HANJIN Shipping, South Korea's biggest and the world's ninth largest container liners, have posted its 2011 results with a net loss of KRW823.9 billion (US$731 million), an operating loss of KRW492.6 billion due to high fuel costs and decline in freight rates.

Its full-year 2011 container volumes rose 12.4 per cent year on year, but the total sales were down 1.1 per cent to KRW9.52 trillion. This reflects that the negative operating factors have eroded profitability.

Hanjin's container division recorded an operating loss of KRW550 billion, said the company statement, because of high oil prices, soft freight rates and too much tonnage afloat.

The bulk division posted 4.9 per cent year-on-year growth in operating profit at KRW53.5 billion, due to the recovery in freight rates and 35.1 per cent cargo volume rise in the dedicated vessel section.

Hanjin believes the oversupply problem will persist in 2012 due to continuous deployment of mega-sized vessels.

source: shippinggazette / picture: google.com

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Garuda Indonesia to reduce the frequency of flights from Jakarta to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, due to the economic crisis in the European region. But the airline will begin to open two new routes namely to Haneda, Tokyo and Taipei, Taiwan.

"In line with economic conditions in Europe which is still in recession, beginning March 1st, Garuda Indonesia will reduce the frequency of its flights to Europe /Amsterdam from seven to four times a week," said VP of Corporate Communication Garuda Indonesia, Pujobroto.

Pujobroto explained the next flight to Amsterdam will served by Garuda Indonesia on every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from Jakarta. From Amsterdam is served every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, using A330-200 aircraft.

Pujobroto added in the line with an increase in market potential for a flight to Tokyo and Taipei, as from 27 April Garuda Indonesia will open a new route from Denpasar to Haneda (Tokyo), and on May 19, from Jakarta to Taipei. At the same time will also increase the frequency of Garuda Indonesia flight from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur from twice to three times per day starting in February.

Denpasar - Haneda flights will be served five times per week (every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) with a scheduled departure from Denpasar (GA 886) at 15.30 AM and arrive at Haneda at 23.30 LT. The plane will fly back from Haneda (GA 887) at 01.00 LT and arrive in Denpasar at 07.00 WITA, using Airbus 330-300 aircraft with a capacity of 257 passenger seats (42 executive class and 215 economy class).

Jakarta - Taipei flights will be served every day (seven times a week) with a scheduled departure from Jakarta (GA 852) at 23:45 pm and arrive in Taipei at 06:15 LT, then fly back from Taipei (GA 853) at 07:15 LT and arrive in Jakarta at 11:35 pm, using Boeing 737-800 New Generation (NG).

picture: google.com

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AirAsia X, an affiliate of AirAsia, expanded its network in Australia with the launch of direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney.

In its maiden flight on April 1, 2012, AirAsia X offers fare airline seat, ranging from IDR 607.000 (one way) for economy class and start from IDR 3.047.000 each way for flights with Premium Fly Flatbed.

"The opening of routes from the hub in Kuala Lumpur to Sydney is the culmination of our dreams and all associated with AirAsia X, in particular the Group CEO of AirAsia, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes," said AirAsia X CEO Azran Osman Rani.

He believes in the last 4 years the company can do things that seem impossible to do.

The launch of new routes announced by AirAsia X CEO, Azran Osman-Rani, AirAsia X Chairman, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Destination New South Wales CEO, Sandra Chipchase, Sydney Airport Executive Director of Aviation Services, Shelley Roberts, representatives from the tourism department.

Azran added from 1 April 2012, AirAsia X, an affiliate of AirAsia who serve long-haul flights, will fly daily from their hub at Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Kingsford Smith, Sydney.

With the opening of Kuala Lumpur – Sydney route, passengers will be able to perform advanced flight to more than 80 destinations through 165 owned by AirAsia routes to countries in Asia and beyond.

Sydney became the fourth AirAsia X destinations in Australia after the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Perth. This route as well be the only low cost direct flights from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur.

According to him, Australia is a major market share for AirAsia X, and Sydney route has long been a priority of the company due to high demand from the users of air travel services.

"Our goal is to make the journey to international destinations become more affordable for all people, and now our passengers will be able to explore Sydney, Australia and other areas with our extensive route network and at an affordable cost," he said.

He was optimistic that the new route is able to follow the success of the route that had been launched earlier, namely the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Perth.

Azran explains fly-thru service will be available for those who will fly to Sydney from Indonesia (Bali, Medan, Surabaya and Jakarta), Thailand (Bangkok, Phuket), Singapore, and Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City). This service also allows passengers to buy an airline seat for the two routes at once via Kuala Lumpur.

AirAsia Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said the launch of the new route is not only good news for its customers, but also for the tourism industry, particularly in Sydney.

"Sydney is also AirAsia X has become a priority because of high demand for direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to the city," he added.

Kuala Lumpur - Sydney route to start operations using aircraft type Airbus A330-300 with a configuration of 12 seats and 365 flatbed Premium fly economy class seats.

picture: google.com

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