Martinair Cargo has delivered four white rhinos from Prague to Nairobi with a Boeing 747 BCF. A successful breeding programme of the Czech Zoo Dvur Králové enables them to bring these special animals who are threatened by extinction, into the wild. After arrival in Kenya they continued their journey by truck to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, where they were released in a special habitat where they will stay to get used to living in the wild. The unique cargo is not the first for … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Martinair Cargo flies white rhinos to freedom

Alitalia and Etihad Airways have signed a codeshare agreement from the start of the summer season in April 2010, subject to government approvals. Under the proposed deal, Etihad will place its two-letter ‘EY’ code on a number of services operated by Alitalia from Milan to Rome and Naples, and between selected European destinations and Rome, including Frankfurt, Geneva and Munich. In turn, Alitalia will place its ‘AZ’ code on Etihad’s flights … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Alitalia and Etihad sign codeshare

Wataniya Airways, Kuwait’s newest carrier, commenced cargo operations on 1 November 2009, offering premium and express products to the region using its growing fleet of A320 aircraft. Wataniya Airways Cargo plans to offer a quality service that it says will “match and exceed the service levels of its regional competitors.” “We are a premium service airline operating A320 aircraft from Kuwait to eight major destinations in the Gulf and the Middle East,” … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Wataniya Airways is Kuwait’s latest airline

Bedek Aviation Group is set to deliver its first Boeing 767-300ER Bedek special freighter to EuroAtlantic Airways of Portugal, marking the first 767 type conversion. A second 767-300 BDSF owned by Guggenheim Aviation Partners currently is in the last stage of conversion. Bedek developed the 767-300ER Bedek Special Freighter programme with M&B Conversions of Dublin, a joint venture between Mitsui Co. of Japan and Israel Aerospace Industries/Bedek. The 767-300 BDSF has a 57-tonne maximum … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Bedek readies first 767ER conversion for delivery

Abu Dhabi will be the site of a new, major research institution and demonstration project dedicated to sustainable energy solutions. The initiative, known as the Sustainable Bioenergy Research Project (SBRP), is being established by the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Etihad Airways and Honeywell’s UOP and will use integrated saltwater agricultural systems to support the development and commercialisation of biofuel sources for aviation and coproducts. As part of … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: New bio-energy research centre for Abu Dhabi

India’s Kingfisher Airlines led the country’s domestic airlines in terms of market share, with a full-year 2009 market share of 23.9 per cent (equal to 10.5 million passengers), followed by Jet Airways with a 17.9 per cent share, Air India with 17.5 per cent, IndiGo at 13.9 per cent, Spicejet with 12.4 per cent and JetLite 7.5 per cent. … [Read more...] about INDIA: Kingfisher is king of Indian skies