Thai Airways jumps, JAL, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific up, China Airlines' yields tumble

Asian airline shares were mixed again on Friday (19-Jun-09), despite an overall improvement in Asia Pacific markets. Air Arabia, Korean Air, Air New Zealand and China Airlines all declined, by -5.0%, -4.6%, -4.3% and -4.1%, respectively. China Airlines' investors reacted to its May-2009 traffic statistics showing a 12.2% year-on-year reduction in passenger yield and a 5.0% reduction in passenger numbers. Cargo traffic slipped 24.7% in the month and cargo yields fell a jaw dropping 30%.