Air France-KLM has posted a 20.5 per cent drop in fiscal first-quarter sales as the continuing weak economic climate depressed air travel and freight demand. Overall revenue totalled €5.19 billion in the three months to 30 June. Cargo revenue dropped 41.5 per cent to €544 million due to a decline in volumes of 22.7 per cent, a 17.2 per cent cut in capacity and a 25.1 per cent fall in yields. Sales in the carrier’s passenger business fell 18.7 per cent to €4.01 … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: “Brutal” market, but AF-KLM stabilising

Air France-KLM may resort to several measures at the end of the summer, including reduced working hours, for the first time in its history to deal with the slump in demand, the airline’s head said in an interview with Le Figaro newspaper, according to Reuters. “We don’t see the slightest bright spot. The reduction in demand in cargo is brutal. The drop is also very large for high-spending customers,” Air France chief executive Pierre-Henri Gourgeon was quoted … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Air France-KLM may cut work hours

In the face of a dire air cargo market, Frankfurt Hahn-based start-up Air Cargo Germany (ACG) has received its air operator’s certificate (AOC) from the German authorities and is expected to start operations shortly. ACG took delivery of the first of two ex-China Airlines B747-400SFs from Avion Aircraft Trading in the first half this year, with the second aircraft expected to be delivered by end-July. The carrier will begin with charter flights with scheduled services starting at an … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Air Cargo Germany soon to be airborne

In the face of a dire air cargo market, Frankfurt Hahn-based start-up Air Cargo Germany (ACG) has received its air operator’s certificate (AOC) from the German authorities and is expected to start operations shortly. ACG took delivery of the first of two ex-China Airlines B747-400SFs from Avion Aircraft Trading in the first half this year, with the second aircraft expected to be delivered by end-July. The carrier will begin with charter flights with scheduled services starting at an … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Air Cargo Germany soon to be airborne

British Airways World Cargo (BAWC) is aiming to improve its cargo yield by increasing its focus on premium products, according to comments published in its in-house newsletter. “The key to improving BAWC’s yield is to sell more premium cargo,” said BAWC’s head of business development, Adam Carson. The move reflects the relatively strong performance in specialist end of the cargo market including pharmaceuticals, currency, perishables, pets and livestock and … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: BAWC to focus on premium cargo

Cargoitalia, the Italian international all-cargo carrier relaunched under new ownership, has received its AOC (Air Operator’s Certificate) but has said it will now delay the planned start of scheduled services until September. The carrier said the receipt of its AOC meant flights could now commence using Cargoitalia’s recently-delivered first MD11F. Although it had originally intended to begin services in May, the carrier said that due to the depressed air cargo market … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Cargoitalia gets AOC, postpones scheduled services