A group of private investors have signed a recent agreement to buy the controlling interest in CAL Cargo Air Lines for NIS38 million (US$9.9 million). CAL is a cargo airline based in Tel Aviv, Israel and operates scheduled cargo flights carrying perishable goods and general cargo to Europe and the rest of the world. Its main base is Ben Gurion International Airport, Tel Aviv, and it has a hub at Liège Airport (Belgium). The airline carries approximately 100,000 tonnes of cargo annually, … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Private investors buy CAL Cargo Air Lines

Emirates has upped its order with Airbus for an additional 32 A380 aircraft taking the total firm order for the iconic super-jumbo to 90 aircraft. The order for the additional aircraft has a list price of US$ 11.5 billion. “This latest order, adding to 58 A380s previously ordered, affirms Emirates’ strategy to become a world leading carrier and to further establish Dubai as a central gateway to worldwide air travel,” said H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum. “Our … [Read more...] about Emirates ups A380 with 32 more

Emirates SkyCargo has expanded its operations to Cambodia after a surge in demand for reliable air cargo services from the southeast Asian nation, it said in a statement. The Dubai based carrier has appointed Asia GSA as its sales agent in Cambodia. In recent years the Cambodian garment industry has grown exponentially as an increasing number of manufacturers, including brands like GAP, Old Navy, Wal-Mart and Kmart, look to the country to produce quality clothing at cheaper rates than in … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Emirates moves to tap surging Cambodia trade

Singapore Airlines has boosted its Singapore-Munich-Manchester flights to dailies, from five times a week. The airline commenced flights to Munich, southern Germany’s largest city, using Boeing 777- 300ER aircraft on 28 March 2010. … [Read more...] about SINGAPORE: SIA goes daily to Munich/Manchester

Airfreight carried on international flights to and from Australia for 2008- 09 totalled 709,374 tonnes, down 9.2 per cent on 2007–08, reflecting the impact of the global financial crisis (GFC), according to the latest data from the Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. This comprised 398,362 tonnes (or 56.2 per cent) inbound freight (down 16.0 per cent on 2007–08) and 311,013 tonnes (or 43.8 per cent) outbound freight … [Read more...] about AUSTRALIA: Australian airfreight down 9% last year

The US is poised to lose its 110-year run as the world’s largest manufacturing nation by output, in 2011 to China, according to IHS Global Insight figures released recently. The US created 19.9 per cent of world manufacturing output last year, compared with 18.6 per cent in China, despite the global downturn. According to IHS, a US-based economics consultancy, goods output by the US totaled US$1.7 trillion, ahead of China at US$1.6 trillion. However China’s factory output … [Read more...] about CHINA: China will be biggest manufacturer in 2011