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
Carriers
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
India: Cargo carriers may get to do own Indian handling
India’s civil aviation ministry may allow cargo carriers like Blue Dart and UPS to do their own ground handling at airports. Th is is a result of a recent representation by Blue Dart, the country’s largest operating cargo carrier, against a new ground handling policy which will come into effect in airports from 1 January, 2009. The representation criticised the proposed policy, saying it ignores the needs of express cargo services which require special handling and would only be … [Read more...] about India: Cargo carriers may get to do own Indian handling
India: Jet losing money but expects to top Air India
Jet Airway CEO Wolfgang Prock-Schauer is expecting another loss in the current financial year but believes the carrier will pass Air India in terms of revenue for the 12 months ending 31 March, 2009, to become India’s leadingairline. Jet, which lost US$100 million on US$2.3 billion in revenue for the yearended 31 March, does not expect to be profitable in the current fiscal year. All of India’s carriers are under pressure owing to overcapacity and farecutting as well as high … [Read more...] about India: Jet losing money but expects to top Air India
New Zealand: Air NZ makes enviro history
history last month with the first “gate-to-gate optimised flight,” between New Zealand and San Francisco. The 777-200ER flight, dubbed ASPIRE 1 (Asia and South Pacific Initiative to Reduce Emissions), started in Auckland and consumed 4,600 litres less fuel than normal using a host of strategies to minimise fuel usage. That translated into 10.8 tonnes fewer CO2 emissions. ASPIRE is a joint initiative among US FAA, Airways NZ and Airservices Australia. The 777-200ER was cleared … [Read more...] about New Zealand: Air NZ makes enviro history
