Page 10 - AAA JULY-AUGUST 2012 Online Magazine

NEWS

China cost cuts
Starting from June, fuel surcharges on
domestic China routes have been cut by
20 yuan (US$3) for 800+km flights and
10 yuan (US$1.50) for shorter flights.
This is due to a drop in domestic jet fuel
costs from 7,976 yuan (US$1,250) per
ton to 7,509 yuan (US$1,178). “As the
fuel cost takes as much as 40% of the
airlines’ total cost, the oil price decrease
will definitely benefit the operation of the
airlines,” said Air China board secretary
Rao Xinyu.

Eco-Jet takes wing
An Azul Embraer E195 aircraft powered Pan-Alpine freight
by GE’s CF34-10E engines is set to The first of an order of nine 747-8 Freighters from Atlas Air Worldwide has been
record the first ever demonstration delivered, in the livery of Swiss freight company Panalpina. Boeing has delivered
flight using renewable jet fuel sourced 16 747-8 Freighters to date, powered by GE Aviation’s GEnx-2B engines. Boeing is
from Brazilian sugarcane. The plane, highlighting the new version’s increased capacity of 140 tonnes (16% up on the 747-
using fuel compliant with Jet A/A-1 400), 8,130 km range, double-digit improvements in fuel efficiency, 30% reduced
fuel specifications that provides similar noise footprint and better environmental credentials.
performance to petroleum-derived
fuel, will make demo flights during
the Rio +20 United Nations Conference Up in smoke
on Sustainable Development. The fuel New Australian rules governing inbound Frank O’Connell, president of ETRC,
developer, Amyris, uses synthetic biology duty-free tobacco have raised hackles claimed the new limit would add
techniques to convert plant sugars into with the European Travel Retail Council significantly to the frustration and
hydrocarbon molecules that can be (ETRC). The new rules come into force confusion of tourists and travellers. “It’s
used for powering petrol, diesel and jet from September and cut the inbound hardly the sort of welcome Australia
engines. Azul currently operates a fleet allowance from 250 to 50 cigarettes. wants to give to its many millions of
of 54 aircraft including 42 Embraer 195 The ETRC says the new regulations will tourists,” he added. ETRC said it was
and 190 jets and has served more than 19 both cut income for airport retailers and “extremely concerned” as to how this
million customers. cause confusion amongst passengers. new rule will be enforced.

SAID WHAT?!

“It’s not about screwing the customer – although we always enjoy
that. We know we wouldn’t have been here without them.”

AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes at the handing over of the airline’s 100th A320 at Blagnac airport, Toulouse. The
gathered Airbus chiefs were, as Fernandes accurately noted at the start of his speech, “sweating already”.

10 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS JULY / AUGUST 2012 WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM