Aircraft News - Asia / Pacific.

For more aircraft news, data, fleets and analysis, please go to: http://www.airguideonline.com/professional.htm Jul 17, 2006

Airbus, Boeing, Singapore Airlines 

Singapore Airlines is understood at the Farnborough show to be studying the developments as part of its RFP for up to 15 aircraft to replace its A340-500s on the New York-Singapore and Los Angeles-Singapore routes. Jul 16, 2006

Airbus, China Southern

China Southern Airlines confirmed it will take 50 A320s as its allocation from the Chinese government's order of 150 A320 family aircraft booked in December, which enabled Airbus to pip Boeing in the order stakes. The third carrier to announce its allotment, China Southern's order is valued at $3.3 billion. It will take delivery in 2009 and 2010. Air China will take 24 A320s and China Eastern Airlines will take 30. A total of 46 remain to be allocated to three more airlines. Jul 10, 2006

ANA - All Nippon Airways

ANA is moving forward with plans to build its fleet around twin-engine aircraft with the sale of six of its 23 747-400s to Avion Aircraft Trading of Iceland. The aircraft are configured for both domestic routes (569 passengers) and international operations (from 287 passengers). ANA has been replacing the dash 400s on domestic routes with 777-300s seating 477 passengers. It is moving to smaller types such as the 777, 767 and 787 because of the addition of a second runway at Tokyo Narita and a planned fourth runway at Tokyo Haneda, which has reduced the requirement for larger types. ANA also said its strategy for the fiscal years 2006-09 involves the introduction of new, more economical aircraft like the 737-700 and 787. It will retire two 747-400s per year starting next year. Jul 13, 2006

Boeing, AWAS, Viva Macau

AWAS and Viva Macau signed a deal for the lease of a 767-200ER and a 767-300. Viva Macau plans to launch its low-fare, long-haul services in the third quarter. Jul 10, 2006

Boeing, Singapore Aircraft, Shandong Airlines

Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise, SALE will lease two new 737-800s to Shandong Airlines for 10 years each. Aircraft will be delivered from Boeing in the first half of 2007. It is Shandong's first contract with SALE, which has 30 dash 800s on firm order. Jul 14, 2006

Embraer, Mandarin Airlines

Mandarin Airlines of Taiwan will lease three Embraer 190s and five 195s from GE Commercial Aviation Services. The aircraft come from the existing GECAS backlog and are scheduled to begin delivering in the second quarter of 2007. Configured in a single seating class, they will replace Mandarin's existing fleet of F100s and F50s on domestic routes and eventually will help develop short-haul international markets. Jul 11, 2006

Pakistan International, Fokker

Pakistan said on Wednesday it would not use Fokker planes for passenger flights after an F-27 crashed, killing all 45 people on board. The Fokker F-27 turboprop, operated by state-run Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), crashed on Monday on the outskirts of the central city of Multan two minutes after takeoff. Pakistan has six Fokker planes in its fleet. Monday's was the third crash of a Fokker Friendship operated by state-run Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) since 1970. Jul 12, 2006

Pakistan International, Fokker

Pakistan International Airlines F27 crash kills 45. In the second fatal airplane crash in Asia in as many days (see item below), a Pakistan International Airlines F27 turboprop departing Multan en route to Lahore crashed minutes after takeoff yesterday, killing all 41 passengers and four crew onboard.The 42-year-old aircraft was part of PIA's fleet of F27s set to be retired by the end of 2007 and replaced by seven new ATR 42-500s ordered last year. PakTribune reported that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz ordered PIA to ground immediately its seven F27s that are 25-40 years old and are used to fly relatively remote domestic routes. It is unclear whether the grounding is permanent. The airline has taken delivery of one ATR 42-500 so far with deliveries slated to continue through 2007. Jul 11, 2006