The Chinese government has released its plan for the future development of that country's most prosperous region, the Pearl River Delta. Shenzhen, Guangzhou and the other cities of Guangdong have the greatest concentration of economic activity in China and Beijing has mapped out an ambitious plan to keep the economic export engine running smoothly. The ongoing global recession has underscored concern in China over how to maintain growth in the key export sectors of its economy. Faultering demand … [Read more...] about China aims to up Pearl River Delta competitiveness
Carriers
Aer Lingus and UAL extend transatlantic tie-up
Aer Lingus and United Airlines (UAL) have announced an extension of their code-sharing relationship on select long haul services between Europe and North America. The two said the new partnership will capitalise on the growth opportunities presented by the Open Skies agreement between the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) by opening new transatlantic non-stop services. The partners will launch service between Washington Dulles and Madrid, with daily operations from March 2010. It is … [Read more...] about Aer Lingus and UAL extend transatlantic tie-up
Lufthansa Cargo opts for Swissport in Amsterdam
Airport ground and handling company, Swissport International has signed a cooperation agreement with Lufthansa Cargo to provide airfreight handling services for the partner airlines of the Lufthansa Cargo Group - including Jade Cargo - at Amsterdam Airport for the next three years. Swissport Cargo Services was selected following an extensive tender process, and should commence its new operations - including all of Lufthansa Cargo¡¯s airfreight and ramp handling needs - on 1 March. The annual … [Read more...] about Lufthansa Cargo opts for Swissport in Amsterdam
IATA: International cargo traffic in "free-fall"
The latest international scheduled traffic statistics from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) show that in the month of December global international cargo traffic plummeted by 22.6 per cent compared to December 2007. For the full-year 2008, international cargo traffic was down 4 per cent compared to 4.3 per cent growth in 2007. ¡°The 22.6 per cent free fall in global cargo is unprecedented and shocking," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA¡¯s director general and CEO. "There is no … [Read more...] about IATA: International cargo traffic in "free-fall"
Brazil, Chile, Israel carriers fined US$125 million
LAN Cargo S.A., Aerolinhas Brasileiras and EL AL Israel Airlines Ltd have agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to fix air freight prices, according to the US Justice Department. The three companies will pay criminal fines totaling $124.7 million. LAN Cargo and Aerolinhas Brasileiras, which is substantially owned by LAN Cargo, will pay a combined fine of US$109 million while EL AL will pay a US$15.7 million fine, the Justice Department said. All three airlines agreed to cooperate with US … [Read more...] about Brazil, Chile, Israel carriers fined US$125 million
AAPA figures reveal “shocking” cargo decline
Recently released figures from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) indicate that international air cargo traffic for 2008, expressed in freight tonne kilometres (FTKs), suffered a 6.1 per cent decline and while member airlines reduced cargo capacity significantly, the average cargo load factor for the year still fell by one percentage point to 65.6 per cent. The AAPA members carried 141.5 million international passengers in 2008, 1.8 per cent fewer than the record levels achieved in … [Read more...] about AAPA figures reveal “shocking” cargo decline
