CHANGI Airport welcomes INAUGURAL Zhengzhou-Singapore FLIGHT

Changi Airport Group (CAG) and the Henan Civil Aviation Development and Construction Committee (HCADCC) today marked a significant milestone in their cooperation as the inaugural flight connecting Zhengzhou to Singapore arrived at Changi Airport Terminal 1 this afternoon.

The inaugural flight from Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan Province, follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by CAG and HCADCC in November 2010 to develop air connectivity between Singapore and cities in Henan.

Passenger traffic between Singapore and China has shown promising signs of growth. In 2010, some 3.38 million passengers travelled between the two countries, an increase of 16% over 2009. In particular, traffic between Singapore and secondary cities in China1 grew 22% over the same period. With the addition of Xiamen Airlines’ flights to Zhengzhou, some 430 weekly scheduled flights will connect Changi Airport to 26 Chinese cities, reinforcing Singapore’s position as the most connected Southeast Asian city to China.

Changi Airport Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Lee Seow Hiang said, “We congratulate Xiamen Airlines on its inaugural flight from Zhengzhou to Singapore. This would not have been possible without the strong support of The People’s Government of Henan Province, Xiamen Airlines and Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport. We look forward to deepening our partnership with the Henan Civil Aviation Development and Construction Committee to promote sustainable traffic growth between Singapore and Henan.”

Apart from having one of the fastest growing economies among China's six Central Provinces (Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jianxi and Shanxi), Henan is home to attractions such as the Shaolin Temple and the Yellow River. "With the connection to Zhengzhou, Singaporeans will now have the opportunity to visit the Henan region, which is rich in cultural and tourism attractions," added Mr Lee.

Besides establishing direct flights between Singapore and Henan, CAG and HCADCC will work together to support airlines and promote air routes. Both parties will also support their respective tourism authorities in promoting bilateral tourism flows and strengthening tourism links through joint marketing efforts.

source:airtransportnews.aero

GARUDA INDONESIA add flights SCHEDULE in May

Garuda Indonesian Airlines will add one flight from Manado, North Sulawesi to Jakarta from May 2011.

"On May, the Garuda Indonesia flight from Sam Ratulangi Airport, Manado will be a three-day schedule that is two in the afternoon and one morning," said General Manager of Garuda Indonesia Manado, Piktor Sitohang in Manado, on Friday (March 25).

Piktor said, according to plan morning flight by Garuda in May will be served by Boeing 737 series 800 with capacity 162 passenger.

"The users of air transport from Manado City continued to show increased high enough. Therefore, Garuda Indonesia will give the best service with flight schedules by adding new aircraft," said Piktor.

With these additional flights, Garuda Indonesia is targeting the number of passengers transported from the Sam Ratulangi Airport Manado increased to 470 people.

"We are targeting an average of passengers transported from the Sam Ratulangi Airport Manado using Garuda Indonesia as much as 470 people," said Piktor.

Despite adding flights, but passenger safety and security will remain a major concern of Garuda Indonesia.

"Garuda Indonesia is consistent in performing regular maintenance and operational standards and surveillance aircraft followed the international standards before the plane take off," said Piktor.

picture: google.com

Until March, the Government of INDONESIA Hold 5 Million Tons of FISH Imports

The Indonesia government has hold as many as 5,134,000 tons of illegal fish import which comes from 190 containers until March 18, 2011, so it can not enter the Indonesian market.

"The type of fish that enter illegally are generally mackerel species of fish and all fish will be returned to their home countries," said Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Fadel Muhammad in a press release submitted by Head of Data Statistics and Information Yulistyo Mudho.

According to Fadel, the policy is carried out in an effort to implement the Ministerial No.17/2010 on Quality Control and Safety of Fishery Products imported into the territory of the Republic of Indonesia. He said fish imported illegally detained were mostly from China, namely as many as 126 containers.

"Imports of fish should not be carelessly into the country, and the Government only allows the import of fish that enter only the special fish like salmon, Kamachi, Kampachi foreigners who eat raw materials sector as a restaurant," he said.

However, he said again, to press the case of illegal fish imports, it had asked the whole range of government oversight, such as Quarantine and Customs to prevent similar cases in order not happen again.

