Macau

Chinese carrier pax traffic to exceed 300 million in FY2012 as double-digit pax growth returns

China’s aviation market is poised for a memorable year in 2012, as Beijing likely eclipses Atlanta as the world’s busiest airport (expected in 2H2012) and double-digit traffic growth rates return. Chinese carriers are expected to report a 10% increase in passenger traffic this year to 320 million passengers, according to industry regulator, the CAAC, following growth of 9.2% in 2011.

Some 21 airports in China handled more than 10 million passengers in 2011, five more than 2010 – and more are expected to join the ‘10 million+ club’ in 2012. Eight Chinese airports handled more than 20 million passengers last year. 10 years ago, Beijing was the only Mainland Chinese airport handling over 20 million passengers (with 24.2 million passengers in 2001), while Guangzhou Baiyun and Shanghai Hongqiao (both with 13.8 million passengers) were the only two other airports in China with over 15 million annual passengers.

Macau SAR Government to become Air Macau’s second largest shareholder with USD88m investment

Air Macau shareholders this month approved a second capital restructuring of the carrier as part of which the Macau SAR Government will inject around MOP700 million (USD87.5 million) into the flag carrier. The government noted its objective was to help Air Macau in “upgrading herself" to support the development of Macau to become the “world alluring centre of tourism and leisure”. After this second capital increase, the Macau SAR Government will be the second largest shareholder in the airline after Air China.

Macau's aviation market has struggled since 2007 under a strategic, political and operational stalemate, which has seen the collapse of one of its two airlines and a sizeable contraction in air passenger and cargo numbers. However, interest in Macau is picking up again, as new LCCs emerge in North Asia, namely Korea and Japan. Foreign LCCs and Macau-China Mainland traffic is now driving traffic. Overall, 2011 is expected to be a year of stabilisation for Macau, as it begins to claw back some of the lost ground of the past few years. However, growth will likely remain moderate for the foreseeable future.

Macau Airport traffic declines from 2007 peak as impact from cross-Strait liberalisation bites

Macau's aviation market has struggled since 2007 under a strategic, political and operational stalemate, which has seen the collapse of one of its two airlines and a sizeable contraction in air passenger and cargo numbers. However, interest in Macau is picking up again, as new LCCs emerge in North Asia, namely Korea and Japan. Foreign LCCs and Macau-China Mainland traffic is now driving traffic. The Jetstar Group has even identified Macau as a potential hub option. Overall, 2011 is expected to be a year of stabilisation for Macau, as it begins to claw back some of the lost ground of the past few years. However, growth will likely remain moderate for the foreseeable future.

Macau Outlook: Aviation stalemate reached, new ideas needed

Macau, one of Asia’s potential high growth aviation markets, is in need of a shake-up, having struggled since 2007 under a strategic, political and operational stalemate. North Asian aviation’s year of radical transformation in 2010 could provide a trigger for a renewal of Macau’s prospects, but the city’s aviation sector risks lagging the upheaval ahead in Japan, Korea and China. Beijing is effectively in the controlling seat, via Air China’s bailout of Air Macau last year (moving to majority ownership via various holding companies). Unfortunately for Macau, Air China has bigger items on its agenda (not least in the Pearl River Delta) and could take some time before it moves to leverage the city’s considerable aviation potential.