Dubai-based Emirates has waded into the controversial issue of a third runway at London Heathrow Airport by stating that it is not needed. Instead, the carrier advocates the adoption of continuous descent landing profiles which result in quieter, more environmentally friendly landings. Emirates’ plan involves adopting a so-called “mixed-mode” scheme, with simultaneous takeoffs and landings using the current pair of Heathrow runways. Currently one runway is used for … [Read more...] about Emirates declares 3rd runway unnecessary

Auckland Airport celebrated 20 years of Malaysia Airlines flights recently. The inaugural weekly flight bound for Kuala Lumpur commenced with a DC-10 aircraft on 7 December 1989. Since that date more than two million passengers have now traveled with Malaysia Airlines from Auckland Airport, connecting to over 100 destinations worldwide across six continents, the airport said. In 2000 Malaysia Airlines began operating a daily B777-200 service to Auckland. Today this service operates five times a … [Read more...] about Auckland celebrates 20 years of Malaysia Airlines

Changi Airport Group said it will continue to provide across-the-board landing fee rebates to all airlines in 2010. Changi will provide a 15 per cent landing fee rebate for the first six months of 2010 and a 10 per cent rebate for the second half of next year. Currently, Changi grants all airlines a 25 per cent landing rebate. The continuation of the rebate was announced alongside the launch of a new programme — Changi Airport Growth Initiative (CAGI) — that will provide … [Read more...] about Changi Airport extends landing fee rebates

Hong Kong Airport Authority’s decision to further extend its 10 per cent discount on landing and parking fees for three months beginning January 1 was welcomed by home-based carriers Cathay Pacific and Dragonair. “While it is too early to say that the industry has recovered from the downturn, this decision will definitely lend support to all operators at a time when they face unfavourable factors such as continuing low yields and rising fuel prices,” said Dragonair CEO … [Read more...] about Hong Kong Airport extends rebate package

The Airport Authority Hong Kong reported its unaudited interim financial results for the six months ended 30 September 2009 with revenue and profit attributable to shareholders dropping 4.7 and 3.8 per cent respectively over the same period in 2008 to HK$4.3 billion (US$554 million) and HK$1.3 billion. Passenger and cargo traffic at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) were negatively affected by the global economic downturn that began in the second half of 2008, and as a result dropped … [Read more...] about Hong Kong airport reports 3.8% profit drop

Frankfurt-Hahn Airport said it achieved a new monthly record for flown cargo traffic in October handling 16,698 tonnes surpassing the previous record of 16,606 tonnes set in September 2008. The airport cited freighter flights to China operated by new cargo airline, Air Cargo Germany as one of the contributing factors. … [Read more...] about Frankfurt-Hahn posts flown cargo record