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  • Vietnam Airlines Group eyes record revenues

    Vietnam Airlines Group eyes record revenues

    Vietnam Airlines Group, which operates three airlines, targets record revenues of VND80.89 trillion (US$3.18 billion) this year but expects the profit rate to be less than 1%.

    Its first quarter revenues rose by 25% to VND28.27 trillion.

    Amid high demand, the company expects to see international and domestic passenger numbers rise by 20% and 13%.

    High fuel costs are expected to be a drag on profits. The company disclosed to shareholders that if fuel prices increase by $1 per barrel, its costs rise by VND230 billion a year.

    The economic slowdown is causing international travel to recover at a slow pace, while geopolitical tensions show no signs of abating, it said. Its top market, China, is also seeing an extremely slow recovery.

    Many of its debts start falling due in July, posing a financial burden.

    Vietnam Airlines Group, the parent of Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines and Vietnam Air Services Company, plans to sell its stakes in Tan Son Nhat Cargo Service Company this year for VND1.7 trillion.

  • Qatar Airways passengers endure 3-hour delay without air conditioning

    Qatar Airways passengers endure 3-hour delay without air conditioning

    During a Qatar Airways flight from Athens to Bangkok via Doha, passengers suffered extreme discomfort when they were confined for more than three hours in oppressive heat due to a malfunctioning air conditioning system.

    The incident, which occurred on Monday while the plane was on the Athens International Airport’s tarmac, caused temperatures inside the cabin to soar to nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius).

    Referencing a Matichon reporter on board, stated that despite the malfunction, the captain decided against allowing passengers to disembark, leading to the distressing situation.

    South African sports therapist Garth Collins, a passenger on the flight, shared his experience, stating: “Passengers were literally dehydrating and passing out on the plane.”

    “They were left stranded on the plane for 3.5 hours with doors closed and no air conditioning.”

    As seen in videos circulating online, a passenger had to resort to stripping off their clothes while others fanned themselves with safety instruction cards during the delay.

    Garth noted that after enduring the heat, passengers were finally permitted to leave the aircraft and return to the cooler confines of Athens International Airport. However, the relief was fleeting as they encountered extensive delays without communication from the airline. He emphasized that many missed their connecting flights in Doha due to the incident.

    Criticizing the airline’s response, Garth remarked that the assistance provided, which included only a cup of water and a small soft drink, was “completely insufficient to rehydrate an individual after the enforced sauna on the plane.”

    The flight was carrying 49 members of the Thai boxing team and accompanying reporters returning from the IFMA Senior World Championships in Patras, Greece. Among them, footage highlighted Muay Thai fighter Damian Collins visibly overwhelmed by the heat.

    “Damian is a fit, conditioned athlete, imagine the stress and danger for any normal individual,” commented Garth.

    Thai boxer Thannachai Sidsongpeenong also expressed his astonishment at the conditions and reflected on his relief at surviving the ordeal: “Now I feel that I was lucky to get through that situation.”

    The flight ultimately arrived in Doha at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday, significantly delayed from its expected arrival time of 6:20 p.m. the previous day.

  • Star Alliance commemorates 10 years at Heathrow Terminal 2

    Star Alliance commemorates 10 years at Heathrow Terminal 2

    Together with its member airlines, Star Alliance is delighted to complete a decade of excellence at Terminal 2 – its home at Heathrow. The Queen’s Terminal has served as the base for 23 Star Alliance member airlines, facilitating smooth transfers and operations for over 15 million passengers every year, representing nearly 20% of the available seat capacity from the airport.

    In celebration of the occasion, Theo Panagiotoulias, Star Alliance Chief Executive Officer said: “Heathrow stands as a vital hub for our member airlines. With our collective offerings at the shared terminal, we’re proud to facilitate seamless experiences for thousands of passengers daily. On behalf of our member airlines, I extend gratitude to Heathrow for its decade-long support, enabling superior traveller experiences every day and for years to come.”

    Under the “Move Under One Roof” strategic initiative, Star Alliance consolidated its member airlines at a single location in 2014, establishing a true alliance hub. This initiative enables passengers to easily connect between Star Alliance member airlines, significantly streamlining airport operations and enhancing the experience.

