per barrel, putting a heavy burden on all
carriers. It also posed a big financial strain
on Air Macau, so much so, that it needed
capital injection from its major share-
holder Air China. However, real chal-
lenges lie ahead in 2009, the first being
the sharp drop of Taiwanese passengers in
transit in the wake of direct China-Taiwan
flights.
Ms Lok says that pre-handover, Tai-
wanese passengers in transit accounted
for more than 70% of Air Macau passen-
gers. To face this challenge Air Macau
has opened up routes to South East Asia,
Korea and Japan. Since the official launch
of China-Taiwan direct flights last year,
the airline now has a passenger ratio of 50
percent Taiwanese transit passengers and
50 percent local ordinary passengers.
Nevertheless, there is a long way be-
tween the ideal and reality, so a step by
step approach is required to grow business
Ms Lok says. Air Macau hopes to open
and operate a few international long haul
routes to offer convenience to interna-
tional tourists travelling to Macau and to
diversify Macau’s tourist sources.
However, unfortunately, due to the
small scale of the Macau market, merely
depending on turnover from local resi-
dents is not enough to cover operating
costs.
Feed off the hubs
She says that to resolve the problem
of scarce long haul international routes,
Air Macau is planning to cooperate with
its mother company, Air China. The idea
is to use Beijing and Bangkok’s big inter-
national airports as hubs and attract tran-
sit passengers for its Macau bound flights.
“The fares will be more competitive
than flying to Hong Kong and transfering
by ferry to Macau, and the process much
more convenient for fliers,’’ she says.
The plan will be put into place start-
ing from this summer and this is expected
Broader horizons
to give new wings to Macau’s aviation
industry. “We hope to bring into Macau
In the decade since the handover, Macau’s aviation
tourists from more diverse regions, and
also offer a better choice to Macau resi-
industry has faced many challenges from the Asian
dents who want to travel abroad.”
financial crisis, to SARS and from oil price hikes,
Finally, as a woman in a male domi-
to growing direct China-Taiwan linksdirect flights
nated industry, does she find any personal
and the global financial crisis. Air Macau has taken barriers in her business dealings?
them all on the chin “I am mainly responsible for the ad-
ministration and HR area. What matters
itation, adding: “(I) don’t think it will have by the global financial crisis resulting in most is that I like this industry and I have
any effect on Air Macau’s development (if it less and less economic activity.” a sense of responsibility. So, I don’t feel
was revoked). The current challenge is not any barriers communicating with col-
the sub-concession, nor oil prices, but the
Taiwan transit factor
leagues who like planes as well, regard-
dwindling tourist numbers, caused by the less of whether they are men or women.
China-Taiwan direct flights and aggravated
Last June the oil price shot up to US$147
We share the same goal,” says Ms Lok.
february 2009
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