Low Cost Airline News - Asia / Pacific

Feb 25, 2008

Lion Air, Boeing

Lion Air orders 56 more Boeing 737-900ERs valued at $4.4 billion. Indonesia's rapidly expanding LCC Lion Air ordered an additional 56 737-900ERs valued at $4.4 billion, bringing its firm commitments for the type to 178. The airline also took purchase rights on a further 50. It launched the 737-900ER program in July 2005 with an order for 30. The -900ERs are replacing a mixed fleet of MD-80s, MD-90s and 737-300s. Feb 20, 2008

Virgin Blue

Virgin Blue enjoyed a 7.6% gain in earnings to A$135.1 million. Six-month revenue rose 8.1% to A$1.21 billion and operating profit fell 5.6% to A$176.1 million from the A$186.6 million earned in the semester ended Dec. 31, 2006. It flew 9.42 billion RPKs during the period, up 4.4% year-over-year, and load factor rose 1 point to 83.2%. Yield climbed 3.9% to A12.14 cents and unit revenue grew 5.2% to A10.10 cents. CASK excluding the above-mentioned one-off investments increased 5.6% to A8.98 cents. Feb 21, 2008

Virgin Blue

Virgin Blue pays short-term price for expansion. Virgin Blue reported an 8.8% decline in profit for the fiscal semester ended Dec. 31 to A$113.3 million fuel ($104.1 million) from A$124.3 million in the year-ago period as competition and heavy investment in future expansion took their toll. Feb 21, 2008

Virgin Blue

Virgin Blue H1 Profit Down 8.8 Percent. Virgin Blue announced an 8.8 percent fall in its first-half profit and flagged a tough environment in the second half. Virgin Blue, Australia's second-largest airline, said on Wednesday capacity growth was expected to exceed demand in the short-term, while high fuel costs would continue to impact the airline. Feb 19, 2008

Virgin Blue, Embraer

Virgin Blue, during the six-month period, took one-off charges of A$21.8 million related to the introduction of Embraer E-170s, its New World Carrier program and the launch of its New Zealand and V Australia operations. It firmed purchase rights on four more E-190s at the Singapore Airshow. It now is operating or has committed to six E-170s and 18 E-190s. Feb 21, 2008

Virgin Blue, Thai Airways

Virgin Blue announced an interline agreement with Thai Airways yesterday that will feature e-ticketing, a first for Blue. Feb 20, 2008

ZZ

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