The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its latest traffi c results for the fi rst six months of the year showing 2.7 percent growth in freight volumes, well below the 4.6 percent growth recorded for the fullyear in 2006. Air freight growth was led by airlines in the Middle East during the fi rst half of the year at 11.7 percent. Demand in Asia Pacifi c rose 4.6 percent during the same period, although demand surged to 7.4 percent in June following a 7.6 percent … [Read more...] about EUROPE: Air freight picks up again, but not much

The Global Shippers Forum (GSF) has voiced “grave concerns” about the cargo scanning mandates in the new US security law, which requires scanning of all air cargo carried aboard commercial aircraft within three years, and all maritime containers destined for the US at foreign ports after fi ve years. GSF claims that 100 percent scanning will result in enormous costs to consumers without accomplishing what the requirements seek to achieve. In a comment to the Shipping Gazette it … [Read more...] about EUROPE: Shippers Forum rejects US security law

The US Department of Justice announced last month that British Airways and Korean Air each agreed to plead guilty and pay separate $300 million criminal fi nes for their roles in conspiracies to fi x the prices of passenger and cargo fl ights. The DOJ said the plea agreements were the fi rst to arise from the Antitrust Division’s ongoing investigation into the air transportation industry. Under the plea agreements, which are subject to court approval, British Airways and Korean Air … [Read more...] about EUROPE: BA, KAL agree to pay criminal fines

Lufthansa and Kazakhstan fl ag carrier Air Astana are planning a bilateral co-operation. A corresponding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed last month by representatives of both airlines. The objective of the partnership is to expand the fl ight offering for customers of both companies. As of 2008, customers of both airlines can benefi t from codeshare fl ights and mutually co-ordinated fl ight schedule as well as an extended offer of fl ights between Germany and Kazakhstan. … [Read more...] about KAZAKHSTAN: Lufthansa, Air Astana ink pact

Cargolux last month started a weekly service to Almaty in Kazakhstan. Flights will depart Luxembourg at 06h00 on Thursdays and arrive in Almaty at 18h55 local time. From Almaty, the fl ight departs at 20h25 to arrive in Hong Kong at 04h25 on Friday morning. The return fl ight departs Hong Kong at 06h25, arrives in Almaty at 10h45, Budapest at 14h20 and Luxembourg at 19h40. Nomad Cargo is Cargolux’s General Sales Agent in Kazakhstan. Luxembourg-based Cargolux operates fi fteen B747-400 … [Read more...] about KAZAKHSTAN: Cargolux starts Kazakhstan service

Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s fl ag carrier, carried 970,000 passengers in the fi rst half of 2007, up 42 percent over the yearago period. The airline said it expects to carry more than 2 million passengers for the full year. First-half capacity increased 44 percent to 3.1 billion ASKs as the fl eet grew to 18 aircraft with the delivery of two 767-300ERs, two A320s and two A321s. The carrier said its fl eet will number 34by 2014. Air Astana’s president, Peter Foster said that, apart … [Read more...] about KAZAKHSTAN: Air Astana reports healthy growth