Airlines

HNA buys 100 planes from Comac, giving China’s builder a leg up

The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) has received an order for 100 aircraft from HNA Aviation Group, which manages the fourth-largest fleet of aircraft in China. This deal gives the state-run manufacturer a competitive edge over Airbus and Boeing in the global aviation market.

At a ceremony attended by COMAC executives, members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), as well as executives from Hainan Airlines, Suparna Airlines, and Urumqi Airlines, HNA Aviation Group signed firm orders for 60 COMAC C919 aircraft and a “intentional order” for 40 ARJ1s.

The contract gives Comac a boost as it works to realise President Xi Jinping’s goal of challenging Boeing and Airbus’ supremacy in the domestic and even international markets. By 2035, China wants to have a 10% share of the domestic aviation market.

The Leap-1C engines produced by CFM and other components, notably the Chinese jet’s avionics, provided by Collins Aerospace are only two examples of the Western manufacturers on which the C919 strongly depends.

When the HNA Group declared its plan to acquire 200 C919s and 100 ARJ21s in 2018, it had already inked a preliminary agreement with COMAC.

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Airlines

PIA Reinstates Manchester and Paris Routes After EU Ban Lift

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced plans to resume flights to Europe starting in January, beginning with Paris as its first destination.

The decision follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) removal of a long-standing ban on the airline. PIA’s inaugural flight to Paris is scheduled for January 10, with bookings opening on December 9.

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In an official statement, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan confirmed that the first flight schedule has been approved, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s recovery efforts. The EU ban had previously cost PIA approximately Rs40 billion ($144 million) annually in lost revenue, compounding its financial struggles.

With European operations restarting, PIA is now setting its sights on the United Kingdom. The airline plans to seek approval from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to resume flights to major British cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

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These routes are anticipated to see high demand once necessary clearances are obtained. The lifting of the EU ban represents a key achievement for PIA as it works to rebuild its international network and regain its standing in the global aviation market.

By restoring flights to Europe and aiming for UK destinations, PIA is taking critical steps toward recovering lost ground and improving its financial outlook.