Polet Airlines took delivery of the first of three IL-96-400T aircraft in mid-July which it acquired from Ilyushin Finance Company (IFC). The contract includes the delivery of three new build airplanes in 2009 and an option for two more jets in 2010. The IL-96-400T is the latest modification of the IL-96 family with a longer fuselage, new engines and new navigation system which enables the company to operate the airplane in international service without limitation. … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Polet takes delivery of first IL-96-400T

Accident investigators are now stating they believe Air France Flight 447 did not break apart in flight, but instead impacted the Atlantic Ocean at high speed in the direction of flight, and with the underside of the fuselage striking the sea first, according to the first interim report from the French air accident bureau (BEA). The lead investigator for the BEA, Alain Bouillard, said that the conclusion was reached after visual examination of the Airbus A330-200 debris, including the tail … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: AF447 likely crashed into ocean intact

Dutch freighter specialist Martinair Cargo launched a new twice weekly India service to the east coast city of Chennai from 2 July using Boeing 747-400ERF aircraft from Hong Kong, Chennai, Sharjah and Amsterdam. According to Martinair senior VP Cargo Sales and Marketing, Meta Ullings, current market trends offer sufficient potential. By expanding capacity, Martinair Cargo hopes to satisfy multiple market demands; the growing demand for airfreight from China to India and the Middle East, … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Martinair launches new Chennai service

The EC (European Commission) announced recently that it had opened a formal investigation procedure to examine whether state aid measures for Belgian postal operator De Post-La Poste were in line with EC Treaty state aid rules. In particular, it will examine the yearly compensation for public service obligations. EC Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes added: “The opening of a formal investigation gives all interested parties a chance to express their views and will help to provide … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: EC investigates Belgian postal operator

Russian media reports suggest that production of the Antonov An-124, the largest commercial aircraft to be mass-produced, could be about to recommence. Talk of a resumption in production first surfaced at the Berlin air show in 2008, but there has been no clear indication from Antonov’s parent company, United Aircraft as to when exactly the aircraft maker would resume the production of the heavy-lift aircraft. Antonov An-124s have been a workhorse of the heavy airfreight sector … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Antonov AN-124s soon back in production

Lufthansa Cargo’s freight volumes fell 14.1 per cent in June to 128,000 tonnes from a year ago, similar to other European cargo carriers, but ending a brief burst of optimism in May when its volumes improved to only a -9.1 per cent drop year-on-year. The drop in June volume left traffic in the first six months of the year down 20.1 per cent from the same period last year at 694,000 tonnes. “In the air freight sector... the market environment remained weak in June,” … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: No repeat of May’s up-tick for Lufthansa