Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) has dropped its plan to buy a 49 per cent stake in Myanmar airline, Asian Wings Airways, blaming "intensified'' competition in the country as it quickly emerges from years of economic isolation. Asian Wings operates an A321-100 and three ATR72-500s on scheduled flights throughout Myanmar, as well as to neighbouring Thailand. “Competition between new and old airlines in Myanmar has intensified, bringing rapid changes in the external … [Read more...] about ANA backs out of Asian Wings stake
Ground Handling & Cargo Terminals
WTO talks fail as India derails process
Negotiations for the first major global accord in the World Trade Organisation’s 19-year history which would have standardised customs rules, collapsed today over food-subsidy objections raised by India. Negotiators for a Trade Facilitation Agreement at WTO headquarters in Geneva failed to agree as a midnight deadline passed to implement part of the accord by the end of July as India refused to proceed without assurances the pact would allow it to keep protections for its … [Read more...] about WTO talks fail as India derails process
Hactl pioneers pharma GDP cert in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals (Hactl) – Hong Kong’s largest cargo handler – is the first handling facility at the airport to achieve Good Distribution Practices (GDP) accreditation, bringing it in line with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) quality assurance guidelines for the handling of pharmaceuticals. To meet the GDP guidelines, Hactl has enhanced the temperature-controlled zones in its SuperTerminal 1 facility, to accommodate pharmaceutical products … [Read more...] about Hactl pioneers pharma GDP cert in Hong Kong
SIA Cargo revenue down despite slight yield gain
The Singapore Airlines Group earned an operating profit of SG$39 million (US$31.2 million) in the first quarter of the 2014-15 financial year, $43 million (-52.4 per cent) lower than last year. After non-operating and exceptional items, Group net profit was $35 million, down $87 million (-71.3 per cent) over the same period last year. Group revenue fell $158 million (-4.1 per cent) to $3,682 million. Passenger revenue declined year-on-year on the back of weaker yields amid intense … [Read more...] about SIA Cargo revenue down despite slight yield gain
Asia Pac carriers see 4.7% rise in cargo demand
Preliminary traffic figures for the month of June released by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) showed continued expansion of both air freight and international passenger markets. For the region's carriers, demand for air freighted goods continued to grow in the month of June, helped by positive consumer and business sentiment in major developed economies. Overall, air freight demand in freight tonne kilometre (FTK) terms grew by an encouraging 4.7 per cent … [Read more...] about Asia Pac carriers see 4.7% rise in cargo demand
Air freight confidence up slightly in July
The Stifel Logistics Confidence Index for July has made a slight gain in July but continues the month-by-month fluctuations that have been occurring through much of this year. Since February the overall Index (air and sea freight combined) has increased one month and then declined the next reaching its high so far this year in May at 57.9. For the current month, the index is up 0.9 points over June to 56.1. The overall air freight confidence index has yet to return to this year’s high … [Read more...] about Air freight confidence up slightly in July