Vietjet officially kick-started its self-handled ground operations at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport on 4 September, becoming the first ever private carrier to set up its own ground handling arm in Vietnam. The move aims to improve the airline’s service quality, independence and the flexibility to adjust its own flight schedule to meet seasonal flight operations, especially during peak season, the company said in a press release. “The launch of Vietjet ground services in Hanoi today … [Read more...] about Vietjet pilots own ground handling operations amidst the pandemic
Air Shipping Asia
Venture fund Starburst launches aviation accelerator programme in Singapore
Venture fund and accelerator Starburst has launched the Aviation Tech Accelerator Program in Singapore, aiming to provide solutions for airlines, airports, ground handlers, MRO companies and other players in the aviation industry, a press release confirmed. The programme is supported by Enterprise Singapore, Singapore Airlines, SATS and Panasonic Avionics Corporation, with mentorship support from the Association of Aerospace Industries (Singapore), Microsoft, Cocoon Capital and … [Read more...] about Venture fund Starburst launches aviation accelerator programme in Singapore
CHAMP Cargosystems names Chris McDermott as new CEO
Software company CHAMP Cargosystems has named Chris McDermott as CEO effective 1 October, a press release confirmed. McDermott, who is SITA’s vice president of passenger solution lines, will replace outgoing CEO Arnaud Lambert, who spent 16 years with the IT solutions and distribution services provider. “We are very happy to have a strong leader like Chris join as he brings a diverse industry background with a specialization in passenger airlines, telecommunications and managing global … [Read more...] about CHAMP Cargosystems names Chris McDermott as new CEO
Vietnam to restart Asian flights as it opens for business travel
Vietnam plans to restart international commercial flights to and from six Asian cities from mid-September, state media reported on 3 September. Flights to Guangzhou, Seoul, Vientiane, Phnom Penh, Taipei and Tokyo were proposed by the civil aviation authority. Vietnam has not yet reopened to tourists, but some restrictions on foreign business travellers have been lifted, with two-week quarantine mandatory, according to health ministry requirements, unless the visit is under 14 … [Read more...] about Vietnam to restart Asian flights as it opens for business travel
Japan Airlines joins cohorts to test Tokyo’s drone delivery project
Japan Airlines joined a consortium of specialists that will test drive the use of drones for food and medicine delivery in Tokyo. Japan Airlines, with KDDI Corporation, East Japan Railway, Weathernews, Terra Drone Corporation announced the joint plan to the metropolitan government, as Tokyo sets out plans to adopt a drone delivery business model by 2022. To test the use of drones for pharma and food delivery, the project will transport medicines from Mediceo Corp.’s Tokyo warehouse to … [Read more...] about Japan Airlines joins cohorts to test Tokyo’s drone delivery project
Asia’s airlines get creative to make space for cargo
Bloomberg Intelligence predicts belly capacity from passenger air fleets won’t return to pre-pandemic levels before 2022. Bloomberg says under normal circumstances, about 60 percent of global air cargo is flown in the belly hold of passenger flights. But with jets parked in deserts waiting out the pandemic, cargo volumes are down this year, whilst air freight costs have soared, with rates on the Hong Kong-North America route up 70 percent from early January. According to Qantas, the May … [Read more...] about Asia’s airlines get creative to make space for cargo