"The situation is grim." No simpler, nor truer words could be used to sum up the brutal impact of current oil prices is having on the air industry. Spoken by International Air Transport Association (IATA) director general and CEO Giovanni Bisignani, the bluntness underscores the absolute seriousness of the situation. IATA is now revising its earlier forecast of overall airline losses of US$2.3 billion sharply upwards to as high as US$6.1 billion. Even this is somewhat conservative considering … [Read more...] about Brands not flags

For Jett8, which commenced operations a short while ago with a B747-200F provided by Nippon Cargo Airlines, the 747-400 freighter brings better operating economics at a time when soaring fuel prices are undermining the viability of the fuel-thirsty 747-200 freighter onmany sectors. Jett8 now has two 747-200Fs in service, which fl y to points in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, but its Dubai-Manchester Luxembourg run is to be canceled and replaced by services to the Netherlands, Sweden, … [Read more...] about SINGAPORE: Jett8 leases 747-400 freighter from Jade

Saudi Arabian Airlines and Singapore Airlines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for marketing co-operation, establishing a framework focused on developing routes between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Singapore. The non-binding MoU outlines the areas in which the two parties will co-operate to seek new business opportunities, improve airline efficiency and ultimately deliver an enhanced customer experience, the duo said. These areas include: Marketing cooperation (e.g. … [Read more...] about SINGAPORE: SQ cooperation with Saudi Arabian Airlines

Alcoa-SIE Cargo Conversions has announced that it has received supplement type certificate approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China for its 757-200ASF freighter conversion programme. To support the Chinese market, ASCC has also signed a Sales Representative Agreement with Beijing Tuo Hai Consulting Services Company LTD (BTHC). The Alcoa Structural Integrity Engineering joint venture received its initial STC for the conversion in October 2006 (from FAA), and subsequently … [Read more...] about CHINA: Alcoa gains Chinese STC for 757-200 Freighter

Things are looking good for Cathay Pacific Airways and Dragonair, as of May, with traffic figures for the month showing positive growth in the number of passengers carried by the two airlines, though growth failed to keep pace with the increase in capacity. Cargo on the other hand faired better with the increase in cargo tonnage, ringing in higher than the capacity increase. In May the two airlines carried a total of 2,107,610 passengers - an increase of 15.1 per cent over the same month in … [Read more...] about CHINA: Cathay and Dragonair riding high as of May