American Airlines Cargo Division (AA Cargo) has announced it has expanded the weight limit for its international Priority Parcel Service (PPS) to provide customers with additional flexibility in shipping heavier, time-sensitive packages. PPS Heavyweight provides a per piece weight limit increase to 46 kilogrammes for shipments originating in the US to all countries worldwide, with the exception of Japan. … [Read more...] about AMERICAS: AA Cargo ups priority parcel weight limit

US air freight traffic grew 22.1 per cent in the first quarter, aided by strong growth in international markets, according to the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics. But overall freight traffic for US carriers still remained below that of 2004 after several years of weak or declining cargo traffic for US carriers. The growth in the first quarter included a 9.8 per cent increase in domestic air cargo, helped by 40 per cent year-on-year gains in domestic traffic by Delta Air Lines and … [Read more...] about AMERICAS: US air cargo grew 22 per cent in 1Q

Brazil’s TAM has announced an order for 20 new Airbus A320 family aircraft and five A350-900, bringing the total number of orders for Airbus aircraft to 176 - including 134 aircraft of the A320 family, 15 A330-200 and 27 A350 XWB. The A320 and A350 XWB aircraft will operate on existing routes in TAM’s network. In respect to the 20 orders from A320 (A319, A320 and A321) family, ten shall be delivered in 2014 and the remaining ten in 2015. … [Read more...] about AMERICAS: TAM Linhas Aéreas places 25 aircraft order

Boeing has received expanded type inspection authorisation (TIA) from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its new 747-8 Freighter which clears the way for FAA personnel to participate in test flights and collect required data. “This is a major step in our effort to test and certify the 747-8 Freighter for our customers,” said Mo Yahyavi, vice president and general manager for the 747 programme, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The airplane is performing well in … [Read more...] about AMERICAS: Boeing 747-8 Freighter reaches next test phase

The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) has warned that a rumored move by the UK government to replace the existing Airline Passenger Duty with a new per-aircraft flight fee would result in higher taxation across the air cargo supply chain, increased costs for manufacturers and consumers and deliver no new environmental benefits. TIACA is adding its voice to those of national associations in the UK, stating that such a change in legislation would see all flights assessed, including … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: TIACA warns UK against new flight fee