TUI Travel has said it is in “extensive” discussions with Boeing regarding its 787 Dreamliner order, with both parties agreeing so far, that 10 out of 23 firm orders will be canceled and 13 purchase rights added. This latest cancellation brings the total number of 787 canceled this year to 83. … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: TUI axes 10 of its Dreamliner firm orders

MNG Airlines, the largest Turkish all-cargo operator, has placed a follow-on order with Airbus for two more A330- 200Fs to support its expanding cargo operations. These aircraft are in addition to the two firm orders for the A330-200F which the carrier placed in 2007, bringing its total orders for the type now to four aircraft. According to Airbus, the A330F programme is on track with the first A330-200 Freighter now assembled and others nearing completion. First flight is anticipated later … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: MNG ups its order for A330 freighters

The European Commission (EC) has delayed, for the second time, the formal announcement of its baseline aviation sector CO2 emissions standard until mid-2010, Bloomberg reported. The EC had originally set a 2 August 2009 deadline for publishing a CO2 baseline necessary for its emissions cap for flights into and out of the EU and its related Emissions Trading Scheme, both of which are scheduled to come into effect in 2012. The Commission postponed the date after Europe’s main … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: EC postpones emissions standard until 2010

Air Cargo Germany (ACG) is set to begin its first line haul services to Shanghai and Hong Kong following approval from the Chinese authorities for traffic rights to both destinations, according to the carrier. The flights will begin in early October said senior managers of the airline. “In future we plan to utilise 70 per cent of our two jumbo freighters’ B747- 400SF capacity for line haul flights and 30 per cent for charter missions,” said managing director Thomas … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Air Cargo Germany commences line haul flights

Emirates SkyCargo has launched daily direct services from Dubai International Airport to the South African port city of Durban, its third destination in the country and 17th in Africa. The inaugural flight was carrying 14 tonnes of cargo in the belly of an A330-200 passenger aircraft. In the 12 months between August 2008 and July 2009, Emirates SkyCargo’s uplift of South African exports increased nearly four-fold over the previous 12 months to more than 50,000 tonnes, thanks to … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Emirates SkyCargo launches daily Durban

Oman Air has taken delivery of its first A330-200 giving the carrier its first long haul capability. The aircraft was acquired under a lease agreement with Dublinbased AWAS. The aircraft will initially be deployed on long-haul routes from Muscat, Oman to London, Paris and Frankfurt, as well as Asian destinations. Oman Air placed an order for seven A330s in 2007, five of which were directly from Airbus. The airline will take delivery of a further six A330 family aircraft in the coming … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Oman Air takes delivery of first Airbus A330