South Korea and Japan reached an open skies agreement last month under which their fl ag carriers can freely increase fl ights between the two countries, the government said. In a meeting of the countries' transportation offi cials in Tokyo, the two sides agreed to allow airlines from both countries to regulate passenger and cargo fl ights at their discretion to destinations where international fl ights are allowed, except Tokyo, Yonhap News reported, citing the Transportation Ministry. … [Read more...] about KOREA: S. Korea, Japan ink ‘open skies’ deal

Korean Air’s development into China is getting a boost from its code-share relationship with Chinese partner carriers, the airline said in a statement. Starting October 28, Korean Air will expand codeshare with China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, to include all routes connecting Korea and mainland China operated by both Korean Air and either of the two Chinese carriers. Last year, Korean Air proclaimed China as its second home market. Putting substance to this … [Read more...] about KOREA: KAL expands links with Chinese partners

IJS Global Inc., the US-based air and ocean freight forwarder, customs broker and NVOCC said it has launched operations in South Korea with the opening of a company-owned operation headquartered in Seoul. IJS Global Korea Inc. has locations in Seoul, Masan, Busan and Incheon, with operating facilities in Seoul and Busan. It is headed by Y.S. Lee, a 25- year industry veteran with stints at the former Air Express International Corp., and Menlo Worldwide Forwarding, among others. South … [Read more...] about KOREA: IJS Global opens office in Seoul

Korean Air posted a surprise quarterly net loss last month after it booked US$300 million in fi nes for conspiring to fi x fl ight prices, and faces earnings uncertainty over follow-up civil action,analysts say. “The US price fixing probe has been an uncertainty factor since the investigation started in February 2006, but still the size of the fi ne took me off guard. It’s huge,” Reuters quoted Baik Ji-ae, an analyst at Tong Yang Investment Securities, as saying. … [Read more...] about KOREA: Korean Air posts surprise Q2 loss

Emirates SkyCargo Philippines has deployed short messaging service (SMS) as part of its SkyChain service. Rusela Rubin, Emirates SkyCargo Phils manager said with SMS, Philippine exporters could use text messagingin updating the status of their shipments. “You can get the full status of the shipment online but you also received it by SMS. This will also keep us on our toes because the key Emirates SkyCargo staff in Manila are given the same messages, thus, keeping us informed and be … [Read more...] about PHILIPPINES: Emirates uses SMS for cargo status

Customs and international airport offi cials have given the Offi ce of the Ombudsman in the Philippines the green light to study their air cargo handling operation in a bid to eliminate graft and corruption plaguing thesystem, the Inquirer reported. “We are thankful that the Manila International Airport Authority and the Bureau of Customs have opened up for scrutiny of their system, processes, personnel and records,” Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez said. The threemonth study, … [Read more...] about PHILIPPINES: Ombudsman to probe air cargo graft