Nok Air Losses Snowball In 2020’s First-Half
Thai low-cost carrier Nok Air’s losses for the first half of 2020 more than doubled due to the pandemic-related restrictions on domestic and international travel. Net losses rose to 3,750.61 million baht (US$120.09 million) from 1,187.7 million baht in the…
Vietnamese Government to Delay KiteAir Launch Till 2022
The Vietnamese government looks set to delay its approval for the launch of startup KiteAir at least till 2022. Local reports say the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) has sent a document to the prime minister’s office recommending the…
Zimex Aviation Placing Twin Otters In Southeast Asia and the Pacific
Swiss turboprop maintenance and charter specialist Zimex Aviation is continuing to bring de Havilland Canada Series 300 Twin Otters into service in some parts of the Asia Pacific. Zimex is at varying stages of placing a Series 300 Twin Otter…
NZ’s New Single-Engine Turboprop in Development
New Zealand aircraft makers Pacific Aerospace and Flight Structures are partnering with UK aerial firefighting startup Arcus Fire to develop a new single-engine turboprop aircraft. Flight Structures CEO, Jon Kerr, tells Smart Aviation APAC that prior to Arcus Fire’s proposal…
Australia’s GippsAero Ceasing Production of GA8 Airvan
Australia’s GippsAero is dramatically reducing its workforce and ceasing production of its flagship GA8 Airvan, citing the impact of COVID-19 on utility aircraft sales. GippsAero will restructure to become a spares and support organisation by 20 September, and reduce its…
NZ’s Air Chathams Sees Growth In Regional Services
Air Chathams is seeing a return to normal demand for its regional domestic services as international border closures bring a boost to local tourism. The airline is the only operator flying to the Chatham Islands, 800km (432nm) east of New…
Air New Zealand Introduces RNP On ATR Flights
Air New Zealand has introduced required navigation performance (RNP AR) technology on ATR 72-600 flights, starting with flights in and out of Queenstown, a small city on the south island surrounded by high mountains. The airline’s chief operational integrity and…
DLR, MTU To Work on Hydrogen-Electric Dornier 228 Demonstrator
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) and Munich-based engine-maker MTU Aero Engines are jointly developing a hydrogen fuel cell-powered drivetrain to be demonstrated on a Dornier 228. The joint research project aims to develop a complete drivetrain for zero-emission flight, which…
ANALYSIS: Virgin Australia Restructuring Creates Void For New Entrants
Virgin Australia, which is exiting voluntary administration, has confirmed it plans to turn around its business by simplifying its fleet to focus on Boeing 737 operations, which means it will no longer operate ATRs. The airline says in a statement…
Aircalin Upgraded Twin Otters For Wallis and Futuna
New Caledonia’s national carrier Aircalin is modernising the de Havilland Canada Series 300 Twin Otters it operates in Wallis and Futuna, a French overseas collectivity near Fiji and Tonga in the South Pacific. The two Twin Otters are being upgraded…
Australia’s Alliance Buys Bargain Basement Embraer RJs
Alliance Airlines is buying 14 ex-Copa Airlines Embraer 190 jets from US lessor Azorra Aviation, with options for a further five. The US$79.4 million deal also includes: six spare GE CF34 engines, ground support equipment, training equipment, as well as…
ANALYSIS: Thailand’s Nok Air Was In Trouble Before COVID-19
Nok Air has gone into voluntary bankruptcy, but it should be coping much better with the current COVID-19 situation than it is, considering it is primarily a domestic airline. International air travel is more adversely affected, because international restrictions have…
