Stan Wraight, president and CEO of Russian carrier AirBridge Cargo has long been predicting overcapacity out of China. So now that his warnings seem to be coming true, why is AirBridge still going ahead with plans to launch freighter services from Shanghai to North America via Krasnoyarsk in eastern Russia laterthis year? Wraight admits that the region’s air freight markets have been fl at recently, with forwarders reporting factory orders signifi cantly down, though he points out that … [Read more...] about RUSSIA: AirBridge sticks to China-US plans
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RUSSIA: Great Circle Capital invests in Russia
Great Circle Capital has announced an investment of US$21.1 million in Moscow-based freight forwarding, warehousing, and customs services provider - STS Logistics. This is Great Circle’s second investment in the Russian logistics sector; the company invested $20 million in Moscow-based Russian Logistic Service last year. According Great Circle partner Hew Crooks, the company has been aggressively tracking the logistics sector in Russia, and believes this investment will provide an … [Read more...] about RUSSIA: Great Circle Capital invests in Russia
MIDDLE EAST: Etihad Airways receives fi rst Airbus 340-600
Etihad Airways has taken delivery of its fi rst Airbus A340-600, the world’s longest commercial passenger aircraft. The four-engine aircraft, which has a range of 14,600 kilometres, is the fi rst of Etihad’s four A340-600s scheduled for delivery in 2007. It is also the high gross weight model which offers a maximum takeoff weight of 380 tonnes. The average cargo capacity per fl ight with a full passenger load is 18 tonnes. James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said: … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Etihad Airways receives fi rst Airbus 340-600
MIDDLE EAST: RJ Cargo starts service to Damascus
Royal Jordanian has started a weekly direct freighter service to Damascus from Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA). In a statement, the Jordanian fl ag carrier said that adding this route will meet the customers’ needs to secure their cargo shipments from and to Damascus, to expedite transporting goods and boost commercial activities. RJ is keen on expanding its cargo network services in the region, in addition to its endeavor to increase revenues resulting from cargo operations. … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: RJ Cargo starts service to Damascus
MIDDLE EAST: Berlin may limit Emirates expansion
Emirates airline’s further expansion into the German market is running into potential opposition from the German government, which may limit the number of Emirates fl ights in order to protect Lufthansa, Gulf Newsreported. Emirates operates 49 fl ights a week to Germany, fl ying daily or double-daily service to Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich and Duesseldorf, which is the maximum number of fl ights it is allowed under bilateral air rights between the two countries. Under the agreement, … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Berlin may limit Emirates expansion
AFRICA: Ethiopian signs freighter deal
Ethiopian Airlines has signed an agreement with Boeing Capital Corporation (BCC) for the purchase of an MD-11 freighter. The aircraft, which at the moment is in a passenger confi guration, will soon be converted to a freighter offering a capacity of 88 tonnes. It will be delivered to Ethiopian in January 2009. Ethiopian is also negotiating for a second converted MD-11 freighter on lease basis for delivery at the end of 2009. Ethiopian currently owns two757 freighters. … [Read more...] about AFRICA: Ethiopian signs freighter deal