Air Macau

Air Macau
澳門航空

IATA ICAO Callsign NX AMU AIR MACAO[1]
Founded	1994
Hubs	Macau International Airport
Frequent-flyer program	Phoenix Miles
Fleet size	17
Destinations	23
Parent company	Air China (66.9%)
Headquarters	Macau
Key people	Zhao Xiaohang, Chairman Chen Hong, CEO
Employees	1,279 (March 31, 2016)[2]
Website	www.airmacau.com.mo

Air Macau Company Limited (Chinese: 澳門航空股份有限公司 ) is the flag carrier airline of Macau. It operates services to 23 destinations in Mainland China, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam, as well as regional international services, from its hub at Macau International Airport.^[3] In 2014, Air Macau carried 2.12 million passengers with an average load factor of 68.20% and carried 15,900 tonnes of cargo and mail.^[4]

History

The airline was established on 13 September 1994, and began commercial operations on 9 November 1995, with a flight from Macau to Beijing and Shanghai. Prior to 1995, there was no air service to Macau since 1962 other than the helicopter service. Seaplane service had been provided by Macau Air Transport Company from 1948 to 1961. One-aircraft service between Beijing, Shanghai and Taipei began on 8 December 1995. The first pure-freighter service was launched on 7 October 2002, between Taipei and Shenzhen via Macau.

In 2006 Air Macau was owned by China National Aviation Holding (51%), TAP Portugal (20%), STDM (14%), EVA Air (5%), the government of Macau (5%) and Macau investors (5%).^[3] It employs 1,245 staff (at March 2016). In 2009 two companies controlled by Edmund Ho, the Chief Executive of Macau sold a combined 1.25% stake to Air China for a sum undisclosed by the parties.^[5] In 2010 TAP sold its share to Air China.^[6]

Corporate affairs

Edifício CNAC

The head office is currently in the Edifício CNAC (中航大廈; 中航大厦; Zhòngháng Dàshà; zung1 hong4 daai6 haa6 in Sé (Cathedral Parish) on the Macau Peninsula.^[7][8] Previously it was in the Edifício Tai Wah (大華大廈; 大华大厦; Dàhuá Dàshà; daai6 waa4 daai6 haa6) in Sé.^[9][10][11]

Destinations

The airline currently operates its own aircraft to 24 destinations including 15 destinations in mainland China.^[12]

Codeshare agreements

Air Macau has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:^[13]

Air Macau and All Nippon Airways officially launch frequent flyer program cooperation from July 1, 2010. Air Macau Privileges members will earn mileages on all scheduled flights operated by All Nippon Airways and marketed by All Nippon Airways or Air Macau, and redeem Award Travel on all scheduled flights operated and marketed by All Nippon Airways.^[14]

Fleet

Current fleet of Air Macau

Airbus A319-100 B-MAO landing at Kansai International Airport, Japan.

Airbus A321-100 B-MAF at Hong Kong International Airport

As of March 2016, the Air Macau fleet consists of the following aircraft:^[15][16]

Retired fleet

Two Boeing 727-100Fs were rented to provide air cargo service to Shenzhen and Taiwan from 2002 to 2006; both have returned to revenue service Transmile Air Services (and repainted from Air Macau livery). Both aircraft were replaced with two A300-600RFs owned by Air Macau. These two Airbus A300 left the company in 2012. Two old A321-100 were replaced by two new A321-200 in 2013.

Livery

Although Air Macau serves as Macau's flag carrier, the Special Administrative Region of Macau flag has never appeared on any of its aircraft. Neither did the flag of Portugal appear on its aircraft prior to the 1999 handover.

Special Livery

On 2003, Air Macau and 2005 East Asian Games Organising Committee organized a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the New Livery of Air Macau Aircraft at the Hangar of the Macau International Airport. The aircraft was painted with the East Asian Games Emblem and Mascot, have been travelling across the strait and South East Asian countries, delivering 2005 4th East Asian Games image and message to the public. Air Macau is duty-bound and is proud to be the official carrier.^[17]

In November 2014, Air Macau welcomes the arrival of a brand-new Airbus 321 aircraft namely “PROSPEROUS”. The highlight of “PROSPEROUS” is painted with tourism image of Macau. There are two parts of design. In the front part of aircraft body, the designer is inspired by the Dragon whisker leaping from bottom to the top. The meaning is aircraft in the sky just like a flying dragon. The red and green colors come the logo of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO). In the second part, line is from top to bottom. In this part, the famous scenes in Macau, such as Ruins of St. Paul's, Temple of A-Ma, Macau Tower etc. are presented in silhouette. The dark green comes from the flag of Macau SAR. Light green provides an effective backdrop. Two parts come in one. The main idea of design is to let more people to understand Macau.^[18]

Macau Asia Express

Macau Asia Express was a failed low-cost airline project, which was to be based in Macau and originally to be launched in 2007, offering scheduled flights mostly to China.^[3] It was founded on 24 January 2006 with an initial funding of $30 million. It was owned by Air Macau (51%) and ST-CNAC (CNAC and Shun Tak Holdings) (49%).^[3] The aircraft fleet would have consisted of 6 Airbus A320 short-medium haul jet aircraft, which was planned to be expanded to 15-20 aircraft over the first years in operation.^[19]

In November 2007, the Macau Daily News reported that Macau Asia Express was suffering funding problems, which led to a delay at the taking-over of the already ordered aircraft, and finally the revocal of the Air Operator's Certificate in 2008.^[20]

Airport VIP Lounge

Air Macau is opening a new lounge at Macau International Airport from 16 Sep 2015, located at level 2 of Departure Hall. The brand-new Air Macau Lounge can seat approximately 122 people. Free WIFI access is also available throughout the lounge.^[21]

See also

• Transport in Macau

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Air Macau.

• Official website (in English)
• Air Macau Magazine inflight magazine

Airlines of Macau
Operating	Air Macau
Defunct	Viva Macau
See also: Civil Aviation Authority (Macau) and List of airlines of China

Airlines of China
Authorities: Civil Aviation Administration of China Civil Aviation Department (Hong Kong) Civil Aviation Authority (Macau)
Passenger	9 Air Air Chang'an Air China Air Guilin Air Macau2 Beijing Capital Airlines Cathay Dragon1 Cathay Pacific1 Chengdu Airlines China Eastern Airlines China Express Airlines China Flying Dragon Aviation China Southern Airlines China United Airlines China Xinhua Airlines Chongqing Airlines Colorful Guizhou Airlines Dalian Airlines Donghai Airlines Fuzhou Airlines Grand China Air GX Airlines Hainan Airlines Hebei Airlines Hong Kong Airlines1 Hongtu Airlines HK Express1 Jiangxi Air Joy Air Juneyao Airlines Kunming Airlines LJ Air Loong Air Lucky Air Okay Airways Qingdao Airlines Ruili Airlines Shandong Airlines Shanghai Airlines Shenzhen Airlines Sichuan Airlines Spring Airlines Suparna Airlines Tianjin Airlines Tibet Airlines Urumqi Air West Air XiamenAir
Cargo	Air China Cargo Air Hong Kong1 China Cargo Airlines China Postal Airlines China Southern Cargo Donghai Airlines Longhao Airlines SF Airlines Uni-Top Airlines
Airlines with footnotes are headquartered in Hong Kong1 or Macau2 Special Administrative Regions See also Defunct airlines of China