Although ULDs have and continue to play a vital role in boosting the efficiency of loading and unloading cargo, their value is often overlooked by carriers and ground handlers alike. Technology has played a key role in advancing them from simple ‘tin cans’ to sophisticated composite structures and climate controlled air freight containers. In the ‘ULD & Perishables Supplement’, to be published in the upcoming June issue of Payload Asia, we will … [Read more...] about ULD & Perishables Supplement in June issue
Latest News
Demand growing faster than expected
Demand for both international air travel and air freight accelerated in March with the rebound on the back of economic recovery exceeding expectations, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said this week. IATA said the air traffic recovery would dip in April because of the disruption from the Icelandic volcanic eruption, which hit European carriers in particular, and added that passenger and freight markets are still one per cent below early 2008 highs and the industry has lost two … [Read more...] about Demand growing faster than expected
Thailand looks for new cargo manager
The Airports of Thailand (AoT) has agreed on the terms for a bid to find a new contractor to manage the duty-free air cargo zone at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. The terms are broadly similar to what AoT had applied when it awarded the original contract, to Thai Airport Ground Services (Tags), according to The Bangkok Post. AoT recently cancelled its contract with Tags after it ran into financial trouble, including an inability to pay its employees since November, and saw a change … [Read more...] about Thailand looks for new cargo manager
EU warns against “lavishing” emergency aid
The European Union has warned governments against lavishing emergency aid on airlines to make up for losses from disruptions in operations caused by the eruption of a volcano in Iceland. But it proposed other measures to help them recover from the weeklong shutdown of air travel. The European Commission’s own estimate of losses ranged from €1.5 billion to €2.5 billion, taking into account losses by airlines, airports and tour operators, said Siim Kallas, the EU transport … [Read more...] about EU warns against “lavishing” emergency aid
An-225 helps clear volcano backlog
In one of the stranger side-effects of the Icelandic volcano's eruption, the world's largest freighter – the Antonov An-225 - has performed its first charter from China, carrying a full load of general cargo. The aircraft - owned by Antonov Airlines and normally associated only with the very largest and heaviest outsize loads – transported the cargo from Shijiazhuang Airport (SJW) near Beijing to Vitoria (VIT), Spain on behalf of a major, but unspecified freight forwarder. … [Read more...] about An-225 helps clear volcano backlog
Cargolux reports dire 2009 results
Cargolux reported a 2009 net loss of US$153 million, nearly triple its $61 million deficit in 2008, with revenue dropping 34 per cent to $1.3 billion as the global air cargo market contracted severely. "2009 was arguably the most difficult year in the history of airfreight," Europe's largest all-cargo airline said in a statement. "The industry registered a decline in freight volume of well over 20 per cent during the year compared to 2008," which led to overcapacity with "dire consequences for … [Read more...] about Cargolux reports dire 2009 results
