Dragonair notes difficult operating environment, benefits from relative strength of China

Dragonair CEO Patrick Yeung, in Dragonews Aug/Sep-2012 issue, noted (Aug-2012) "all of us are aware of the current difficult operating environment the aviation industry is facing. The extent of the challenge was borne out by the Group's recently released interim results which, while disappointing, were not unexpected". He continued: "Despite the pressure we are facing from the combination of global economic uncertainty, high fuel prices, softening passenger yield and weak cargo demand, there are some bright spots - most notably the relative strength of the China and Asia Pacific markets. This has enabled us to expand the Dragonair network, with six destinations already launched or resumed so far in 2012, Haikou and Kolkata services beginning this winter, and another destination due to be announced soon." [more - original PR]