Air Macau is the flag carrier of Macau. It operates services to 24 destinations in Mainland China, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, from the airline's home base at Macau International Airport. In 2014, Air Macau carried 2.12 million passengers with an average load factor of 68.20% and carried 15,900 tonnes of cargo and mail.

History

The airline was established on 13 September 1994, and began commercial operations on 9 November 1995, with a flight from Macau to Beijing and Shanghai. Prior to 1995, there was no air service to Macau since 1962 other than the helicopter service. Seaplane service had been provided by Macau Air Transport Company from 1948 to 1961. One-aircraft service between Beijing, Shanghai and Taipei began on 8 December 1995. The first pure-freighter service was launched on 7 October 2002, between Taipei and Shenzhen via Macau. In 1999 the airline had 1.1 million passengers each year, with 80% of them originating from two cities in the Republic of China on Taiwan: Kaohsiung and Taipei. In 2006 Air Macau was owned by China National Aviation Holding (51%), TAP Air Portugal (20%), STDM (14%), EVA Air (5%), the government of Macau (5%) and Macau investors (5%). It employs 1,245 staff (at March 2016). In 2009 two companies controlled by Edmund Ho, the Chief Executive of Macau sold a combined 1.25% stake to Air China for a sum undisclosed by the parties. In 2010 TAP sold its share to Air China.

Corporate affairs

The head office is currently in the Edifício CNAC in Sé (Cathedral Parish) on the Macau Peninsula. Previously it was in the Edifício Tai Wah in Sé.

Destinations

The airline currently operates 24 destinations including 15 destinations in mainland China.

Codeshare agreements

Air Macau has codeshare agreements with the following airlines: Air Macau and All Nippon Airways officially launch frequent flyer program cooperation from July 1, 2010. Air Macau Privileges members will earn mileages on all scheduled flights operated by All Nippon Airways and marketed by All Nippon Airways or Air Macau, and redeem Award Travel on all scheduled flights operated and marketed by All Nippon Airways.

Frequent flyer

Air Macau has its own frequent flyer program called Lotus Miles (formerly Privileges). On 1 January 2015, Privileges merged with Phoenix Miles, which is the frequent flyer program of Air China, hence retaining the current Lotus Miles.

Fleet

Current fleet

, Air Macau operates an all-Airbus fleet composed of the following aircraft:

Former fleet

Two Boeing 727-100Fs were rented to provide air cargo service to Shenzhen and Taiwan from 2002 to 2006; both have returned to revenue service Transmile Air Services (and repainted from Air Macau livery). Both aircraft were replaced with two A300-600RFs owned by Air Macau. These two Airbus A300 left the company in 2012. Two old A321-100 were replaced by two new A321-200 in 2013. In 2020 two Airbus A319-100 were retired.

Livery

Although Air Macau serves as Macau's flag carrier, the flag of the Special Administrative Region of Macau has never appeared on any of its aircraft, similar to Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific. However, unlike Cathay Pacific, which carried a Union Jack on its aircraft prior to the 1997 Handover of Hong Kong, the flag of Portugal never appeared on any Air Macau aircraft prior to the 1999 Handover of Macau.

Macau Asia Express

Macau Asia Express was a failed low-cost airline project, which was to be based in Macau and originally to be launched in 2007, offering scheduled flights mostly to mainland China. It was founded on 24 January 2006 with an initial funding of $30 million. It was owned by Air Macau (51%) and ST-CNAC (CNAC and Shun Tak Holdings) (49%). The aircraft fleet would have consisted of 6 Airbus A320 short-medium haul jet aircraft, which was planned to be expanded to 15–20 aircraft over the first years in operation. In November 2007, the Macau Daily News reported that Macau Asia Express was suffering from funding problems, which led to a delay at the taking-over of ordered aircraft, and finally the revocation of its Air Operator's Certificate in 2008.