    Ross Baker, Chief Customer Officer, Heathrow said, “Heathrow is delighted to celebrate a decade of delivering excellent service to passengers travelling through Terminal 2, previously voted ‘Best Terminal in the World’ at the World Sky Awards by Skytrax. In collaboration with our partner airlines, including Star Alliance and its member airlines, we have seen almost 73 million passengers travel through Terminal 2’s doors and enjoy the world-class retail and food and beverage options available. Reaching this landmark is an opportunity for us to enjoy looking back on a decade of achievements, while also looking ahead to the next ten years as we continue to create an extraordinary airport that is fit for the future.”

    Customers are welcomed by the prominent Star Alliance branding positioned above the airline check-in counters at Departures in T2. Together with member airlines, Star Alliance provides facilities for a seamless airport experience, including:

    • Gold Track Security: A benefit that offers faster security access via dedicated lanes for Star Alliance Gold status customers, regardless of the cabin they travel in.
    • Baggage Tracking: A service that allows passengers to know where their bags are as they move on the journey. Each day at London Heathrow, over 85,000 bags on Star Alliance member airline flights are scanned for the customers’ peace of mind.
    • Star Connection Centre: A service designed to expedite passengers with tight connections by providing fast-track access through the airport. The Heathrow Star Connection Centre takes pride in expediting over 1000 passengers and 750 bags monthly, saving costs for member airlines and enhancing travellers’ experience.
    • Complimentary Heathrow Express Upgrade: Star Alliance Gold status customers enjoy exclusive and free upgrades to the Business First cabin on Heathrow Express between the airport and Paddington station. Starting June 2024, this offer extends to one companion travelling with the Gold status customer.

    From Terminal 2, 23 Star Alliance airlines – Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines and United – currently offer 124 flights a day to 44 destinations in 23 countries.

  • Sacombank assures no loss on $141M loan to Bamboo Airways

    Sacombank assures no loss on $141M loan to Bamboo Airways

    Sacombank has assured that it will not lose the VND3.58 trillion (US$141 million) it has lent to Bamboo Airways, citing that the loans are secured by high-value assets.

    The loans used to be secured by its shares and assets of property developer FLC, its former owner, Sacombank CEO Nguyen Duc Thach Diem said at its annual general meeting Friday.

    But when new owners took over the airline, the bank persuaded them to pledge high-value properties in HCMC instead, and the loans are now classified as “qualified debt,” meaning they have the lowest risk of turning into bad debts, she said.

    “It is certain that Sacombank will not lose the money it has lent to Bamboo Airways,” she said.

    Sacombank decided to invest in the airline, which has been going through major restructuring after being sold by FLC.

    In February the bank’s former deputy CEO, Phan Dinh Tue, took over as chairman of the airline.

  • Korean Air to launch new route to Macau

    Korean Air to launch new route to Macau

    Flights depart from Incheon International Airport at 9:15 pm and arrive at Macau International Airport at 11:55 pm. The return flight departs from Macau International Airport at 1:10 am the next day and arrives at Incheon International Airport at 6:00 am. The flight time is approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes.

    Macau, a special administrative region of China, offers a unique blend of Chinese and Portuguese cultures. With its mild winters, it is considered a great travel destination year round. Visitors can explore exotic streets, historic buildings and the vibrant skyline as well as enjoy many activities such as night bus tours and fountain shows.

    Macau’s proximity to Hong Kong, accessible within an hour by ferry or bus, offers further travel convenience. Korean Air also operates four daily flights between Seoul Incheon and Hong Kong.

    In response to growing travel demand, Korean Air is restoring services and exploring new markets to strengthen its China network. The airline has resumed three weekly flights between Seoul Incheon and Zhangjiajie and four weekly flights between Seoul Incheon and Zhengzhou from April 23 and 24, respectively.

  • Indonesia to investigate Batik Air after pilots fall asleep mid-flight for 28 minutes

    Indonesia to investigate Batik Air after pilots fall asleep mid-flight for 28 minutes

    Indonesia’s transport ministry said Saturday it would open a probe into local airline Batik Air after two of its pilots were found to have fallen asleep during a recent flight.

