The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged the air transport industry in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to focus on key challenges of growth, including safety, cost control, liberalization and the environment. Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s director general and CEO, made the comments in a keynote address to the region’s leaders at the 42nd Annual General Meeting of the Arab Air Carriers Organization in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. “The Middle East … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: IATA sets broad Agenda for the Middle East
Air Freight Asia
MIDDLE EAST: Troubled Gulf Air talks with Airbus, Boeing
Bahrain’s Gulf Air is in talks with Airbus and Boeing over its plane orders and expects to make a decision by yearend, the airline’s CEO said recently. The struggling airline, which is fully owned by Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat, has 35 Airbus and 24 Boeing planes on order, but said in August it was reviewing its orders as the loss-making airline restructures. … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Troubled Gulf Air talks with Airbus, Boeing
INDIA: Air India to launch daily NY/Washington service
Air India will begin a daily combined New York/Washington, DC, service linking Delhi and Kolkata from 1 December using B777LR aircraft. The Indian government reportedly is willing to provide the airline with US$1.1 billion in return for $650 million in cost cuts. The airline reported losses of US$875 million for its last fiscal year ending in March 2009 and is forecast to lose up to $1.06 billion in the current financial year. Air India currently operates daily non-stop flights to Mumbai and … [Read more...] about INDIA: Air India to launch daily NY/Washington service
PHILIPPINES: DC-3 cargo plane crashes in Manila
A propeller-driven plane, dating back to the 1930s, crashed in the Philippines, killing four people recently. Officials say the DC-3 plane scraped the roofs of 14 houses in Manila before crashing into an abandoned warehouse and bursting into flames. Minutes after taking off from Manila airport, the pilot asked permission to make an emergency landing. The freight plane was heading towards Puerto Princesa City in Palawan province southwest of the capital, Manila airport security manager … [Read more...] about PHILIPPINES: DC-3 cargo plane crashes in Manila
HONG KONG: Cathay Pacific gets 777- 300ER in oneworld livery
Boeing delivered a 777-300ER (Extended Range) to Singapore-based leasing company BOC Aviation and its customer, Cathay Pacific Airways painted in a special oneworld livery to highlight the commitment of Cathay Pacific, as a member airline, to the alliance’s 10th anniversary. “The 777 has been a valuable asset for Cathay Pacific’s long-haul services, allowing us to maximize our operations in the most economic and efficient manner,†said Tony Tyler, chief … [Read more...] about HONG KONG: Cathay Pacific gets 777- 300ER in oneworld livery
HONG KONG: Airfreight continues to pad HK trade
The latest figures from Hong Kong’s Census & Statistics Department indicate a growing importance of the airfreight industry in the territory as a proportion of overall trade. The trade value of air cargo rose to 35 per cent of overall trade last year from 30 per cent in 2003 with cargo throughput at Hong Kong International Airport standing at 3.63 million tonnes last year. Hong Kong remains the largest air cargo hub in the world, followed by Seoul, Tokyo, Paris and … [Read more...] about HONG KONG: Airfreight continues to pad HK trade