THE Qantas Group posted its first annual loss since being privatised 17 years ago, forcing the airline to put its fleet renewal on hold and cancel firm orders for 35 Boeing B787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

The flag carrier registered a net loss of A$244 million (US$253 million) in the 12 months till June 30, 2012, compared to a net profit of A$250 million in the preceding 12 months.

Qantas CEO, Alan Joyce, said the dismal results could be attributed to the carrier’s record fuel bill, up A$645 million (18 per cent) to A$4.3 billion; A$194 million in costs incurred during last year’s prolonged industrial dispute; and transformation costs of A$376 million as the airline continues to address its legacy cost base and turn around its international business.

“We confront very difficult and uncertain trading conditions in Britain, Europe and the US, and the fuel price is also uncertain,” said Joyce. “The high Australian dollar will continue to create ripple effects throughout Australia. But Asia will continue to offer high growth potential as the middle class grows and travels.”

Joyce said the biggest challenge for Qantas was turning around its international business, while ensuring that its transformation remained on track.

“Qantas has cut loss-making (international) routes, and successfully used gateways and partnerships to extend our reach and create better options for customers, while restraining our costs,” he said.

“With existing partners Jetstar, China Eastern, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways and Cathay Pacific, we do take our customers to and between the largest Asian hubs.”

FMI Air Charter, a subsidiary of First Myanmar Investment (FMI), will begin offering three flights a day between Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw from September 9.

The service will be operated using two aircraft – a 44-seat ATR 42 and a 16-seat Beech 1900D – leased from state-run Myanma Airways, and will depart at 07.00, 11.30 and 16.00.

FMI Air Charter’s marketing director, U Soe Thiha Hlaing, said the new connection would fill a gap in the market as established airlines currently offer only irregular flights to the capital.

“In view of the expanding economy and increasing governmental and commercial traffic to Nay Pyi Taw, we feel that this is an opportune time to introduce this air service,” he said.

“We are working together with Myanma Airways because it helped us by providing technicians and skilled staff. Our company only focuses on operational matters such as services.”

U Soe Thiha Hlaing added that the company was planning to expand its charter services to other domestic destinations in the “near future”.

THE Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, the inaugural Grand Hyatt in Malaysia, opened its doors last Friday.

“We are thrilled to be able to bring the Grand Hyatt brand to the Malaysian community,” said Larry Tchou, managing director, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts – Asia-Pacific. “Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur’s opening echoes Hyatt’s development strategy, which is to focus on the gateway cities and markets where customers are travelling.”

Situated next to Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and within walking distance of the Petronas Twin Towers and the Golden Triangle shopping area, the 370-room, 42-suite Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur offers some of the largest rooms on the market, starting at 47m2.

Boasting floor-to-ceiling windows, each guestroom comes equipped with high-speed wireless Internet connectivity and a docking station for MP3 players.

There are three F&B options at the hotel, including THIRTY8, an all-day dining restaurant serving international cuisine; JP teres, featuring Malaysian dishes; and Poolside, an alfresco outlet offering international and local favorites.

The Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur also offers more than 3,300m2 of meeting and events space with six venues to choose from, including the pillarless Grand Ballroom and Grand Salon.

UNITED Airlines (UA) has unveiled the line-up of maiden international routes for its fleet of new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

In addition to daily services from its Denver hub to Tokyo (Narita), starting March 31, 2013, UA will also operate daily, nonstop 787 services between its Los Angeles hub and its Narita hub, beginning January 3, 2013, and Los Angeles to Shanghai, beginning March 30, 2013.

“The 787 is the right aircraft for these routes because of its many passenger-friendly amenities and superior operating economics,” said UA senior vice president of network, Greg Hart.

“With 50 787s on order, we look forward to the many new route opportunities that will become available to United and our customers in the future.”

UA’s 787 planes are configured with 36 seats in United BusinessFirst, 72 seats in United Economy Plus and 111 seats in United Economy.

KOSMOPOLITO Hotels International will soft open the Grand Dorsett Chengdu in early September.

Situated in the historical Luoma Market area of Chengdu, the capital of China’s Sichuan province, the upscale Grand Dorsett Chengdu will offer 556 guestrooms and suites, all equipped with iPod docks and complimentary high-speed Internet connectivity.

The hotel’s meeting facilities will include a 700m2 pillar-less multi-functional hall and eight private meeting rooms.