    A pilot and co-pilot were simultaneously asleep for approximately 28 minutes during a flight from South East Sulawesi to the capital Jakarta on January 25, a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) said.

    The incident resulted in a series of navigation errors, but the Airbus A320’s 153 passengers and four flight attendants were unharmed during the two-hour-and-35-minute flight.

    The transport ministry “strongly reprimands” Batik Air over the incident, air transport director-general M. Kristi Endah Murni said, calling on airlines to pay more attention to their air crew’s rest time.

    “We will carry out an investigation and review of the night flight operation in Indonesia related with Fatigue Risk Management for Batik Air and all flight operators,” Kristi said in a statement.

    Batik Air said in a statement on Saturday that it “operates with adequate rest policy” and that it was “committed to implement all safety recommendations”.

    The pilots involved in the January 25 incident had been temporarily suspended, the statement added.

    The KNKT report, seen by AFP on Friday, was uploaded to the agency’s website in late February.

    One of the pilots had not rested adequately on the night before the flight, according to the report.

    About half an hour after the plane took off, the captain asked permission from his second-in-command to rest for a while, with the request being granted.

    The co-pilot then took over command of the aircraft, but also inadvertently fell asleep, the report said.

    “The second-in-command had one-month twin babies. His wife took care of the babies and he assisted while at home,” the report said.

    A few minutes after the last recorded transmission by the co-pilot, the area control center in Jakarta tried to contact the aircraft. It received no answer.

    Twenty-eight minutes after the last recorded transmission, the pilot woke up and realized his co-pilot was asleep and that the aircraft was not on the correct flight path.

    He immediately woke his colleague up, responded to the calls from Jakarta and corrected the flight path, the report said.

    The plane landed safely after the incident. Investigators did not identify the pilots, but said they were both Indonesians and were aged 32 and 28.

  • Vietnam Airlines to ground 12 planes for maintenance

    Vietnam Airlines to ground 12 planes for maintenance

    Vietnam Airlines has to ground 12 A321 aircraft, representing 20% of its domestic fleet, for up to 300 days due to engine issues, as supply chain disruptions have doubled the maintenance time, its CEO said.

    Le Hong Ha said engine issues are plaguing over 3,500 A321/A320neo aircraft worldwide with Pratt & Whitney engines.

    Vietnam Airlines uses 24 of the engines, he said Thursday on the sidelines of the 2024 International Airline Symposium in Hanoi.

    The engine problems have also impacted Vietnam Airlines’ Airbus A350 aircraft, he added.

    The problem is caused by a rare condition in the powder metal used to manufacture certain engine parts, a concern flagged by Pratt & Whitney in July 2023 as affecting engines produced between October 2015 and September 2021.

    This has caused numerous airlines globally to ground or inspect their aircraft.

    Budget carrier Vietjet may also have fleet trouble due to the engine issues.

    A shortage of aircraft has been partly blamed for the recent jump in domestic airfares, which is turning passengers away.

    Before and after the Lunar New Year holidays airlines carried 13% fewer passengers than last year.

    But Ha pointed out that Vietnam is among the few countries still capping airfares, adding the ceilings should be scrapped in future.

  • Inside the first made-in-China jet to arrive in Vietnam

    Inside the first made-in-China jet to arrive in Vietnam

    At 10 a.m. Van Don International Airport in the northern province of Quang Ninh opened its doors for any visitors to look inside the C919 and another Comac aircraft ARJ21 in an exhibition of the company.

    Comac showcased its jets at Singapore last week but limited entry to only some business representatives.

    Comac chairman He Dongfeng said at the exhibition opening ceremony that the appearance of Comac at Van Don is an important step for its jets to reach the global market.

    C919 is a narrow-body jet with a capacity of 168 passengers and flight range of over 4,000 kilometers. The aircraft’s seat configuration is similar to the Boeing 737 Max and A320/321 models. With the jet China eyes to break the domnance of the U.S. and France in making passenger aircraft.
    A C919 costs around $99 million, cheaper than Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737.

    It is 2.25 meters from floor to ceiling, and the lighting color can be changed between 10 presets.

    The aisle is more spacious than other passenger jets of the same category. Behind each seat is a safety instruction written in Chinese and English.

    The communication and navigation system uses parts from U.S. manufacturer Rockwell Collins.

