Newly Created Flag Carrier Madagascar Airlines Eyes Embraer E190-E2
Madagascar Airlines, the new national carrier that will replace Air Madagascar, could potentially use the Embraer E190-E2 for its domestic and short-haul flights, citing the aircraft’s capabilities a great fit for its needs. Mamy Rakotondraibe, CEO of Air Madagascar, which…
Vietnam’s Sun Group Expanding Into Aviation With Seaplanes, Helicopters and BizJets
Vietnamese leisure, tourism and property conglomerate Sun Group is establishing a passenger aircraft business, arguing it helps to support its leisure and tourism businesses. Sun Group says on its social media that Sun Air will be a prestigious, modern and…
Former Officials Of Taiwan’s Daily Air Slapped With Fraud Charges
Guo Zi Xing and Huang Chun Fa, two former directors of regional airline and charter operator Daily Air, have been charged in court for defrauding Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) of NTD$916 million (US$33 million) over a 14-year period. Local…
Vietnam Airlines To Wet-Lease Two ATR 72s
Flag carrier Vietnam Airlines is seeking to wet-lease two ATR 72-500s for a half year period, starting this March. The airline has issued a statement inviting interested parties to respond to its tender for a six-month wet-lease on two ATR…
Seychelles’ Islands Development Company Brings Forth Plans To Add ATR
Islands Development Company (IDC), a state-owned company in the Seychelles that manages the archipelago’s outlying islands, is planning to add its first ATR next year, attributing the move to a rise in demand for air freight. Smart Aviation Asia Pacific…
Hevilift Australia Wins New Mining Contract
Charter operator Hevilift Australia has been awarded a new contract to provide fly-in fly-out (FIFO) services for mining company Covalent Lithium, and will be using ATR aircraft. Ashley Roy, CEO of Hevilift Australia tells Smart Aviation Asia Pacific that the…
India’s Flybig Plans Big Expansion
Indian regional carrier Flybig has plans to add up to 36 more aircraft to its fleet, as domestic demand for travel remains strong, with huge potential coming from the country’s remote regions. A Flybig spokesperson tells Smart Aviation Asia Pacific…
Malaysia Govt To Assess Upgrading For Bario Airport’s Runway
Malaysian authorities are looking into the possibility of improving the runway at Sarawak province’s Bario Airport, which is served by Malaysia Airlines’ regional turboprop operation MASwings, so as to accommodate more travellers. Sarawak’s Mulu state assemblyman Gerawat Gala tells The…
Garuda’s Citilink Undergoes Management Change
Garuda Indonesia’s budget carrier Citilink has appointed Dewa Kadek Rai as president director replacing Juliandra Nurtjahjo. “The change in company management is in line with Citilink’s focus on performance – as part of the Garuda Indonesia group – to be…
Thailand’s Nok Air To Launch Services To Newly Opened Betong Airport
Thai low-cost carrier Nok Air plans to connect Bangkok to the southern Thai town of Betong starting mid-March. Local news reports, quoting the airline, says it plans to launch a thrice-weekly service from Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport to Betong…
Elix Aviation Signs On For Universal Hydrogen ATR And Dash 8 Conversion Kits
Regional aircraft lessor Elix Aviation has signed a letter-of-intent (LOI) with Universal Hydrogen to convert 10 regional aircraft to hydrogen propulsion using conversion kits, a technology still in development. US-based Universal Hydrogen and Ireland-based Elix Aviation say in a joint…
Residents On Japan’s Remote Northern Island of Rebun Push For Air Service To Sapporo
Japan’s northernmost airport Rebun Airport has been without a scheduled air service for more than a decade, but local residents are lobbying for a regular service to Sapporo. A report in Japanese media outlet Live Door says residents on Rebun are lobbying…
