MELBOURNE – When budget Asian airline Viva Macau touched down on its inaugural flight to Melbourne yesterday the carrier might have had one eye on events happening in its own backyard.
Air China this week agreed to inject US$19.3 million into its loss-making subsidiary Air Macau, lifting its stake in the carrier to 80.9 percent from 51 percent.
The civil aviation industry in Macau is run by the government which allocates flying concessions to carriers, much like it does with gaming licences.
Viva Macau has a sub-concession and any new destinations need to be approved by the government and concession holder Air Macau.
Viva Macau’s chief executive Reg Macdonald said he would have started Melbourne services sooner if he’d known demand would be as strong as it is, with December flights already booked out.
Viva Macau will fly direct twice-weekly Melbourne-Macau, and hopes to establish stronger links between the two casino cities.
Dr Macdonald said he was in discussions to cross promote his airline with James Packer’s casinos and hotels in Macau and Melbourne.
“There’s a natural affinity there,” he said. “To have footholds in both markets is unique.â€
