Airline News - Asia / Pacific.

For more airline news, data and analysis, please go to: http://www.airguideonline.com/order_formsubs.htm Aug 21, 2006

Indian security forces were searching half of all hand luggage, according to Reuters, which also reported that passengers flying to the US and UK from Auckland were prohibited carry-on bags. Policies varied from country to country. The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation said that "shock waves through the media" might have an initial impact on bookings and travel but that "passengers today are very resilient and less ready to overreact to what, at this stage, appears to be a particularly UK-US issue." It did say that it expected authorities in the region to "be much more vigilant in security checks" and adopt many of the policies enacted Thursday in the US and UK. "Hand baggage will probably never be the same again," it said. Aug 14, 2006

Abacus International

Abacus International's snapshot of the Asian airline industry shows sustained demand across the region despite the rising cost of fuel. Abacus President and CEO Don Birch said the first six months of 2006 were "a real test for the travel market, and the continuing growth shows we have come through with flying colors." He said the rise in traffic in India, China, Vietnam and Indonesia, in addition to the impact of low-cost carriers, highlights the growth picture. Aug 16, 2006

Air Deccan

Air Deccan launched daily Hyderabad-Coimbatore-Cochin-Hyderabad service aboard an A320, daily Chennai-Vijayawada-Rajahmundry-Chennai flights aboard an ATR 72-500, a second daily ATR 72-500 Delhi-Dehradun flight and daily A320 Bangalore-Pune and Jammu-Srinagar services. In the spring it started flights from its new base at Trivandrum to Delhi via Chennai and to Mumbai via Cochin aboard A320s. Aug 17, 2006

Jet Airways

India's Jet Airways, which launched service to London last year, confirmed in a weekend statement that it has suspended UK employee Asmin Tariq, who was one of 24 people arrested in London as a suspect in the terrorist conspiracy uncovered last week. Tariq was a security employee absorbed by Jet when the carrier ended its contract with his former employer, G4S, which has relationships with British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, SAS and others, according to Jet. "All G4S employees, including those transferred to Jet Airways, had been cleared by the UK Government Security Agency...to work at [London Heathrow]," the airline said. "Tariq is being suspended pending a full investigation, having not reported for duty for the past couple of days." Aug 15, 2006

Origin Pacific Airways 

Origin Pacific Airways suspended passenger service on Aug. 10, saying that a "hoped for capital injection" did not occur but that its "profitable" freight business would continue, albeit with a "fraction" of its 260 employees. It announced Friday that it let go all passenger service staff and was unable to offer any assistance to stranded passengers. The nine-year-old airline said Air New Zealand reneged on an agreement to assist those passengers following comments made by a Member of Parliament from Nelson, OPA's home city. It served 11 destinations. Aug 14, 2006

Qantas

Analysts expect Qantas to move more routes across to its domestic LCC subsidiaries Jetstar and QantasLink, while Jetstar International, to launch in November, will take a greater role on the international front. Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation Executive Chairman Peter Harbison said that the carrier "has no choice but to continue substituting higher-cost operating models with lower-cost ones and to target growth opportunities to expand top-line revenues. This underscores the importance of Jetstar to the Group's future prosperity." Aug 17, 2006

Regional Express Airlines 

Regional Express Airlines of Australia said it has "fast tracked" merger discussions with Sunshine Express Airlines. Under the proposed transaction, all Sunshine shares will be transferred to Rex "for a nominal consideration." Rex MD Geoff Breust said the deal is in line with its "mission of connecting regional Australia" but cautioned that Sunshine is in a tenuous position and likely won't survive absent the proposed merger. "If there is strong consensus and resolve [among all stakeholders involved], Rex will take up the challenge to take over and improve on the current network," he said. Aug 16, 2006

Thai Airways

Thai Airways will launch service at the new Suvarnabhumi Airport on Sept. 15 with thrice-daily flights to Phitsanulok, four-times-weekly service to Ubon Ratchathani and thrice-weekly flights to Chiang Mai. Other domestic services will continue to operate from Bangkok International Airport for the time being. Thai is transferring its operation center to Suvarnabhumi on Sept. 28, the day the airport becomes fully operational after a host of delays. Aug 14, 2006