Low-cost carrier to increase in North Asia, CAPA says
North Asia is set to capitalize on its massive potential for low cost airline growth, the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation said Wednesday.
“We are at the trigger point of what should be an explosion in low cost air travel across the north of the region,” Peter Harbison, CAPA’s managing director, said.
At least 12 new carriers are expected over the next 12 months in Macau, China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan.В Harbison added that, “These new carriers, like their counterparts launched last year, will have profound effects on aviation development in the region over the next few years.
“The big issue: how fast governments are prepared to liberalize,” the CAPA director said.
“We think conditions are ripe for (LCC) development in North Asia. There are 500 Million consumers within a three-hour flight radius in North Asia that can afford air travel. Momentum in LCC and new airline entry in North Asia is building rapidly, with China’s first private carrier, Okay Airways, taking to the skies in March and four other new private entrants recently licensed by the CAAC,” added Harbison.
CAPA’s upbeat expectation for low-cost carrier development in North Asia comes as the New Kitakyushu Airport, Japan, prepares to host the Second Annual North Asia Low Cost Airline Symposium on August 4-5, 2005.
“We look forward to an exciting and challenging symposium program. We’ve already had considerable interest in the event from a wide range of government agencies, airlines, airports and supplier groups,” said Harbison said, commenting on the upcoming Kitakyushu conference.
HONOLULU (eTurboNews)
July 7, 2005
Posted in: Airlines & Railways