Asia News Desk » General news

Vietnam considers third private airline

Prahok — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:32:16 +0000

Thahn Nien Daily reports that the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) is considering an application for Mekong Aviation Company to become Vietnam’s third private airline operator. The airline is awaiting Ministry of Transport approval. The carrier, which will have a registered capital of US$12m, plans to start domestic flights next year from its base at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport to destinations such as Phu Quoc, Nha Trang and Can Tho. It is expected to operate a fleet of about 10 100-seat airplanes. The first two licensed private airlines, Vietjet Air and Air Speed Up, plan to begin operations in 2009.

Vietnam approves first private airline

Prahok — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:12:10 +0000

AP reports that Vietnam’s PM has agreed to license the country’s first privately owned airline, the govt said in an announcement on its official Web site. Vietjet Aviation Joint Stock Co. plans to begin operating domestic routes in 2008 linking Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, according to the company’s Web site. It has registered capital of 600b VND (US$37.5m), the company says, and hopes eventually to offer flights to Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok.

Airlines against AOT plan

Prahok — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 23:17:18 +0000

The Nation reports that Aviation industry representatives Monday supported THAI union members in their opposition to plans to use Don Mueang as an international airport again. The union has threatened industrial action if the idea is not scrapped. An Airports of Thailand (AOT) seminar heard industry members preferred a single international airport. If Don Mueang is reopened to international flights, airlines will have to spend more operating at both locations, they said. Don Mueang, the former international airport, is used by domestic airlines, but AOT has been pushing for it to take international flights because Suvarnabhumi Airport is expected to reach capacity next year. A proposed third runway and additional terminal for Suvarnabhumi would boost annual capacity to 60m passengers from 45m. However, these would not be completed before 2013.

Cambodia tries again

Prahok — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:25:22 +0000

AFP reports that Cambodia is to yet again try a national airline — its previous effort folded in 2001, officials said Friday. The government will ally with two private Indonesian firms, which will provide all the investment and absorb any losses that may arise, Deputy PM Sok An said at a signing ceremony. “It’s a great day … a day for which we have waited a very long time,” Sok An said as he celebrated the deal for the as yet unnamed airline. The govt hopes to start flights within six months to take advantage of the booming tourism sector and will have a 51% stake in the venture, Sok An said. One wonders if one of the Indonesian partners is Adam Air — the accident-prone Indonesian airline, which recently announced plans to expand regionally..

Sing to KL opens

Prahok — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 07:33:17 +0000

The Star reports that from Feb 2, 2008 , low-cost carriers from Singapore and Malaysia will be able to operate a total of four daily flights on the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route. The Singapore govt also announced Friday that carriers from both countries would be able to operate an unlimited number of flights on the route starting from Dec 1, 2008.

Indonesian airlines go local

Prahok — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 11:04:39 +0000

The Jakarta Post reports that the Indonesian govt is considering the use of locally-made airplane parts, Transportation Minister Jusman Syafii Djamal said Monday. “Indonesia is capable of designing an aircraft and its parts,” Jusman said. Jusman said most national carriers still used foreign-made parts for their airplanes, despite the fact it took longer and was more costly. Garuda Indonesia and Lion Air welcomed the plan to cut operational costs. “The use of local parts in Airbus and Boeing cabins could cut costs by up to 50%,” said Richard Budihadianto, the pres and CEO of Garuda Maintenance Facility AeroAsia.

Given that the Indonesian govt has failed miserably to regulate the domestic airline industry — one that has been banned from EU airspace due to safety concerns, this is not good news.

Indonesian airlines sign safety agreement

Prahok — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 04:31:36 +0000

DpA reports that dozens of Indonesian airlines Friday signed an agreement with the Indonesian govt to bring aviation safety in line with international standards, ahead of a review of a EU ban on the country’s carriers. The agreement was signed by 45 commercial and charter operators and cargo companies, and will be delivered to the European Commission as part of Indonesia’s case to review the ban imposed in June after a series of deadly air accidents this year.

Back in business!

Prahok — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:45:07 +0000

Ok, after a long hiatus, we’re back in business!

EU bans all Indonesian carriers

Prahok — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 07:09:30 +0000

ATW Online reports that the European Commission has banned all 51 registered Indonesian carriers from operating into the EU. While no Indonesian airlines currently fly to EU member states, an EU spokesperson warned that “European citisens should avoid flying with these carriers. They are really unsafe”.

It’s not clear how this ban will affect AirAsia and Jetstar both of which run local operations (AirAsia Indonesia, formerly AWAir, and Valuair respectively) in Indonesia.

Don Muang to reopen this weekend

Prahok — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 23:09:09 +0000

The Bangkok Post reports that Don Muang will be officially reopening this weekend. Initially both Nok Air and Orient Thai Airlines will be using it for all their flights while THAI will be using it for their non-connecting domestic flights only. On all new ticketing the code for Don Muang will be changed from BKK to DMK.

According to the Thai Airways site, flight operations at Don Muang Airport will be numbered 4 digits starting with 1 (TG 1xxx) such as TG 1203 and those operated at Suvarnabhumi Airport will be numbered 3 digits. They also have some timetable information here.