A judge ordered the chief executive of Iraqi Airways to remain in the UK after seizing his passport and impounding his aircraft at Gatwick Airport after the re-borne carrier’s first commercial flight from Baghdad to London ended in a legal nightmare as a result of a two-decade-long dispute with Kuwait Airways. The Kuwaiti airline claimed in court that Iraqi Airways owes it US$1.2 billion as a result of Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990, when, according to the … [Read more...] about INDIA/MIDDLE EAST: Heavy turbulence for Iraqi Air’s first flight

Citizens and companies from other Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) can now launch joint ventures with foreign partners provided they retain majority ownership of 51 per cent in a joint entity, according to a new law passed recently in Qatar. Existing operators have been warned to comply with its provisions within six months or face action, The Peninsula reported. The Qatar-based daily noted this was the first time citizens and companies from other GCC countries have … [Read more...] about INDIA/MIDDLE EAST: GCC citizens can run air freight firms in Qatar

Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) Group, comprised of Maximus Air Cargo, Royal Jet and Abu Dhabi Aviation, have reached an agreement that combines the offices of two of the UAE’s leading aviation service providers under one roof. The ADA Group will offer customers a selection of wide-ranging products and services in a one-stop-shop environment, while enhancing the Group’s presence in the UK and European markets, it said. Chaired by HH Sheikh Tanoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the group … [Read more...] about INDIA/MIDDLE EAST: Abu Dhabi Aviation consolidates for growth

Airlines has announced the launch of two new additional international routes — New Delhi to Kathmandu and New Delhi to Dubai. With the launch of these new flights, the total number of international destinations that Kingfisher Airlines flies to via New Delhi rises to five, including London, Bangkok and Hong Kong. The international services are operated using Kingfisher’s fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft. … [Read more...] about INDIA/MIDDLE EAST: Kingfisher adds Kathmandu and Dubai Kingfisher

Indian conglomerate, Reliance Industries has said it stepped into the aviation sector as a “strategic investor” by picking up over 26 per cent stake in Captain GS Gopinath-founded cargo airline, Deccan 360. Indian media reports speculated the investment to be in the US$20-30 million range. Reliance said one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries would provide the growth capital for the new cargo airline which is aimed at helping RIL secure a logistics support to its retail network. … [Read more...] about INDIA/MIDDLE EAST: Reliance Industries buys shares of Deccan 360

Singapore Changi Airport saw an 18.8 per cent rise in air cargo tonnage in March from a year ago, handling a total of 157,211 tonnes. The airport also recorded an 18.8 per cent rise in passenger movement to 3.45 million passengers in the same month, its third consecutive double-digit growth in passenger traffic. … [Read more...] about SINGAPORE: Changi airport sees cargo/pax rise 19%