Macao gov't forges ahead on bust-up of Air Macau monopoly

Sichuan Airlines to operate China's first A321 PCF freighter

The parent company of Sichuan Airlines (3U, Chengdu Shuangliu) has taken delivery of an A321-200(PCF), N1926B (msn 1926), after it was handed over to Sichuan Aviation Industry Development Co in Chengdu on November 8, 2023. That entity will lease the aircraft to its subsidiary.

The former Air Macau aircraft was converted at the Sichuan Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Co. (SMECO) facility at Chengdu. The Sichuan Airlines Group holds a stake in the factory. SMECO will convert another three A321-200s for Sichuan Aviation Industry Development Co. In October, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) certified SMECO's A321-200PCF conversion program which opens the way for Sichuan Airlines and other Chinese airlines to operate A321s converted at the facility.

According to ch-aviation fleets advanced data, Sichuan Airlines operates one A330-300(P2F) and three A330-200Fs, the only dedicated freighters in its broader fleet of 194 aircraft. The airline says it wants to grow its cargo operations and also expects to take delivery of two more A330-330P2Fs soon. The A321-200PCF is expected to begin revenue...

Gov't extends Air Macau airport concession

Air Macau (NX, Macau International) will continue to enjoy its dominant position at Macau International for a further three years after the Special Administrative Region's government failed to pass legislation needed to end the airline's privileged position at the airport.

Under the so-called "airline concession system," Air Macau has enjoyed exclusive access to slots at Macau International since 1995, among other benefits. That deal, valid for 25 years, was allowed because Air Macau agreed to provide services into the territory in return. However, it has also allowed the airline to charge above-market rates and restrict other carrier's access to Macau International.

Legislators began developing plans several years ago to end this arrangement, which was due to expire in 2020. However, Covid-19 intervened, and the Macau SAR government granted Air Macau a three-year extension. That extension was due to expire on December 31, 2023. This year, there have been concerted efforts to develop and pass legislation to end the beneficial arrangement. However, in September, ch-aviation reported that the bill had stalled at the Legislative...

Air China, subsidiaries boost borrowing to ensure liquidity

Gov't may extend Air Macau concession by 6 months

Delays in approving legislation to end the monopoly of Air Macau (NX, Macau International) at the territory's airport may see the airline's "concession" extended by an additional six months, Macao-based media outlets report.

As previously reported by ch-aviation, the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government wants to end a longstanding arrangement that gives Air Macau exclusive access to the airport's slots, requires other airlines to negotiate access with it, and pay above market rates to fly in.

That arrangement dates back to 1995 when Air Macau signed a 25-year contract to provide passenger and cargo flights in and out of Macao International in exchange for a series of advantageous concessions. The deal was due to end in 2020 but was extended due to Covid-19 and now runs through November 9, 2023. However, this year, the SAR government has resumed its efforts to break up the carrier's monopoly and grow traffic into the former Portuguese colony.

In June, the legislation allowing the changes easily passed through Macao's Legislative Assembly, with 30 parliamentarians voting for...