MACAU: Traffic through Macau's international airport increased by 19 per cent in the first 10 months of 1999. Arrivals in October increased by 12 percent over the previous year to a total of 231,251 passengers.
PAL gets a lifeline
The last holdout among Philippine Airlines' creditors has dropped its opposition to the airline's rehabilitation plan. The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Eximbank) recently withdrew a motion filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission in which it had opposed the commission's approval of the plan.
PAL began the rehabilitation process in June 1999. Eximbank's reversal comes as the airline has met or surpassed its operational and financial targets under the plan.
Domestic takes flight
PELITA Air Service, Indonesian Airlines Avia Patria and Mentari Airlines are to begin operating services in the archipelago's eastern provinces.
Pelita Air Service previously operated charters, while Mentari Airlines is preparing route licensing. Indonesian Airlines Avia Patria expects to begin passenger operations in January.
Licensing for other airlines to switch from charter to scheduled service is being considered, said air transportation director general Sunaryo.
Domestic passenger totals dropped 13 per cent in 1999, from about 6.5 million in 1998. Seat capacity has declined from 15 million to 10.5 million in the same period, due to fleet reductions, cancellation of unprofitable routes and closure of some private domestic carriers.
Singapore soaring
SINGAPORE Airlines recorded an operating profit of S$129 million for the first six months, ending September 30.That's a 52.3 per cent increase on the same period in 1998.
Pre-tax profits were $645 million, an increase of $219 million after accounting for a surplus of $47 million from the sale and leaseback of two B747-400 passenger aircraft and the sales of spares and spare engines; and a profit of $111 million from the disposal of the investments in Delta Air Lines and Swissair.
Passenger load factor was 3.8 percentage points higher at 74.8 per cent. Passenger yield rose by 4.8 per cent.