Ailevon Pacific, Asia/Pacific: Air Service Development Insights, Data, Analysis & Commentary from a fresh perspective – December 2nd 2025
Festive season’s greetings, for what is our last client newsletter of 2025!
In retrospect, November was an eventful month. A software upgrade in a number of A320 family aircraft more recently put networks in a spin, and geo-political maneuverings has oil futures pointing to lower prices. Only recently did the IMF revise down ever so slightly their world economic forecast, noting subdued economic conditions continuing into 2026. Capacity from airlines globally continues to rise, as deliveries promised are fulfilled, at a time when airlines continue to report generally, strong premium leisure, off set slightly by reduced discount economy cabin demand.
Speaking of geo-political instances affecting aviation, China is discouraging its citizens from traveling to Japan due to an escalating diplomatic dispute over remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding potential military involvement in a Taiwan conflict should it arise. The Chinese government has issued travel advisories citing security concerns and a reported increase in discrimination against Chinese nationals in Japan. As a result, capacity to Japan by Chinese carriers has been adjusted – as illustrated below.
Compared to the previous week prior to the escalation in tensions, scheduled seats decreased, with Dec down -17%, Jan -15%, then drops of -16%, -14%, and then -8% all the way through to Oct. That’s equivalent to ~5,500 seats per day, each way (SDEW) in December (& Feb. 2026), or the equivalent of over 33 flights in December (or ~7 aircraft) that now need to be deployed elsewhere. For the bulk of the NS26, ~3,000 SDEW each month. At the same time, Japanese carriers have largely left their capacity deployed unchanged. The substantive decrease is attributable however to two carriers mainly, Spring Airlines & Juneyao. Intriguingly, the majority of flights cancelled were to Osaka.
Stay Connected: Your Monthly Industry Resource
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2026 RoundTable: LAUNCESTON 10-12 June: registration it open! Click here!
What’s Next: Looking Ahead to Launceston 2026, 10-12 June 2026 – register now!
Registrations for the Launceston Roundtable 10-12 June 2026 are now open. Interest continues to grow from airlines wishing to participate and share their latest developments and news. Register now to secure your discounted rate.
Excitement is building as we have locked in a venue for 2026 – Peppers Silo hotel. This fantastic hotel & meeting space is a joy to stay and experience all LST has to offer. We’ll take registrations from next month, as we already have locked in is now a surprise C-Suite Qantas Exec that will share his thoughts at a Fireside Chat, as well as Jeff from Link Airways… with more to come! As Dr. Amar Singh from FJ recently said….
“The FJ Team is really privileged to be given the opportunity to attend and be a speaker at the annual Roundtable Conference. It provides us the opportunity to strengthen our relationship with various airports in AU/NZ and have a better understanding of the markets. By attending the annual conference, it makes our work far more efficient when launching new markets like CBR & CNS in the past 2 years”.
We’re also pleased to advise the venue for the Thursday night Formal Dinner, Mud Bar, located minutes away from the conference hotel.
Click here Aviation Round Table Conference June 2026 – Accommodation Rate, to book your discounted stay, thanks to Accor, Peppers Silo Launceston. Alternatively, use the two codes below when booking:
Air Service Development Data Symposium Returns in 2026!
Australia’s Premier Aviation Data Event Is Back
We’re thrilled to announce the reinstatement of the Air Service Development Data Symposium in 2026, the Southern Hemisphere’s only dedicated event for bringing together top-tier aviation data sources. This is your exclusive opportunity to access the latest insights and compelling data sources to bring to life your business cases that help airlines explore and launch new routes or additional frequencies. Key sponsors powering this exciting symposium include Adelaide Airport, with others we hope to announce soon.
Hear from industry experts! Our speaker line-up features representatives from Azira, Boeing Commercial Airlines, Cirium, the Department of Immigration & Border Protection (DIBP), and IATA, with more high-profile contributors soon to be announced.
Event Details:
Dates: Wednesday evening, 13 May to Friday, 15 May 2026
Venue: Sofitel Adelaide, right in the heart of the city
Occasion: The Data Symposium rounds off ATE2026 & that events amazing Aviation Program, bringing together professionals for three days of networking, learning, and future-shaping data discussions.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the Southern Hemisphere’s premier aviation data event! Stay tuned—registration details will be released next month. Mark your calendar and get ready to soar with us in Adelaide! Want more information? Email Matt.