Synergies resulting from the merger of Air India and Indian could contribute up to US$300 million to the bottom line within the next two to three years through a 3-4 per cent in cost savings and increased revenue according to a report by Accenture. Th e report suggests an initial windfall of Rs 6 billion (US$153 million). … [Read more...] about INDIA: US$300 million from Indian merger

India-based logistics start-up Avicore Aviation, has announced plans to invest US$100 million to launch a new cargo airline before mid-2008 from the country’s first dedicated cargo airport at Nagpur. The start-up is backed by Indian and US-based non-resident Indian businessmen through Avicore’s US subsidiary. The main Indian financier is Abhay Lodha, managing director of the Mumbai- based Topworth Group, which has interests in steel and power plants and Avicore … [Read more...] about INDIA: Another new cargo airline for India

Air New Zealand, Boeing and Rolls- Royce have signed an MOU to jointly conduct what they said will be the first trial of a commercial 747 operated with biofuel. The test flight will take place in late 2008 or early 2009 using an ANZ 747- 400. The aircraft will not carry passengers and only one engine will run on the blended biofuel/kerosene mix. Boeing President-Australia and South Pacific Region Craig Saddler said in a conference call that the company is “now exploring … [Read more...] about NEW ZEALAND: First commercial 747 biofuel trials

Qantas Group Flight Training and Nippon Cargo Airlines have signed a five-year deal for Qantas to provide B747-400 training for up to 200 Nippon Cargo Airlines’ pilots. Qantas executive general manager services Curtis Davies said the first intake would commence training in October at facilities in Sydney NSW and at Avalon in Victoria. “Each pilot will undertake a nine week course on 747-400 simulators and aircraft prior to the Japanese regulator giving final approval,” … [Read more...] about NEW ZEALAND: Downunder training for Nippon pilots

Japan Airlines is working to cut its annual employment bill by Â¥50 billion (US$425 million) from FY06 by increasing productivity 10 per cent, a hiring freeze and early retirement incentives. Th e carrier said it will off er early retirement plans to 900 cabin staff who will have completed 15 years of service and will be at least 54 years old if managerial, or 50 if non-managerial on 31 March. It also said 630 ground staff holding middle management positions have accepted an early retirement … [Read more...] about JAPAN: JAL out to slash staffing costs

Japan Airlines is the latest carrier for potential fines from the EU and US price fixing probe. The airline said it has made accounts provisions of 20 billion yen (US$171 million). British Airways and Korean Air have already pleaded guilty to fixing passenger and cargo surcharges and have been hit with $300 million in fines. JAL posted its second straight annual loss, 16.27 billion yen, last year and has been cutting staff and unprofitable routes. The airline expected to return to the … [Read more...] about JAPAN: JAL makes accounts provisions