sky

China Airlines is adding a new seasonal service from Melbourne to Auckland in December. Functioning as a tag to the Taiwanese carrier’s existing Melbourne-Taipei service, the A350-900 flights, which will operate every day except Monday and Saturday, are expected to add more than 3,000 seats per week between Melbourne and Auckland in time for the summer holiday period. The flights will depart Melbourne at 1:40pm, arriving at 7:05pm local time before returning to Taipei via Melbourne at 9:05pm local time. Each China Airlines A350-900 offers 306 seats: 32 business class, 31 premium economy, and 243 economy. The Melbourne-Auckland route is currently served by Air New Zealand, Qantas and Jetstar. According to Melbourne Airport’s chief of aviation, Jim Parashos, the addition of a fourth airline will offer extra choice in product and schedule on the Melbourne-Auckland route. “The launch of this new service will coincide with the start of the December school holidays meaning hundreds more seats are available just when families need them most,” he said.<br/>

Vietnam Airlines hopes to balance its revenue and expenditure in 2024 but faces a range of tough challenges. Speaking at the company’s annual meeting in Hanoi, chairman Dang Ngoc Hoa says the present environment is characterised by high fuel prices and high US dollar interest rates, which affect exchange rates and the carrier’s cost base. “In 2024, the aviation sector continues to face challenges such as macro-economic uncertainties,” says Dang. “Based on business environment forecasts, Vietnam Airlines has set key objectives, directions, and tasks. The company will focus on restructuring assets, capital, investment portfolio, organisational structure and corporate governance reforms. The primary goal is to reduce losses and balance revenue and expenditure in 2024.” Specific issues include overcapacity at airports and an inpsection and repair programme for Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines, which has affected the the carrier’s operations. In 2023, the carrier saw consolidated revenue climb 30% to VND93t ($3.6b), as the carrier transported over 24.1m passengers, up 16.4% from a year earlier. Nonetheless, the carrier suffered a consolidated loss during the year of VND5.8t. To help it through 2023, the carrier introduced a comprehensive cost-management programme that reduced costs by about VND3.2t. Despite the challenges, Vietnam Airlines observes that the country continues to enjoy strong economic growth. The carrier aims to add new routes to Europe and Southeast Asia and adjust frequencies domestically to better meet demand.<br/>