Singapore Airlines and Emirates have been forced by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to cooperate in the ACCC's investigation into price-fixing after a Federal Court judge ruled that air cargo bound for Australia from overseas was not beyond the definition of a "market in Australia" under the Trade Practices Act. The airlines also lost the argument that the ACCC had failed to consider the burden imposed on the airlines in providing the documents, which cover a six-year … [Read more...] about SIA/Emirates ordered to cooperate with investigation
Courier & Mail
Redoubt ash disrupts Anchorage flights
Volcanic activity at Mount Redoubt - about 180 kilometres southwest of Anchorage, Alaska - since 22 March has seen eruptions sending plumes of steam and ash up to 50,000 feet skyward forcing some air cargo flights destined for technical stops at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport to be diverted elsewhere. The last time Mount Redoubt erupted, in December 1989, the mountain shot ash more than 12,000 metres high and caught a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight in its plume, shutting down all … [Read more...] about Redoubt ash disrupts Anchorage flights
TNT and Con-way strike new partnership
TNT and Con-way Freight announced a partnership to link their respective road networks in Europe and the US, in what they say will translate to cost-effective, high quality express freight services between both sides of the Atlantic. The agreement establishes Con-way Freight as TNT's primary road transportation partner for deliveries of 'Economy Express' parcels and freight across the US. Similarly, Con-way Freight's network will be linked to TNT's global air network and Express Road Network, … [Read more...] about TNT and Con-way strike new partnership
Decline continues for European carriers
Air cargo has "all but collapsed," according to the Association of European Airlines (AEA), who said traffic volumes were down by around a fifth for the first two months of the year, the worst figures on record. Passenger traffic plunged nearly 5 per cent in the first two months of the year and could fall another 10 per cent in March as the economic downturn continues. It said it would normally expect a 4 per cent to 5 per cent increase in traffic "so current levels are approaching 10 per cent … [Read more...] about Decline continues for European carriers
1,000 more FedEx employees lose jobs
FedEx has cut 1,000 jobs worldwide in an attempt to save more than US$1 billion in costs as the global economy flattens freight volumes. The cuts are in addition to earlier layoffs of 900 people from FedEx Freight in February. FedEx employs approximately 290,000 people worldwide. In March, FedEx reported that third quarter profits fell 75 per cent to US$97 million. The company announced plans for job cuts and to reduce capacity and cut salaries of top executives at that time. … [Read more...] about 1,000 more FedEx employees lose jobs
Continuous descent for Europe by 2013
Starting in 2013, up to 100 European airports will take part in a plan to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by half a million tonnes a year by using Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) landings. The CDA approach allows planes to descend all the way from cruising altitude to the runway in one smooth glide, saving up to 450 kilograms of CO2 per landing, compared with the traditional stepped descent, the International Air Transport Association said. The plan was officially announced at the … [Read more...] about Continuous descent for Europe by 2013