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
GSA/GSSAs
Air Astana takes delivery of third B767-300ER
Air Astana's third B767-300ER arrived in Almaty yesterday, bringing the average age of the fleet down to only 5.4 years; the youngest in Central Asia and one of the youngest in the world. The first two new B767s for Air Astana were delivered in December 2013. The aircraft are operated on long haul routes from Almaty and Astana to Bangkok, Frankfurt, Kuala Lumpur and Seoul. The Air Astana fleet comprises of 30 B767, B757, A320 and Embraer … [Read more...] about Air Astana takes delivery of third B767-300ER
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
Royal Jordanian cuts three more routes
Royal Jordanian has announced it will stop services to Delhi and Mumbai in India and Lagos, Nigeria in light of the airline’s restructuring plan, including its route network. RJ will stop operating to Mumbai on September 10, to Lagos on October 10, and to Delhi on October 31, this year. With the closure of the three destinations, the RJ routes will count 51. RJ chairman of the Board/president & CEO Nasser Lozi said that the decision is part of a synchronised plan to turn … [Read more...] about Royal Jordanian cuts three more routes
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