Gulf Air has announced that five of itsBoeing 767 fleet are back in service. The remaining four aircraft, awaitingslot allocation for planned maintenancechecks, will gradually re-enterservice. The B767s were taken out of serviceby Gulf Air to conduct a thoroughcheck, following the detection of tracesof corrosion in one of them during aplanned maintenance inspection. … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Gulf Air returning B767s to service
MIDDLE EAST: Etihad freighter decision delayed
Etihad will not decide on purchasingwide-body freighters until plans forthe new cargo facilities at Abu Dhabiairport are finalised, according toSandra Taglieber, cargo spokespersonfor the airline. The carrier has been considering both the 777-200LRF and the A330freighter, but Taglieber says a decisionwill not be reached anytime soon. "Itis not a priority right now. It has to gohand in hand with the plans for the newairport, as we can only add cargo capacityif we have the facilities to … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Etihad freighter decision delayed
MIDDLE EAST: Gulf Pearl starts Ostend freighter service
Libyan charter carrier Gulf PearlAirlines has announced a new regularweekly freighter service between Ostendand Tripoli in Libya. A DC10-30, wet leased from DASAir Cargo, will depart every Monday. AHeathrow trucking link will be establishedto connect with the service. Agreements have been set up with anumber of transatlantic carriers to offerinterline feed from the US. Gulf Pearl Airlines has appointedANA Aviation Services as GSSA inthe UK and North America. NetworkAirline Services … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Gulf Pearl starts Ostend freighter service
MIDDLE EAST: Arabesk airlines eye greater co-operation
The executive board of Arabesk,a grouping of Arab airlines, met inBahrain recently to discuss ways andmeans to strengthen ties and expandco-operation to serve their commoninterests, host carrier, Gulf Air, said ina statement. Arabesk's members also includeYemenia, Middle East Airlines, EgyptAir, Royal Jordanian, Saudi Airlinesand Tunis Air. Apart from frequent flyer programmes,airport services and groundhandling, the meeting also exploredopportunities in the cargo sector, thestatement … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Arabesk airlines eye greater co-operation
MIDDLE EAST: Call to include belly cargo in liberalisation
Ram Menen, senior vice presidentcargo for Emirates is urging TIACA,The International Air Cargo Association,to reconsider a plan to call forthe separate liberalisation of freightertraffic rights. The association has apparently prepareda position on this issue, arguingthat a global open skies deal for freighterscould be concluded much moreeasily than passenger liberalisation. But Menen wants belly cargo to beincluded in the liberalisation too. "Iagree that cargo and passenger … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Call to include belly cargo in liberalisation
NEW ZEALAND: Cargo boosts Air NZ profit
Air New Zealand reported profitbefore unusuals and tax, up 35 percentto NZ$109 million for the six-monthperiod ending 31 December 2006. Cargo revenue was up 20 percent,due to the increased capacity offered bythe new 777 and higher cargo yields. Net profit was $74 million, up 61percent ($28m), and higher yieldscontributed to a 12 percent increasein operating revenue. Operating revenue rose 12% to$2,135 million with group passengeryields up 10.7 percent. Chairman John Palmer said … [Read more...] about NEW ZEALAND: Cargo boosts Air NZ profit
