CAI Alitalia SpA has signed a joint venture agreement with Air France- KLM and Delta Air Lines that ramps up the Italian carrier’s long-haul flights to the US. CAI Alitalia chief executive Rocco Sabelli called the joint venture “fundamental for the definitive revival” of the Italian carrier. Sabelli said there were no plans to merge CAI Alitalia with Air France, which already owns 25 per cent of the carrier. “The joint venture is a way of ramping up operational … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Alitalia JV with Delta, Air France aimed at US

The World Customs Organisation and the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) have signed a renewed Memorandum of Agreement to further strengthen cooperation between the two organisations. The WCO has designated Customs- Trade Partnership as its key theme for 2010 and as there have been significant developments on Customs matters since the signing of the last MoU it was recognised that it was important to update the existing MoU, the two said in a statement. … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: FIATA and WCO sign new MoU

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to help identify how the air cargo industry can assist in priority Customs objectives and to discuss how these can be best achieved with minimum disruption to commercial operations. The new agreement — signed in Brussels by WCO secretary general, Kunio Mikuriya, and TIACA’s secretary general, Daniel Fernandez — aims to keep … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: WCO and TIACA agree to greater cooperation

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the standardisation of cargo liability limits. With effect from 1 July 2010, the Air Waybill (AWB) Conditions of Contract (IATA Resolution 600b) have been changed to harmonise the application of the Montreal Convention liability limit for all air cargo across all routes. IATA says the simplified approach improves efficiency for shippers and forwarders and is consistent with industry efforts to improve competitiveness by simplifying … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: IATA success in standardising cargo liability

Chapman Freeborn Airchartering has completed a cargo charter from Nantes in France to New Orleans, US, to deliver seven skimmer boats to help tackle the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The aircraft charter specialist arranged the flight of an Antonov AN-124 to urgently transport four 35-foot and three 21-foot vessels from Nantes (NTE) in France to New Orleans (MSY). The AN-124 charter is just the latest in a series of flights Chapman Freeborn has completed to help contain the leak … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Chapman Freeborn delivers skimmers to Gulf

Lufthansa Cargo continued its upward trend in the second quarter of the year with the first six months seeing the cargo airline carrying 830,000 tonnes of freight and mail, around 20 per cent more than in the first half 2009. Volume growth was particularly pronounced into and out of Asia as well as to America, the carrier said. The transported volume in the Asia/Pacific traffic region grew by 24.6 per cent and in America by an even higher 31.1 per cent. Lufthansa Cargo marginally increased … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Lufthansa Cargo sustains upward trend