The long-delayed Boeing 787 Dreamliner will be offer such improved operational performance that it will be “worth the wait”, according to Qantas’ Group CEO, Alan Joyce. The Australian airline’s head was speaking as the Australia-made components for Jetstar’s first B787 were shipped to the US, where they will be used in ...

Asia Pacific, May 20, 2013

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has taken delivery of its fifth new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The new twin-aisle jet arrived at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport recently following a delivery flight from Boeing's factory in Seattle, and will now be put into service on the airline's long-haul routes to Canada. The new B777 seats ...

Asia Pacific, May 20, 2013

The European Commission reignited the row over its controversial Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) last week, by threatening 10 Chinese and Indian airlines with fines over their refusal to comply with the carbon-cutting scheme. According to a New York Times report late last week, citing the EU's Commissioner for Climate Action, Connie ...

Asia Pacific, May 19, 2013

China Eastern Airlines has taken delivery of a new Airbus A320 aircraft. The single-aisle aircraft comes fitted with 158 passengers in two classes - eight in business class and 150 in economy. It also becomes the first Chinese A320 to come equipped with 'sharklets', the new wing-tip extensions that are designed ...

Asia Pacific, May 19, 2013

Boeing is on the verge of delivering its first Dreamliner to China. China Southern Airlines is expecting to take delivery of its first Boeing 787 by the end of this month, a company executive has confirmed, marking the start of a series of deliveries to the country. The Guangzhou-based airline's Chief ...

Asia Pacific, May 17, 2013

Emirates has announced plans to increase capacity to two of its key Asian destinations - Bangkok and Hong Kong. The Dubai-based carrier will launch a second daily Airbus A380 service to Bangkok from 27 October 2013, with the new morning superjumbo flight departing Dubai at 0940. The return flight will leave ...

Asia Pacific, May 16, 2013

Cathay Pacific experienced a decline in passenger traffic in April 2013. Partially due to the impact of Easter falling in March this year, rather than April, Cathay's passenger traffic fell 7.0% year-on-year. This was greater that the airline's 4.8% reduction of seat capacity, causing average cabin load factors to decline 1.9 ...

Asia Pacific, May 16, 2013

Qantas has announced plans to revamp the cabins of five Boeing 717 aircraft it uses on regional flights. The aircraft, which are operated by QantasLink, now include a business class cabin and in-flight entertainment for all passengers. “QantasLink will introduce a full business experience on these aircraft, including market-leading seats, premium food ...

Asia Pacific, May 16, 2013