China’s first self-made large passenger plane is set to get nod to take to skies soon
>> China's first self-developed large passenger aircraft, the C919, has successfully completed all test flights and will soon receive its airworthiness certificate. COMAC has already received 815 orders amounting to RMB 500 billion (USD 74 billion) for the C919 airliner from 28 clients, according to the Beijing-based company’s website.
China Southern Boeing 737 MAX makes test flights as domestic demand picks up
>> China Southern Airlines this week conducted test flights with a Boeing 737 MAX plane for the first time since March, in a sign the jet's return to China could be nearing as demand rebounds. A MAX jet registered as B-1127 took off from Guangzhou on Tuesday morning and touched down about two hours later in the city of Nanyang in central China. It returned to Guangzhou in the evening.
Trip.com reports 162% rise in flight bookings in the first week of June
>> Trip.com recently released a report on the 2022 summer travel trend. The data showed that flight bookings for summer travel in the week starting from June 1 increased by 162% from the previous week. Group tour and hotel bookings in the same week increased by 109% and over 50%, respectively, indicating a strong recovery of summer travel in China.
Klook discovers 70% Asia Pacific travelers prefer traveling with friends
>> Travel and leisure e-commerce platform Klook reported that 70% of users in the Asia Pacific prefer traveling with friends, with only 30% expressing interest in taking a spontaneous solo vacation. 60% would rather indulge in a luxurious trip than embark on a backpacking holiday. Seven in ten seek a laid-back trip over a rugged budget adventure.
Cathay plans hiring spree to prepare for Hong Kong travel bounce
>> Cathay Pacific is planning to recruit 4,000 staff between now and the end of 2023 to replenish its severely depleted workforce and gear up for an anticipated recovery in air travel as Hong Kong rebuilds itself as an aviation hub, according to Chief Executive Officer Augustus Tang.
Shandong Airlines to be delisted after Air China takeover
>> Shandong Airlines has received Air China's tender offer and will withdraw from Shenzhen's B-share market. After the acquisition, Air China will inject more funds into Shandong Airlines Group and become the actual controller of the firm with no less than 66% of its equity, up from the earlier 49.41%.
Haichang Ocean Park gains after naming ex-CEO of Disneyland HK as APAC head
>> Shares of Haichang Ocean Park Holdings rose after the Chinese theme park operator said it has appointed Jin Minhao, former chief executive of Disneyland Hong Kong as its Asia-Pacific president. Haichang closed 3.1% up at HKD7.42 (95 US cents) on June 15, giving it a market capitalization of about HKD30.1 billion (USD3.83 billion).
Macau to lower quarantine period for Hong Kong and Taiwan travelers
>> The Macau government announced that the quarantine period for those entering from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and some foreign regions will be shortened to 10 days of medical observation followed by 7 days of self-health monitoring effective June 15.
China Airlines to increase total number of flights by 40% in Q3
>> Noting that many countries have begun easing their COVID-19 border regulations, China Airlines said it will gradually increase its passenger flights in the third quarter of the year, with the aim of reaching 150 flights per week, which would be a 40% jump.
SHR and Shiji integrate to give hoteliers more OTA access in APAC region
>> Sceptre Hospitality Resources (SHR) has announced integration capability between Shiji’s Channel Manager and SHR’s Windsurfer CRS. The partnership allows hoteliers to gain distribution access to some of the most popular online travel agencies (OTAs) in the Asia Pacific region. Now, hotels in APAC can connect with the OTAs that are in high demand for their markets, and hoteliers in North America and Europe can reach Asian travelers on their preferred channels.
