Unlike the record high growth rates in global passenger numbers – up nearly eight per cent for the month of July – airfreight volumes were fl at with respect to year-over-year growth for the month, according to the latest statistics from Airports Council International (ACI). A slowdown in key emerging markets such as China, as well as oil producing economies, translated into weakness in other sectors of the economy. Th e strong correlation between changes in air freight volumes and the … [Read more...] about China slowdown feeds cargo contraction

Guangzhou-based China Southern Airlines has introduced a new crossborder e-commerce platform – Southern Cross-Border Purchase, through which Chinese consumers can purchase goods on-line in overseas markets, including the US, Japan, Australia and New Zealand and ship them on the carrier’s global network to China. According to a report in the WCARN news service, China Southern’s cargo department has, from earlier this year, been working with cross-border e-commerce operators and overseas … [Read more...] about China Southern launches e-commerce platform

AmSafe Bridport has successfully conducted a full scale test withstanding a lithium-ion battery fire, within their certified Fire Containment Cover (FCC) System and their new Fire Containment Bag (FCB). The subsequent fire was successfully suppressed for over six hours. AmSafe Bridport provides the world’s first and only TSO-C203 approved FCC. The Fire Containment range is designed for the protection of undeclared dangerous goods, with lithium batteries posing the biggest risk to air … [Read more...] about AmSafe Bridport contains battery fire

Azerbaijan-based Silk Way West Airlines has taken delivery of its third B747-8F (with two more on order) with the carrier saying it will use the new freighter to launch services to Singapore (SIN) and Komatsu (KMQ) in Japan. Komatsu is a major manufacturing centre for construction equipment and woven fabric, including carbon fibre used in an increasing number of industries like automotive and aerospace. Luxembourg based Cargolux also operates into Komatsu with B747-400Fs. Silk Way West’s … [Read more...] about Silk Way West kicks off SIN, KMQ

Virgin Atlantic Cargo recorded a record month for tonnage from Chicago in June, boosting its monthly average volume on the route by over 30 per cent to more than 860 tonnes. The airline’s year-round Chicago business generates cargo shipments for across its global route network. The UK is the top destination, accounting for 53 per cent, while a further 29 per cent of freight originating in Chicago connects over London to India. Virgin Atlantic also carries cargo from Chicago to Australia, … [Read more...] about Surging Chicago cargo market fills Virgin’s bellies

Air Partner, the global aviation services group, has announced the acquisition of Baines Simmons Limited, a world leading Aviation Safety Consultant for a total net cash consideration of up to £6.0 million (US$9.4 million). “Baines Simmons has built an outstanding reputation working with many of the world’s leading aviation organisations in the areas of aviation regulation, compliance and safety management performance and in the design and operation of Aircraft Registries,” said Mark Briffa, … [Read more...] about Air Partner acquires Baines Simmons