19 Jan 2025
#3 Jan 2025: China Aviation Industry Newsletter
Air Serbia and China Southern Airlines Announce Code-Share Cooperation
Air Serbia and China Southern Airlines have officially entered into a code-sharing agreement to enhance connectivity between Serbia and China. This partnership enables Air Serbia to add its "JU" code to China Southern’s direct Belgrade-Guangzhou flights, creating seamless connections to 20 destinations within the Chinese carrier’s network. Similarly, China Southern has placed its code on Air Serbia’s direct Belgrade-Guangzhou and Belgrade-Shanghai flights, offering access to 21 European destinations via Belgrade.
Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiří Marek, highlighted the significance of this collaboration: “The introduction of direct routes between Belgrade and Guangzhou, as well as Shanghai, opens up new opportunities for passengers to access far-reaching destinations more conveniently. This code-share agreement exemplifies our commitment to enhancing connectivity between Serbia and China.
Aircraft Leasing & Management (ALM) Acquires A321neo from Minsheng Financial Leasing
Aircraft Leasing & Management (ALM) has successfully acquired one Airbus A321neo aircraft (MSN 10056), currently leased to VivaAerobus. This transaction marks a strategic addition to ALM’s portfolio, emphasising its commitment to expanding its asset base with high-demand, fuel-efficient aircraft.
The acquisition showcases ALM’s ability to identify lucrative opportunities in the leasing market, solidifying its position as a key player in managing next-generation aircraft assets.
CALC Secures First Investment-Grade Rating
China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings (CALC) has received its first-ever investment-grade credit rating of Ag- from China Chengxin (Asia Pacific) Credit Ratings Company Limited. The stable outlook attached to this rating reflects CALC’s robust market position, high-quality assets, and strong development potential.
CALC Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer, Mr. Conrad Li, commented, “Achieving an investment-grade rating is a landmark moment for CALC. It not only highlights the recognition of our comprehensive strength but also positions us favourably for profit recovery during the interest rate cut cycle. This achievement enhances our credibility in international capital markets and paves the way for sustained growth.
Acumen’s Take
On Air Serbia and China Southern Airlines Partnership
The partnership between Air Serbia and China Southern Airlines is a significant milestone in improving global connectivity. Such collaborations highlight the importance of aligning networks to provide passengers with better travel options and seamless connections. Acumen recognises the value of these agreements in fostering global commerce and tourism while creating more robust intercontinental travel networks.
On ALM’s A321neo Acquisition
ALM’s acquisition of the A321neo aligns perfectly with the aviation industry's growing focus on modern, fuel-efficient aircraft. Transactions like this highlight the strong demand for sustainable fleet solutions in the leasing market. Acumen views this as a strategic move that reflects ALM’s keen insight into market trends and its ability to capitalise on opportunities in a dynamic leasing environment.
On CALC’s Investment-Grade Rating
Securing an investment-grade rating is a game-changing achievement for CALC, underscoring its market leadership and financial strength. Acumen applauds CALC’s milestone as it reinforces the leasing community’s ability to maintain credibility in global capital markets. This recognition is a testament to CALC’s robust asset management and its resilience in navigating evolving market conditions.
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