British Airways World Cargo (BAWC) is aiming to improve its cargo yield by increasing its focus on premium products, according to comments published in its in-house newsletter. “The key to improving BAWC’s yield is to sell more premium cargo,” said BAWC’s head of business development, Adam Carson. The move reflects the relatively strong performance in specialist end of the cargo market including pharmaceuticals, currency, perishables, pets and livestock and … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: BAWC to focus on premium cargo

Cargoitalia, the Italian international all-cargo carrier relaunched under new ownership, has received its AOC (Air Operator’s Certificate) but has said it will now delay the planned start of scheduled services until September. The carrier said the receipt of its AOC meant flights could now commence using Cargoitalia’s recently-delivered first MD11F. Although it had originally intended to begin services in May, the carrier said that due to the depressed air cargo market … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Cargoitalia gets AOC, postpones scheduled services

Belgium-based Cargo B Airlines is the latest victim of the global economic slump, announcing the immediate cessation of operations. A short statement issued by management said yields were lower than those needed to make a viable operation in the current market and added the situation looked no better in the near future. “The board of Cargo B Airlines, has had no choice but to take the difficult decision to stop its operation with immediate effect. Thanks to the hard work of all our … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: No ‘plan-B’ for Cargo B as carrier folds

Lufthansa Cargo has launched a weekly freighter service to Guadalajara, Mexico from 22 July. The flight, operated by an MD-11 freighter, will fly from Lufthansa’s Frankfurt hub via Dallas/Fort Worth to Guadalajara and again via Dallas back to Frankfurt. Lufthansa said Guadalajara, known as the “Silicon Valley” of Mexico, is an important commercial and industrial market. Lufthansa already operates twiceweekly MD-11 services to Mexico City as well as daily flights … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Lufthansa Cargo launches Guadalajara service

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Japan Customs and Tariff Bureau (CTB) have signed a “mutual recognition arrangement” to align “security standards in international trade partnership programs critical to both countries.” The agreement recognises similarities and mutual standards between Japan’s Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) programme and the US’ Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) programme. The two said … [Read more...] about JAPAN: US & Japan agree on security standards