European transport ministers have given authorisation for the European Commission to negotiate with Australia on a potential 'open skies' agreement between Australia and the European Union (EU). The EU is Australia's largest aviation market. The talks could deliver greater competition, more flights and lower air fares between Australia and EU countries. An 'open skies' agreement could remove many - if not all - of the existing regulatory limitations on Australian and European airlines … [Read more...] about AUSTRALIA: Australia and EU to discuss 'open skies'

Japan Airlines (JAL), Boeing and Pratt & Whitney are teaming up to accelerate current research and development into the creation of a second-generation biofuel, the trio said in a statement. A second-generation, but as yet undetermined, biofuel will be blended with jet fuel and tested in one of the four engines of a JAL Boeing 747-300 aircraft equipped with Pratt & WhitneyJT9D engines. JAL will provide the aircraft and staff for the approximately one hour demonstration flight out of an … [Read more...] about JAPAN: JAL, Boeing and Pratt & Whitney teaming up

Qatar Airways plans to tap India's surging air travel market as a key linchpin to its ambitious expansion plan. Qatar Airways currently operates 58 flights a week from Doha to nine cities in India, including daily scheduled services to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Cochin, Trivandrum, Hyderabad and Kozhikode - the most recent which it added in mid June. "India today is by far the largest single market for Qatar Airways with a network of nine cities which represents more than 10 per … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Qatar Air's global growth strategy

IATA has identified 11 additional countries as "ready for e-freight," signaling a potential major expansion of trials that aim to demonstrate the feasibility of "paperless" air cargo. New nations are US, Luxembourg, France, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, UAE (Dubai), Switzerland, Iceland, Denmark and Norway. Current e-freight trials, in which a portion of airfreight on key trade lanes travels without much of the paper documentation usually accompanying cargo, are taking place at airports in … [Read more...] about EUROPE: IATA identifies new 'ready for e-freight' countries

Pos Malaysia and Services Holdings Bhd has decided "for now" to hold on to its 14.99 per cent stake in debt-laden air cargo company, Transmile Group Bhd. The duo will, however, review its air cargo arrangement with Transmile when the contract expires end-March 2009. "We have nothing on the plate right now (to sell Transmile) but will review the handling of our cargo by Transmile for Sabah and Sarawak routes," said Pos Malaysia executive director and group chief operating … [Read more...] about Transmile shareholders hold on "for now"