Daily Archives: September 7, 2023

As one of the world's most significant markets, the Chinese aviation industry is home to many different types of airlines, ranging from full-service, hybrid, regional, and low-cost carriers. With such a great variety of airlines in a booming industry, it's even common for flag carriers to become slightly overshadowed and not often talked about.

While the major airlines such as Air China, Cathay Pacific, and China Eastern Airlines - to name a few, are more well-known, smaller flag carriers like Air Macau are not. With nearly three decades worth of history and present happenings, let's dive into this particular air carrier.

Since 1962 and before 1995, no commercial air services connected Macau to the rest of the world. All that existed before Air Macau were private helicopter services for those who could afford, and seaplane services offered by the Macao Air Transport Company - a subsidiary of Cathay Pacific Airways to provide short commutes between Macau and Hong Kong until 1961.

Photo: EQRoy | Shutterstock

With this vacuum available, Air Macau was established on September 13th, 1994, as the flag carrier of Macau that would be responsible for providing affordable commercial flight services to and from other countries within the region. However, flight services only commenced the following year on November 9th, 1995, once Macau International Airport was built and ready for operations.

The airline's first flight was from Macau to Beijing Capital International Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. This flight was operated with the airline's first aircraft, an Airbus A320 leased from Irish lessor AerCap. Three additional Airbus A321s would eventually join the airline's fleet the same year under the same leasing agreement.

Four years later, in 1999, Air Macau had grown to transport at least 1.1 million passengers annually, with approximately 80% of its passengers originating from Kaoshiung and Taipei. Since then, the airline's route network has graciously expanded to include many destinations in China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and the Philippines.

Then, in 2003, the flag carrier dabbled into the air cargo sector after operating its first freighter service between Taipei and Shenzhen via Macau with an Airbus A300BA-200F leased from TradeWinds. More freighters would soon join the airline's fleet in the next few years until 2012 when Air Macau stuck to serving belly cargo on passenger flights only.

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

Even without the freighters, the airline managed to transport an average of 15,900 tonnes of cargo and mail annually since 2012, alongside an estimated 2.12 million passengers with an average load factor of about 70%. The fleet of Air Macau has also risen to house 22 aircraft, with the reception of its first Airbus A320neo in April 2019 and the first A321neo in December of the same year.

Concerning ownership, the airline's initial big owners were China National Aviation Holding, with a 51% share, followed by TAP Air Portugal, with a 20% stake. Other initial shareholders included the Sociedade de Turismo e Diverses de Macau with 14%, EVA Air with 5%, the government of Macau with 5%, and remaining Macau investors with another 5%.

But when Air Macau fell into financial trouble in 2006 - due to the failed commencement of its low-cost project, Macau Asia Express, in which approximately $30 million was invested as original funding, the flag carrier required a temporary lifeline. The lifeline came when the government of Macau approved a rescue package of about 507.3 million Macanese Pataca ($62.42 million).

Another lifeline appeared in 2009 when a combined stake of 1.25% was sold to Air China by two companies controlled by the Chief Executive of Macau, Edmund Ho. The following year, in 2010, TAP Air Portugal also sold its share to the Star Alliance member, effectively making Air China the parent company of Air Macau with a 66.9% stake.

With Air Macau recovering financially from that crisis and the pandemic, the flag carrier has been expanding its route network in the past two years, gradually reinstating old routes. Fresh new routes and heightened frequencies are also currently underway as the airline looks to strengthen its presence within the region.

Photo: Jeffry Surianto | Shutterstock

As for future expansions of its fleet, the airline has the determination to improve its service further and better meet the growing demands of passengers and is patiently awaiting the arrival of additional Airbus A320neos and A321neos under a leasing agreement.

Have you flown with Air Macau before? Share your experience with us in the comments below.

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Air Macau: Everything You Need To Know - Simple Flying

MGM will host the Oktoberfest Macau at MGM 2023 from 12 to 23 October, marking the 13th year of the iconic event.

One of the most popular annual events in Macau since its inception, Oktoberfest Macau at MGM 2023 continues to be supported by Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Consulate General of Germany in Hong Kong and German Chamber of Commerce in Macau. It will run for 12 consecutive days outdoors.

In a statement, MGM said This year, we have invited the HGL FUN BAND band from Munich, Germany to perform in Macau again to celebrate Oktoberfest where they will sing the classic Oktoberfest theme song Hello Macau!

The event has become one of the most iconic annual cross-border events in the city, stimulating the synergy of tourism, entertainment, gastronomy and culture, and fully utilizing the Tourism + effect.

Oktoberfest Macau at MGMs traditional setting will be recreated this year, including the classic Oktoberfest blue and white marquee, traditional wooden benches and chairs, beer ladies dressed in traditional costumes from Germany, the designated beer Lwenbru and special German barbecue dishes.

