The UK's Freight Transport Association (FTA) has rejected government proposals for the introduction of a duty on individual air flights which it says would, for the first time, impose a tax on air freight and reduce the competitiveness of highvalue UK exports. The FTA, which represents the interests of some 12,000 companies in the UK, said that such a tax would add "unnecessary costs to UK air freight services, some of which would switch to continental airports and then truck goods in … [Read more...] about EUROPE: Air cargo opposition to proposed UK tax

Europe's weaker carriers will "downsize and disappear", as the "laws of the jungle" play out under extreme fuel prices and continued expansion by the leading low cost carriers, easyJet CEO, Andy Harrison, has predicted, according to Centre for Aviation. Harrison stated that airlines which operate older, less fuel-efficient fleets and have higher cost bases are particularly vulnerable and his prediction follows statements last month by bmi chairman, Michael Bishop, that … [Read more...] about EUROPE: easyJet predicts collapse of weaker carriers

Swiss has started a new daily service between Zurich and Shanghai with Airbus A340 aircraft, with the daily non-stop connection with mainland China complementing the airline's existing services to and from Hong Kong. The additional capacity is aimed at tapping growing numbers of Swiss tourists visiting China and vice versa, along with growing trade volumes between the two countries which have grown nearly 50 per cent since 2005. "The demand for business travel between Zurich and … [Read more...] about EUROPE: Swiss boosts China network with Shanghai

Airbus has announced recently that production of its superjumbo A380 will take longer than planned, the fourth such delay, meaning it can only produce 12 instead of 13 jets this year and 21 instead of 25 in 2009. Although seemingly minor the added delay - when combined with the previous three - have serious implications for the carriers waiting for these planes, as carefully devised fleet renewal plans delicately hinge on the delivery of the new aircraft. Airbus made the announcement on May … [Read more...] about EUROPE: A380 delay makes for cranky customers