Air New Zealand is strengthening its international competitiveness with the addition of four B777-330ERs worth US$970 million at list prices, the Australian reported. The aircraft, due for delivery in 2010 and 2011, are part of a NZ$2.6 billion plan to convert the Kiwi carrier to an all twin-engine, long-haul fl eet by 2012. The new planes will complement the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, due to start arriving in 2010, to give the airline signifi cant fuel savings on its current aircraft. … [Read more...] about NEW ZEALAND: Air New Zealand to boost fleet

Toll Priority Express has placed the fi rst ATR42-300F into service in Australia. The fi rst of at least two aircraft, will be operated by Jetcraft Aviation and will be used to carry express cargo on behalf of Toll. “We have decided to operate ATRs because they respond optimally to our needs. The ATRs offer the lowest operating and maintenance costs. This will allow us to optimise the frequencies of our freight operations,” said Tom Dalton, Jetcraft’s chief operating offi cer. … [Read more...] about AUSTRALIA: ATR42 freighter makes debut

Menlo Worldwide's logistics centre in Sydney has been certifi ed as ISO 9001 compliant. Auditors awarded the international quality certifi cate for the facility following a ‘zero non-conformance' rating. The certifi cation process was part of Menlo's quality control initiative to meet its clients' most exacting requirements. Menlo Worldwide is ahead of schedule in meeting the deadline for ISO 9001 certifi cation required by Nokia Siemens Networks Australia Pty. Ltd. under the terms of … [Read more...] about AUSTRALIA: Menlo’s Sydney unit achieves ISO 9001

Qantas last month said that it was considering “strategic acquisitions” for some of its other businesses. Press speculation has suggested that this will be the purchase of Linfox, one of Australia’s leading road freight operators. This is likely to be designed to strengthen its freight division within Australia. Qantas is also believed to be planning to fl oat its freight division as an independent business and any acquisition will help strengthen the business before the … [Read more...] about AUSTRALIA: Qantas eyes trucking firm

The Office of Transport Security has said that everything possible is being done to reduce the security threat posed by freight at Australia’s airports. A general manager from the Offi ce told a recent trade and security conference that ASIO was worried cargo could be used to attack planes. The executive director of the Offi ce, Paul Retter, said the concerns are not new and were raised in Sir John Wheeler’s 2005 report on airport security. He said the Federal Government is … [Read more...] about AUSTRALIA: Canberra addresses cargo security risks

Qantas Chief Executive Offi cer Geoff Dixon said today that Qantas would make a provision of US$40 million (A$47 million) to cover a potential fi ne that may be imposed in the US as a result of conduct undertaken by Qantas’ Freight Division. “Qantas previously disclosed that it had been cooperating with regulators in the USA, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other jurisdictions in their investigation into alleged price fi xing in the air cargo market. These investigations … [Read more...] about AUSTRALIA: Qantas puts millions aside to cover fine