The first test flight of Boeing’s long-delayed 787 Dreamliner passenger plane will happen by the end of 2009, some two years behind schedule, the company has said. Boeing also said it expected to deliver its first Dreamliner in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared with an original delivery date of May 2008. The company added that the new schedule reflects the previously announced need to reinforce an area of the fuselage where the wings meet the body of the aircraft. The company said … [Read more...] about Boeing announces revised 787 schedule
asia cargo news
Korean adds additional B747F to Toronto
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) has announced that Korean Air Cargo, the largest cargo carrier in the world, will be increasing its freighter service at Toronto Pearson. Beginning in early September, the airline will be adding a third weekly B747â€Â400F flight. “We are very happy to see this increase in service from Korean Air Cargo,†said Lloyd McCoomb, president and CEO of the GTAA. “This increased cargo offering is very good for the whole community we … [Read more...] about Korean adds additional B747F to Toronto
Air China to accelerate JV talks with Cathay
Air China will accelerate talks with Cathay Pacific Airways regarding the formation of an air cargo joint venture based in Shanghai, the South China Morning Post reported. The venture is aimed at mounting a stronger challenge to China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines, which are set to merge this year. Air China posted a first-half net profit of US$424.4 million, up 155 per cent year-on-year on the back of rebounding domestic demand and lower fuel costs. Air China board secretary Huang Bin … [Read more...] about Air China to accelerate JV talks with Cathay
Frankfurt night flights still in limbo
A German court has approved a US$5.6 billion expansion plan for Frankfurt airport, Europe’s biggest air cargo hub, but passed the responsibility of deciding on whether night flights would continue, to politicisions. The court ruled that the state of Hesse, where Frankfurt is located, must draw up new rules regulating flights between 11 pm and 5 am. Lufthansa Cargo had warned it will lose tens of millions of dollars a year if the court backed a night flight ban at its global hub. … [Read more...] about Frankfurt night flights still in limbo
US airline pilot union calling for battery ban
The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents pilots in the US and Canada, has asked the US government to ban shipments of lithium batteries on all cargo and passenger flights until measures are taken to ensure such shipments are safe. The proposed ban on the batteries, which are widely used in electronic devices like phones and computers, would not prohibit passengers from carrying batteries on planes. "The evidence of a clear and present danger is mounting. We need an immediate ban … [Read more...] about US airline pilot union calling for battery ban
Dubai Airport sees only slight cargo drop
While much of the world is still realing from the sharp decline in cargo volumes, Dubai International Airport has recorded only a small decline in cargo throughput of 0.76 per cent for the first six months of this year compared with the same period last year. And, it is likely to end the year on the same levels as last year, a senior executive of Dubai Airports said. In the first half of 2009, the airport moved 874,828 tonnes of cargo compared to 2008 when it handled 1.83 million tonnes of cargo … [Read more...] about Dubai Airport sees only slight cargo drop