While the subsidies dispute between Middle East carriers and those in Europe – including Air France-KLM – and those in the US rages on, the President of the Republic of France, Francois Hollande conferred the prestigious Honor of ‘Officier de la Légion d’Honneur’ to Qatar Airways’ group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker. The Legion of Honor medal was bestowed in the ‘Salon des Ambassadeurs’, at the Elysée Palace in early June for Al Baker’s leadership in the aviation industry and for … [Read more...] about France honours Al Baker for aviation contribution
Gateways
Qatar’s Al Baker threatens oneworld pull out
Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker has threatened to leave the Oneworld alliance, accusing American Airlines of blocking his carrier’s business. “If a major airline that invited us... to join the Oneworld, is today restricting us from operating into that country... then I don’t need to be part of this alliance,” he said in early June. Doug Parker, the chief executive of American Airlines, said they did not have a dispute with other airlines and that it was for the authorities in … [Read more...] about Qatar’s Al Baker threatens oneworld pull out
Jet Airways drops freighter plans
Jet Airways has dropped plans indefinitely to start dedicated freighter services, as it doesn’t find market conditions conducive, according to un-named sources quoted by India’s Economic Times. India’s second-biggest airline by market share had applied to the country’s aviation regulator for approval to operate maindeck capacity last February to domestic destinations as well as Hong Kong, Hanoi and Singapore. “The launch of dedicated freighter operations by Jet Airways has been deferred … [Read more...] about Jet Airways drops freighter plans
Minsheng Leasing signs for 30 B737s
Minsheng Financial Leasing (Minsheng) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Paris Air Show with for the purchase of 30 B737 airplanes, a mix of Next-Generation B737 and B737 MAX aircraft from Boeing. As one of the first five leasing companies approved by China Bank Regulatory Committee, Minsheng was founded in April 2008 by China Minsheng Banking Corp, the largest private commercial bank in China. … [Read more...] about Minsheng Leasing signs for 30 B737s
Garuda signs LOI for 30 A350 XWB
Garuda Indonesia has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Airbus for the purchase of 30 A350 XWB aircraft. Garuda Indonesia plans to use the A350 XWB to develop its medium and long haul network, with the aircraft offering the ability to fly non-stop from Jakarta or Bali to Europe. Arif Wibowo, CEO of Garuda Indonesia, said: “Following our success in revitalising our regional operation in Asia and the Pacific, the development of our long haul network will be a priority in the coming … [Read more...] about Garuda signs LOI for 30 A350 XWB
Modal shift for Cathay’s James Woodrow
Hong Kong's Swire group has has announced another in what appears to be a fairly regular management shakeup, which will see James Woodrow move from director of cargo at Cathay Pacific Airways to the shipping side of Swire’s vast business empire. Effective this summer Woodrow, who is also the current chairman of the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Cargo Committee, will become managing director at The China Navigation Company Pte Ltd (CNCo). The move marks a return to sea freight … [Read more...] about Modal shift for Cathay’s James Woodrow