FEBRUARYASIA BUSINESS OUTLOOK9NEWSROOMTAIWAN'S ASE SEES ADVANCED CHIP PACKAGING REVENUE AT $3.2BMongolian carrier Hunnu Air (MR, Ulaanbaatar) plans to increase its fleet size through new Embraer regional jets while exploring ways to use Airbus narrowbody planes for future development.Hunnu Air operates charter flights to Delhi but will begin scheduled flights to Tashkent and Delhi and Middle Eastern destinations by 2026 according to Turbold Tserenkhuu, Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Hunnu Air.Hunnu Air plans to reach its growth goals through discussions with lessors about bringing on additional Embraer jets by the end of 2026.· Hunnu Air targets Delhi, Tashkent, and Middle East routes by 2026.· Plans to lease more Embraer jets and acquire Airbus narrowbodies.· Two Cessna Grand Caravans and 408s expected in 2026 for fleet expansion.Tserenkhuu also indicated that the airline is exploring the acquisition of larger Airbus narrowbody aircraft to enhance its fleet, particularly for long-haul flights to the Middle East. The carrier used to run two Airbus A319 planes from 2012 until 2014.Hunnu Air plans to acquire two Cessna 208EX Grand Caravans and two Cessna 408s in 2026 to build a more diverse fleet. The airline operates one ATR42-500 which remains inactive because it needs spare parts but will soon be retired from service.Hunnu Air currently operates five aircraft which include two E190 planes and two E195-E2 planes while planning to start operations in Vietnam and the Philippines. The airline achieved its longest nonstop flight with E195-E2 aircraft through a 6.5-hour charter flight to Phu Quoc. Taiwan-based ASE Technology Holding, the world leader in semiconductor packaging and testing services, predicts its advanced packaging division will develop into a US$3.2 billion business by 2026 because of the increasing requirement for high-performance artificial intelligence systems and chiplet-based architectural designs.The company shared the outlook during its latest earnings call after reporting fourth-quarter revenue of T$177.9 billion (US$5.6 billion), which represents a 9.6 percent year-on-year increase.The company generated net income that increased by 58 percent during the quarter because customers showed strong interest in its advanced technological products.· ASE targets US$3.2 billion advanced packaging revenue by 2026· Q4 revenue rises 9.6%, net income jumps 58%· US$4.5 billion capex planned for leading-edge technologiesASE plans capital expenditure of approximately US$4.5 billion in 2025, which will amount to almost double its 2024 spending.The company plans to use more than 60 percent of its budget for advanced packaging equipment, while it intends to use about 30 percent to develop advanced testing capabilities.The investments support ASE's Leading-Edge Advanced Packaging (LEAP) services, which will increase revenue from US$250 million in 2023 to more than US$1.6 billion in 2025.ASE achieves its competitive advantage over smaller companies that provide outsourced semiconductor assembly and testing services through its capital spending on AI chip packaging technologies which now serve as essential support for global fabless chip designers and advanced system integrators. HUNNU AIR TO STRENGTHEN FLEET WITH EMBRAER, AIRBUS AIRCRAFT
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