On the surface, the proposed Open Skies deal between the EuropeanUnion and the United States, which was approved unanimously by Europe'stransport ministers last month, looks like a tremendous agreement withimmediate benefits for almost all parties concerned. The pact, agreed after four years of talks, will allow any EU airline tofly from any city in the 27-nation bloc to any city in the United States andvice versa. The treaty will also facilitate EU airline consolidation by allowing … [Read more...] about Biggest beneficiaries of EU-US Open Skies are the US integrators
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Virgin’s Asian agenda
Though it has had routes to Asiasince its earliest days, Virgin Atlantic,the UK's second long-haul carrier, isnot inappropriately named. Even todaythe airline moves two thirds of itscargo tonnage on transatlantic routes– 62.6 percent of it in the ten monthsto January, to be precise. However, that share has decreasedsince 9/11, before which over 70 percentof tonnage was trans-Altantic, anda major beneficiary has been Asia. 29.4percent of tonnage came from Asianroutes in the ten months to … [Read more...] about Virgin’s Asian agenda
Shippers' support 3rd terminal at HKIA
The Hong Kong Shippers'Council has come outin support of a proposalto build a third air cargoterminal at the Hong KongInternational Airport as itwill introduce increasedcompetition for more efficientcargo handling andbetter costing. In his message in theShippers' Today, HKSCchairman Willy Lin saidthe new terminal operator,which will be determinedthrough bidding, shouldguarantee that they will passon lower costs to shippers sothere will be less defectionto neighbouring airports. "Cost … [Read more...] about Shippers' support 3rd terminal at HKIA
Challenging' outsourcing trend to continue
"In addition, with the truck bans andnumber coding, there is more demandfor transportation providers," saysVincente Dinglasan, president of IDSPhilippines. Friends call him "Jess." Heexpects outsourcing would continue tobe the trend for most companies.Through information technology(IT), data are readily availableplus improvements in the country'sinfrastructure would resultin operations being increasinglycentralised compared to 15 yearsago when it was a competitive advantageto have as many … [Read more...] about Challenging' outsourcing trend to continue
Airport rent affects Canada's airports
The Canadian Airports Council(CAC) has expressed disappointmentthat the Canadian government's secondfederal budget has failed to address theissue of airport rent. "The rent omission represents aforgotten election campaign questionnairepledge from the Conservativesto lower the fee and tax burden onCanada's aviation sector," said CACpresident and CEO Jim Facette. "For a budget that implements majorelements of 'Advantage Canada',airport rent continues to be a disadvantagefor … [Read more...] about Airport rent affects Canada's airports
ACCC reviews IATA's Cargo Agency programme
The International Air TransportAssociation has made changes to theCargo Agency & IntermediaryProgramme for Australia andpresented them to the IATACargo Executive Council inAustralia for consideration. Brian Lovell, chief executiveofficer of the AustralianFederation of InternationalForwarders Ltd (AFIF)said theAFIF team on this committeehas examined the recommendationsin consultation with theFederation's legal representative. In a statement, Lovell said that AFIFsaid that it was … [Read more...] about ACCC reviews IATA's Cargo Agency programme