Bangladesh’s NXT Air Cargo Receives AOC
Start-up NXT Air Cargo has received its air operator’s certificate (AOC) and expects to launch services at the end of this month to four domestic destinations. Nizam Ahmad, CEO and managing director of NXT Air Cargo, tells Smart Aviation Asia…
New Zealand’s Pacific Aerospace Restarts Production Under New Owners
Hamilton-based aircraft manufacturer Pacific Aerospace, which has undergone an ownership change, is now resuming production and plans to produce six aircraft this year, including the long-anticipated Super-PAC XL. Stephen Burrows, acting CEO of Pacific Aerospace, tells Smart Aviation Asia Pacific…
Maldivian To Lease More ATRs
Maldivian, the national airline of Maldives is planning to lease two ATR 72-600 very soon and is inviting parties to submit proposals. Island Aviation Services, the owner and operator of Maldivian, says in a statement the airline forecasts there will…
Massive Relocation For Jakarta’s Halim Airport Operators
As many as 21 flight operators are moving their operations from Indonesia’s Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport to five other locations, following a temporary closure starting end of this month. Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation and the Indonesian Air Force says Halim…
Indonesia’s Travira Air Adds Viking Air Twin Otter For Mining Charters
Indonesian charter operator Travira Air has acquired a Viking Air Twin Otter Series 400 Amphibian, and is using it for mining charters. Muhammad Ihsan Salim, business development and commercial executive at Travira Air, confirms to Smart Aviation Asia Pacific that it…
Nordic Aviation Capital Writes Down Value Of Its Aircraft Portfolio By Nearly A Third
Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC), which is currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, has disclosed to the US Bankruptcy Court that it has written down the value of its aircraft portfolio by nearly a third, adding that this has caused the…
New Indonesian Seaplane Operator Sama Sama Aims To Fly Next Year Using Cessna Caravan EX Amphibian
Indonesian startup charter airline Sama Sama Seaplanes plans to launch next year using a Cessna Caravan EX amphibious aircraft. Andre Hugo, the founder and CEO of Sama Sama Seaplanes, tells Smart Aviation Asia Pacific that he founded the airline 18 months ago…
China’s Chengdu Airlines Opens New ARJ21 Training Centre
Chengdu Airlines and Sichuan Southwest Vocational College of Civil Aviation have established a training centre for airlines that need to train personnel to operate Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) ARJ21 regional jets. The new facility – Chengdu Airlines Southwest…
Maldivian Dash 8 Catches Fire During Takeoff
A Maldivian De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Dash 8-200 caught fire just before takeoff from Hanimaadhoo International Airport, prompting the airline to evacuate all passengers on board. Local media reports that the Maldives national airline’s Dash 8-200, local registration 8Q-IAQ,…
Niugini Aviation Services PAC 750 Significantly Damaged After Skidding Off Mountain Airstrip, No Injuries Reported
A Pacific Aerospace P-750, operated by private charter operator Niugini Aviation Services, sustained major damage when it skidded off a mountain airstrip in a remote part of the Papua New Guinea highlands. Hubert Namani, chief commissioner of PNG’s Accident Investigation…
Maldivian Buying Three ATRs To Replace Dash 8s
Maldivian, the national airline of Maldives, is buying three ATRs to replace some of its ageing turboprops, with the new aircraft to arrive this year. ATR says in a statement that Maldivian has signed a contract to purchase two ATR…
Interview: GAMECO’s Norbert Marx On How The Cargo Boom Created A Window Of Opportunity
Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Company (GAMECO) has shifted its business model towards passenger-to-freighter conversions, in response to operators wanting more cargo aircraft. Norbert Marx, CEO of GAMECO, tells Smart Aviation Asia Pacific that a big focus for the company now…
