Etihad Cargo has increased its freighter services to Africa with the launch of a cargo only service from Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Maya Maya Airport, Brazzaville (BZV), in the Republic of Congo. Operating twice weekly using a B777F freighter aircraft, the new service will fly from Abu Dhabi to Brazzaville via Lagos airport (LOS) in Nigeria. The freighter has a capacity of 100 metric tonnes and will transports tools, machinery, general cargo, electronics and project equipment. Brazzaville is the … [Read more...] about Etihad Cargo launches AUH-BZV service

Emirates has today announced plans to start a daily B777-300ER service to Bologna, Italy, from 3 November. The capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, Bologna will be Emirates’ fourth Italian destination bringing Emirates’ weekly flights to Italy to 56. As the industrial epicentre of Italy we expect to see strong demand from both the passenger and cargo side of our business, taking advantage of convenient access to our extensive network in the East including our home, Dubai, one of the fastest … [Read more...] about Emirates to begin Dubai-Bologna service

Etihad Airways has urged the European Commission to embrace “bold, exciting and world-leading reforms” as part of the Strategic Aviation Package to overhaul Europe’s air transport industry. In a detailed submission to the Commission, the airline advocates a policy which actively facilitates competition and consumer choice, addresses critical shortfalls in aviation infrastructure and eases restrictions on market access and investments by non- European airlines. Etihad Airways said: “We welcome … [Read more...] about Etihad calls for reform in European aviation

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

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 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