Because the provisions of an import permit fishery is intended to control the import of fish, as long as there were indications many frozen fish imported for the purpose of trafficking and consumption and damage in the domestic market.

Meanwhile, 5.134 million tones of fish are seized illegally from Belawan on hold of 72 containers (1,944,000 tons) of fish, 81 containers (2,176,000 tons) of fish in Tanjung Priok in Jakarta and 37 containers (1,006,000 tons) of fish in Tanjung Perak, Surabaya. Meanwhile in Soekarno Hatta Airport as much as 7.687 tones.

picture: google.com

Trade Show Display

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MAERSK Line orders World's LARGEST and efficient Container SHIPS

Maersk the leading containership carrier has ordered 10 World's largest and efficient Container Ships ever, each of them has the capacity to carry 18,000 Tue (Twenty-Feet Containers), these gigantic containerships are classified as ' Triple-E '.

"Called the ‘Triple-E’ class for the three main purposes behind their creation — Economy of scale, Energy efficient and Environmentally improved — these new container vessels do not just set a new benchmark for size: they will surpass the current industry records for fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions per container moved held by the Emma Mærsk class vessels."

These containerships will be built in Korea by Daewoo Ship Building & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd and are set for the Delivery between 2013 and 2015. The Containerships will be deployed on Asia - Europe trade lanes. So far only Rotterdam, Felixstowe and Bremerhaven have ports deep enough to accommodate the containership of this size. Each of this Triple-E Class vessel will cost US $ 190 Million, which means the total amount of this order would be approx US $ 2 Billion, making it the single largest order ever placed in the Containership Industry.

AirAsia plans to INCREASE flights frequency to SINGAPORE

The airline company, PT Indonesia AirAsia plans to increase frequency of flights from Jakarta and Denpasar to Singapore. Adding of one-time flight to Jakarta to Singapore route that became six times a day. As for the route Denpasar - Singapore flights increased by one so that it becomes four times the flight.

"The addition of this flight frequencies will effective on 20 April," said President Director of Indonesia AirAsia, Dharmadi.

The addition of frequency to Singapore, according to Dharmadi, because of the many customer requests to go to Singapore. "Singapore became one of our customer's favorite route, as well known as a shopping paradise and city tour," he said.

Related to that, Director of Marketing and Distribution AirAsia Widijastoro Nugroho said, AirAsia will offer special prices to travel to Singapore.

The special prices that offer by AirAsia is start from IDR 149,000 for the Jakarta-Singapore route and start from IDR 199,000 for the Denpasar - Singapore route. "This will be valid from 23 to 27 March 2011 with scheduled flights from 20 April - 10 November 2011,"said Widijastoro.

The arrival of Garuda Indonesia Boeing 777-300 Experiencing DELAYS

The arrival of PT Garuda Indonesia Tbk (GIAA) aircraft with a capacity of 395 passengers, the Boeing 777-300 which is planning to arrive late 2012 or early 2013 in Indonesia, has been delayed.

This is because the long queue of aircraft orders at Boeing plant, Seattle United States.

According to Garuda Indonesia Operations Director, Ari Sapari, in 2013 Garuda Indonesia is expecting delivery of two units of Boeing 777-300 ER from the total order of 10 units, will start operating.

Expressed by Ari, delay arrival of the Boeing 777-300 aircraft will not make a Garuda Indonesia plans on international routes and long distance becomes chaotic.

The arrival of Boeing 777-300 later on according to Ari, will replace the use Airbus 330 that had been used to serve Garuda Indonesia flight route from Jakarta to Amsterdam via Dubai.

In addition to replace the fleet of Airbus A 330, Boeing 777-300 will also be used to replace the Boeing 747 that has been serving the route from Jakarta to Jeddah. Garuda Indonesia at this time at least already operates wide-bodied aircraft, Boeing 747-400 as much as 3 units, 4 units of Airbus 330-200 and Airbus 330-300 6 units.

picture: google.com

Indonesia's Export to Japan May be Disrupted

A 8.9-magnitude earthquake that rocked Japan and unleashed a 10-meter high tsunami may have the potential of affecting Indonesia’s exports to Japan, an official said.

"So exporters, importers and business world alike should be patient or switch to new markets other than Japan," Edy Putra Irawady, deputy for industry and trade to the coordinating minister for economic affairs, said here on Friday.

