26 Feb 2018

China Aviation Industry Newsletter 26 February

Air Canada expects to finalize JV with Air China in the spring Air Canada’s CEO said last week said a joint venture with Air China, expected to be wrapped up this spring, would help it compete more “aggressively” in the Pacific market. The two carriers already have agreements for passengers to use each other’s lounges and code sharing services but a full joint-venture would expand such collaboration, in a boost to Air Canada which is facing yield pressures on flights to China and Hong Kong. BOC Aviation Orders 12 Shipsets Of Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan™ Engines BOC Aviation Limited announced firm orders for 12 shipsets of Geared Turbofan^TM (“GTF”) engines to power new Airbus A320NEO family aircraft. These aircraft are part of the Company’s existing order book. “This order reflects our confidence in the GTF engine as a fuel-efficient solution that will power a significant portion of our A320 family fleet,” said Robert Martin, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, BOC Aviation. “We’re hearing good feedback from operators on the fuel economy of the GTF engine, and look forward to delivering the benefits of this engine to our airline customers.” BOC Aviation delivers fifth Airbus A32ONEO to Vistara BOC Aviation has delivered the fifth of seven Airbus A320NEO aircraft to Vistara. This aircraft is from the Company's existing order book. BOC Aviation delivers fifth Boeing 737-800 to Pobeda Airlines BOC Aviation has delivered the fifth of eight Boeing 737-800 aircraft to Pobeda Airlines. This aircraft is from the Company's existing order book. China’s Comac Hopes to Test 102 Made in China Jets in 2018 Comac (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) China’s state-owned aerospace manufacturer, hopes to test as many as 102 C919 model passenger jets in 2018 as it’s ramping up production in anticipation of a 2021 commercial launch of the aircraft. The Comac C919 has 785 orders from 27 customers. China Huarong Financial Leasing signs for 30 C919s, 20 ARJ21s China Huarong Financial Leasing has signed a purchase framework agreement for 30 Comac C919s and 20 ARJ21 aircraft. The deal, which brings the total commitment for the C919 to 815 units and the ARJ21 to 453 units, was inked in Beijing on 26 February. Huarong leasing says its decision to purchase the aircraft is in-line with the country’s 'One Belt, One Road' and 'Made in China 2025' policies. China Southern Airlines announces Heathrow-Wuhan route Heathrow is gaining a new destination in China with Wuhan being added to the airport’s network. China Southern Airlines is to start flying to the city in central China from May 30. Three flights a week have been scheduled to run until October 26. The new route will be served on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, using an Airbus 330-200. China Southern adds Lao route China Southern plans to fly to Vientiane from Chongqing in China during the summer timetable months April to October operating three times weekly using an Airbus A320. DOT focuses on air connectivity improvement to double Chinese arrivals The Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) is exerting effort to improve the country’s air connectivity as it targets to increase Chinese tourist arrivals by 1.5 million this year after coming close to its one million mark in 2017. An extra 1,800 seats from the direct flights to Cebu; 3,183 to Kalibo; and 197 to Puerto Princesa are expected to attract more Chinese tourists this year. Sichuan Airlines Signs for 10 Airbus A350-900s China’s Sichuan Airlines has signed a purchase agreement with Airbus for 10 Airbus A350-900s. The deal, still subject to government approval and valued at 200 billion yuan ($31.56 billion), amounts to the largest aircraft signing ever by the Chengdu-based airline. Sichuan Airlines expects the A350 to serve the so-called “Panda Route,” attracting tourists and passengers to Sichuan province, the home of China’s giant pandas. The airline also told Chinese media that the aircraft would increase its competitiveness in the international market, and has applied for nonstop service from Chengdu to Los Angeles. Acumen Aviation © 26 February All Rights Reserved.