Testifying recently before a US congressional subcommittee, the executive director of the US Airforwarders Association (AFA), Brandon Fried, acknowledged progress had been made on screening cargo in the belly holds of passenger aircraft, but warned three primary challenges still faced the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) aim of 100 per cent screening by the August 2010 deadline. "Serious issues have yet to be resolved, including the lack of approved pallet screening technology, … [Read more...] about US forwarders say screening hurdles remain
Ground Handling & Cargo Terminals
Qatar, Saudi up aviation cooperation
Qatar and Saudi Arabia have agreed to improve cooperation between the two countries’ aviation markets with a deal recently signed by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) and the Qatar Authority for Civil Aviation. “By this agreement, we aim to develop rules and regulations and facilitate air transportation procedures between Saudi Arabia and Qatar,†said Ayman Bin Baker Naseef, supervisor of GACA’s central department for … [Read more...] about Qatar, Saudi up aviation cooperation
ASEAN must aim high in market liberalisation
ASEAN has missed the December 2008 deadline to open markets between capital cities on a multilateral basis, said the director general and CEO of the International Air Transport Association's (IATA), Giovanni Bisignani. "Malaysia must be a strong voice encouraging ASEAN member states to fulfill their obligations under the ASEAN Roadmap for the Integration of the Air Travel Sector (RIATS) and to meet the 2010 milestone. "ASEAN must aim high. A single market including ownership liberalisation by … [Read more...] about ASEAN must aim high in market liberalisation
OECD cuts China’s growth figure again
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) will cut its 2009 economic growth projection for China to below 6.5 per cent, the Wall Street Journal reported. The OECD's previous forecast, made in November, was 8 per cent, but Richard Herd, the organisation's chief economist, said it was unlikely China will achieve this goal. Last week, the World Bank revised its projection for China's GDP growth to 6.5 per cent from 7.5 per cent. Herd said the OECD's revised figure, which is … [Read more...] about OECD cuts China’s growth figure again
OECD cuts China's growth figure again
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) will cut its 2009 economic growth projection for China to below 6.5 per cent, the Wall Street Journal reported. The OECD's previous forecast, made in November, was 8 per cent, but Richard Herd, the organisation's chief economist, said it was unlikely China will achieve this goal. Last week, the World Bank revised its projection for China's GDP growth to 6.5 per cent from 7.5 per cent. Herd said the OECD's revised figure, which is … [Read more...] about OECD cuts China's growth figure again
Virgin Atlantic cuts Mumbai service
Virgin Atlantic Airways will cease operations - at least temporarily - on its Mumbai-London service from May as the economic crunch continues to take its toll on the global aviation industry. “We have decided to temporarily suspend operations to Mumbai with effect from May 4. We are suspending this service until rational conditions re-emerge and it can resume service on this important route,†said Neha Lidder Ganju, senior marketing manager- India, Virgin Atlantic Airways. … [Read more...] about Virgin Atlantic cuts Mumbai service


