Growth in Middle East cargo volumes is not necessarily a sign that the region is recovering from a global slowdown, but rather that carriers, particularly those from United Arab Emirates have grown their market share, according to International Air Transport Association (IATA) regional vice president for the Middle East and North Africa, Majdi Sabri. Middle Eastern airlines have boosted available freight tonne kilometres by 11.4 per cent between January and May this year, compared to a 10.4 … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Middle East carriers pick up cargo market share

UAE-based charter operator Maximus Air Cargo is planning to start its own scheduled freighter services. “This will either be under our own commercial responsibility or by going into a partnership with an established flag carrier,” said marketing manager Thomas Bommer. “It’s too early to give specific routes at this stage as we are in the process of analysing different scenarios. We think that Southeast Asia, China and the Indian subcontinent will be among the … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Maximus moves into scheduled services

In response to what it says is growing customer demand, Jet Airways will introduce its second daily service to Bangkok from Mumbai using Boeing 737-800 aircraft, effective 16 August. The airline currently operates a daily service to Bangkok from Mumbai, as well as from Delhi and Kolkata. … [Read more...] about INDIA: Jet Airways announces second daily to Bangkok

India’s Kingfisher Airlines has announced its plans for the next phase of its international route network, with two new routes from this September. The two new routes connect Mumbai with Singapore and Hong Kong with both slated as daily direct return services operated using Airbus A330- 200 aircraft. Kingfisher Airlines has also applied to the Ministry of Civil Aviation to commence operations on the New Delhi – London – New Delhi sector, also using the Airbus … [Read more...] about INDIA: Kingfisher announces new routes to Singapore/HK

The National Aviation Company of India (NACIL), government parent of Air India, will almost double its investment to US$1.7 billion in the current 2009 – 10 fiscal year, the Press Trust of India reported. … [Read more...] about INDIA: NACIL to double investment in Air India

Indian air cargo, hamstrung for a number of years by cost, cargo structure and infrastructure constraints, is set to take off within the next three to four years according to a new report by consultancy firm, Frost & Sullivan. An Indian economy on a solid growth trajectory and ongoing liberalisation of the aviation sector, will be the key drivers which will also see the country emerge as a cargo hub due to its geographic location between SE Asia and EU nations, according to the report. … [Read more...] about INDIA: India set to become key cargo hub say analysts