Shanghai Hongqiao Airport

China’s incredible airport growth

Chinese airports have grown at an incredible rate over the past ten years. The video below, taken from a recent conference presentation by CAPA Executive Chairman, Peter Harbison, demonstrates the dynamic change, as China's airports rise up the rankings.

The bubbles represent the relative size of the leading airports (in terms of millions of passengers p/a), while the horizontal scale represents annual growth. Beijing Airport has surged into second place behind Atlanta in a very short space of time. Shanghai Pudong and Hong Kong airports are also climbing.

(And note also Dubai Airport's incredible trajectory).

Jetstar's new North Asia focus leaves room for Qantas Singapore expansion to Europe and India

Jetstar is planning to expand its Singapore-based fleet by 50% over the next six months as the low-cost carrier group looks to North Asia for the next phase of its dramatic expansion. As the largest low-cost airline group in the Asia-Pacific region continues to expand at a rate of about 20% per annum, additional capacity will not be directed west towards South Asia, the Middle East or Europe but primarily to North Asia, where Jetstar sees the most opportunities given North Asia’s very low LCC penetration rate. This strategy could signal growth for the Qantas brand in South Asia and Europe as the group looks at potentially announcing next month the launch of a new Singapore-based full-service carrier.

Beijing-Shanghai airfares slump as high-speed rail service commences

The Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway commenced operations on 30-Jun-2011 and the impact on economy airfares and hence yields on the route have been immediate and significant, with a slump in economy fares of 52% coinciding with the rail launch. However, fares in the higher-yielding and less price sensitive business and first-class markets appear to have remained relatively unaffected.

Before and After: The impact of China Eastern and Shanghai Airlines joining SkyTeam

The SkyTeam alliance has taken a crucial step forward in cementing its place in the fast-growing Asia Pacific aviation market by adding China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines to the fold this week. Based at the powerhouse Shanghai Pudong and Hongqiao airports, the move is a double breakthrough for SkyTeam, sweetened by Shanghai Airlines' switch from Star Alliance and China Eastern's flirtation in recent years with Star stalwart Singapore Airlines.