    Some other parts are made by U.S. companies. Tires and brakes are manufactured by Honewell, the aluminum body by Acronic, and the black box by GE Aerospace.

    The two engines were covered during the exhibition. Comac has announced earlier that it uses the LEAP turbofan engines produced by CFM International, a joint venture between American GE Aerospace and French Safran Aircraft Engines. The same engines are used on the Airbus A320neo.

    The ARJ21 jet, the first to be designed and manufactured by Comac, was placed nearby. It uses two engines made by an U.S. company and other key equipment from a German firm.

    ARJ21 seats up to 97 passengers and can fly 3,700 kilometers. Chinese airlines have used the aircraft on many domestic routes and have served 13 million passengers. Comac delivered the first ARJ21 to an international buyer in Indonesia in 2022.

    ARJ21 has similar luggage design as other medium-range jets such as ATR72 and Embraer 190. It can also be modified as a private jet.

  • Luxury airline plans to give select passengers a Vision Pro to use as in-flight entertainment

    Luxury airline plans to give select passengers a Vision Pro to use as in-flight entertainment

    At least one airline is planning on offering the Apple Vision Pro to some passengers as part of its in-flight entertainment offerings. Beond is a Maldivian airline that flies to five destinations and calls itself the world’s first “premium leisure airline” with business class service that includes gourmet meals, seats that fold down completely allowing passengers to sleep more comfortably during a flight, and soon, in-flight entertainment led by the Apple Vision Pro.

    In a press release dated Thursday, Beond said that it will start  offering the Vision Pro to select customers on its flights to the Maldives. Beond’s fleet has just doubled to two after the airline took possession of its second jet and in the middle of this year, it will start flights from Milan, Dubai, and Bangkok to the Maldives.

    Tero Taskila, Beond’s Chairman and CEO, said, “The Apple Vision Pro will transform the inflight entertainment experience, and we will be first to offer it to select passengers. In addition to our existing and ever-growing library of inflight content such as movies and games, Beond will showcase stunning resort destinations and activities in the Maldives. We are working now with partners in the Maldives to prepare truly amazing footage.”

    The executive continued, “The inflight experience will build anticipation for passengers before they arrive in the Maldives. Offering the Apple Vision Pro is another step in our vision of delivering a premium travel experience to our customers, from the start to finish of their journey. We’re proud to be the first airline to deploy the technology.” The press release didn’t mention how many Vision Pro units would be aboard each flight, nor did it mention how the airline would determine which passenger(s) would get the opportunity to don the headset.

    Now that Beond has become the first airline to announce plans to offer the Vision Pro to passengers, we could see the larger commercial airlines add the Vision Pro to their in-flight entertainment offerings. Considering the number of larger capacity planes that airlines could order the headset for, Apple could get a windfall.

  • AirAsia launches new route to Ahmedabad

    AirAsia launches new route to Ahmedabad

    AirAsia is set to launch a new route from Kuala Lumpur to Ahmedabad, India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City.

    This move, scheduled for 1 May 2024, expands AirAsia’s network and solidifies its presence in South Asia.

    The latest network addition will become the airline’s eleventh route to India and the third new route in 2024 alone.

    Ahmedabad, also known as Amdavad, has a rich tapestry of history and culture. Home to one of India’s largest cotton textile hubs, serene lakes, and ancient mosques dating back to the 15th century, the city attracts history enthusiasts and travelers alike.

    Its vibrant streets offer some of the world’s best street food, and it stands as a hub for sought-after jewellery markets.

    To celebrate this milestone, AirAsia is extending a special promotional fare. Travel enthusiasts can book flights from Kuala Lumpur to Ahmedabad starting at just RM209 and from Ahmedabad to Kuala Lumpur from only INR7,999.

    This exclusive offer is available for booking until 28 January 2024, with travel valid from 1 May 2024 to 19 March 2025. You can secure seats through the airasia Superapp or the website.

    He highlighted the significance of this expansion, considering the recent Malaysian government initiative for visa-free entry into Malaysia for Indian nationals.

    Lingam shared, “When we launched our very first flight into India in 2008, our vision and mission had always been to enhance affordable connectivity between our two nations.”

