Page 36 - AAA JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2014 Online Magazine

AIRLINES

AIRLINES

Slowly growing
Traffic figures from late last year show
growth in international passenger
numbers and for the first time in ages,
air cargo traffic too. According to Andrew
Herdman, DG at the AAPA), the region’s
carriers registered a 6.7% increase in
international passengers to 18.2 million
in November, along with a 5.4% increase
in international air cargo in freight tonne
kilometres (FTK). “Looking ahead, Asian
carriers remain positive about prospects
for further growth in demand,” said
Herdman. “Demand has picked up
AirAsia still buying in recent months in line with steadily
AirAsia X has placed a firm order for 25 A330-300s from Airbus. This is the largest improving global economic conditions.”
single purchase for A330s that Airbus has ever had, and bumps AAX’s outstanding
order list to 51. “This order stamps our firm intent to dominate the long-haul, low
cost carrier space,” said Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, CEO at AirAsia X. Fernandes said
the aircraft would help the company expand in Malaysia and from its proposed new
Thai AirAsia X hub and strengthen its connectivity between the long-haul and short-
haul arms of its low-cost network. “The A330 is the perfect platform for [this], with
the lowest operating costs, true long range capability and a proven track record,”
added Fernandes.

for 23 737-800s and 31 737 MAX 8s,
with deliveries to begin later this year.
The order, valued at US$4.9 billion SuperJet flies in
list prices, will double Silk Air’s fleet
by 2021. The carrier will take three A third Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100)
more A320s from Airbus, then switch aircraft was recently delivered to
completely to the Seattle maker. Indonesia-based Sky Aviation. Serial
Marvin Tan, CEO at SilkAir said “… the number 95031 adds to the carrier’s two
selection of the B737 follows detailed existing SSJ100s, which have already
evaluations and extensive negotiations racked up some 1000 flight hours.
New length of Silk with both Airbus and Boeing,” adding Used for routes between airports such
Singapore-based SilkAir has signed a that the presence of a local Boeing as Pontianak (Kalimatan), Palembang
letter of intent to buy up to 68 737-variant training facility at Singapore’s Changi (Sumatra) and Natuna Ranay (Batam),
aircraft from Boeing. In something of that could help with staff and pilot the new aircraft will open extra capacity
an unexpected switch from its Airbus retraining had without doubt made the to Surabaya, Denpasar, Labuan Bajo
policy, the carrier placed firm orders deal more attractive. and Kupang on Timor.

36 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2014 WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM