Air France last month announced a US$7 billion aircraft order, split between Airbus and Boeing, Reuters reported. The deals include an order for two more A380 superjumbos, whose two-year production delays have left manufacturer Airbus facing penalties to airlines. Air France said it had also placed orders for 30 A320-family single-aisle aircraft from Airbus and 18 wide-body 777 long-haul aircraft from Boeing, including five 777 freighters. The Boeing 777 order is designed to help phase out … [Read more...] about Air France places US$7b plane orders
Air Forwarding
FedEx not ruling out A380 freighter
FedEx has not ruled out completely its interest in an A380 freighter even though it canceled its $2.3 billion order for 10 last November, Air Transport World reported. The magazine quoted FedEx chairman, president and CEO, Fred Smith as saying that the Memphisbased integrator would “look again” at the super freighter. “It’s a great airplane - a marvelous piece of engineering.” But Smith noted that the delays besetting the programme had rendered a freighter version … [Read more...] about FedEx not ruling out A380 freighter
Cologne expects major traffic changes
Cologne airport (CGN) said it will strengthen its general cargo business by convincing additional cargo carriers to serve the Rhine airport. “Presently, about 90 percent of our total tonnage consists of express shipments which are being flown mostly at night times,” said CGN’s general manager Michael Garvens. “However, for a better utilisation of our infrastructure we are keen to attract additional cargo airlines to fly here,” he added. The first encouraging … [Read more...] about Cologne expects major traffic changes
RJA opens upgraded cargo terminal
President, CEO and vice chairman of Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJA), Samer Majali last month inaugurated the first phase of a multi-million dinar investment programme to upgrade the Royal Jordanian Cargo Terminal at Queen Alia International Airport. The first phase included several automated work stations to ease cargo handling, and state-of-the-art forklifts able to move fully laden aircraft pallets with ease. New shelves and pallet storage facilities will be introduced before the end of … [Read more...] about RJA opens upgraded cargo terminal
Airport Parchim gets Chinese owner
The northeastern regional airport of Schwerin-Parchim in Germany has been acquired by Beijing-based LinkGlobal Logistics for an undisclosed amount. The transaction, which will become effective on July 1, is the first of its kind in Europe with a Chinese enterprisetaking over an entire airport. “We want to develop Parchim into an international air freight hub and plan to build a multipurpose industrial and logistics centre at this site,” said LinkGlobal chairman Jonathan Pang. He … [Read more...] about Airport Parchim gets Chinese owner
US airports need to spend $87b
Airports in the US need to spend more than $87 billion for infrastructure and other improvements by 2011 to accommodate increasing passenger and air-cargo demand, according to a study by the Airports Council International North America. In a statement, the group said that “2007 is stacking up to be similar to and in some instances worse than 2000, a year which until now had the dubious distinction of being the peak year for air-travel delays.” Most airport improvement … [Read more...] about US airports need to spend $87b