Our round-up of Asia-Pacific regional aviation news this month includes interesting stories on Mitsubishi Aircraft, Laos Airlines, Bacolod Airport in the Philippines, and Virgin Australia
Mitsubishi Aircraft Countersues Bombardier Over MRJ
Mitsubishi Aircraft has countersued Bombardier alleging that the Canadian aircraft-maker has been trying to stop Bombardier employees from joining the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) programme. The countersuit in Seattle, where Mitsubishi’s partner AeroTEC is working on U.S. certification of the MRJ aircraft, claims Bombardier also threatened to stop its “supply relationship” with Mitsubishi Aircraft’s parent company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). MHI supplies parts to Bombardier.
The filing comes after Bombardier sued Mitsubishi Aircraft for allegedly gaining access to trade secrets by employing former Bombardier employees with knowledge of aircraft certification.
Laos Airlines Targets China
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/lao-airlines-expects-significant-rise-chinese-bookings
Lao Airlines is expecting a surge in bookings from China thanks to the new Visit Laos tourism campaign.
Investors Want To Own Bacolod Airport in the Philippines
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1787632
Local media says a third unsolicited offer has been made to privatise Bacolod-Silay Airport in the central Philippines. Dennis Uy of Davao-based Udenna Corporation, a conglomerate focused on petroleum, logistics and real estate, is said to be behind the offer, says the media reports.
The regional airport is one of the largest domestic airports in the Philippines according to the Philippine Department of Transport. Industry observers say investors are targeting this airport because it is a large airport with potential for further growth both domestically and internationally.
Virgin Australia Says Market is Uncertain
www.australianaviation.com.au/2019/02/virgin-australia-ceo-says-market-conditions-uncertain/
Virgin Australia has refrained from providing profit guidance for the fiscal year as global market conditions remain uncertain, says CEO John Borghetti.
Virgin recently reported its best underlying earnings result in ten years. Its strong domestic business moved the airline into profitability, despite higher fuel costs and a weak international performance.
