BAA put London Gatwick up for sale last month, a move it described as a “realistic response” to the UK Competition Commission’s provisional report released last month that raised concerns over the company’s ownership of seven UK airports including three serving London. Though BAA said it does not agree with the CC’s provisional fi ndings, a precursor to a fi nal decision expected early next year on whether BAA’s airport holdings should be broken up, it … [Read more...] about Europe/ CIS: BAA to sell Gatwick in bid to appease watchdog
Airports
Sri Lanka: Colombo’s runway too short, too narrow
A former director of Sri Lanka’s Civil Aviation Authority has questioned the ability of Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to support airfreight exports and passenger demand and also has suggested international airlines will not support a second international airport in the country. Speaking at a Sri Lankan Chamber of Construction Industries (CCI) seminar, Dayanthe Athulathmudali, now director, Safety and Security of Dubai World Central, said small states like Sri … [Read more...] about Sri Lanka: Colombo’s runway too short, too narrow
India: Rajiv Gandhi airport gears up for cargo
World-class cargo facilities at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) has opened up opportunities for large-bodied freighter planes with the first two air charters-Boeing 747-200 freighter and Boeing 747-400F-landing at the airport recently. MK Airlines’ charter flight on behalf of Lufthansa Charter and FedEx’s charter plane to pick-up cargo at RGIA both occurred in early September. “These flights mark the first step in GMR Hyderabad International Airport … [Read more...] about India: Rajiv Gandhi airport gears up for cargo
Hong Kong: Hactl reports 3.3% drop in August volumes
Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) announced recently that its air cargo tonnage throughput for August totalled 220,574 tonnes, representing a year-on-year dip of 3.3 per cent. Cumulative tonnage for January-August 2008 was just on 1.72 million tonnes, up 3.8 per cent against the same period last year. Hactl said both import and export volumes in August had registered a decline. Import volume showed a decrease of 7.1 per cent year-on-year, with a total of 53,836 tonnes handled in the … [Read more...] about Hong Kong: Hactl reports 3.3% drop in August volumes
Hong Kong: Groundbreaking for new Cathay HK terminal
Cathay Pacific Airways recently held the groundbreaking for a massive new hub cargo terminal at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). Earlier this year, the Hong Kong airport authority had awarded the airline’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Cathay Pacific Services Ltd (CPSL), a franchise to invest in, design, construct and operate the new air cargo terminal at HKIA under a 20-year agreement. The airline said it would invest a total development cost of approximately HK$4.8 billion (US$615 … [Read more...] about Hong Kong: Groundbreaking for new Cathay HK terminal
Singapore: SIA Cargo awards US$349 million contract
Singapore Airlines’ cargo unit said recently that it has awarded a US$349 million maintenance deal to Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners. The 10- year maintenance and service agreement covers 13 Boeing 747-400F cargo aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney engines and 6 spare engines, Singapore Airlines Cargosaid in a statement. … [Read more...] about Singapore: SIA Cargo awards US$349 million contract