Regulatory Environment Stymieing Regional Aviation Development: Strombeck
The civil aviation regulatory environment is inadvertently hampering the development of regional aviation in Asia. Christian von Strombeck, the former director of operations for Indonesia’s Susi Air and Philippines’ Air Juan, says there is a real need for regulatory reform…
Singapore Protests Setting up of Restriction Area over Southern Johor
Singapore’s Ministry of Transport has raised concerns regarding a notice to airmen (NOTAM) published by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) declaring the establishment of a “permanent restricted area for the purpose of military activities over Pasir Gudang”. The…
Nepal Domestic Carriers in Fleet Expansion Mode
Nepal’s domestic carriers are adding at least seven 70-plus seat aircraft in the first quarter of 2019 as demand rockets. Three of the major players—Yeti Airlines, Buddha Air and Shree Airlines—say they have regulatory approvals to receive ATR 72s and…
Operators of Smaller Regional Aircraft Need to Stay Ahead of the Competition: Strombeck
There will always be a role for smaller turboprop aircraft, because these aircraft can access airports larger aircraft are unable to land at, and smaller aircraft are the right size for developing new routes. So says Christian von Strombeck, former…
PNG Air Cautiously Optimistic Despite Weak Economy
Papua New Guinea’s PNG Air expects its business to improve slightly in the coming years even as economic conditions remain weak. In his interview with Smart Aviation APAC, PNG Air’s acting CEO Paul Abbot attributes his optimism to recovering disposable…
Best On The Web | December 2018
Our first round-up of Asia-Pacific regional aviation news this month includes interesting stories on Indonesia’s Wings Air, Air New Zealand, Russia’s Aeroflot and Yakutia, and the Pakistan Navy. 1. Indonesia’s Wings Air Receives Four ATR 72-600s Source: Aviation Week Lion…
PNG Air Performing Heavy Maintenance In-House
PNG Air is now performing heavy maintenance on ATR and Bombadier Dash 8 aircraft. PNG Air’s acting CEO, Paul Abbot, tells Smart Aviation APAC the decision to perform C-checks is only partly cost-related. It also maximizes the engineers’ time and…
Philippines’ IAI Plans To Buy More Dornier 228s
Philippine passenger charter operator Island Aviation Inc (IAI) plans to buy a Dornier 228 to replace one of its older aircraft. The airline operates three Dornier 228-202K aircraft, but plans to buy a pre-owned Dornier 228-212 to replace one of…
China to Have 450 Airports by 2035
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) says it aims to have 450 airports by 2035, adding over 200 new airports in order to keep up with airline demand and improve regional connectivity. CAAC’s director of development and planning, Dong…
Singapore-Malaysia Dispute Has Impacted A Quarter Of Firefly’s Business
A regulatory dispute between Singapore and Malaysia, over airspace and air routes in and of Singapore’s Seletar Airport, has put a stop to a quarter of the operations of Malaysia Airlines’ Firefly. Firefly was planning to relocate from Singapore’s Changi…
Aircraft Lessor Falko Enters China’s Difficult Regional Market
Regional aircraft lessor Falko has established a new leasing business in China in an effort to capture lease deals in that market. There are very few regional aircraft operating in China but Falko’s senior vice president of portfolio development, Will…
QantasLink Announces Bendigo’s First Regular Commercial Service in 30 Years
QantasLink will be launching a new route from Sydney to Bendigo, marking the first regular commercial service to the historic Victoria city in over 30 years. The airline says it will operate a six-times-weekly Bombardier Q300 service starting 31 March…
