Kuala Lumpur-based AirAsia is looking to cargo as a major growth area for 2010, targetting to grow its cargo revenue by more than 40 per cent over last year’s figure. The carrier is expanding its network of cargo agents and large exportimport firms. Its expanding network now reaches markets in South Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe beyond its current route network through special Prorate Agreements (SPAs). Sathis Manoharen, AirAsia regional head for cargo said: … [Read more...] about MALAYSIA: AirAsia targets 40% cargo growth in 2010

ANA said it now expects to report a Â¥65 billion (US$720 million) net loss in its fiscal year ending 31 March, compared to the Â¥28 billion loss forecast last October, owing to a “slower than expected recovery,” although it plans to return to profit in 2010-11. The Japanese carrier said domestic demand and unit revenue both failed to rebound as expected and improvement in international traffic failed to produce the anticipated recovery. The full-year loss will compare to … [Read more...] about JAPAN: ANA reduces 2009-10 forecast

The new CEO of Japan Airlines, Kazuo Inamori, who took over the struggling company JAL in January has said his company executives were unfit “to run a green grocery”. Inamori aims to return JAL to profitability by the autumn, but hinted to reporters that his assessment of the airline’s prospects had become “gloomier” since taking over. JAL was declared bankrupt in January but a state-led recovery package has been put in place to try and overcome the … [Read more...] about JAPAN: JAL boss disparages carrier’s former execs

Japan Airlines ( JAL), which is undergoing government-mandated restructuring after entering bankruptcy in January, has said it will drop out of the freighter business by October, opting instead to utilise the belly cargo capacity of its passenger network which offers three times as much total cargo capacity as its freighter services. The decision means JAL’s fleet of six B747 freighters and three B767 wide-body freighters will be sold or parked. JAL’s exit from the … [Read more...] about JAPAN: Japan Airlines pulls plug on freighter ops

The US Air Transport Association (ATA) and three US airlines are to sue the European Union (EU) over its EmissionTrading Scheme (ETS). The ATA, along with American Airlines, Continental Airlines and United Airlines, has launched a court action in London after stating that the ETS “violated the US-EU bilateral Air Transport Agreement of 2007 and the Kyoto Protocol”. The ATA says it is necessary “in order to preserve our members’ right to challenge implementation … [Read more...] about US carriers sue EU over emission trading scheme

The US-government’s Defense Logistics Agency’s Defense Energy Support Center and Air Transport Association of America have signed a strategic alliance agreement for the development and deployment of alternative aviation fuels. “By collaborating, we reinforce our commitment to fostering the widespread commercialisation of alternative jet fuel,” said James C. May, president and CEO of ATA. “By combining our talents and experience, we are better … [Read more...] about Alternative fuel development gets US push