This week’s Belly Ache focuses on a topic quite unrelated to air cargo, but we’re confident you will agree it is an item that is so fantastical it will surely be made into Hollywood movie at some point! After all, it has all the components of a ‘great’ box office hit – ghostly mystery, intrigue and of course an essential ingredient... cannibal rats! We also reckon that since the shipping industry is a bit of a nemesis of the air cargo industry all’s fair … [Read more...] about The Phantom of the North Atlantic.
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Emirates SkyCargo continues to fly high
Speaking to Payload Asia in Mumbai recently, Emirates divisional senior VP for cargo, Nabil Sultan essentially summed up the position of the carrier’s cargo division when he said simply: “For us there will always be new markets”. Indeed, considering the carrier’s fleet of over 200 aircraft – all widebodies – flying a network to more than 140 destinations in 74 countries across six continents. But, the real kicker of course, is the Dubai-based … [Read more...] about Emirates SkyCargo continues to fly high
Regulatory inequality
Watching the latest news from the ocean shipping world has got me thinking. I’m struck by the stark inequality between regulations applied to the commercial aviation sector and those applied to the world of ocean shipping. What provoked this chain of thought was the ongoing news of ever larger containerships being ordered. The world’s largest container ship operator Maersk, made headlines not long ago for introducing the largest boxship in history – the Maersk McKinney … [Read more...] about Regulatory inequality
THE BIG BUNNY
THE BIG BUNNY. In this edition of Belly Ache we have to say that the subject matter was quite accidental and we must apologise up front for what could be construed as sexist – we prefer to think of it as a journey into pop culture history. It all started as we were busy writing up the news on Delta Airlines retiring their last DC-9 in early January. We thought a nice photo might be just the ticket, considering the ‘historical’ nature of the rather geriatric aircraft and … [Read more...] about THE BIG BUNNY
Garuda makes a quantum leap
It would have seemed inconceivable, even five years ago, to think that Garuda would ever overcome all the hurdles lined up in front of it. Black listed from European airspace with an ageing fleet of aircraft, chequered safety record, a mountain of debt and counterproductive state interference all made the future appear very bleak for the once proud carrier. But all that is water under the bridge a mere four and half years after the lifting of the EU ban against Garuda Indonesia and three … [Read more...] about Garuda makes a quantum leap
A recovery in the works?
This month’s edition of Payload provides an interesting glimpse into the current state of the industry and where it could, perhaps, be headed. The latest International Air Transport Association (IATA) figures show a small but glimmering light at the end of what has seemed like and endless and very dark tunnel. Consecutive months of cargo demand growth – albeit fairly small – have continued to grow gradually larger and perhaps most important for the global industry, Asian demand … [Read more...] about A recovery in the works?
