Real Estate & Travel News in China from Propertyshowrooms.com

Tibet cuts prices to lure tourists

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Tibet has slashed prices to try to lure back tourists. Hotels in Tibetan capital Lhasa have cut prices by up to 70% and air fares have also been reduced. Tibet played host to just 2.2 million tourists in 2008, down from the four million who visited in 2007. Xinhua quoted deputy Tibetan tourist bureau head Wang Songping...

Orders for aircraft put on hold

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Yang Guoqing, deputy chief of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), told an annual working conference that Chinese airlines added 120 aircraft to their fleets last year. That was 14 fewer than planned. He said the airline fleets of China now total 1,254 aircraft. He said, ‘We encourage airlines to cancel or delay 2009 aircraft orders...

Domestic carriers to get government boost

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

China aims to increase air passenger volume by 11% to 220 million this year, compared to the 3.3% growth of last year. This according to the Ministry of Transport The Ministry, on its website, said the volume of cargo and mail will grow by 8% to 4.37 million tons, compared with 0.2% growth of last year. China’s...

OK Air applies to resume passenger services

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

China’s first privately-owned airline, OK Air, has applied to China’s aviation authorities to resume passenger services after suspending operations since December. 6. The carrier submitted an application to the northeast bureau of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to resume service on January 21. A company manager in Tianjin, who would not give his name, said...

Tibet to build first expressway

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Landlocked Tibet Autonomous Region in southwest China has announced plans to build its first expressway this year...

Airlines push for 11% more passengers this year

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Domestic carriers are hoping o fly 11% more passengers this year thanks to government efforts to boost demand. This is compared to the 3.3% growth of last year. The ministry said on its website that the volume of cargo and mail will grow by 8% to 4.37 million tons, compared with 0.2% growth last year. China’s civil...

Tibet hopes to tempt three million tourists

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Tibet aims to make a comeback as a tourist destination. The regional bureau has announced ambitious plans to attract three million domestic and foreign visitors to the area in 2009. Since the March 2007 riots and the Sichuan earthquake, tourist figures have plummeted. In 2007 a record four million people visited but the troubles sliced tourist...

China Eastern Airline tries to ride out economic recession

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

An array of 256 measures are being formulated by China Eastern Airlines to stem further losses during the global economic recession...

Helicopter joint venture established in Tianjin

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A helicopter joint venture has been established in Tianjin and the plan is the first light-weight civil helicopter will be fully assembled by the end of this year. The China Aviation Industry Corp, or AVIC, has signed an agreement with the Tianjin municipal government to set up a helicopter company. The joint-venture consists of research and...

Eastern, Shanghai Airlines may or may not eventually merge

Sun, 4 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A merger between China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines is possible as it is reported the idea has strong support from the Chinese central and local governments. The suggestion is that Shanghai Airlines will first get a capital injection from the Shanghai government and then to buy into China Eastern Airlines. Reports from as early as...

API enters agreement with Sky-Blue Aviation Academy

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Aerospace Products International(API), a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Aviation Services and a supplier of distribution and supply chain services for the aviation industry, has announced a general term agreement with Hu Bei Sky-Blue International Aviation Academy. Under the agreement API will provide the privately-owned academy, which is located in Wu Han, Hunei Province, China, with all...

Hainan Air says parent may seek government cash injection

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

China’s Hainan Airlines has said its parent was considering seeking financial help from the government, playing down a local media report about an imminent cash injection. Beijing News reported that the Hainan provincial government was considering injecting cash to the listed carrier as air traffic demand slows. But Hainan Air, partly owned by billionaire financier George Soros...

China’s Okay Airways stops passenger service

Mon, 8 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

China’s first private airline Okay Airways has indefinitely halted its passenger services although there are reports that the stand down is just for one month. The Juneyao Group, controlling shareholder of Okay Airways, filed an application in November to the authority to suspend Okay’ passenger service, the China Business News reported. Okay Airways received verbal approval from...

