Page 31 - AAA MAY-JUNE 2012 Online Magazine

DEALS

WHO’S BUYING WHAT

Counting on Abacus

AbAcus InternAtIonAl has signed
an agreement with AirAsia Philippines
to use the Abacus system to provide
Abacus’ travel agents with access to
the airline’s flights and fares. “We are
Rotary business in India very excited to be able to partner with
a service provider as established as
“busIness AVIAtIon is one of the key segments that is driving the growth of Abacus,” said Marianne Hontiveros,
the helicopter market in India,” noted eurocopter India ceo, Xavier Hay after the ceo, AirAsia Philippines. “As a
Hyderabad show. eurocopter India has signed contracts including an As350 b3e, an newcomer to the industry, we hope
ec135 and an ec155. the first aircraft is an As350 b3e sold to G.r.constructions for to be able to get word of our services
business use, along with an ec135 and an ec155 for undisclosed customers – for out to as many potential customers as
corporate travel. “these bookings mark a good start to the year,” said Hay. “We will possible and we feel that Abacus can
continue to work on developing other segments as well, such as emergency medical help us achieve that.” Abacus sees
services, law enforcement, utility and aerial work. our ultimate aim is to help create further strong growth ahead, especially
a robust aviation industry in this country.” in the area of lccs which saw a growth
in bookings of 27% in 2011 against
2010. An established partner of various
lccs, hybrid and regional airlines
including AirAsia Malaysia, thailand
and Indonesia, and cambodia’s Angkor
Air, Abacus is confident its network
will help AirAsia Philippines to reach
its consumers and help them tap into
higher-yield passenger segments.

Brunei CAE JV Etihad goes Irish

trainers cAe and the brunei Ministry unIteD ArAb eMIrAtes national airline
of Finance are to establish joint venture etihad Airways has extended its regional
company to develop a Multi-Purpose holding with an almost 3% stake in Irish flag
training centre in brunei, with long- carrier Aer lingus for an estimated us$ In-flight flyer
term contracts valued at approximately 20million based on the Irish carrier’s current Phoenix Duty Free services (PDFs) is set
us$172 million for cAe. the JV will be market capitalisation of 471 million euros. to secure the Air India on-board duty free
owned 60% by cAe and 40% by brunei etihad owns nearly 30% of Airberlin, and concession following a tender process.
Ministry of Finance, and will offer training 40% of Air seychelles, and is in something ceo Dilan Wirasinghe confirmed he had
on sikorsky and Pilatus aircraft in brunei of an M&A race with emirates – which signed a letter of intent from the airline
Darussalam. Martin Gagné, cAe’s Group interestingly has denied looking at Virgin. and that the company was working
President, Military Products, training and Aer lingus reported strong growth in 2011 towards an imminent operational
services, said the training centre will despite the country’s economic downturn implementation. Previously, IDFs ran
become a training centre of excellence as earnings climbed 66% to us$95.6 million the Air India inflight franchise, but the
for the entire south east Asia region. last year. etihad operates 10 flights a week poor profit margins are reported to have
“We are pleased and honoured the from Abu Dhabi to Dublin and has carried made the company walk away from the
Government of brunei has placed their more than 750,000 passengers between the deal. PDFs has existing contracts with
trust and confidence in cAe to deliver a two capitals since it began flying the route bangkok Airways, sri lanka Airlines
world-class training facility,” he said. in 2007. and the Mihin lanka lcc operation.

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