The US Department of Transportation took the first step this week towards mandatory drone registration, by announcing formation of a task force to create a registration process. Registration could begin as soon as the holiday season, DOT officials said Monday at a Washington news conference. The idea is to help build a culture of accountability and responsibility among drone operators, DOT secretary Anthony Foxx, said In a statement. Federal Aviation Administration chief Michael Huerta put it … [Read more...] about New US task force aimed at mandatory drone registration
Carriers
Flydubai expands Russian network
Low cost carrier, flydubai has expanded its operations in Russia with the launch of flights to two new destinations. This month, the carrier launched flights to Nizhny Novgorod and Novosibirsk, making it the first Dubai-based airline to serve both cities. Services to Nizhny Novgorod, Russia's fifth largest city, will operate twice a week, while flights to Novosibirsk, the country's third most populous city, will run three times a week. Jeyhun Efendi, senior VP commercial (UAE, EU, ME, CIS) … [Read more...] about Flydubai expands Russian network
American Airlines Cargo does first live animal transfer
Tiffany the dog has become American Airlines Cargo’s first ever live animal movement between The Netherlands and the US. Tiffany – a Dutch Smoushond became an animal VIP when specialist animal movements’ forwarder – Animals to Fly – called on AA Cargo to organise her transport to Philadelphia. Dutch Smoushond’s are extremely rare and Tiffany is only a puppy so required additional specialist handling and care. AA Cargo’s GSA in The Netherlands – FlyUs – assigned animal loving team members … [Read more...] about American Airlines Cargo does first live animal transfer
Air China to begin direct Beijing-Kuala Lumpur service
Air China will start a Beijing-Kuala Lumpur nonstop service from 25 October and will be operated with A330-300 aircraft. In 2014, imports and exports between Malaysia and China exceeded RMB100 billion (US$15.75 billion) and Malaysia remained China's largest trading partner among ASEAN countries. The new service also dovetails with the Chinese government's strategic 'One Belt, One Road’ initiative with Air China saying the new service, "will become a thoroughfare in the air that promotes the … [Read more...] about Air China to begin direct Beijing-Kuala Lumpur service
Volga-Dnepr expands fleet with two more AN-124-100 freighters
Volga-Dnepr Group has signed the finance lease agreement with JSC Sberbank Leasing to acquire two An-124-100 Ruslan freighters. Sergey Shklyanik, group senior VP said: “The AN-124-100 aircraft acquisition goes in line with the Group Strategy 2020 which provides for the fleet extension with Russian and foreign-made aircraft.” Dennis Gliznoutsa, VP sales at Volga-Dnepr Airlines, said: “Two more Ruslan freighters shall secure the Airline’s leadership in the global outsize and super-heavy air … [Read more...] about Volga-Dnepr expands fleet with two more AN-124-100 freighters
Cathay Cargo expecting traditional winter peak season
Cathay Pacific and Dragonair carried 151,000 tonnes of cargo and mail in September, an increase of 2.8 per cent compared to the same month last year. Cargo and mail revenue tonne kilometres (RTKs) flown increased by 3.4 per cent, as capacity, measured in available cargo/mail tonne kilometres, rose by 3.0 per cent, leading the cargo and mail load factor to rise by 0.2 percentage points to 62.4 per cent. In the nine months to the end of September, tonnage rose by 5.6 per cent against a capacity … [Read more...] about Cathay Cargo expecting traditional winter peak season