The EC (European Commission) announced recently that it had opened a formal investigation procedure to examine whether state aid measures for Belgian postal operator De Post-La Poste were in line with EC Treaty state aid rules. In particular, it will examine the yearly compensation for public service obligations. EC Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes added: “The opening of a formal investigation gives all interested parties a chance to express their views and will help to provide … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: EC investigates Belgian postal operator

Russian media reports suggest that production of the Antonov An-124, the largest commercial aircraft to be mass-produced, could be about to recommence. Talk of a resumption in production first surfaced at the Berlin air show in 2008, but there has been no clear indication from Antonov’s parent company, United Aircraft as to when exactly the aircraft maker would resume the production of the heavy-lift aircraft. Antonov An-124s have been a workhorse of the heavy airfreight sector … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Antonov AN-124s soon back in production

Lufthansa Cargo’s freight volumes fell 14.1 per cent in June to 128,000 tonnes from a year ago, similar to other European cargo carriers, but ending a brief burst of optimism in May when its volumes improved to only a -9.1 per cent drop year-on-year. The drop in June volume left traffic in the first six months of the year down 20.1 per cent from the same period last year at 694,000 tonnes. “In the air freight sector... the market environment remained weak in June,” … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: No repeat of May’s up-tick for Lufthansa

Air France-KLM has posted a 20.5 per cent drop in fiscal first-quarter sales as the continuing weak economic climate depressed air travel and freight demand. Overall revenue totalled €5.19 billion in the three months to 30 June. Cargo revenue dropped 41.5 per cent to €544 million due to a decline in volumes of 22.7 per cent, a 17.2 per cent cut in capacity and a 25.1 per cent fall in yields. Sales in the carrier’s passenger business fell 18.7 per cent to €4.01 … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: “Brutal” market, but AF-KLM stabilising

Air France-KLM may resort to several measures at the end of the summer, including reduced working hours, for the first time in its history to deal with the slump in demand, the airline’s head said in an interview with Le Figaro newspaper, according to Reuters. “We don’t see the slightest bright spot. The reduction in demand in cargo is brutal. The drop is also very large for high-spending customers,” Air France chief executive Pierre-Henri Gourgeon was quoted … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Air France-KLM may cut work hours

In the face of a dire air cargo market, Frankfurt Hahn-based start-up Air Cargo Germany (ACG) has received its air operator’s certificate (AOC) from the German authorities and is expected to start operations shortly. ACG took delivery of the first of two ex-China Airlines B747-400SFs from Avion Aircraft Trading in the first half this year, with the second aircraft expected to be delivered by end-July. The carrier will begin with charter flights with scheduled services starting at an … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Air Cargo Germany soon to be airborne