Express operator TNT is enhancing its service capacity between China and Europe with the addition of a new dedicated B747-400ER freighter. Non-stop flights will operate between Hong Kong and TNT's European air hub in Belgium. This will allow faster transit times, control and visibility over shipments moving between Asia and Europe, while optimising its costs and fleet utilisation, TNT said. TNT says that with its geographical and economic proximity to the Pearl River Delta and its central … [Read more...] about TNT puts own freighter on HK, Europe route
asia cargo news
Air France-KLM shifts KLM freighters to Martinair
Air France-KLM, Europe's biggest airline, is set to transfer its freighter operations to Martinair, its low cost Dutch subsidiary as part of a radical restructuring of its suffering cargo business. The group also plans to intensify the selling of cargo space in the bellies of its passenger aircraft. At the same time, Air France-KLM will hike its freight rates by between 20 per cent and 30 per cent in October. Air France-KLM, including Martinair, operated 29 freighters at the end of June … [Read more...] about Air France-KLM shifts KLM freighters to Martinair
Air cargo upturn underway, but “fragileâ€Â
Signs of a clear, but fragile recovery in air cargo demand are being driven by companies restocking inventories which have run low, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said on Thursday. But this pick up would remain “fragile†as long as economic recovery is driven by the inventory cycle, and not by increased consumption and business investment, IATA warned. International air freight demand was 11.3 per cent lower in July than the same month in 2008, a considerably … [Read more...] about Air cargo upturn underway, but “fragileâ€Â
AF-KLM follows Lufthansa in announcing hefty rate hikes
Following closely on the heels of Lufthansa Cargo’s recent announcement that it will raise its rates by 25 per cent, Air France-KLM Cargo has followed suit with a similar announcement of rate hikes. In a nearly identical move by AF-KLM, the Franco-Dutch carrier announced via an email to its customers that it would increase its rates by as much as 30 per cent from next month. “The results of Air France Cargo-KLM Cargo are under severe pressure given the extraordinary market … [Read more...] about AF-KLM follows Lufthansa in announcing hefty rate hikes
Lufthansa hikes rates, talks global fleet grounding
Lufthansa Cargo has announced a sharp hike in its freight rates as it continues to talk up the possibility of grounding freighters, this time not because of night restrictions, but the poor economic climate. In a letter to its customers at the end of August, Lufthansa Cargo said it is intending to unilaterally increase rates worldwide by 25 per cent. In the letter executive board member Andreas Otto writes: “In order to meet the current market challenges, we will gradually raise our rates … [Read more...] about Lufthansa hikes rates, talks global fleet grounding
Lufthansa threatens to dump freighter fleet
Lufthansa has threatened to close its fleet of freighter aircraft if restrictions on night flights are imposed on its hub at Frankfurt. Carsten Spohr, the CEO of Lufthansa Cargo was quoted by Reuter's last week as saying that it might no longer pay to have its own cargo fleet. “Everything that goes toward a single-digit number (of flights allowed per night) would mean that it no longer pays off to have our own cargo fleet," he said according to the report. His comments come after a recent … [Read more...] about Lufthansa threatens to dump freighter fleet