Star Cruises plans to launch cruise service to the mainland

Thu, 4 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Star Cruises plans to launch a Taiwan to the mainland cruise service. According to its Star Cruises, the world’s third-largest cruise line and the leading Asia-Pacific cruise line, plans to launch a cruise service between Taiwan and the Mainland in early 2009. Andy Lew of Star Cruises said, ‘In the initial stage, we hope to launch...

China to open direct flight between Changsha, Osaka

Thu, 4 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A new direct air service from the central Chinese city of Changsha to Osaka, Japan, will begin on December 27. Liu Zhiming, deputy head of the Hunan Provincial Tourism Administration, said China Southern Airlines will operate a direct flight between the two cities once every week. Liu Zhiming said, ‘The new air service is aimed at attracting...

Qinghai to build 3 new airports before 2020

Tue, 2 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Qinghai Province will establish three new regional airports in Qaidam Basin and Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The exact location of the airports is still being studied. The Civil Aviation Administration of China listed the construction of the three airports — Qinghai Huatuguo, Delingha and Dawu — in the general construction plan of 2008-2020. In June, experts from...

Air China announces Australian expansion plans

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Air China has announced plans to further expand its presences in the Australian market with an increase in frequencies to Sydney and Melbourne, and the possible introduction of a new destination in the region. The news comes just 11 months after the carrier last increased capacity to Australia by over 40%. Air China currently operates ten services...

Boeing’s China JV launches $21 million expansion in Tianjin

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Boeing’s aircraft parts joint venture in China launched an expansion project in Tianjin, the official Xinhua News Agency reported, citing the U.S. aircraft maker. The 21-million-U.S.-dollar project was launched after the global giant acquired a majority stake in the Tianjin-based BHA Aero Composites Parts Co. Ltd. (BHA) in July. Boeing also gained rights to land adjacent...

Shanghai airport group says it may miss volume target

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

According to a senior executive the parent of Shanghai International Airport may fall short of its 2008 passenger volume target as the faltering global economy dents air traffic demand. Shanghai Airport Authority Chairman Wu Nianzu said, ‘Many other sectors are feeling the pinch of the crisis and airports are no exception. We might miss our annual...

Airport projects get $65 billion for 2 years

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has said a total of RMB450 billion ($65.88 billion) will be spent on at least 60 airport projects, which will start in the next two years. According to a CAAC press release at least 40 of the projects will start next year and incur an expenditure of RMB200 billion. Existing...

Asian carriers passenger numbers feel the credit squeeze

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Some of Asia’s leading full-service airlines have reported worrying declines in passenger load factors in August, as demand continues to fail to live up to expectations. The outlook for premium demand is also wilting as global financial turmoil spreads. Lower load factors and lower prices spell an uncomfortable mix, even if fuel prices are dropping. SIA load...

China business travel prospects

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

According to the American Express Business Travels second survey of corporate travel management service in China, the country will become the world’s third-largest market for corporate travel within five years. The survey shows that the spending on international business travel by China approximates $4.2 billion a year, which is 17% of the Asian market for...

Hainan Airlines shrinks but profitable in first half

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hainan Airlines reported stronger operating and net profits in the six months ended 30 June-08, aided by a $66.2 million foreign currency gain (+126% year-on-year). Hainan Airlines produced the best operating margin of the listed Chinese airlines in the first half of 2008. Hainan’s good financial performance was produced despite it recording the weakest passenger and revenue...

China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines say NOT in merger talks

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

China Eastern Airlines and smaller rival Shanghai Airlines have denied they are in talks on a possible merger. China Eastern, which sought to sell a 24% stake to Singaporean investors including Singapore Airlines, said in a statement to the Shanghai Stock Exchange that it was not in merger talks with any other airlines. Shanghai Airlines said in...

AVIC gets help with the ARJ21 and will combine

Tue, 9 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

About half of the equipment on the ARJ21, the first regional jet made by government-run AVIC I, is made by U.S. companies. The 90-seat aircraft represents China’s latest bid to eventually challenge Boeing and Airbus in the market for bigger planes. A twice-delayed maiden flight is now scheduled for September 21. While this is going on...

