04 Jun 2019

China Aviation Industry Newsletter 4 June

BOC Aviation Places Three Boeing 737-800 NG Aircraft With SpiceJet BOC Aviation announced 24 May the placement of three Boeing B737-800 NG aircraft with Indian carrier SpiceJet, all of which have been delivered in May 2019. The aircraft are powered by CFM56 engines. BOC Aviation Takes Delivery Of 350th Airbus Aircraft BOC Aviation announced 29 May the delivery of its 350th Airbus aircraft. The aircraft is an Airbus A320NEO and is leased to TAP Air Portugal. The aircraft is powered by CFM Leap engines. Robert Martin, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, BOC Aviation said “This delivery marks another major milestone in our fleet development as we continue to enhance our portfolio of highly efficient, new technology aircraft. It is testament to the strong relationship we have built up with Airbus, who has been a significant partner throughout our 25-year history.” CALC Signs USD 840 Million Aircraft PDP Syndicated Loan CALC announced 28 May that the Group has signed a five-year unsecured revolving syndicated loan of USD 840 million to finance part of Pre-Delivery Payments (“PDP”) for new aircraft orders. This syndicated loan launched at USD 500 million and closed at USD 840 million due to overwhelming market response, becoming Asia’s largest aircraft PDP financing to date and boosting the dynamic aviation finance market in the region. China Southern Airlines Base at Beijing's New Airport to Open September China Southern Airlines said its base at Beijing's new airport will be put into operation on 20 September. The airline aims to operate more than 200 planes, and over 900 flights will be taking off and landing daily at the Beijing Daxing International Airport by 2025. The airline will carry 40% of total air passengers at the airport. The flight and landing time of flights from southern and central China to Beijing will be 30 to 40 minutes shorter at the airport. KLM expands network in China KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will extend the number of code-sharing destinations it offers in partnership with China Eastern. The number of destinations will increase from 14 to 63, including Yinchuan, Xining, Shantao, Zhangjiang and Zuhai. This means KLM will offer customers an even more comprehensive network in China. Tibet Airlines Expands Reach Through Partnership Tibet Airlines has teamed up with a partner company to facilitate travel to and from the Tibet Autonomous Region. The company will cooperate with China Express to expand its reach in other cities, it said. Tibet Airlines currently operates 50 routes between 45 cities. The new alliance is expected to boost reach and connectivity of the airlines in eastern, central and southern China, said Dong Xiaohu, general manager of the airline's operation center in the regional capital Lhasa. Vistara Leases Six Aircraft from BOC Aviation Vistara announced 24 May the lease of an additional six aircraft from BOC Aviation to accelerate its growth in the domestic market. As part of the agreement, Vistara has leased four Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft to be delivered in May 2019 and two Airbus A320neo powered by CFM LEAP 1A engines, scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2019. Acumen Aviation © 4 June 2019 All Rights Reserved.