Oktoberfest has been held at MGM since 2009 and is now in its 13th year. It has been one of the highlights of the year at MGM, however last years Oktoberfest was temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic epidemic.

Tickets go on sale from 11 September at a cost of MOP$250 and include two glasses of your selected beverage.

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Oktoberfest returns to MGM Cotai from 12 to 23 October - Inside Asian Gaming

The very first Macau showing of Picassos artworks in gemmaux MACAU - Media OutReach - 7 September 2023 - As part of "Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2023", organised by the Macao SAR Government, One Central Macau proudly presents for the first time in Macau, "Pablo Picasso: Paintings in Glass" sponsored by Hongkong Land. Aligning with the objective of Art Macao, this show will contribute to arts and culture in Macau, establishing it further as a World Heritage city. The six artworks in this show are among fifty works, unique and signed, selected by Picasso himself between 1954 and 1957, among his most exemplary works to be interpreted in gemmail (French for 'enamel gem'). One Central Macau's Picasso Gemmaux artwork to premiere in Macau

This exhibition is the very first Macau showing of Picasso's artworks in gemmaux to be presented at the Atrium of One Central Macau with free admission from today until 31st October. This showcase offers a rare opportunity to appreciate many of Picasso's most important artworks. As part of Art Macao's theme, "The Statistics of Fortune", this show features works that are reminiscent of the technique of stained glass seen in churches in aesthetics, yet they are back lit light boxes engineered by a workshop led by physicist Roger Malherbe-Navarre working on light diffraction in Paris in the mid 1950's. At the time, the technique was extremely innovative. The layering of several panes of carefully assembled glass gave Picasso's artworks the third dimensionality he sought to achieve in paintings. The technology of these backlit light boxes also gives a new life to the colours, as well as preserving them closer to the intention of the artist. Impressed by the gemmistes' masterful assembling and fusing of carefully selected glass, Picasso declared 'A new art is born!'

Intimate retrospective into life of renowned artistic genius

This exhibition features a special curation of six gemmaux artworks, representing many of Picasso's closest and most influential 'studies' of life. Among them are 'Femme assise', an early portrait of Dora Maar, fellow artist and lover who led him to create the masterpiece Guernica, and the very first gemmail work Picasso signed. Another iconic work is the 'Portrait of Marie-Therese Walter', in which Picasso depicts the French model Marie-Therese Walter, who gave birth to his first daughter, and Mere et Enfant, in which Picasso's wife Olga and his first son, Dora Maar, are depicted. The exclusive series also includes a striking self-portrait of the artist himself, executed in an emotionally expressive style. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Picasso's death and the artworks on display are borrowed from private collections.

"We hold a deep appreciation for the role of arts in society and have dedicated ourselves to honouring cultural heritage. We envision ONE CENTRAL MACAU to serve as a canvas that connects art with the community. This Picasso exhibition is the latest initiative which aims to educate, engage and inspire the community in Macau, inviting people to revel in the beauty of diverse cultural expressions." said Jennifer Lam, Director & Head of Marketing & Communications at Hongkong Land.

Sherry Wong, Chairperson of the Hongkong Land Art Committee, states, "Art Macao is the most important cultural and artistic event of Macau organised by the government and, we are enthusiastic in our participation. Hongkong Land is continually exploring opportunities to both advance and enhance artistic vibrancy by fully reflecting the trends and cultural life of the Macau community. We are especially pleased to present the exhibition "Pablo Picasso: Paintings in Glass", offering an opportunity to both discover and fully appreciate the creativity and personality of one of our greatest and most popular artists."

The unique display of original artworks is featured at the atrium of One Central Macau, with enlarged reproductions of each work displayed on the back of the painting, making it easy for the public to view the series of masterpieces from other locations in the atrium. Be inspired by "Pablo Picasso: Paintings in Glass" at One Central Macau.

"Pablo Picasso: Paintings in Glass" Date : From now 31st October, 2023 Admission: Free entry Location: G/F, Atrium, One Central Macau Avenida de Sagres, Nape, Macau

Editor's Note: The Hongkong Land Art Committee consists of members from a wide range of backgrounds - each one with a keen interest in art and culture - coming from a wide variety of key departments within the company. The committee provides a distinctive perspective about art with the mission to inspire, educate and cultivate an appreciation and curiosity for arts and culture, in order to preserve its heritage while making it accessible to all.

Hashtag: #onecentralmacau #artmacau #pabolpicasso #gemmaux #paintingsinglass

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

One Central Macau is a leading shopping destination on the harbour front of Macau Peninsula. Spanning 200,000 square feet in leasable shop area, it houses a spectacular array of leading international designer brands, including Boucheron, BVLGARI, Burberry, Cartier, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Zegna, FENDI, Gucci, Herms, Loewe, Louis Vuitton, Luck Hock Watch, Patek Philippe and more. These brands have chosen to establish their duplex or multi-storey flagship stores, or their first or biggest outlet in Macau at One Central.

