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Aviation

Aviation
Latest news, in-depth features and opinion on aviation, with a particular focus on the industry in Hong Kong, mainland China and Asia.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Cathay Group says it has hit its hiring target this year. Photo: Shutterstock
Cathay Pacific

Exclusive | Hong Kong’s Cathay reaches 3,400 pilots this year, with resignation rate of 2.9%

Company is ‘in a phase of record training’, spokesman says.

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Hong Kong transport

Global airline body expects airfares to fall in 2025, with profits set to soar

Science

China’s hypersonic jumbo jet prototype hits Mach 6 in Gobi Desert test flight

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Britain

Some airline crews avoid checking in bags as luggage woes hit London’s Heathrow

British Airways told pilots and cabin crew not to check luggage due to the fault at Terminal 5, an aviation news site reported.

London Heathrow is also the world’s second-busiest airport for international flights, behind Dubai. Photo: EPA-EFE
Singapore

Singapore Airlines joins fight to combat severe turbulence amid climate concerns

The initiative, which includes more than 25 airlines, uses anonymised data to help pilots avoid turbulence and navigate smoother flight paths.

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Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong has fully restored global aviation hub status, IATA chief says

Willie Walsh argues some foreign airlines failed to return to full capacity due to supply chain and airspace issues rather than geopolitics.

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Japan

Visit Tokyo ‘baggage-free’ with Japan Airlines’ new hotel luggage delivery service

The hotel delivery service aims to ease congestion on public transport and address the shortage of storage lockers, making travel smoother for visitors.

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Airport luggage Trolley with suitcases: Photo: Shutterstock
India

Air India’s order of 100 Airbus planes set to boost alliance with SIA: analysts

The order comes as India is expected to become among the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, according to a top IATA official.

China airliners

With China’s C919 flying high, local governments scramble to cash in

Regions are racing to sign deals with suppliers for the new aircraft, with hundreds of planes set to be built over the next few years.

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Hong Kong transport

Dubai’s Emirates to step up recruitment in Hong Kong amid global hunt for pilots

Airline already held two recruitment roadshows in Hong Kong this year and is offering tax-free monthly salaries of US$6,800 to US$12,250.

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The recruitment drive by Emirates follows the recovery of the global aviation sector from the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Roy Issa
Singapore

Australian man charged for threatening to crash plane at Changi Airport

A man will be charged with two counts of using threatening words after he allegedly threatened to crash an aircraft while boarding a flight.

A view of the control tower next to Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore. Photo: Reuters
Cathay Pacific

Hong Kong’s Cathay ‘confident’ of hitting full capacity but union has doubts

Hong Kong’s flag carrier says it has ‘robust plans in place’ to recruit pilots to support rebuilding plan.

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Thailand

Swiss Air crew investigated for filming passengers’ ‘intimate acts’ on flight

A flight crew member recorded a video of the incident involving two passengers from a screen in the cockpit.

Business of climate change

Hong Kong’s status as aviation, maritime hub faces green fuel challenge

Hong Kong has to act fast if it wants to become a green fuel hub for the aviation and maritime sectors, as both Singapore and China are way ahead, analysts say.

Illustration by Henry Wong
Low-altitude economy

Opinion | How Hong Kong can help ‘Bay Area in the Sky’ take flight

As gateway cities to the world, Hong Kong and Shenzhen have an opportunity to carve out a leadership role in the global low-altitude economy.

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Drones take the shape of a horse painted by Chinese artist Xu Beihong during a show over Victoria Harbour on September 28. Photo: Dickson Lee
Boeing

US judge rejects Boeing plea deal in conspiracy case related to fatal crashes

US judge sided with family members of people killed during 2018 and 2019 crashes, who urged him to reject ‘cosy deal’.

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Hong Kong politics

High hopes for low-profile operator Mable Chan as new Hong Kong transport chief

Transport chief expected to form a strong partnership with new tourism minister.

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China’s military drills

Amid fighter fleet overhaul, China’s military cuts its pilot training by a year

By 2026 most PLA fighter pilots could have initial flight and transition training in 3 years: US military think tank.

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The PLA’s JL-10 trainer jet is helping cut training times for Chinese fighter pilots. Photo: Reuters
China-Russia relations

China-Russia flights to take off, with Beijing, Shanghai and Hainan on the radar

Additional direct flights from St Petersburg to Beijing and Shanghai are set to be added next year, while flights to Hainan will also resume.

Australia

Passenger at Sydney airport charged with assault and illegal plane entry

The case involving an Indian national comes after several incidents at other Australian airports in which passenger safety was threatened.

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong logs 169 theft cases on inbound flights, losses hit HK$4.32 million

Security chief Chris Tang vows to crack down on surge of in-flight thefts, as figures for first 10 months surpass boom years of 2018 and 2019.

A minister has suggested the rise in cases could be related to increased efforts to urge members of the public to file reports. Photo: Elson Li
Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Cathay says sorry, removes Family Guy episode with Tiananmen ‘Tank Man’ scene

Carrier apologises after internet user complains over content potentially breaching national security law.

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Cathay Pacific has removed a Family Guy episode that contains a scene of Tiananmen Square’s “Tank Man” from its in-flight content. Photo: Fuzzy Door Productions
China's space programme

What’s the state of China’s ‘space economy’ as commercial launches intensify?

Chasing the success of SpaceX, China’s commercial space industry is eyeing lofty gains despite setbacks and technological constraints.

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China's military weapons

How China, US are using different drone strategies in race for air superiority

World’s top two military powers remain focused on traditional warplanes, but China’s ‘innovative use’ of UAVs could be the difference, analysts say.

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Cathay Pacific

Hong Kong’s Cathay to fly to Munich, relaunch Brussels service next year

Flag carrier ‘excited’ to be adding new Munich service, as it takes number of European destinations to 11.

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A search on Cathay’s website showed a return direct flight on June 16 from Hong Kong to Munich costs HK$7,905 in economy class. Photo: May Tse
Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong Airlines’ relaunched Vancouver flights set to be cheapest among rivals

A check by the Post finds carrier’s fares starting at HK$9,491, the lowest compared with similar offerings from Cathay and Air Canada.

The Vancouver route, which was first launched in June 2017 but suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, was the carrier’s first North American destination. Photo: May Tse
SCMP Highlights

Recap | A gallery of China’s military might unveiled at Zhuhai air show, including the new J-35A

China’s latest military aircraft, including the J-20 stealth fighter, the J-35A and more, took the stage at the 2024 Zhuhai air show.

Travel news and advice

7 tips to lower holiday travel stress, from hydrating to making a checklist

From what to listen to on Spotify to getting to the airport early, save your nerves while travelling this holiday season with these tips.

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