SIA warns of tougher days after 181% profit jump

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/>