In 2008, you wouldn't have believed any crystal ball which gave you a view of todays' Far East airline market. Namely the giant JAL, Japan Airlines filing for bankruptcy protection and the rump being subject to take over speculation by KLM-Air France plus Delta; the once basket case of Indonesian airline, Garuda, now flying high with a new world class on board service, a re-financed balance sheet and ultra motivated management team; Tony Fernandes, head of Air Asia trying to buy a British football club  (West Ham...) and failing; PAL Philippine Airlines planning to outsource operations and lay off 4000 regular jobs to cut costs...or go bankrupt (local media reports say) and finally low cost carriers: Cebu Pacific adding new destinations each week with Air Asia and Jetstar teaming up to form the world's first low cost airline alliance...

Sitting in London it's easy to concentrate on the changes in the European airline market, such as Ryanair's growing dominance and BA's recurring people problems or else to absorb the constant media flow of information about the US carriers,  when in fact the real action is 7000 miles away and 8 hours ahead.

Alternative Airlines remains an advocate of local airlines in a global market-place but - hey, do we have to keep our heads up high, just to make sure we keep up with what's happening right across this ever changing world !

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