Direct flights between Turkey and Australia are now possible following the signing of the first-ever air services agreement between our two countries. Under the new arrangements Australian and Turkish airlines can immediately begin operating up to five direct flights per week. Up until now, Australians wanting to visit Turkey or send freight there had to travel via a third country such as Singapore. The agreement also allows the carriers of both countries to enter into code-share arrangements … [Read more...] about Turkey/Australia direct flights now possible
Carriers
New legal challenge to Heathrow's third runway
Critics of London Heathrow Airport’s third runway have launched a legal challenge based on what they say are flaws in the runway consultation process. Governmental approval for Heathrow Airport Runway 3 was given at the start of 2009, along with approval for a future Terminal 6 to support it. Supporting its original Runway 3 decision, the Department for Transport said it intended to offer a “robust†defence to the legal challenge. … [Read more...] about New legal challenge to Heathrow's third runway
TIACA chairman says air cargo well positioned
Air cargo can emerge from the global economic crisis in a stronger position than other transport modes as manufacturers rethink their production and supply chain strategies, says the chairman of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA), Ulrich Ogiermann. Manufacturers and other businesses will be more reluctant than ever to tie up vast investment in stock, taking them back to the principle of ‘just-in-time’ production, he said. This, he added “demands the speed, … [Read more...] about TIACA chairman says air cargo well positioned
2009 aviation 2nd-safest year in history
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the aviation safety performance for 2009 showing that the year’s accident rate for Western-built jet aircraft as the second lowest in aviation history. The 2009 global accident rate (measured in hull losses per million flights) was 0.71. That is equal to one accident for every 1.4 million flights. This is a significant improvement of the 0.81 rate recorded in 2008 (one accident for 1.2 million flights), IATA said. The 2009 … [Read more...] about 2009 aviation 2nd-safest year in history
Luft Cargo to see more job cuts and 4-day strike
Despite early signs of a recovery, Lufthansa Cargo is reportedly planning to to reduce its workforce by 10 per cent in 2010 in response to the steep declines in freight revenue and traffic in 2009 which pushed Lufthansa Cargo US$300 million into the red in the first nine months of the year from a $240 million profit in the same period in 2008. The carrier is also poised to swing into crisis management mode as Lufthansa pilots are set for a four-day strike from Monday. The cargo division said it … [Read more...] about Luft Cargo to see more job cuts and 4-day strike
Qantas returns to profitability
Qantas has returned to profitability in the six months ended 31 December 2009 after posting losses in the January-June half of 2009. Qantas posted a net profit of A$58 million (US$52 million) and $6.9 billion in revenue for the half year, compared to a net profit of $210 million and $8 billion in revenue for the same period 2008. Net freight revenue for Qantas Freight declined by A$96 million, or 19 per cent, compared to the same period 2008, due to major declines in yield. The economic downturn … [Read more...] about Qantas returns to profitability