The planned tie-up between American Airlines, British Airways and Spain’s Iberia moved a step closer to concluding recently after European competition authorities issued their list of objections to the venture. Among the competition department’s concerns is the disproportionate grip the three airlines would have on key Europe-to-US routes, including those between London Heathrow and Miami and Dallas. The carriers argue that the landmark ‘open skies’ … [Read more...] about AMERICAS: EU regulators issues concerns over tie-up

American Airlines Cargo Division (AA Cargo) has joined a swath of other airlines seeking to tap the higher yield perishables and pharma market, announcing recently the launch of its express temperaturecontrolled service – ExpediteTC. The airline is now offering ExpediteTC to its customers worldwide; following what it said was a highly successful trial in the early summer across 10 international origin and destination city pairs. AA Cargo said it worked closely with specialist … [Read more...] about AMERICAS: American jumps onto perishables bandwagon

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) presented its proposals for December’s climate change talks to the UN Secretary General’s Summit on Climate Change in New York, committing the industry to three sequential targets which IATA’s director general and CEO described as “tough” targets. The three targets – backed by all 230 IATA members – include improving carbon efficiency with a 1.5 per cent average annual … [Read more...] about AMERICAS: Airlines present climate change proposals

The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has published in the Federal Register an interim final rule to implement its air cargo screening programme known as the Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP). The CCSO enables the TSA to certify facilities in the air cargo supply chain to screen air cargo before turning it over to carriers. The rule – which provides guidelines for applying to become a CCSF, operation of CCSFs, and approval of firms and individuals who will … [Read more...] about AMERICAS: TSA invites comments on cargo screening

In a further indication of an Asianled recovery of the air cargo sector, Los Angeles International Airport reported its busiest month for freight in nearly a year in August and the fourth straight month-to-month improvement in cargo volumes. North America’s largest gateway for the trans-Pacific air cargo trade, reported a 5.1 per cent fall in August cargo volumes compared to the same month a year ago, but the decline marked the slimmest Los Angeles has recorded since April 2008 … [Read more...] about AMERICAS: LAX sees slimmest cargo decline of the year

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) has reduced landing fees and terminal charges by 10 per cent at Toronto Pearson International Airport, effective 1 January 2010, for the third year running. The authority noted that at a time when the aviation industry is struggling with declines in traffic, the reduction will result in estimated savings of C$58.4 million to the airline industry at Toronto Pearson next year. Cumulatively, since 2007, the GTAA has reduced landing fees by 13.1 per … [Read more...] about AMERICAS: Toronto Pearson cuts landing, terminal fees