  • AirAsia boss pushes Bangkok as global aviation hub

    AirAsia boss pushes Bangkok as global aviation hub

    Based in Malaysia, AirAsia is operating low-cost airlines in four Asean countries, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. The company is planning to launch the newest addition, AirAsia Cambodia, in March.

    “We want to make Bangkok the next Dubai in terms of being a global aviation hub, as the Asean region has high potential with a population numbering more than 700 million,” Fernandes said on Wednesday. “However, Thailand’s airports cannot grow overnight. Therefore, we want to see infrastructure for low-cost airlines included in the country’s future airport expansion projects.”

    He went on to thank the Thai government for waiving the visa requirement for travellers from selected countries in a bid to boost tourism, which also benefits the airline industry in the region.

    Fernandes revealed that after meeting with Srettha, who also doubles as Finance Minister, the AirAsia group would file an official proposal to the Thai government, requesting a 40% reduction on excise tax for jet fuel, which is currently collected at 4.726 baht per litre, and is the highest among the four countries where AirAsia operates.

    The Philippines collect excise tax for jet fuels of 2.48 baht per litre, while Malaysia and Indonesia do not collect this tax.

    “Reducing fuel tax will also help expand the domestic tourism market by distributing Thai and foreign visitors to other provinces besides Bangkok and Phuket,” he said.

    AirAsia will also ask the Thai government to maintain the current rate of the air navigation service fee collected by the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, which will help airline operators manage operational costs.

    The airline would also urge the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand to consider increasing traffic rights on Thailand-India routes.

    Tassapon Bijleveld, executive chairman of Thai AirAsia and Thai AirAsia X, said on Wednesday that AirAsia group is planning to procure 412 new airplanes, about 25% of which or 100-150 airplanes have been earmarked for the Thai operation.

    He said Thai AirAsia and Thai AirAsia X airlines aim to serve 20-21 million passengers in 2024, up from 18 million people recorded in 2023. However, this estimation is still lower than the tally in 2019, before the pandemic, at 22 million people.

    Tassapon added that Thai AirAsia and Thai AirAsia X would not merge into a single airline immediately after the AirAsia Group announced a business structure adjustment on Monday (January 15), which will see the merger of airline businesses under Capital A with its sister company AirAsia X Bhd (AAX).

    “The merger of two airlines in Thailand may have to wait 2-3 years, until after Thai AirAsia X leaves the business rehabilitation plan, which should happen around late 2025,” he said.

  • AirAsia X, Unilode renew partnership until 2027

    AirAsia X, Unilode renew partnership until 2027

    Unilode Aviation Solutions and medium-, long-haul carrier AirAsia X have extended their full-service ULD management partnership until 2027.

    The two have been working together since 2009 and the partnership has been renewed twice in the past 14 years. Unilode manages the ULD supply for AirAsia X’s current fleet of 14 A330 aircraft. The carrier will acquire three more widebody aircraft by the end of this year with plans to grow further over the next few years.

    AirAsia X currently flies to 19 destinations and the ULD repairs are carried out in Unilode’s global MRO network, mainly located in the Asia-Pacific region, to reduce turnaround times and increase asset availability.

    “Unilode has flexibly adapted to our changes in ULD types and met our ongoing ad-hoc demands to enable AAX to increase cargo revenues amongst other key deliverables,” commented Captain Suresh Bangah, chief operating officer of AirAsia X.

    Unilode, who claims aa strong presence and customer base in the Asia-Pacific region, said it will continue to strengthen its position in the region with new customers and MRO expansion in the coming months.

  • Vietnam Airlines joins the AAPA

    Vietnam Airlines joins the AAPA

    Vietnam Airlines is the latest member to join the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), as announced by a press release on 14 November, with immediate effect.

    As part of the AAPA, Vietnam Airlines will participate in the Association’s meetings and joint activities, where members can stay updated and exchange information about the trends in the aviation industry. Airline members also receive in-depth insights, forecasts, and advice from the group’s regular monthly distribution.

    On 9-10 November 2023, the AAPA organised its 67th Assembly of Presidents in Singapore, which gathered airline leaders to discuss relevant issues in air transport and aviation, with a core focus on sustainability. The conclusion of the event, which was hosted by airline member Singapore Airlines, saw the passing of a series of resolutions covering sustainability, aviation safety and regulatory impact.

