Singapore-based low cost carrier Tiger Airways is embarking on initiatives involving cargo pilot conversion and multi-pilot licensing (MPL). The cargo pilot training program will re-train cargo pilots who have lost their jobs due to the slump in the global air cargo industry and place them with Tiger, which has 56 A320 aircraft on order. The carrier is partnering the Singapore Aviation Training Academy and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore to sponsor MPL and ensure all standards are met. … [Read more...] about SINGAPORE: Tiger Air to retrain cargo pilots

Singapore Airlines Cargo has begun a weekly cargo flight to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport using 747-400 freighter aircraft which will return to Singapore via Europe and the Middle East. For the year through July, Hartsfield- Jackson recorded a 23 per cent drop in cargo volume compared with the same period of 2008. Passenger traffic had a much smaller decline of 2.8 per cent during the same period. The service is the first ‘around-theworld’ freighter service at … [Read more...] about SINGAPORE: SIA starts new freighter service to Atlanta

Air China Cargo launched a new three times weekly route between China and Europe this week utilising Boeing 747 equipment on the route from Shanghai- Beijing to Vienna-Milan. “We have seen a recovery in the global cargo business, so we plan to enhance our presence in middle and southern Europe,” said Yao Jun, president of Air China Cargo. “But it’s still too early to predict when the route will be profitable because freight rates are still 20 per cent to 30 … [Read more...] about CHINA: Air China Cargo launches Europe service

China’s Xi’an Aircraft Industry (XAC) will deliver the first set of fully equipped wings to Airbus’ A320 aircraft final assembly line in north China’s Tianjin in the first quarter of next year, the China Daily reported. The wing equipping work will start next month in Tianjin at a site close to the final assembly line, the newspaper said, citing Laurence Barron, president of Airbus China. Airbus will also create a logistics center in Tianjin to … [Read more...] about CHINA: A320 to get China-made wings next year

China and Pakistan’s free trade zone service agreement, signed earlier this year, is set to take effect on 10 October, according to the People’s Daily. The agreement will cover goods, trade, service trade, and investment between China and Pakistan. … [Read more...] about CHINA: China, Pakistan FTA to take effect next month

China’s domestic air traffic is expected to expand at an annual growth rate of 8.2 per cent over the next 20 years, state media reported, citing the country’s largest aircraft manufacturer, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). AVIC said China will need 3,798 new aircraft over the next two decades, including 2,922 jumbo jets and 874 regional jets. “As some air routes already run flights every 30 minutes to handle the huge passenger traffic, we expect more … [Read more...] about CHINA: China traffic to grow 8.2% over next 20 years