Etihad Airways will start three timesa- week, non-stop service between Abu Dhabi and Singapore in September this year. The UAE national carrier will operate an Airbus A330-200 on the route which will offer a cargo capacity of 14 tonnes. Singapore will be Etihad’s fi fth online destination in the Far East to add to Bangkok, Manila, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur, which was launched in January 2007. In addition, Etihad Crystal Cargo serves Zheng Zhou (China) with one of its Airbus A300-600 … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Etihad to add to Far East network

The Dubai Flower Centre (DFC) is planning to improve business links with Thailand, Gulf News reported. DFC’s closed-loop automated cool chain supply method uses refrigerated transfer pallets which keep perishables’ temperature constant from the centre to the aircraft - a process designed to maximize shelf-life of the plants. More than 1,000 species of orchids alone grow in Thailand. Air links between the two countries are good with Emirates operating two direct fl ights a day as well … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: DFC to forge closer ties with Thailand

Emirates SkyCargo has launched niche capacity cargo operations to fulfi l market demand to the Indian Subcontinent and Africa. The new routes, serving the busy destinations of Colombo, Delhi, and Entebbe, will operate on SkyCargo’s A310-300F’s with a capacity of 36.5 tonnes. Freighter services to Delhi, introduced on May 24th, will operate on Thursdays. The Colombo service, launched on May 13th, will operate twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays. Finally, the new operations … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Emirates launches three new cargo services

Etihad Airways has placed a $2.2bn order with Airbus for 12 new wide-body aircraft including four A340-600s, fi ve A330 passenger aircraft and three A330 freighters. The new aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2008 and 2011 and will increase the UAE national airline’s fl eet to 46 aircraft. The Abu Dhabi-based airline continues to expand its network and has launched fl ights to Kuala Lumpur, Kochi (Cochin), Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) and Sydney this year, with Dublin set … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Etihad Airways places $2.2bn Airbus order

Agility Defence & Government Services (formerly PWC Logistics) has been awarded a second one-year option on the US Army’s Heavy Lift IV contract to provide transportation services for military personnel, supplies, and equipment for all destinations within 1,000 km of Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The extension continues Agility’s engagement for Heavy Lift VI through June 30, 2008. First awarded in June 2005, Heavy Lift VI was the largest heavy-lift transportation contract in US Military … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Agility DGS awarded Heavy Lift IV contract

Dubai-based Maximus Air Cargo has obtained an Air Operators Certifi cate (AOC) from the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the United ArabEmirates. The carrier's fl eet consists of AN-124- 100 Ruslan and IL-76TD aircraft as well as Airbus A300-600RF and a Lockheed L-382 Hercules. "Maximus' philosophy is rooted in offering our customers responsive, most practical and cost effective solutions, which combine a personal approach with innovative customer service," said Maximus … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Maximus Air Cargo obtains AOC