Air Canada could face a boycott from Taiwanese travellers after the airline joined a growing list of air carriers that have reportedly bowed to Chinese pressure by listing the capital of Taiwan as a part of China on its booking website. The airline started a route between Vancouver and Taipei last June. On Tuesday, its customer site listed flights to Taipei, CN, rather than to Taiwan, the self-ruled island that Beijing regards as Chinese territory. In addition to referring to Taipei as part of China during the booking process, a page on Air Canada’s website trumpeting new international destinations refers to Taipei, China. However, Taiwan is still called a country in results from a web search of the route from Vancouver and on its flight timetable effective May 24 to Aug. 26. China’s Civil Aviation Administration has demanded the change from 36 foreign airlines, including some American carriers, according to the White House. Malaysia Airlines and British Airways are among the carriers that have added CN to Taipei on its websites. Air Canada declined to respond to questions about the company’s decision or whether the country affiliation had been recently changed, but published reports say the Chinese government wrote letters to several airlines requesting the change. “Air Canada’s policy is to comply with all requirements in all worldwide jurisdictions to which we fly,” a spokeswoman said.<br/>
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SAS said passengers will be able to access Wi-Fi on board some flights from Wednesday, joining a growing number of rivals in Europe to offer the facility as it seeks to boost passenger revenues. More and more airlines now provide in-flight Wi-Fi as satellite technology has matured, triggering what industry players have termed a ‘gold rush’ among suppliers as they race to sign up airlines. SAS is teaming up with California based communications company Viasat which will be providing a satellite-based Wi-Fi service for the airline, although it will not be fully rolled out across the fleet until 2020. Wi-Fi is now accessible on 43% of all available seat miles worldwide, up 10% from early 2017, according to a 2018 report by Routehappy. Premium customers in SAS traveling on business class will be able to use Wi-Fi for free on any flight, while economy passengers will have to pay 4.90 euros per flight. <br/>
Ethiopian Airlines Enterprise plans to establish half a dozen international offshoots before the end of the year as Africa’s biggest carrier steps up efforts to dominate markets across the continent. Ethiopian will take equity stakes in new operators in Zambia, Chad, Mozambique and Gambia while helping to manage existing carriers in Equatorial Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo, CEO Tewolde GebreMariam said. The company, which has turned Addis Ababa into Africa’s equivalent of the Persian Gulf hubs, linking almost 70 global cities with close to 60 across the continent, already owns stakes in Malawi Airlines in the south and Togo-based Asky Airlines in the west. The new initiatives are aimed at consolidating its lead over rivals Kenya Airways and state-owned South African Airways. Ethiopia’s change of prime minister last month after almost three years of unrest in the Oromia and Amhara regions won’t impact the carrier, Tewolde said, with the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front “definitely” continuing to back its expansionist strategy.<br/>
The first Airbus A330-900 for launch operator TAP Air Portugal made its first flight May 15. The aircraft, MSN 1819, completed the maiden flight in just over four-and-a-half hours and will be put into revenue service by TAP later this summer. Ahead of certification, the A330neo is joining two flight test aircraft. MSN 1819 is the first aircraft to be equipped with the new Airspace cabin that Airbus promotes to enhance A330neo sales. It will be used for tests of cabin systems such as air conditioning and the newly designed crew rest compartments. TAP has 10 A330-900s on firm order. Airbus’ backlog for the type stands at 214.<br/>
Air NZ is considering restoring flights to Wānaka as part of a plan to grow its regional network by 20% during the next five years. The airline copped flak for its handling of its pull-out from Kāpiti earlier this year, however, chief executive Christopher Luxon in a note to staff said the company was committed to ensuring all regional centres currently receiving air services would continue to do so. "In addition, we are actively considering options for other ports, such as Wānaka," Luxon said. The airline flew there from Christchurch between March 2004 and 2013 through its subsidiary Eagle Air using a Beech 1900D. Timing, cost, and unreliability of flights were reported to be factors in its demise. However, since then the tourist town has boomed and Wānaka Airport has expanded, with occasional charter and private jet flights.<br/>