geoff dixon - Orient Aviation

49TH ASSEMBLY OF PRESIDENTS
Busy delivery schedules ahead
Association of Asia Pacific
Airlines (AAPA) members
have more than 280 new
aircraft planned for delivery
over the next few years,
according to the AAPA’s latest statistical
report. Delivery positions include orders
for 135 new generation aircraft, notably the
Airbus A380 and Boeing B787.
While Boeing continues to be the
dominant aircraft manufacturer, accounting
for 75% of the total AAPA fleet, its share
declined slightly for the third consecutive
year, down from 77.2% in 2003. One
factor behind the decline was the removal
of McDonnell Douglas DC-10s and MD-
11 freighters from the books of several
airlines.
Airbus raised its share with a net increase
of 32 aircraft, including 22 A330s.
As of November, the 17 AAPA member
airlines operated a fleet of 1,292 aircraft, an
increase of 19 aircraft, or 1.5%, over the
previous year.
T h e t o t a l i n c l u d e s 9 5
dedicated freighter aircraft.
Together with signif icant
widebody belly capacity in the
passenger fleet, this helped the
region’s carriers take the lead in
carrying one third of global air
cargo traffic for the 12-month
period.
With their huge presence
on long-haul routes, member
airlines continue to represent
a significant global force,
according to the AAPA.
The B747 variants remain
the mainstay of the long-haul fleet with 365
aircraft, representing 36.3% of the global
fleet of 1,005 B747s. Similarly, they operate
a significant share of the global B777 (37.4%)
and A330/340 (26.2%) fleets.
Amongst AAPA members, All Nippon
Airways (ANA) has become the largest
fleet operator, with 145 aircraft. It overtook
Japan Airlines (JAL), which held last year’s
All Nippon Airways:
Largest fleet
among AAPA
member carriers
pole position. JAL reduced its
inventory by six aircraft as a
result of a fleet rationalization
programme following its merger
with Japan Air System.
Other A A PA members
operating more than 100 aircraft
are Qantas (up three aircraft to
132), Korean Air (reduced
by one to 116) and Malaysia
Airlines (up one aircraft to
111).
O ve r a l l, 10 memb e r s
registered increases to their
fleet while six airlines reported
a decrease. Of the airlines reporting growth,
Air New Zealand marked a significant gain
in its fleet posting a 15.4% increase, which
was largely due to the introduction of a new
aircraft type (B777) and additional A320s.
At the other end of the spectrum, Garuda
Indonesia saw an 8.1% reduction in fleet size
as it phased out the last of its DC-10 tri-jets
and F28 turboprops.
Strong aviation hub vital to Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s acting chief executive, Rafael Hui, told
delegates and guests at the opening of the AAPA’s
Assembly of Presidents the government was
committed to strengthening Hong Kong’s status as
an aviation hub.
And he emphasised the importance of aviation to Hong Kong’s
development.
“Hong Kong is fortunate enough to be located at the heart of this
region and right at the gateway of China. Our unique geographical
position has enabled Hong Kong to develop into a major aviation
hub,” said Hui.
“We spare no efforts in improving our inter-modal connections
with the Mainland, in particular the thriving Pearl River Delta area,
so as to enlarge our passenger and cargo catchment area.”
Hong Kong was “a true believer” in a free economy and open
markets, said the acting chief executive. “The same philosophy
pervades throughout our aviation sector. Airlines plan and develop
their businesses in a liberalised, transparent and predictable
environment.
“And our market allows airlines to compete solely on their own
strengths. The government provides absolutely no subsidy, but some
support to our local airlines in whatever form or shape,” he said.
Cathay Pacific Airways chairman, David Turnbull, said in his
Cathay Pacific chairman, David Turnbull (left), and the
AAPA director general, Andrew Herdman (right), presented
Hong Kong’s acting chief executive, Rafael Hui, with the
plaque commemorating the 49th AAPA Assembly of
Presidents in Hong Kong
welcoming address that the aviation industry had been confronted
with a number of crises in recent years, but ultimately came through
them in better shape.
“Aviation is a tough business. On the whole, Asian airlines are
doing much better than airlines in the rest of the world,” he said.
20 ORIENT AVIATION DECEMBER 2005-JANUARY 2006