China approves outbound tour groups to North Korea

Mon, 8 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

China will allow its travel agencies to organize tour groups to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) of North Korea as the Chinese government has decided to grant approved destination status to the neighboring country. China’s National Tourism Administration (NTA) said group tours to the DPRK will start ‘at an appropriate time after the two...

China seeks overseas investor for southwest airport

Mon, 8 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

China’s Yunnan Airport Group is seeking an overseas investor to help finance a new RMB18.4-billion ($2.7-billion) airport in Kunming city, the capital of Yunnan province. The idea is to position itself as an international aviation hub linking China to South and Southeast Asia as well as with Europe. An airport official involved in the search for a...

Embraer delivers first of five jets to China’s Kun Peng Airlines

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has delivered the first of five Embraer 190 aircraft to Kun Peng Airlines. The aircraft is configured to accommodate 98 passengers in two classes. Embraer and Kun Peng Airlines have signed a five-year agreement to supply spare parts. In 2003, Embraer created a joint venture with Chinese companies Harbin Aircraft and Hafei Aviation...

Loss-making China Eastern sounds alarm

Thu, 4 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Loss-making China Eastern airlines could be sounding a warning most of the rest of the world does not want to hear. It had operating losses of close to $US1 million ($1.15 million) a day in the first half of 2008. In a statement, the Shanghai-based airline said it faced an ‘extremely complicated operating environment’ in the...

Chinese airlines facing tough times - short term

Mon, 1 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Shares in airlines, once the darling of the market, have plunged dramatically. Mutual funds sold RMB12.7 billion ($1.85 billion) worth of airlines shares in the first quarter of this year and dumped another RMB7.3 billion of shares in the second quarter. Shares in China Southern Airlines accounted for about 40% and Air China accounted for 48%. Ma Xiaoli...

Chinese airlines facing tough times — short term

Mon, 1 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

China sets sights on rail record

Mon, 1 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

China plans to produce the world's fastest bullet train for a new rail link between Beijing and Shanghai...

American Airlines seeks to delay Chicago-Beijing service

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

American Airlines is seeking to delay by a year its planned Chicago-Beijing service which was set to begin in April 2009. The largest US carrier said it today filed a request with the US Department of Transportation for a waiver to allow it to begin service between Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Beijing on April 4...

Shanghai Airline flies into black on traffic rise

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Shanghai Airlines flew into the black in the first half of this year on rising traffic and a government subsidy. Its net income was RMB23.41 million ($3.41 million), or RMB0.022 a share, in the six months against a loss of RMB134.51 million a year earlier. Its revenue grew 26% to RMB7.03 billion. It attributed the growth to...

China Southern to undergo ‘hardship’ says Chairman

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Liu Shaoyong, the chairman of China Southern Airlines said the outlook for the carrier is bleak, following a difficult first half of 2008. He said that airlines are ‘generally saddled with three major burdens, including insufficient market demand, fierce competition and high oil prices. . . . As such, the group expects to undergo a long...

China’s air cargo sector forecast to fly higher

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

China’s air cargo market will continue to grow despite a recent slowdown in exports as the US economy contracts. Speaking at a recent air cargo forum in Shanghai, air cargo company executives said China’s market was moving towards a more balanced trade, maturing with quality services and eco-friendly efficiency. Alexander Kopkov, air cargo manager of ATC International...

Chinese outbound tourism soars

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Leisure travelers account for 85% of all outbound trips. Chinese outbound departures more than doubled in the last five years, from 16.6 million in 2002 to 40.9 million in 2007. New international agreements and loosening visa restrictions are making it easier than ever for Chinese citizens to travel abroad. The 2007 Neilsen China Outbound Travel Monitor Report...

Beijing airport gets Olympic surge

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Beijing Capital International Airport is seeing record flights and passenger numbers during this Olympic month. However, before anybody dances in the streets from this new record activity, BCIA needs to come to terms with the sharp decline in airport business during the first half year operation in 2008. On July 31, ten days before the Olympics, BCIA...

