Vietnamese Minister of Transport Ho Nghia Dung called on ASEAN transport ministers to push for early implementation of transport agreements among their respective countries and to co-operate with their partners to implement effective infrastructure development. Speaking at the 28th ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting (STOM) held in Ha Noi, Dung discussed the implementation of the ASEAN connection initiative which would benefit the community in 2015. Dung highlighted the importance of … [Read more...] about VIETNAM: Vietnam pushes ASEAN transport links

Jetstar Pacific, the Vietnamese arm of Australia’s budget airline brand, has lost its chief executive as a result of what Australia’s Herald Sun newspaper described as “ideological differences”. Qantas holds 27 per cent of the Vietnamese brand. The move is a major setback for the Australian carrier, which is under orders from the Vietnamese Transport Ministry to strip the Jetstar name and distinctive orange branding off the six-jet fleet by October because … [Read more...] about VIETNAM: Ideology grounds Jetstar Pacific chief

Taiwan’s TransAsia Airways plans to start a new twice weekly service between Taipei and the central Vietnamese city of Danang using an Airbus A321. … [Read more...] about TAIWAN: TransAsia plans new Vietnam service

A robust air cargo business propelled turnover for Taiwan’s two main carriers from deficit to profit in October. According to China Airlines (CAL), the company’s balance sheet has gone from red to black since late September, when air cargo rates soared 70 per cent and continue to rise. To meet increasing demand CAL put two mothballed freighters back into use in October and service of a third mothballed plane is scheduled to resume by early December. Meanwhile, EVA … [Read more...] about TAIWAN: CAL, EVA Airways return to black in Oct

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has announced plans to launch a twice-weekly service between Manila and Brisbane via Melbourne, from March 2010 using Airbus A330-300 equipment on the route. “The addition of Brisbane service, our third destination in the country (the carrier currently serves Sydney and Melbourne) is expected to boost PAL’s market performance as the Australian economy remains resilient amidst the crippling worldwide recession,” said PAL President, Jaime J. … [Read more...] about PHILIPPINES: PAL adds third Australian route

Philippine Airlines (PAL) took delivery of its first 777-300ER from Boeing in late November which is one of two it is leasing from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS). In addition the airline has four more 777-300ERs on order directly from Boeing from 2007. Boeing, PAL and three non-profits organisation leveraged the delivery to bring relief to residents who were recently devastated by the massive floods from Typhoon Ketsana. With the help of AmeriCares, Humanitarian International Services … [Read more...] about PHILIPPINES: PAL takes delivery of first B777-300ER