Indian airline shares spike on lower oil prices
Crude oil futures fell to USD90 per barrel late last week sending Indian airline shares soaring, led by local LCC SpiceJet. Shares in the carrier hit the daily 20% limit in late trading on Friday, while Jet Airways jumped 13.8% and Kingfisher Airlines was up 7.9%.
SpiceJet is also reportedly seeking approval from the Reserve Bank of India to raise USD270 million from Canada's export finance agency Export Development Canada (EDC), to cover its aircraft funding requirements. The carrier, which operates a fleet of 29 B737s at present, plans to add 15 Q400s from Jul-2011. The airline plans to raise the number of flights from 190 to 300 per day, targeting secondary and regional destinations.
Hong Kong Airlines much anticipated A380 order failed to materialise at the Paris Air Show last week, with reports emerging that the deal has been delayed or blocked in protest against Europe's plan to bring international airlines into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) from 01-Jan-2012. The A380 agreement is reportedly in the Airbus order book, although the signing ceremony was reportedly cancelled due to uncertainty regarding the order. Aircraft purchases from Chinese airlines require Chinese government approval.
Airbus and European airline associations had warned earlier this year that the unilateral inclusion of foreign airlines in the EU ETS risked retaliation from countries such as China, the US and Russia.
Hong Kong Airlines is also reportedly behind an order for 15 B747-8s, which was attributed as being for an "undisclosed customer". Hong Kong Airlines is 46% owned by HNA Group, the parent of Hainan Airlines Co Ltd. Hainan Airlines shares rose 5.6% on Friday.
Selected APAD daily share price movements (% change): 24-Jun-2011
