Etihad Airways has signed a new codeshare agreement with Malaysia Airlines. Under the deal, the Abu Dhabi-based airline will place its two-letter ‘EY’ code on Malaysia Airlines’ flights between the country’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur, and Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Kuching and Langkawi. In turn, Malaysia Airlines will place its ‘MH’ code on services operated by Etihad between its home base of Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, Doha and Muscat in the Gulf region. The … [Read more...] about Middle East: New codeshare between Etihad and Malaysia Air
Carriers
Middle East: Qatar’s freight business sees healthy growth
Qatar’s freight transport business will grow at an average 8.1 per cent annually up to 2011, according to a recent study entitled Qatar Freight Transport Report, by global emerging markets specialist Business Monitor International (BMI). On the edge of a new gas-led export boom, and with fairly open markets, Qatar leads the Middle East and Africa freight transport business environment ranking with a score of 46, compared to a “theoretical maximum” of 70 and a regional … [Read more...] about Middle East: Qatar’s freight business sees healthy growth
Middle East: ME air cargo resilient despite slowdown
The Middle East air cargo industry continues to show signs of resilience, despite slouching global demand thatled to sharp drop in this year’s air cargo growth projections. Supported by the regional economic boom, the regional air cargo industry grew more than seven times ahead of the global industry in the first seven months of 2008 to maintain the top growth rate in the industry. According to the latest figures by the International Air Transport Association (Iata), demand for air … [Read more...] about Middle East: ME air cargo resilient despite slowdown
Middle East: Saudi Airlines sells 30% of freight division
An agreement has been reached to sell 30 per cent of Saudi Arabian Airlines’ freight division to Tarabut Air Freight Services Company. The agreement, signed in September, will see Tarabut work as a strategic partner of Saudi Arabian Airlines in the freight sector, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Freight sector revenues rose above SR1.7 billion (US$453 million) and exceeded SR1 billion in the first half of 2008, which Khalid Bin Abdullah Almolhem, Saudi Airlines Director General, … [Read more...] about Middle East: Saudi Airlines sells 30% of freight division
Sri Lanka: SriLankan takes measures to cut fuel usage
SriLankan Airlines said it is focusing on sharply reducing its fuel usage to counter the challenge posed by high global oil prices. A series of fuel-saving measures has already been implemented, while more will be put in place within weeks, it said. SriLankan is projecting a fuel bill of US$500 million for the current year at present prices, which accounts for approximately 50 per cent of its overall costs. “Fuel is our biggest cost factor by far. While we are significantly reducing … [Read more...] about Sri Lanka: SriLankan takes measures to cut fuel usage
India: Carriers expand capacity into Indian market
While India accounts for only three per cent of an estimated 27-million-tonne global air freight market, foreign carriers continue to expand their presence in the country. Malaysia Airlines Cargo (MASkargo) plans to expand its services to various destinations, including an additional service to its existing one to Chennai, once it receives a new A300-600 freighter. Leased for one year from Air Atlanta Icelandic, the freighter caters to seasonal cargo on specific routes and may also be used … [Read more...] about India: Carriers expand capacity into Indian market