Travel demand likely to rebound with ‘conducive’ conditions, AAPA says
AAPA’s Assembly of Presidents to meet in virtual format
The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) announced that the annual Assembly of Presidents, initially scheduled to take place in Japan in November, will now be conducted virtually due to ongoing travel restrictions and blanket quarantine requirements in the region. Commenting on the decision, Subhas Menon, AAPA’s director general, “We had very much hoped that we could hold a physical meeting in Japan this year, but unfortunately circumstances do not allow for this to happen. Borders … [Read more...] about AAPA’s Assembly of Presidents to meet in virtual format
Carriers saw more stable cargo demand in July: AAPA
Asia Pacific’s carriers saw stable demand for international air cargo in July, traffic figures from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) revealed. July cargo traffic, in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), was down 16 percent from the levels seen last year. Meanwhile, average load factor was 10.4 percentage points higher at 69.7 percent for July, which AAPA attributed to the sharp reduction in bellyhold capacity as most passenger operations remain grounded. Compared to the … [Read more...] about Carriers saw more stable cargo demand in July: AAPA
SIA, trade associations welcome Singapore’s easing of border restrictions
Singapore announced it will relax border measures starting 1 September to allow general travel to and from Brunei and New Zealand, after taking into account low-risk countries where the virus situation is under control. Foreign visitors from both nations will be subject to a Covid-19 test upon arrival, in lieu of a stay-home notice (SHN), according to the Ministry of Health, whilst those travelling to the two countries will be subject to requirements imposed … [Read more...] about SIA, trade associations welcome Singapore’s easing of border restrictions
AAPA urges APAC states to lighten rules on international air travel
More than a month after guidance material was published on restarting international air travel by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) is urging governments to lighten “unduly onerous restrictions” to re-establish global connectivity with “evidence-based” measures to safeguard public health, wrote a press release. Widespread testing and contact tracing, wearing of masks and social distancing, which … [Read more...] about AAPA urges APAC states to lighten rules on international air travel