Aviation Update: May 9, 2011

Strategic Insights -

Chinese authorities successfully conducted a test flight of an unmanned helicopter, the largest of its kind developed in the country. Air India operated about 50% of its flights, two days after the pilots' strike ended. In other news, Indonesian authorities confirmed that a Merpati Airlines aircraft crashed in Papua, killing 27 people, and Cummins broke ground on a new manufacturing site in Turkey. Qantas aircraft engineers in Australia planned strike action over a new workplace agreement, and Israel may grant visa-free treatment to Taiwan's citizens soon.

Key Takeaways:

  • China successfully conducted a test flight of an unmanned helicopter, the largest of its kind developed in the country.
  • Air India operated about 50% of its flights, two days after the pilots' strike ended, with the airline expecting normal operations within a day or two.
  • A Merpati Airlines aircraft crashed in Papua, Indonesia, killing 27 people, including its pilots and co-pilots.
  • Cummins broke ground on a new manufacturing site in Turkey, investing US$70 million in the project.
  • Qantas aircraft engineers in Australia planned strike action over a new workplace agreement, citing concerns about job security.
  • Israel may grant visa-free treatment to Taiwan's citizens soon, as talks on the matter have entered the final stage.
  • Turkish and U.S. companies laid the foundation of a fighter engine factory in western Turkey, with President Abdullah Gul in attendance.

Statistics:

  • 50%: The percentage of Air India flights operated on Sunday, following the end of the pilots' strike.
  • 60%: The percentage of Air India flights operated from Mumbai, while overall the airline operated about 50% of its flights.
  • 50: The number of flights Air India operates from Mumbai daily.
  • 320: The number of flights Air India operates across the country daily.
  • 27: The number of people killed in the Merpati Airlines aircraft crash.
  • US$70 million: The investment by Cummins in its new manufacturing site in Turkey.

Sources:

  • Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com) - an Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence, and business opportunities.
  • State-run media - cited for reporting on the test flight of the unmanned helicopter.
  • Air India - cited for information on the airline's flight operations.
  • Indonesian Transportation Ministry - cited for information on the Merpati Airlines crash.
  • Cummins - cited for information on its new manufacturing site in Turkey.
  • Qantas - cited for information on its aircraft engineers' planned strike action.
  • Israel's Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei - cited for information on the potential visa-free treatment for Taiwan's citizens.
  • Turkish and U.S. companies - cited for information on the foundation of the fighter engine factory in western Turkey.