In a move mirroring steps already well underway in the US, the Canadian government has announced a C$96 million (US$88.8 million) plan aimed at improving the security of Canadian air cargo, citing the potential for terrorist attacks within the commercial cargo system. The new measures, to be phased in over five years, include additional screening technologies and more stringent security checks for companies that screen cargo. While all cargo will be subject to the new measures, screening methods … [Read more...] about AMERICAS: Canada to screen cargo in passenger bellies

Russian carriers Transaero and Aeroflot have received approval to provide air service to Indonesia. The carriers will provide direct flights between Indonesia and the Russian Federation starting from the end of 2010. Aeroflot will provide the flights from Moscow to Denpasar twice a week and Transaero, which so far has operated charter service from Russia to Denpasar twice a week, will launch scheduled air services. … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Aeroflot, Transaero to begin Indonesia services

Vladivostok Air has added two aircraft – an Airbus A320 and an Airbus A330- 300 – to its fleet as it phases out its three Tupolev Tu-154 aircraft. Vladivostok Air is the largest carrier in the Russian Far East and Siberia and is renewing its fleet with the aim of soon beginning scheduled passenger services throughput the Far Eastern region, western parts of Russia and popular tourist routes to the Asia Pacific region. … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Vladivostok Air takes on two Airbuses

Novosibirsk’s Tolmachevo International Airport continues to develop its route network with its first direct flight to Osh, Kyrgyzstan on 9 May 2010. The scheduled air service on the route Osh – Novosibirsk – Osh will be provided under the summer schedule of S7 Airlines. The weekly service will be provided using Airbus A320 equipment. Avia Traffic Company will also offer air service to Osh from Novosibirsk two times a week with BAe-146-200s and Kyrgyz Airways will … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: New services from Tolmachevo to Kyrgyzstan

Kazakhstan-based Air Astana has announced a partnership with Aerosim Technologies, an international flight training provider, to establish a Pilot Training Centre in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Air Astana is the first airline from Asia or Europe to acquire Aerosim’s Enhanced Virtual Procedures Trainer (EVPT) for training and developing flight operations of pilots on the Airbus A320. Air Astana estimates that it will save almost US$400,000 a year in overseas training costs. An … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Air Astana opens pilot training centre