    Airline leaders have agreed to a ‘collective’ target of 5 percent SAF utilisation by 2030, and the trade association is calling on governments, fuel producers, airports, and other industry organisations to come together globally, to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and push the ambitious goal to carbon neutrality by 2050.

    The AAPA’s membership now stands at 15 airlines, which include Air Astana, Air India, ANA, Bangkok Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Eva Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways and Vietnam Airlines.

  • AirAsia to Open Bali-NTT Domestic Route in December

    AirAsia to Open Bali-NTT Domestic Route in December

    AirAsia airlines will open a new domestic route of Denpasar, Bali-Kupang, NTT beginning on December 16, 2023. The Bali-NTT route will serve three flights a week on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

    “AirAsia opens the [route] with a special price of Rp1.5 million for one trip,” said Corporate Communication Manager Indonesia of AirAsia, Ageng Wibowo on Friday, November 17, 2023.

    According to Ageng, this new route will create an opportunity for foreign tourists and Kupang residents to travel through Denpasar, Bali, and extend their trips to various domestic and international destinations such as Surabaya, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok, and Perth.

    This route also opens Kupang to various sources of foreign tourist markets such as Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.

    Kupang is the gateway to all areas in NTT, especially Rote Island, Sabu Island, Timor Island, Alor, Sumba, and Flores. Thus, this route will boost the tourism and economy of the region.

    Additionally, Kupang itself has a promising tourism potential, proven by the number of domestic and foreign tourists visiting the province. The diverse social and cultural spheres supported by Kupang’s geographical conditions attracted visitors to the region.

    “Kupang has many tourist attractions consisting of Marine, Nature, Culture, and Historical destinations, such as Oenesu Waterfall, Tablolong Beach, Crystal Cave, and Manikin Beach,” he said.

    AirAsia, Ageng added, is committed to connecting tourists with their chosen cities by offering flight choices to various interesting destinations.

  • Singapore Airlines to host AAPA’s 67th Assembly of Presidents

    Singapore Airlines to host AAPA’s 67th Assembly of Presidents

    Singapore Airlines (SIA) will host the 67th edition of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) Assembly of Presidents on 9 and 10 November 2023.

    The AAPA, which has 14 member airlines, is the trade association for scheduled international carriers based in the Asia Pacific region1.

    More than 200 delegates, attendees, and members of the media from around the world are expected at the Assembly, which will be held at Singapore’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

    Delegates from member airlines, including Chief Executive Officers and senior management, will be joined by representatives from key stakeholders such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Airports Council International (ACI), Singapore’s Ministry of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, as well as the wider aerospace and aviation community.

    Mr Chee Hong Tat, Singapore’s Acting Minister for Transport, will be the guest of honour at the opening session on Friday, 10 November 2023.

    This year’s theme, Sustainable Air Transport Growth in the Asia Pacific, underscores the importance of international air transport and the industry’s commitment to sustainability. The Assembly provides a platform to discuss the opportunities and challenges in the airline industry, and focus on developing a strategy for sustainable growth in the region.

    The Asia Pacific airline industry has rebounded from the impact of the pandemic, with the region’s passenger capacity reaching 77% of pre-pandemic levels in August 2023. This has helped to meet the robust demand for air travel, with international passenger traffic in the Asia Pacific doubling from a year before in August 2023 and expected to reach 80% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year.

    Mr Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines, commented: “Deeper collaboration between airlines, as well as with our partners and stakeholders in the ecosystem, is critical for sustainable growth. This will help to ensure that future generations continue to enjoy the many benefits that aviation brings. We look forward to meaningful discussions that will help to lay the groundwork for an even brighter future for the Asia Pacific’s airline industry.”

    Mr Subhas Menon, Director General of the AAPA, added: “2023 is a watershed year for Asia Pacific aviation. Air travel is again charging ahead even as the broader global economy comes off the boil. As it looks to return to growth, the industry must navigate challenging geopolitical, economic and climate realities. Against this backdrop, and with the line-up of influential speakers, no doubt that this year’sAssembly of Presidents will deliver many provoking yet inspiring conversations.”