China's air cargo volume fell 28 per cent in February from a year earlier because of the global financial crisis, according to the head of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, Li Jiaxiang. However, domestic passenger traffic in February rose 13.47 per cent from a year earlier, he told Chinese media. China's air passenger traffic will likely grow more quickly this year than Beijing's economic growth target of around eight per cent, he said. In the past, China's air passenger traffic growth … [Read more...] about China air cargo down 28% in February
Carriers
Oman Air focuses on lagging freight ratios
Oman Air said it aims to improve cargo performance to increase its contribution the carrier's total revenue. As part its ongoing expansion plan, Oman Air will boost its cargo business to account for at least 12 per cent of total airline revenues over the next five years, CEO Peter Hill said. The current ratio has freight accounting for only 2 per cent of total revenues, a poor figure by comparison with other regional carriers. Emirates¡¯ cargo division accounted for 19 per cent of total … [Read more...] about Oman Air focuses on lagging freight ratios
Break emission rules and planes may be seized
The UK Environment Agency is to be given powers to seize planes from airlines which break the rules of a new scheme to limit flights' carbon emissions. As the official body to enforce the European Emissions Trading Scheme for aviation, the EA will monitor emissions from flying, police companies' buying of credits when they exceed their allocation, impose fines and, as a last resort, have the power to seize assets of offending airlines. The new authority given to the EA goes beyond its power to … [Read more...] about Break emission rules and planes may be seized
Qantas airbuses back in the air
All three of Qantas' new A380 super jumbo jets are up, up and away once more after being grounded for 24 hours to deal with fuel tank and steering problems, the carrier said. The aircraft were grounded in London and Sydney to deal with issues the airline described as "teething problems". Two were out of service due to a fuel tank indication system problem and one experienced a nose wheel ground steering issue and an unrelated fuel leak issue, Qantas said in a statement. All the issues have been … [Read more...] about Qantas airbuses back in the air
AirAsia X to begin cargo ops to London Stansted
Low-cost long-haul carrier AirAsia X will begin cargo operations to and from Europe from 11 March when it inaugurates flights between Kuala Lumpur and UK's London Stansted. The five times weekly direct flights will be operated using an A340-300, with about an eight tonne cargo capacity per flight. … [Read more...] about AirAsia X to begin cargo ops to London Stansted
Turkish Airlines B737 crashes near Schiphol
Investigators have taken detailed photos of the wreckage of a Turkish Airlines Boeing 737 and analysed black box recordings in a bid to establish why the plane crashed, killing nine people and injuring 86, six critically. Flight TK1951 from Istanbul fell out of the sky about two miles short of the runway at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport on Wednesday morning, smashing into three pieces and spraying luggage and debris across a farmer's field. Despite the catastrophic impact, the wreckage did not … [Read more...] about Turkish Airlines B737 crashes near Schiphol