Never ones to let a good opportunity go to waste, the good folks at Changi Airport came up with a novel, albeit cheesy, event in early September that appears to have been aimed at simultaneously tackling two pressing issues — the problem of sagging air passenger and cargo demand along with the ever-valuable opportunity for some extra publicity courtesy of Singapore’s Formula One night race. And so...the first-ever jetliner-versus-car race in Asia was staged, pitting a … [Read more...] about Never ones to let …
Air Forwarding
Shenzhen ups stakes for air cargo supremacy
The gloves have come off. Shenzhen Airport Authority and Shenzhen Airlines have unveiled plans to grab as much of the air cargo market as possible in the Pearl River Delta in southern China, in direct competition with Hong Kong International Airport, sweeping aside all the past diplomatic talk about one airport complementing the other. Shenzhen Airport Authority plans to increase freighter services at Shenzhen airport by 50 per cent in 2010 as opposed to a 3 per cent increase in … [Read more...] about Shenzhen ups stakes for air cargo supremacy
FedEx Trade Networks paints Asia purple
The freight forwarding arm of the global express giant has virtually simultaneously opened 10 new facilities in Singapore, Taipei, Taiwan, and in Beijing, Guangzhou, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Xiamen, and Dalian, China. This was followed by the opening of a representative office in Vietnam. These openings add to FedEx Trade Networks’ freight forwarding operations in Hong Kong and Shanghai, which launched in 2008 and brings the total number of locations to 12. Speaking to … [Read more...] about FedEx Trade Networks paints Asia purple
Ground Handling Supplement in February issue
Years ago, ground handling services at commercial airports were strictly conducted by the airlines themselves. In a move to concentrate on their core business and lower labor and equipment costs, a number of airlines began to contract with third parties to provide the service. Of version of the self-handling model involved the hiving off of a semi-autonomous unit that, aside from handling the parent airline, would also seek business from other carriers and at various airports. As the … [Read more...] about Ground Handling Supplement in February issue
A new year beckons
Another year over – almost – and for pretty much most of the air cargo industry it’s probably a year best forgotten. But as we are, here on the eve of the year-end and a brand new year awaits just around the corner, one cannot help but detect the scent of optimism in air. On the bright side, it appears industry opinion is unanimous that the worst is over and the world is unlikely to plunge back into turmoil in a much feared and – oh so cruel … [Read more...] about A new year beckons
Taking Europe’s air cargo to the rails
Driven by ever-increasing road congestion, airport slot limitations, night bans, high fuel prices and various environmental issues, the idea is to divert express and freight shipments from both road haulage and short feeder-flights to high-speed rail. The idea is to combine aircraft services with high speed rail in Europe, “to create a new intermodality,†says UPS Transport OHG managing director, Christian Messerschmidt. “We need innovative products to meet the 40-50 per … [Read more...] about Taking Europe’s air cargo to the rails