These are frustrating times for Polet Air Cargo. Though its AN-124s are increasingly relied upon by all kinds of major customers – including Airbus, the UN and the US Air Mobility Command – its future fl eet plans are in turmoil. That is because in April the Russian government decided to focus for the moment on production of IL- 76 freighters, rather than re-startingproduction of the AN-124. One reason for the decision might have been a desire to save an order for 34 IL-76 … [Read more...] about Booming Polet faces fleet dilemma
ASIAN AIR CARGO SUPPLEMENT – THAI orders additional A330-300s
Thai Airways International has placed a firm order for eight additional A330-300s, taking another signifi cant step in its long-term Airbusfl eet development plan. The new A330-300s will provide extra capacity on Thai Airways International's extensive regional network from 2008 onwards. Thai Airways International currently operates a fl eet of 12 A330-300s and 21 A300-600s on its regional network across Asia, as well as four A340-500s and fi ve A340-600s on the airline's long haul … [Read more...] about ASIAN AIR CARGO SUPPLEMENT – THAI orders additional A330-300s
ASIAN AIR CARGO SUPPLEMENT – Korean grows fleet, despite weak market
Air cargo growth was only marginal in 2006, and the weak trend has continued into 2007, according to Ken Choi, president of Korean Air Cargo. He attributes the weakness to intense competition on price and quality in industries such as electronics, which is leading manufacturers to squeeze as many savings as possible out of factoryand supply chain costs. "Unless there are some killer items – such as the PC in the late 1990s, or cell phones in 2004-5, this sluggish market trend will … [Read more...] about ASIAN AIR CARGO SUPPLEMENT – Korean grows fleet, despite weak market
ASIAN AIR CARGO SUPPLEMENT – HNA Group to create China’s fourth-biggest carrier
CAAC granted a public air transport enterprise operating license to HNA Group for its Grand China Air entity, bringing the Hainan Airlines parent one step closer to launching its new carrier, Air Transport World (ATWOnLine) reported. It added that the new airline will combine Hainan along with Xinhua Airlines, Changan Airlines and Shanxi Airlines, which will create the country'sfourth-largest commercial carrier. HNA Group president Chen Feng called the license "an important milestone." It … [Read more...] about ASIAN AIR CARGO SUPPLEMENT – HNA Group to create China’s fourth-biggest carrier
ASIAN AIR CARGO SUPPLEMENT – Asian Competition hits Air France – KLM
Increased competition from Asian carriers was one factor behind weak annual results for Air France – KLM, admits its spokesman Jean-ClaudeRaynaud. "Asian carriers have developed a lot, and have started offering very signifi cant capacities and frequencies to Europe, so we have entered a period of overcapacity which is not good either for fi lling the planes or for yields," he says. "It is not that business has declined from Asia and particularly China – it is still strong - but … [Read more...] about ASIAN AIR CARGO SUPPLEMENT – Asian Competition hits Air France – KLM
ASIAN AIR CARGO SUPPLEMENT – Air China drives industry recovery
The Chinese commercial aviation industry appeared to post a signifi cant turnaround in 2006 with a collective net profi t of CNY2.38 billion ($311 million) compared with a CNY1.35 billion loss in 2005, ATWOnline reported. However, that reversal, outlined in the recently released CAAC annual report, largely was a result of Air China’s success. The Beijing carrier reported a CNY3.19 billion net last year, which helped boost the industry back toward 2004 profi t levels. Combined industry … [Read more...] about ASIAN AIR CARGO SUPPLEMENT – Air China drives industry recovery
