The first customer A350-900 which will be delivered to Qatar Airways has successfully completed its maiden flight. The flight was the first time an A350 XWB configured for a customer has taken to the sky. Following the successful flight, Qatar’s A350 XWB will continue its production phase before delivery. Qatar Airways will become the first operator of the A350 XWB when it takes delivery of its first aircraft later this year. The airline has 80 A350s on order, including 43 A350-900 and … [Read more...] about QR's first A350 completes maiden test flight
Freight Forwarders
Pieter Elbers appointed CEO of KLM
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has announced Pieter Elbers as its new president and CEO, replacing the outgoing Camiel Eurlings with immediate effect. Elbers has worked for KLM since 1992 when he joined as manager of aircraft handling at Schiphol. He has since held a number of senior roles including GM of KLM Japan and Korea and vice-president of network planning. Most recently Elbers served as SVP of network and alliances. Elbers is a member of the Supervisory Boards of Kenya Airways and … [Read more...] about Pieter Elbers appointed CEO of KLM
Etihad sees surge in cargo in Q3
Etihad Airways' total cargo tonnage rose 9 per cent, year-over-year, in the third quarter of this year, which helped boost overall revenues at the UAE flag-carrier by 29 per cent. The carrier’s Etihad Cargo subsidiary shipped a total of 144,498 tonnes in Q3, bringing in revenue of $US$284 million, a 16 per cent increase, year-over-year, with just 1 per cent capacity growth. The third quarter at Etihad Cargo also saw the launch of freighter services to Moscow and Hanoi, increased … [Read more...] about Etihad sees surge in cargo in Q3
Asiana to pay $55M in freight case
South Korean Asiana Airlines will pay US$55 million to purchasers of freight shipping services to resolve claims of price-fixing. The airline is one of more than two dozen worldwide that faced allegations of conspiring to inflate shipping prices in the case in federal court in Brooklyn, New York. Settlements have been reached with 22 airlines so far totalling US$903 million, lawyers for the plaintiffs said. … [Read more...] about Asiana to pay $55M in freight case
Xiamen Airlines to acquire Hebei Airlines
China Southern Airlines has approved Xiamen Airlines' acquisition of a 95.4 per cent equity interest in Hebei Airlines for CNY680million (US$106.3 million). China Southern said its subsidiary had also been given the greenlight to acquire Sichuan Airlines' 3.83 per cent stake in Hebei for CNY69 million giving it control of 99.23 per cent of Hebei's total stock. Xiamen Air will inject US$130.3 million into Hebei over the next three years and will also offer it a short-term loan valued up to … [Read more...] about Xiamen Airlines to acquire Hebei Airlines
IndiGo signs MoU for 250 A320neo aircraft
IndiGo and its co-founders, Rakesh Gangwal and Rahul Bhatia, group managing director of InterGlobe, have signed an MoU for 250 A320neo Family aircraft. The agreement will become Airbus’ single largest order by number of aircraft. Aditya Ghosh, president of IndiGo said, “This new order reaffirms IndiGo’s commitment to the long-term development of affordable air transportation in India and overseas. The IndiGo team is energised and excited to herald this new phase of our … [Read more...] about IndiGo signs MoU for 250 A320neo aircraft