The cosmopolitan lifestyle complex also features 7 luxurious residential towers, the Mandarin Oriental, Macau hotel, as well as one of the most coveted hotel managed properties, The Residences & Apartments at Mandarin Oriental, Macau. One Central enjoys direct access to MGM MACAU, and is immediately across from Wynn Macau, with Grand Lisboa and StarWorld Hotel within the distance of a stone's throw. With its central location, One Central sits right at the intersection of the best in entertainment, luxury and elegance, offering a shopping experience synonymous with Central Hong Kong or Beverly Hills of Los Angeles.

Official Website: http://www.onecentralmall.com.mo Official WeChat: OneCentralMacau

Hongkong Land is a major listed property investment, management and development group. Founded in 1889, Hongkong Land's business is built on excellence, integrity and partnership.

The Group owns and manages more than 850,000 sq. m. of prime office and luxury retail property in key Asian cities, principally in Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing and Jakarta. Its properties attract the world's foremost companies and luxury brands.

The Group's Central Hong Kong portfolio represents some 450,000 sq. m. of prime property. It has a further 165,000 sq. m. of prestigious office space in Singapore mainly held through joint ventures, a luxury retail centre at Wangfujing in Beijing, and a 50% interest in a leading office complex in Central Jakarta. The Group also has a number of high quality residential, commercial and mixed-use projects under development in cities across China and Southeast Asia. In Singapore, its subsidiary, MCL Land, is a well-established residential developer.

Hongkong Land Holdings Limited is incorporated in Bermuda and has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange, with secondary listings in Bermuda and Singapore. The Group's assets and investments are managed from Hong Kong by Hongkong Land Limited. Hongkong Land is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group.

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ONE CENTRAL MACAU Celebrates the Year of Picasso with "Pablo ... - ZAWYA

Sep 06, 2023 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck

The actual criminalisation of unauthorised money-exchange activity known to occur in Macaus casinos or their surroundings is currently being considered by the citys authorities, said on Wednesday Wong Sio Chak (pictured centre), Secretary for Security, during a media briefing on crime data for the first half of 2023.

Mr Wong did not go into detail on the mechanics of such criminalisation. But he said unauthorised money changing had long been affecting security conditions inside casinos and the areas surrounding them, and had often induced other crimes, notably scams, illegal detainment of individuals, assaults and even murders.

Bets at Macau casinos are mainly denominated in Hong Kong dollars, but many of the venues customers are from mainland China, which imposes controls on the amount of Chinas currency, the yuan, that can be brought across the border, per trip.

Unauthorised currency exchange taking place in or around Macau casinos has been classified by Macaus Public Prosecutions Office as activity between private parties, and so in general terms, it currently comes under the citys financial regulatory framework, rather than being a criminal matter.

On this topic, Mr Wong said during the Wednesday briefing: The Judiciary Police have hoped that the illicit money exchange that is related to gambling purposes could be criminalised.

He added: Alternatively, if these [illicit money exchanges] are not to be criminalised, we would assess how the fines can be enhanced to a very hefty level for the purpose of deterring such acts, coupled with measures such as enforcing an immigration ban on the offenders.

The briefing heard that during the first six months of this year, Macau police identified via daily inspections and various special operations at the citys casinos a total of 8,124 individuals involved with illicit money exchange. The tally was a 198.1 percent increase on the 2,725 individuals logged by the police in the first half of 2022, noted Mr Wong.

In the January to June period, Macau police had alerted the citys casino regulator, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, to 488 people involved with illicit money exchange, and the regulator had subsequently banned them from entering Macau casinos, said Mr Wong.

The Secretary also noted that most of the illicit money traders identified were residents of the Chinese mainland who had respectively entered Macau on a tourist visa.

In the first half where Macau had seen the lifting of Covid-19 -associated travel restrictions, an increase in tourism and gaming business recovery there had also been a growth in gaming-related crimes, stated Mr Wong during the briefing.

The Secretary said that the police had investigated 422 cases of suspected gaming-related crime during the first half. That was a 113.1 percent increase on the 198 cases in the same period in 2022. However, the first-half gaming-related crime case tally was still 56.4 percent lower than the same period in 2019, when the police investigated 968 cases.

Out of the 422 gaming-related crimes probed in the first six months of 2023, there had been year-on-year rises in alleged thefts, scams and usury, according to Mr Wong.

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GGRAsia Criminalising illicit money swap biz an option: Macau govt - GGRAsia