Air Macau sees travel growth

Air Macau is expected to fly in and out of Macau a hefty 1.23

million passengers from all over the world before the year

ends.

Records show that passenger volume posted some 16 percent

growth in the first half of this year over the same period in 1998.

Cargo and mail, on the other hand, marked some 10 percent

increase with 12 percent total revenue hike over last year.

Wang Guixiang, Air Macaus chairman of the board, announced

the positive growth forecast at a news briefing that jibed with the

fifth anniversary of the Macaubased airlines incorporation.

Air Macaus first five years had been an extraordinary time for the

fledging airline, with a series of ups and downs brought about by

the Asian financial turmoil, Wang said.

Wang also commended the board for taking the needed measures

to shielf Air Macau from the impact of the economic crisis.

To keep the carrier flying high, the boards moves include: leasing

out excess aircraft, suspending loss-making routes in favor of

profitable charter flights, and negotiating better terms with

suppliers.

As expected, these steps will buffer Air Macau to gain a higher

load factor, to prevent the airline from hurting so much financially,

unlike its other Asian counterparts.

Amid the regional crunch that loomed over Asian air travel market,

Air Macau managed to pull a brave 14 percent growth in passenger

volume plus a 30 percent growth in freight traffic.

Air Macau introduced the concept of one-plane-service between

Taiwan and China via Macau. Some 80 percent of the airlines

business revolved around travelers hustling between Taiwan and

mainland China a business with an enormous potential, affirmed

Wang.