Cloudier skies ahead for airlines in South-east Asia

Singapore

SOUTH-east Asia's carriers are likely to be looking at a more challenging year in 2017, as airlines face a double whammy of stiff competition and rising fuel costs.

The region is one of the most competitive markets in the Asia-Pacific, thanks in part to the proliferation of budget carriers which is putting downward pressure on yields. On the full service side, carriers such as the cash-rich Gulf trio are adding capacity at cut-throat fares. The Big Three Gulf carriers are Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways.