Estimated losses for the global air industry are expected to nearly double from December's forecast for 2009 as air carriers grapple with the worst crisis in over 60 years, with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) saying a significant recovery in 2010 would "require more optimism than realism". The IATA has announced a revised outlook for the global air transport industry with losses of US$4.7 billion in 2009, significantly worse than its December forecast of US$2.5 billion in … [Read more...] about IATA ups '09 forecast with $4.7B industry loss
asia cargo news
Narita airport reopens main runway
Tokyo's Narita international airport reopened its main runway Tuesday, freeing up desperately needed capacity at Japan's busiest international airport a day after a FedEx cargo plane crashed in a ball of fire, killing two US pilots. Workers overnight cleared the charred wreckage of the MD-11 from the crash site near the 4,000-metre Runway A, which usually handles more than 350 flights a day. The runway, the longer of two at Narita International Airport was reopened shortly after 9 am (0010 GMT) … [Read more...] about Narita airport reopens main runway
Etihad Crystal Cargo boosts African coverage
Etihad Crystal Cargo has said it will now operate its A300-600 freighter aircraft between Abu Dhabi and Nairobi twice a week following a new interline deal with Astral Aviation, giving the Abu Dhabi-based carrier access to seven destinations across Africa, including: Entebbe, Zanzibar, Dar Es Salaam, Mwanza, Juba, Kigali and Bujumbura. “This interline agreement is a very important addition to our airline’s cargo division and will help to continue the rapid growth of our … [Read more...] about Etihad Crystal Cargo boosts African coverage
Security stepped up Indian airports
Three international airports in India's southern state of Kerala - Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode - have stepped up security after a 21 March threat of attacks by Sri Lankan rebel group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Last month, two light aircraft of the LTTE bombed Sri Lanka's main Revenue Department building near its Air Force headquarters killing at least two persons before the aircraft were brought down by the military. Colombo International Airport was closed and … [Read more...] about Security stepped up Indian airports
Sri Lankan Air slashes India capacity
Sri Lankan Airlines has slashed flights to India from 100 a week to 51, as part of a cost-cutting strategy and re-aligning of services to conserve cash and maximise yields, the carrier's CEO Manoj Gunawardena said recently. Cochin, Calicut, Coimbatore and Hyderabad - which primarily carried traffic between the Middle East and the the Far East - were dropped from the carrier's network while Indian destinations generating traffic to and from Sri Lanka have been maintained. Competition on Indian … [Read more...] about Sri Lankan Air slashes India capacity
US forwarders say screening hurdles remain
Testifying recently before a US congressional subcommittee, the executive director of the US Airforwarders Association (AFA), Brandon Fried, acknowledged progress had been made on screening cargo in the belly holds of passenger aircraft, but warned three primary challenges still faced the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) aim of 100 per cent screening by the August 2010 deadline. "Serious issues have yet to be resolved, including the lack of approved pallet screening technology, … [Read more...] about US forwarders say screening hurdles remain
