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Asia’s marquee airlines are warning tougher competition is squeezing them. SIA said Thursday passenger yields remain under pressure amid "aggressive capacity injection." Yields declined to their lowest in more than 6 years in Q1. Earlier this month, Ivan Chu, CE of Cathay Pacific Airways, which dominates the Hong Kong financial hub, said there is “intense pressure" on the metric. The expansion of the Middle East’s ‘Big Three’ -- Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways -- and an unprecedented surge by budget airlines in the region is hurting the pricing power of Asian carriers. SIA CE Goh Choon Phong and his Cathay counterpart Chu have ordered some US$20b in new aircraft to modernise their fleet and take on their competitors who are offering luxuries like on-board shower and butlers. <br/>

Wine experts have settled on a list of close to 50 wines, some costing more than NZ$100 a bottle, for Air NZ to select from for its business class passengers. Six of the nation's leading independent wine experts have selected "The Fine Wines of New Zealand" - to serve in planes from September. A selection panel has agreed on the list for 2016 which includes 47 wines representing 7 varietals. Air NZ COO Bruce Parton says the airline had been a longstanding supporter of New Zealand's wine industry. It spends about $6m a year on wine for passengers throughout aircraft. "We believe we can help further build awareness and appreciation of these world class wines with international travellers and propel leading New Zealand wineries to even greater commercial success,'' Parton said. <br/>