Aircraft News - Asia / Pacific

AirGuide Business, Feb 25, 2008

Feb 25, 2008

The International Air Transport Association said on Friday that the Indonesian government is considering adopting IATA's operational safety audit for all its airline operators in a bid to improve standards. Indonesia's airline industry has grown rapidly in the past decade following liberalization, with the launch of several new players and a wider choice of routes across the sprawling archipelago. However, the world's fourth-most populous country has suffered a string of airline disasters in recent years, raising concerns about safety standards and prompting the European Union to ban all Indonesian airlines from its airspace. The Indonesian government has said it is addressing these safety issues and wants the EU to lift the ban. Feb 22, 2008

Airbus, Singapore Airlines

Airbus aims to talk to Singapore Airlines over the purchase of up to 15 additional A380 superjumbos and 20 A330 or A350 widebody planes, the European planemaker's chief salesman said on Thursday. Singapore Air has on order 19 A380 superjumbos, 20 of the A350, and 20 A330s, Leahy said. The carrier is Airbus's first customer for the A380 -- the world's largest passenger jet -- and took delivery of its first aircraft last October. Feb 21, 2008

Airbus, Singapore Airlines

Fuel pump problem forces airline to cancel Airbus A380 flight. A fuel pump defect forced Singapore Airlines to cancel an A380 flight. The airline detected the problem, the first major technical glitch with the plane, when the plane's engine was started before a flight from Singapore to Sydney. Feb 19, 2008

Ancra International, Flyington Freighters

Ancra International was selected by Flyington Freighters to provide 12 Airbus A330-200F cargo loading systems, with delivery to Airbus beginning in March 2009. Hyderabad-based Flyington is the launch customer for the A330-200F. Feb 21, 2008

Boeing, Lockheed Martin

Defense contracts demonstrate improved ties with India. India's recent agreement to purchase military transport planes from Lockheed Martin demonstrates that relations between the U.S. and India have improved. Boeing and Lockheed Martin are competing for a $10 billion contract to sell fighter jets to India, along with four non-U.S. companies. Cooperation between India and the U.S. would continue to improve if a U.S. company wins the contract, observers say. Feb 19, 2008

Goodrich, Singapore Changi airport

Goodrich to unveil maintenance and repair site next to Singapore Changi airport. Goodrich will unveil its new 530,000-sq.-ft. aircraft component and systems maintenance and repair campus on Feb. 20 during the Singapore Airshow. The $23 million campus, located next to Changi Airport, brings several Goodrich service businesses together under one roof and adds an additional 300,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space and MRO capability including aircraft nacelle systems, flight controls, cargo systems, engine controls and components, actuation systems and aircraft evacuation systems. Feb 20, 2008

Hawker Pacific

Hawker Pacific is "packed out" with business aviation MRO work at its Singapore plant, Hawker Pacific CEO Alan Smith said. He expects business to grow even more when a resort opens in Singapore next year. The company has also identified a new site that will become part of its aerospace park. Feb 21, 2008

IBS Software, Jet Airways

IBS Software reached agreement with Jet Airways to implement its crew management system AvientCrew. IBS also launched a development center at Bengaluru. Feb 22, 2008

International Lease Finance, Bombardier

International Lease Finance - ILFC "could be an interesting ally" with Bombardier in efforts to sell the 110/130-seat CSeries, Chairman and CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy said at the Singapore Air Show. ILFC is spending a lot of time talking to Bombardier about the proposed program, which the Canadian manufacturer expects to launch this year, Udvar-Hazy said. Historically, the lessor only has ordered new aircraft from Airbus and Boeing. Acknowledging it would be "a new adventure for us," he observed that the delay in the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 successor programs "creates a window for Bombardier." The Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan that will power the CSeries, "looks interesting." However, he also expects that Boeing and Airbus "will respond aggressively" to a foray into the bottom of the 100-seat-plus market. Feb 21, 2008

International Lease Finance, Mitsubishi Regional Jet

International Lease Finance - ILFC Chairman and CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy said at the Singapore Air Show had positive words for the proposed Mitsubishi Regional Jet, stating that the Japanese government is behind the program. Citing Japan's dramatic rise to the top in the automobile industry over the past four decades, he said, "if they commit [to commercial aircraft] they could be a formidable player." Looking at the market for an Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 successor in the 150-seat and larger category, ILFC has been advocating a twin-aisle aircraft to Airbus and Boeing. Feb 21, 2008

Japan Airlines, Airbus