Lufthansa, Europe’s second largest airline, reported a rise in cargo earnings of more than 20 per cent in 2008 from a year earlier, but warned of declining revenue and profit in 2009 as freight volumes continue to collapse amid theongoing global recession. Lufthansa Cargo’s operating profit rose 20.6 per cent to €164 million year on year as revenue gained 6.3 per cent to €2.9 billion. The cargo division’s results come in the face of a severe … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Lufthansa Cargo sees profi ts rise 20%

A faulty altimeter played a part in the Turkish crash last week near Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport which killed nine people, according to investigators. They said similar shutdowns had occurred twice before on the same plane and were overruled by the pilots, and warned its maker Boeing and any airlines using 737 models to be vigilant. … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Altimeter at fault in air crash

Virgin Atlantic Airways will cease operations – at least temporarily – on its Mumbai-London service from May as the economic crunch continues to takeits toll on the global aviation industry. “We have decided to temporarily suspend operations to Mumbai with effect from May 4. We are suspending this service until rational conditions re-emerge and it can resume service on this important route,” said Neha Lidder Ganju, senior marketing manager- India, Virgin … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Virgin Atlantic cuts Mumbai service

The UK Environment Agency is to be given powers to seize planes from airlines which break the rules of a new scheme to limit flights’ carbon emissions. As the official body to enforce the European Emissions Trading Scheme for aviation, the EA will monitor emissions from flying, police companies’ buying of credits when they exceed their allocation, impose fines and, as a last resort, have the power to seize assetsof offending airlines. … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Break emission rules and planes may be seized

The sale of the cargo unit of Alitalia is nearing a conclusion according to the bankruptcy administrator of Italy’snational airline. Augusto Fantozzi said he expects to sign a contract with Alis, the owner of Cargoitalia, another private Italian allcargo carrier, within a week which will see Alis pay nearly US$18 million for the former Alitalia Cargo, but this does not include planes or take off and landing slots, Fantozzi said. Alitalia Cargo’s five MD-11 … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Alitalia Cargo deal close to conclusion