Mar 17, 2008
Spring Airlines
Shanghai-based Spring Airlines posted a record net profit of CNY70
million ($9.8 million) in 2007, more than double the previous
year's result. Operating revenue rose to CNY1.23 billion, but
industry analysts credited effective cost control for the profit result.
According to CAAC statistics, Spring's operating expenses were 18%
lower than the domestic average. The carrier is one of the few
profitable Chinese LCCs and operates a single fleet type (A320) with an
all-economy cabin configuration. In order to reduce costs, it developed
independent sales and departure systems that boosted e-commerce revenue
to CNY850 million (69% of its 2007 operating revenue) and saved around
CNY40 million in commissions to ticket agents. Passenger boardings
numbered 2.4 million last year and load factor was 95%. Mar 13, 2008
Spring Airlines
Spring Airlines operates eight Airbus A320s to more than 20
domestic destinations. A spokesperson said the fleet will increase by
3-4 units this year. It originally had planned to add 10 aircraft in
2008 and boost the fleet to 30 in 2009, but "due to a severe pilot
shortage, we have to decrease our fleet expansion. In addition, CAAC
wants us to slow down for this summer's Olympic Games and the
potential safety issues associated with saturated skies," the
spokesperson explained. Mar 13, 2008
Tiger Airways
Tiger Airways will increase services to regional Australia to take
on Virgin Blue's new E-jets and QantasLink's Q400s and 717s.
Speaking last week at the National Aviation Press Club in Sydney, Tiger
CEO Tony Davis told media that "destinations like Tamworth [in
regional New South Wales] have seen the cost of airfares increase and
their citizens are desperate for the low-cost revolution to
arrive." He said the cheapest flight from Tamworth to Melbourne
[Tiger's base] is on Qantas at A$356 ($332) and involves a Sydney
stop. Mar 10, 2008
Tiger Airways
Tiger Airways will invite Australians to vote online for their
preferred regional destination as it attempts to gauge demand. Davis
expects to announce a second Australian base within three months and
told media that the airline plans five operating bases in the country
over the next seven years. For the New Zealand market it is eyeing
Palmerston North. Mar 10, 2008
ZZ
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