22 Jul 2019

China Aviation Industry Newsletter 22 July

Air Canada Marks 25 Years Since First Beijing-Vancouver Flight Air Canada and Vancouver International Airport recently marked the 25th anniversary of the first direct flight between Beijing and Vancouver in the Chinese capital. The fight was launched in 1994 and ran twice a week then. The airline has since then introduced 35 direct flights connecting Beijing and Shanghai with Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. And the airline says that more flights and better services will be delivered to Chinese passengers in the future, at favourable rates. Belinco Starts Cargo Conversions In China IAI-Bedek’s MRO in China, Bedek-Lingyun, or Belinco, has some strong advantages in serving the fast-growing Chinese market and is expanding its services, according to Marketing EVP Refael Matalon. Belinco signed an agreement with IAI-Bedek to convert 737-700s and 800s under and IAI-Bedek STC from passenger to cargo. It plans to start the work this year. Cathay Pacific Completes Acquisition of Hong Kong Express Airways Cathay Pacific announced 19^th July that it has completed the acquisition of Hong Kong Express Airways (HK Express). Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Officer and HK Express Chairman Rupert Hogg said: “We are very excited to welcome HK Express into the group. We strongly believe that the acquisition is good for the travelling public, good for HK Express, good for the Cathay Pacific Group, and good for the development of Hong Kong as a global aviation hub. CDB Aviation Expands Board with Appointment of Stephen Kavanagh  CDB Aviation announced 17^th July the appointment of Stephen Kavanagh as Non-Executive Director to its Board of Directors. Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Kavanagh said: “It is an honor to join the CDB Aviation board. The opportunity and momentum for significant growth is evident in the company’s unparalleled commercial success over the past three years. I look forward to working with Peter and Pat, and the rest of the board, to advance the company’s strategy to be a formidable force in the global market.” China has 3,722 civil aircraft, says country’s Civil Aviation Administration According to the latest statistics released by Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the country has a total of 3,722 civil aircraft at the end of June this year. Besides the expanding aircraft fleet, China has also made efforts to enhance its infrastructure to sustain the growth of the civil aviation industry. By the end of June, China’s total number of civil airports reached 236. In the first half of 2019, the country’s civil aviation industry handled a total of 320 million passenger trips, up 8.5 percent year on year. First Direct Air Route Links Eastern Chinese City with the Philippines Connectivity between China and the Philippines was further enhanced by the launch of a new route between Hefei, capital of East China's Anhui province, and Kalibo, the main gateway to central Philippine's famous resort island Boracay. This is the first air route that connects Hefei with the Philippines. The route is operated three times weekly by Pan Pacific Airlines Airbus A320 aircraft. The Chinese mainland is the largest source of visitors to Boracay Island, which is off Aklan Province in the central Philippines and known for beaches with unsullied fine talcum powder-sand, sapphire seas and spectacular sunsets. NZ Wants to Link China and South America New Zealand is positioning itself to become a major, strategic link between China and South America under the Belt and Road Initiative. Although the idea has been around for some time, it has picked up new momentum as the BRI gains traction globally, said Stephen Jacobi, executive director of the New Zealand China Council and one of the key drivers behind the "Southern Link" concept. China Airlines, China Southern, China Eastern and Sichuan Airlines operate services to and from China and New Zealand. Acumen Aviation © 22 July 2019 All Rights Reserved.