Hello guys,

just a quick question.
Is there anyone currently flying in Asia who can give an assessment about the situation?
Any good chance for a 320bus driver with around 700hrs on type?

Thanks in advance!

I can't help you with what it's like out there, but have you checked all these websites for A320 operators there? Parc, Rishworth, Crew, VOR Holdings, etc all have A320 job postings in China.

EDIT: Here is another one: http://www.smile-aviation.com/jobs.html
You also mentioned time in type, but sounds like you are looking for an FO position... those will be much more difficult to find, as they usually use locals for FOs. Good luck.

Thanks mate, yes its for a right seat search...
I took a look to airbus orders and my point of view is that soon they will need some more drivers over there...
Thanks a lot mate!

You'll find that very few airlines on the mainland are hiring expat FO's due to an ever increasing number of their own cadets.

Hong Kong Airlines and Hong Kong Express both however do hire expat FO's, as does Air Hong Kong (yes, a different airline), a cargo operator flying A300's and B744's. Their hiring page for FO's is;

Air HongKong

I'm not sure about the former, but all of my mates who have flown for Hong Kong Express, and there are a few, showed up on their doorstep. I would garner that the same would ring true for Air Hong Kong Cargo.

China Cargo does have some expat FO's on the B744 out of Shanghai (used to be Great Wall) but I do not know if they need more. I'll try to find out.

Also, of course, SQ Cargo. In my opinion an excellent company to work for. Here is their FO hiring page;

Welcome to SIA Cargo - Career

Good luck with it.

My question is do you have any PIC time? If you do, then also check out Air Japan for an FO slot. You will be evaluated for an upgrade around year 3 or 4. Plus, it's a Boeing.

Here's one:

Parc Aviation on behalf of our client Garuda Citilink are seeking Airbus A320 First Officers for a direct placement contract.

In 2012 Garuda Citilink will quadruple the number of Airbus A320s in their fleet, from 5 to 20. In 2011 Garuda also placed an order to purchase 50 brand new Airbus A320s, these deliveries will commence in 2014.
These positions include a sign on bonus, annual bonus and end of contract bonus.

Job Type: Direct Placement
Duration: 2 years with extension available
Base: Surabaya, Indonesia
Commencement Date: May 2012
Accommodation provided / Ground transportation: Allowances Provided

Minimum Requirements:
Total time: 1,500 hours on multi-engine jet or turbine, civil registered transport aircraft certified for multi-crew operations.
Time on type: 500 hours on the Airbus A320 Family Aircraft
Last date of flight: Operated on an Airbus A320 Family Aircraft within the last six months
Licence: ICAO CPL
ICAO English Language Proficiency: Level 4 or above

First Officers must be rated on A320 with at least 500 hours on type to be considered. Please do not apply if you do not possess same.

Contact Person: Caroline Rosney Permanent Placement Co-Ordinator [email protected] 00353-1-8161773



Also Air Astana in Kazakhstan, Air Macau, Air Asia, Air Arabia, Qatar Airways, and Etihad.

Personally I'd go to Etihad and then you have a chance at career progression with a transition onto the A330 in a bout 2-3 years and then upgrade on the A320 in 4-5 years.

Emirates also looking for A320 rated pilots for direct entry onto the A330.


Typhoonpilot

Thanks folks, really helpful!
I am the typical 320 FO, 500 hrs on type and wandering around for a right seat between EU and far east...nothing to do here in EU, aviation is slowly dying and only few low costs (imagine which ones) and legacies will survive...the medium term shows nothing more than that so i guess its better to move east...at least some solid orders are in place and hopefully some jobs will pop up in the next months...
All the best to all of you and your families!

I would keep my eye out for the new ventures into the LCC market here in Japan, simply because the opportunity for advancement coming into the operation at the ground level, JetStar Japan, Air Aisa Japan and Peach, all of them have started with the handful of former JAL guys that were left in the marketplace and some that have come back from other gigs around SE Asia, but all of those companies will tap into the expat pool soon, i know because there is already pilot poaching within other companies in Japan, we had a few Japanese contract pilots move over to these ventures. These companies have plans to go to A330's (i know for sure that Peach is) within 2 to 3 years of operation so it is very possible that your stay on the right seat of the 320 won't be anymore than 18 months and that the left seat of the A330 will come 3 years later.

Good tip D ( need a thumbs up icon here )



TP

GREAT GREAT NEWS MY FRIENDS!!!!
love sushi....
Thanks guys all the best!!!!