Alfred Chua

Singapore

Asia Air Transport Editor at Flightglobal

Asia Air transport editor, @FlightGlobal. Formerly: @TODAYonline. Coffee, cats, puns and fries. Get in touch: [email protected] (Views are my own!)

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Articles

Hainan Airlines receives first A321neo

5 days ago | flightglobal.com | Alfred Chua

Hainan Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321neo, becoming the type’s newest operator in China. The aircraft, registered B-32LY, arrived at Hainan’s Haikou Meilan international airport hub on 19 June from Airbus’ Hamburg facility. Source: Hainan AirlinesHainan Airlines received the first of two A321neos The CFM International Leap-1A-powered jet is configured to seat 204 passengers in a two-class setting: eight seats in business class and 196 in economy class.
Turkish unit AJet to lease 10 A321neos from Avolon

1 week ago | flightglobal.com | Alfred Chua

Turkish Airlines’ low-cost unit AJet will lease 10 Airbus A321neos as part of fleet renewal and network expansion efforts. The airline signed a lease agreement at the Paris air show with lessor Avolon for the 10 narrowbodies. The first A321neo will be delivered to AJet in 2027. Source: Avolon(From left) Ahmet Bolat, Turkish Airlines chairman and Andy Cronin, CEO of Avolon. Ajet operates a fleet of 92 narrowbodies, comprising Airbus A320-family jets and Boeing 737s.
Ethiopian Airlines is newest customer for rebooted Twin Otter 300

1 week ago | flightglobal.com | Alfred Chua

Ethiopian Airlines is to acquire a pair of De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300Gs. The pair of aircraft will be delivered to Ethiopian Airlines in amphibious gear, with the Star Alliance carrier deploying it to serve remote airstrips, as well as Ethiopia’s lake regions. The airline did not state when it will be taking delivery of the first example.
ANA reveals new business class seats on 787-9s

1 week ago | flightglobal.com | Alfred Chua

Japan’s All Nippon Airways has unveiled a new business class product for its Boeing 787-9s, which it has developed in partnership with French manufacturer Safran Seats and British design company Acumen. ‘The Room FX’ will enter service – alongside new economy and premium economy seats – from 2026, when ANA takes delivery of at least three Dreamliners already fitted out with the new interiors.
Comac inks pacts with Safran and Crane for C929 systems

1 week ago | flightglobal.com | Alfred Chua

Comac kicked off its return to the Paris air show with a pair of agreements signed with Safran and US-based Crane Aerospace and Electronics for its C929 widebody programme. The memorandums of understanding cover various systems on the in-development jet. Comac’s MoU with Safran covers landing, oxygen, and ice detection systems, while its pact with Lynwood, Washington-headquartered Crane is for cabin door sensors.
Japan orders checks on 787s following Air India crash

2 weeks ago | aircargonews.net | Alfred Chua

Japanese officials have ordered the country’s carriers to inspect their Boeing 787s following the deadly crash involving a Boeing 787-8 operated by Air India, while their US counterparts have stopped short of grounding the type.
Air New Zealand to operate from new Western Sydney airport in 2027

2 weeks ago | flightglobal.com | Alfred Chua

Air New Zealand will be the second international carrier to operate from the forthcoming Western Sydney International (WSI) airport, after signing an agreement with airport operators on 11 June. The Star Alliance operator is looking to begin operating to the airport from mid-2027, starting with flights from its Auckland hub. The under-construction WSI airport is the Australian city’s second international gateway, and is slated to be operational in late-2026.
Vietnam Airlines, China Southern launch joint venture

3 weeks ago | flightglobal.com | Alfred Chua

Vietnam Airlines and China Southern Airlines have entered a joint venture arrangement as they look to tap into travel demand between the two countries. The partnership – the first of its kind between a Chinese and Vietnamese carrier – will commence 1 August. It will see the two carriers coordinate their schedules and codeshare on flights between China and Vietnam. The joint venture also covers frequent flyer programme partnerships, as well as inter-airline check-in for both carriers.
ANA sees Embraer E2s replacing larger jets on domestic network

3 weeks ago | flightglobal.com | Alfred Chua

All Nippon Airways (ANA) expects to use its Embraer E190-E2s to replace larger narrowbodies that operate its domestic network, as Japan confronts a shrinking population. Airline president Shinichi Inoue, who was speaking on the sidelines of the IATA annual general meeting in Delhi, says the “paradigm of our domestic operations” is changing, amid shifting demographics. Source: ANAANA President Shinichi Inoue speaking at the IATA AGM in Delhi. “We must be flexible [to respond to the changes].
IndiGo taps ex-KLM engineering head to boost MRO capabilities

1 month ago | flightglobal.com | Alfred Chua

IndiGo has appointed Ton Dortmans to shore up its maintenance capabilities in the lead-up to the introduction of its Airbus A350 operations. Dortmans joins the Indian low-cost carrier from KLM, where he last held the post of executive vice president for engineering and maintenance. He is also a veteran of the Dutch carrier, having been with the airline for over 40 years. Source: KLMTom Dortmans will be joining KLM to boost its MRO capabilities.