China and Russia may co-design new passenger aircraft

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Alexei Fyodorov, the CEO of the United Aircraft Building Corporation, said at the Farnborough-2008 air show in Britain that Russia may launch a joint venture with China to further develop a new passenger airliner, MS-21. He said, ‘We will come to a decision with Chinese manufacturers next year on the possibility of setting up a joint...

China has advantages in producing Airbus

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A Chinese official in north China’s port city Tianjin said China has advantages in producing Airbus 320 planes which are being assembled from this month Gou Lijun, director of the Administrative Committee of Tianjin’s Binhai New Area, said, ‘The market for China-made large-scale planes is China itself and the neighboring countries. Secondly, the A320 planes produced...

China Eastern to launch business aviation company

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines (CEA) wll launch a business aviation service company that will, among other services, provide ground handling and maintenance for private and charter flights. The carrier said the new venture will be a wholly-owned subsidiary and will receive an investment of RMB50 million ($7.3 million). CEA said for the time being it had no...

97 new airports to open in 12 years

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

97 new airports will be built in China before 2020 including a second international airport in Beijing. All of this is listed in the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) latest airport development plan. According to the plan, which covers the years up to 2020, the number of airports nationwide will increase to 192 by...

Cathay Pacific’s first half reflects problems of the air industry

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Cathay Pacific’s interim result does not make for encouraging reading. Operating profit margin dropped into negative territory in the first half of 2008, compared to a double-digit margin in the full year of 2007. Cathay’s earnings report stated the big change in the company’s financial performance ‘was entirely due to the relentless rise in the cost...

China carriers improve country’s air safety record

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

New research shows China’s air safety record has improved dramatically in the last decade, alongside rapid industry growth and increased competition. Findings published by Ascend, the world’s leading provider of information and consultancy to the global aerospace industry, show that air safety in China, as measured by the number of flights per fatal accident, is now...

Tourism aims to reap gains from Olympic Games

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

China tourism authorities have been working hard with a view to reaping future benefits from the Beijing Olympics. Past experience indicated tourism received the most direct, marked and sustained benefits from hosting an Olympics. Du Jiang, China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) deputy director, seen here, said China had been taking many measures in the pre-Games years to...

China Eastern, Singapore Airlines discontinue talks

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Like a television soap opera Singapore Airlines is no longer courting China Eastern Airlines. Nor vice versa. The Chinese carrier said would it not hold more talks with Singapore Airlines regarding sale of shares. No reason was given which means everyone can give full rein to their imaginations. Luo Zhuping, who is the board secretary of the...

Shenzhen moves up in world rankings

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The writer worked as a publisher and journalist in Hong Kong for many years. When he first went to Hong Kong — don’t ask — Shenzhen was a grubby little village. It is now China’s richest city ranked by per capita GDP and within another decade, it plans to become as modern and competitive as Singapore...

Airport in NE China scenic mountain area opens

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Northeast China’s scenic forest and ski resort of Changbai Mountain has further opened to tourists with the operation of a new airport. The first flight, by China Southern Airlines, took about 40 minutes from Changchun, capital of Jilin Province, to the Changbai Mountain Airport. It is planned that the airport will also serve direct flights to Beijing...

Travel between Olympic co-host cities cut to 30 minutes

Wed, 6 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

China’s fastest train so far, running at 350 kilometers per hour, has begun operation and cuts the 70 minutes travel time from Beijing to Tianjin, a co-host city of the Beijing Games, to 30 minutes. The train will depart every three minutes during the rush hour and has several stops between the two terminals. Tickets sale will...

China to punish airlines whose passengers misbehave

Wed, 6 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Frustration at mysterious delays and abrupt diversions and cancellations have at times boiled over into violence at Chinese airports, with passengers trying to storm grounded aircraft and police having to be brought in to keep the peace. Deputy head of the civil aviation regulator, Yang Guoqing said authorities will punish airlines whose passengers refuse to disembark...