Air New Zealand said it will consolidate its short-range fleet around Airbus aircraft and will buy 14 new Airbus A320 aircraft, with options for 11 others, to replace its current domestic fleet of 15 Boeing 737-300 aircraft. Air New Zealand’s general manager for short haul operations, Bruce Parton, told Dow Jones the decision was motivated by technical factors, such as the width and cargo system of Airbus aircraft, as well as price. The first A320 will arrive in January 2011, Air New … [Read more...] about NEW ZEALAND: Air NZ places order for 14 A320s

Australia’s International Air Services Commission has allocated capacity rights to Pacific Blue to allow it to start daily services between Australia and Phuket using Boeing 737-800s, which the carriers says it plans to use the capacity fully by April 2010. … [Read more...] about AUSTRALIA: Pacific Blue ok’ed for Australia-Thailand flights

Japan Airlines (JAL) has applied to the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) to revise from 1 January 2010, its international cargo fuel surcharge for flights departing from Japan only. The international cargo fuel surcharge will increase on long-haul international routes from 73 yen (US$0.82) per kg to 80 yen, on medium-haul international routes from 63 yen per kg to 69 yen, and on short-haul routes from 53 yen per kg to 58 yen accordingly. … [Read more...] about JAPAN: JAL Cargo ups fuel surcharge for 2010

A new open skies deal currently being negotiated between the US and Japan could hinge on a Japanese requirement that its domiciled carriers – specifically Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) – are granted antitrust immunity for tie-ups with their US partner airlines. ANA will seek immunity for its partnership with United Airlines and perhaps Continental, while its not clear yet what will be the outcome of the restructuring of financially troubled JAL. JAL … [Read more...] about JAPAN: US and Japan talk open-skies against JAL backdrop

Troubled carrier Japan Airlines (JAL) will discontinue a total of 16 routes starting next month as part of its own efforts to reduce operating costs and cut losses. The airline said it will cut eight international passenger routes, mainly to destinations in Asia along with a further eight domestic passenger routes, including short-haul flights like Tokyo to Kobe, as well as one cargo route. JAL also said it will downsize the aircraft used ona further five routes. Flight frequency on five … [Read more...] about JAPAN: JAL cuts 16 routes, reduces capacity on others

Nippon Cargo Airlines is the latest carrier to turn to the pharmaceutical and perishables sector to help ride out the volatile air cargo market. The Japanese all-cargo carrier has introduced a temperature-controlled service that targets primarily the health care and pharmaceutical industries utilising containers provided by Envirotainer. The containers employ active dry ice-cooling technology and active electrical heating and compressor cooling technology to allow finer temperature … [Read more...] about JAPAN: Nippon Cargo Airlines latest to join pharma trend