The natural disaster might also indirectly affect the domestic economy. He said two-way trade between Japan and Indonesia might be disrupted and Japanese investment in Indonesia might decline.

Meanwhile, Chief of the Banking Affairs of the Indonesian Young Businessmen Association (HIPMI) Silmy Karim said the disaster might affect the domestic economy now that Japan was one of Indonesia’s main export destinations. He said the Japanese companies which had so far imported part of their raw materials from Indonesia were expected to reduce their imports.

"Our alumunium and gas exports to Japan will likely fall sharply but such is not the case with CPO and coal exports," he said. He predicted the Japanese economy would soon recover from the disaster although its impact on the Japanese economy would be felt in three to six months’ time thanks to the country’s experience in facing such difficult situation.

Acting Chief of the Fiscal Policy Board (BKF) at the Finance Ministry Bambang Brodjonegoro expressed hope the disaster would have no prolonged impact particularly on the Indonesian economy.

"Japan is relatively more prepared (than any other nations) to deal with the impact of disasters so Friday’s quake and tsunami will likely have a relatively small impact on its economy," he said.

Last year, Indonesia’s non-oil/non-gas exports to Japan hit a record high of US$16.49 billion, making it the biggest market for Indonesia’s exports. In January 2011 alone, Indonesia’s non-oil/non-gas exports to Japan reached US$1.21 billion, accounting for 10.13 percent of its overall non-oil/gas exports in that month.

source: .kompas.com / picture: google.com

INDONESIA Airlines Ask for EXEMPTION to Surcharge RULES

The Indonesian Air Carrier Association has called on the government to allow domestic airlines to add fuel surcharges to airfares to reflect rising oil prices that may affect their operating costs.

Tengku Burhanuddin, secretary general of the association, also known as Inaca, said jet fuel prices have hovered between IDR 7,000 and IDR 8,000 (US$0.80 and US$0.91) per liter, but outside forces such as Middle East political crisis could send prices above the government’s price assumption.

Transport Ministry regulations allow airlines to impose surcharges if jet fuel prices exceed IDR 10,000 per liter and carriers experience a 20 percent rise in operational costs for three successive months.

Not imposing surcharges would be a burden to airlines already struggling to stay profitable, Tengku said. “If we are allowed to impose it now, it will be a lot easier to maintain our profit margin,” he said, adding that each airline has different calculations on the surcharges needed to cover operational costs.

Fuel typically makes up 30 percent to 40 percent of an airline’s operational costs.

Brent crude prices surpassed US$116 per barrel on Thursday after forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar el-Qaddafi bombed oil industry infrastructure, inflicting damage on the country’s exporting capacity, Reuters reported.

Last year, the Business Competition Supervisory Body (KPPU) accused the country’s nine largest airlines of using fuel surcharges to boost revenue even though fuel prices had declined. It leveled IDR 80 billion in fines and IDR 504 billion in compensation to customers against the carriers.

However, the Central Jakarta District Court struck down the KPPU’s ruling last month, saying there was no evidence of price-fixing between the airlines.

Elisa Lumbantoruan, finance director of flagship carrier Garuda Indonesia, said the airline had raised its economy class fare 5 percent and increased seat allocations for business and executive class to cope with rising fuel costs.

“Because we don’t hedge our fuel supply, we have to deal with this by increasing ticket prices and adjusting seat allocations,” he said. “We haven’t made any plans to add fuel surcharges.”

In 2007, when oil prices reached US$140 per barrel, Elisa said airlines began adding IDR 150,000 in fuel surcharges to airfare for the Jakarta-Surabaya route, for example.

Edward Sirait, general director of Lion Air, said his company was also increasing the number of seats in the executive class to compensate for rising fuel prices. Dharmadi, president director of AirAsia Indonesia, has said the airline could offset rising fuel prices of up to US$130 per barrel with ancillary revenue.

photo: google.com

WINGS Air open MALANG-DENPASAR flight route

The Indonesia airline company, Wings Airs, a subsidiary of Lion Air is starting open their flight route service from Malang - Denpasar, as an answer for the market need for this on the tourist route of these two destinations.

Wings Air uses ATR 72-500 aircraft with a capacity of 72 seats, which is said to have equipped with modern cabin.

