Preliminary figures for the month of May from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) show continued growth in both freight and passenger. Reflecting the surprisingly robust regional economic upturn, Asia Pacific-based airlines saw continued strong demand for international air cargo shipments with a 39 per cent growth in traffic measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK) compared to the same month last year. International cargo load factors in May climbed 8.7 percentage points to reach … [Read more...] about Asia Pacific carriers see continuing rebound
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IATA members hit with $17 million fraud tab
Airlines belonging to the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) are furious over the uncovering of an alleged fraud committed by an employee of IATA in Bangkok involving nearly 550 million baht (US$17 million), with some considering taking legal action againsttheir association. The sum was defrauded from payments from travel agents in Thailand from January 2005 to August 2009 before the money could reach IATA’s international clearing house in Bangkok that is … [Read more...] about IATA members hit with $17 million fraud tab
Bahrain offers a cargo oasis
“Bahrain’s strategic position in the Gulf, with proximity to the region’s largest market, Saudi Arabia, was a critical determining factor in our original decision to locate here,†says Dave Spargo, regional director, DHL,Middle East, Bahrain. DHL operates a hub in Bahrain, which it expanded significantly in 2005. Aramex, GAC Express and TNT also have logistics operations there. While cargo tonnage was off significantly in 2009, for the first four months of … [Read more...] about Bahrain offers a cargo oasis
Crisis gave ULD management outsourcing a boost
According to Jettainer managing director, Alexander Plümacher, intense cost pressures last year made Jettainer’s selling point of flexibility, visibility and cost savings, very attractiveto air cargo carriers. “While the advantages of outsourced ULD management today are no way different from those in the past, it is obvious that airlines are looking more closely into cost cutting these days. That way, we can assume that the downturn had a positive effect on our … [Read more...] about Crisis gave ULD management outsourcing a boost
FAPAA talks business, takes IATA to task
In his opening address, chairman of the Singapore Aircargo Agents Association (SAAA), which hosted the event, Steven Lee noted the rapid and “impressive†recovery in Asia towards the end of 2009 and first quarter of 2010, especially intra-Asian traffic, from lastyear’s global recession. He went on to say that the Chinese demand for goods helped to “fill the gap†resulting from the drop in international trade. “Given this dynamic recovery Asian exports … [Read more...] about FAPAA talks business, takes IATA to task
May you live in interesting times
Generally used as a curse, this famous quote has a resonance suggesting a kinship to air cargo. After all, we all earn a living from an industry which seems to be perpetually bound up in ‘interesting times’. While it could, particularly after last year be seen as a curse, is deserves a more positive spin. With the industry now firmly gaining altitude after the freefall of last year and no significant turbulence in sight, industry players are now shifting gears from cautious optimism … [Read more...] about May you live in interesting times
