12 Mar 2018

China Aviation Industry Newsletter 12 March

Boeing Expands Pilot Development Program with Okay Airways Boeing has expanded its commercial Pilot Development Program (PDP) with the addition of Okay Airways to its growing customer list. The airline joins recent customers Kunming Airlines and YTO Airlines. All three carriers are based in China. "This strategic cooperation deepens our relationship with Boeing, and allows us to lay a solid foundation for training and a steady stream of talent," said Dr. Li Zonglin, CEO of Okay Airways. "The Pilot Development Program offers pragmatic and effective training, with continuous improvement of training quality." Chinese airports see strong growth in passenger numbers Chinese airports saw strong growth last year, handling a combined 1.15 billion passengers, up 12.9% from 2016. Domestic passenger numbers grew 13.4% to 1.04 billion, while international passengers climbed 9.2% to 112 million, data from the Civil Aviation Administration of China shows. Chinese Airlines Look Overseas Amid Traffic Slowdown China’s airlines face a growing need to expand their operations beyond the domestic market as competition from a more reliable and efficient rail system stiffens. Still, trend lines showed slowing growth of international traffic among Chinese airlines last year, due largely to geopolitical influences such as South Korea’s decision to install a U.S. antimissile system in its territory. According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), domestic flights still grew humbly, from 10 percent in 2016 to around 13 percent for the first 11 months of 2017. China Southern creates Yunnan territory base China Southern Airlines has set up a branch company in the southwestern Chinese province Yunnan, a stronghold of rival China Eastern Airlines. China Southern Airlines Sky Pearl Frequent Flyer Program Powered by Cutting-Edge Loyalty Software China Southern Airlines’ (CSA’s) frequent flyer program, Sky Pearl, now provides a more personalized and value-driven experience to its customers thanks to its recently launched state-of-the-art loyalty software from Loyalty Partner Solutions (LPS). C919 plans to test-flight six aircraft C919, China's first home-developed large passenger plane, will undergo tests using six prototype aircraft, according to developer Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (COMAC). "In order to ensure the aircraft's safety, we have to conduct a significant number of test flights to gain data to help determine the limits of its performance," said Wang Wei, chief engineer of the test flight center at COMAC. Hainan Airlines to launch non-stop service between London and Changsha, China on March 23 Hainan Airlines is scheduled to launch non-stop service between London Heathrow Airport and Changsha Huanghua International Airport on March 23, 2018. Following the roll-out of the Manchester-Beijing service, this will be Hainan Airlines' second direct flight between the United Kingdom and China. The route will operate three times weekly using an Boeing 787. Jet Aviation Hong Kong Extends FAA Falcon Mx Approvals The FAA approved Jet Aviation’s MRO facility in Hong Kong to support 48- and 36-month inspections for U.S.-registered Dassault Falcon 7X/8X and Falcon 900-series jets. This approval extends an existing FAA approval to support 48-month inspections for the 7X/8X and 36-month inspections for the Falcon 900 series. New Chinese Cargo Carrier Aims To Carry Fish A new cargo airline is in the process of being established in Changsha in south-central China, aiming particularly at the market for carrying imported seafood. The company, with the Chinese name Beifang Airlines, has been set up, deputy general manager Wang Kuiguang told local media. US-Bangla airlines to start flights to China US-Bangla Airlines is about to commence flights to Guangzhou, China. Beginning on April 3, the flight will run thrice a week according to the private airline, making it the first Bangladeshi air service to have a route to the country. 3rd China-produced C919 to make its debut this year By the end of this year China's third homemade C919 airliner will take off on its maiden flight from the fifth runway of Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Wu Guanghui, the general designer of the passenger jet, announced Tuesday at the ongoing National People's Congress (NPC). Acumen Aviation © 12 March All Rights Reserved.