Andi Burhan, Wings Air general manager explained, the flight is seven days a week, departing from Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport, Malang at 14:25 with flight number IW 1841, and departed from the Ngurah Rai Airport, Denpasar at 14.00.
This ATR aircraft is a new aircraft purchased from Avions de Transport Regional (ATR) manufacturer, which also manufactured turboprop-powered aircraft in France.

The number of aircraft would be ordered and will be operated by Wings Air is 30 aircrafts, has started operation since January 2010. "Up to February 2011 has been received and operates ten aircrafts, and five more planes is planning arrive until August 2011," said Andi Burhan.

The Malang-Denpasar route had been waiting since 2005, when the Civil Airport Abd Saleh Malang re-operated facilities that utilize the Air Force at Air Field Saleh Abd. "Malang always expect there is a direct route to and from Denpasar flight, as well as to and from Yogyakarta," said Head of Transportation Department of Malang Regency, Nasarudin Selian.

This is to confirm the Malang ambition along with it’s satellite city Kota Batu and Malang regency to assert its identity as a city or region of national and international tourist destination, besides Yogyakarta and Denpasar.

"We always hope that overseas tourists will travel  the Malang - Denpasar flight route, before entering Yogyakarta city, after entering Indonesia through the door of Denpasar. Similarly, on the contrary, from Yogyakarta or Jakarta to Denpasar via Malang," said Nasarudin.

picture: google.com

IATA: Soaring fuel costs will cut 2011 airline profits nearly 50pc

THE International Air Transport Association (IATA) has cut industry 2011 profit 2011 forecast to US$8.6 billion from last's year's $16 billion because of high oil prices.

"Today oil is the biggest risk. If its rise stalls global economic expansion, the outlook will deteriorate quickly," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's director general and CEO.

IATA raised its average oil price forecast to $96 per barrel, up from $84 in December, factoring in the impact of fuel hedging which is roughly 50 per cent of expected consumption.

"This year the industry is performing a balancing act on a very thin tight-rope of a 1.4 per cent margin. It is a structural problem that the industry has faced with an average margin of just 0.1 per cent over the last four decades," he said.

Oil prices could still damage the industry despite global GDP forecast increase of 3.1 per cent and demand in both passenger and cargo sectors, up 5.6 per cent and 6.1 per cent respectively. Cargo yields are up by 1.9 per cent from previous forecast of zero growth.

Regional winners continue to be Asia-Pacific at $3.7 billion collective profit although much reduced from the previous year's $7.6 billion through its exposure to low hedging on fuel price. Inflation fighting measures in China are also slowing trade and air cargo demand.

Middle East carriers are expected to return a profit of $700 million, much better than the $400 million previously forecast, but down from the $1.1 billion profit that the region posted in 2010.

source: shippingazette.com / picture: google.com

WINGS Air purchase 15 units of ATR 72-500

Wings Air confirmed to purchase 15 units of ATR 72-500 which came from the aircraft manufacturer Turboprop An Alenia Aeronotica and EADS joint venture. Purchasing of 15 aircraft is a continuation from the year 2009 where Wings Air ordered 30 units of ATR aircraft consists of 15 units is a definite purchase and 15 units is the additional purchase option.

"We are consolidating a partnership with Lion Air and Wings Air, and we are pleased to witness the success of one of the leading company in Southeast Asia," says CEO ATR Filipo Bagnato.

Wings Air hopes, this year the aircraft will be received and operated to reach 15 units. With this addition, Wings Air become the the largest company which use ATR 72-500 aircraft in Southeast Asia.

During this time, Wings Air is using this type of aircraft to fly routes such as Sumatra, Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi and neighboring countries. This aircraft type is suitable to serve routes in remote areas as well as a feeder for the airline Lion Air.

Wings Airs first time operating ATR 72 aircraft in Indonesia in January 2010 and until February 2011 there have been about 10 aircrafts. It is expected that five more aircrafts will gradually be received until August 2011.

Lion Air President Director who is also Commissioner of Wings Air, Rusdi Kirana said the increase in the number of ATR fleet is expected to contribute to national economic growth.

"ATR aircraft became very popular in Indonesia because they play a key role in business development and tourism, as well as linking the islands of Indonesia," he concluded.

picture: google.com