Transportation

The Washington Metro awarded Hitachi a $2.2 billion contract last year to manufacture up to 800 modern rail cars. (Image courtesy of Hitachi Rail)
Transportation

Hitachi to build $70m plant for Washington subway cars

Local factory will fulfill record $2.2bn U.S. order from D.C. Metro system

22 March 2022
The 1915 Canakkale Bridge has the world's longest central section of 2,023 meters, some 30 meters longer than Japan's Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. (Anadolu Agency)
Construction

Turkey opens world's longest suspension bridge, built by 'K-tech'

South Korean consortium's speed and funding puts Japanese rivals on back foot

19 March 2022
A rail car covered by the contract is displayed at an event celebrating the deal. (Photo by Yuichi Shiga)
Business deals

$600m Philippine rail car order won by Japan's Sumitomo, JR East unit

Manila commuter line intended to reduce traffic, pollution

18 March 2022
Flying-taxi operators for the Osaka World Expo will be selected as soon as fiscal 2022. German startup Volocopter is among those looking to start service in Japan with a local partner. (Photo courtesy of Volocopter)
Technology

Flying taxis set to take off on 8 routes at Osaka World Expo

20 flights per hour planned for 2025 event in Japan debut

18 March 2022
Capital A controls budget airline AirAsia as well as e-hailing service AirAsia Ride, which is launching in Thailand in April.
Transportation

Malaysia's AirAsia Ride to launch in Thailand next month

Capital A's latest business expansion comes as losses weigh on finances

16 March 2022
Kansai International Airport in Osaka was flooded by a typhoon in September 2018. (Photo courtesy of Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)
Climate Change

Infographic: Rising seas threaten world's airports

224 airports around the world are less than 3 meters above sea level

16 March 2022
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has fired up scrutiny of Moscow's military ambitions in other parts of the world, shining the spotlight on projects in places such as its remote Far East. (Source photos by Reuters)
International relations

Russia looks to Northern Sea Route as its military ambitions expand

Moscow aims to use Arctic waters as strategic link between Asia and Europe

13 March 2022
AirAsia parent Capital A will need to find other sources of funding after failing to qualify for a goverment-backed loan.
Transportation

Capital A outlook clouded by state-backed loan denial

AirAsia's parent raising funds ahead of expected air travel demand increase

11 March 2022
Philippine Airlines will boost flights to shore up earnings, now that foreign tourists are allowed to enter the country again.
Transportation

Philippine Airlines to add 1,500 flights as nation reopens for tourism

Carrier increases service to North America, Southeast Asia, Japan and Middle East

10 March 2022
Higher cargo revenues helped Cathay cut its 2021 annual loss.  
Transportation

Cathay Pacific records $783m loss amid grim outlook

Hong Kong airline group warns COVID controls will keep most flights grounded

9 March 2022
Air Japan President and CEO Hideki Mineguchi poses during a news conference in Tokyo on March 8. (Photo by Kohnosuke Urata)
8 March 2022
The Airbus A350F offers improved operating and fuel efficiency. (Image courtesy of Airbus)
Transportation

Airbus and Boeing train sights on Asia with hopes of market rebound

Contract flexibility and new plane debut underscore industry ready for long-term boom

8 March 2022
Felicity Ace, which was carrying cars from Germany to the U.S., is shown on Feb. 18 after a fire broke out onboard. (Portuguese Navy via Reuters)
Transportation

Ship carrying Porsche cars sinks in Atlantic after fire

Japanese operator Mitsui O.S.K. says crew of 22 are safe

2 March 2022
A handful of Asian aircraft leasing companies rent jets to Aeroflot and other Russian carriers. European Union sanctions require leasing operators to terminate their rental contracts in Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. 
Ukraine war

Jet leasing companies race to pull planes from sanction-hit Russia

Questions swirl over how Asian plane suppliers can recover aircraft, unpaid bills

2 March 2022
Turkish Airlines and Singapore Airlines are among the major carriers halting flights to Russia and Ukraine following the outbreak of war between them (Nikkei montage/Reuters/FlightRadar24 website)
Transportation

Asian airlines cancel Russia, Ukraine flights as war heats up

Route changes adding to flight times to and from region

1 March 2022
Chinese internet users last week questioned Didi's motives in moving to pull out of Russia.
Ukraine war

China's Didi cancels exit from Russia under public pressure

Ride-hailing operator in struggle to stem losses

28 February 2022
Thai Airways reported a net profit in 2021, thanks to one-off contributions from asset assets and cuts to employee benefits. (Photo by Akira Kodaka) 
Transportation

Thai Airways' restructuring lifts it to first profit in 5 years

Tourism reopening comes too late to improve airline's operating earnings

28 February 2022
Greater Bay Airlines is looking to differentiate itself from full-service Cathay Pacific as a "value carrier." (Photo by Kenji Kawase)
Transportation

Startup carrier unfazed by Hong Kong aviation 'lockdown'

Greater Bay Airlines pushes ahead with plans to launch service later this year

26 February 2022
Russia's invasion of Ukraine could have serious consequences for companies and consumers across Asia. (Source photos by Reuters)
Ukraine war

How Russia's Ukraine attack affects Asian business: 5 things to know

From energy to airlines to IT, companies feel impact amid COVID recovery

25 February 2022
Tony Fernandes says investors are confident in his vision for Capital A even as stock market auditors raise concerns. (Source photos by AP and Reuters) 
Business Spotlight

AirAsia parent Capital A faces scrutiny over recovery plan

Malaysian bourse angers airline boss Tony Fernandes with restructuring demand

25 February 2022
Mitsubishi Electric signaling equipment will help modernize the F line in the New York City subway system. (Photo courtesy of Mitsubishi Electric)
Transportation

Mitsubishi Electric to help modernize New York's subway

Japanese company joins Siemens and Thales in supplying equipment for signal upgrades

23 February 2022
The merger between South Korea's two biggest airlines has cleared a domestic hurdle.
Transportation

South Korea gives conditional approval to KAL-Asiana merger

But regulator orders Korean Air to return slots, traffic rights in 40 routes

22 February 2022
Ports on the U.S. West Coast, including Los Angeles, continue to face lengthy backlogs. (Photo by Hiona Shiraiwa)
Transportation

With U.S. ports clogged, Japanese exports take pricier Mexico route

Nippon Express doubles freight into country as delays stretch to weeks

21 February 2022
IATA says Asia's airline industry will narrow its net loss in 2022 as more planes take to the skies. (Source photo by Kosaku Mimura and Reuters)
Transportation

Asian airlines ramp up overseas flights as borders reopen

Carriers restart routes, rehire staff as COVID restrictions ease

21 February 2022
Screenshot of JAL official mini-channel "JAL Youxuan." (Photo courtesy of JAL)
Transportation

JAL helps Japan firms sell specialties to Chinese consumers

Cross-border e-commerce service via WeChat part of effort to revitalize regions

21 February 2022