The US Department of Transportation (DOT) announced recently it intends to cancel proposed slot auctions at New York’s three main area airports, reversing a controversial rule put in place by DOT in the waning days of the Bush administration. The plan to requisition slots from airlines at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark and auction them to reduce delays had been tied up in court since it was proposed last fall following legal challenges by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, … [Read more...] about DOT withdraws controversial slot auctions
IATA
Decline slows, but no recovery in sight: IATA
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its international traffic data for April which shows air freight continuing at very weak levels. International cargo was down 21.7% in April compared to previous year levels. This is the fifth consecutive month in the -20 per cent range. “This sideways progression may indicate that we have seen the worst of the economic downturn,†IATA said in a statement. “Business confidence is improving, but inventories remain … [Read more...] about Decline slows, but no recovery in sight: IATA
IATA reiterates carbon neutral growth goal
IATA director-general Giovanni Bisignani has called on governments to deliver a "global and sectoral" approach to reducing aviation emissions in the so-called Kyoto 2 package scheduled for discussion this December. “Air transport is a global industry with a good track record and ambitious targets for environmental performance. But to achieve them, we need governments to take a global approach,†Bisignani said. Bisignani called on governments to define a sectoral approach in Kyoto 2 … [Read more...] about IATA reiterates carbon neutral growth goal
IATA reiterates view that market has bottomed
The global economic crisis-induced air cargo downturn appears to have hit bottom as cargo volumes have remained down around 20 per cent year-on-year since crashing in December, the head of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reiterated recently. "I would say, looking at the numbers, that it has hit bottom," the global association's director-general Giovanni Bisignani told Reuters on the sidelines of an environmental and business conference in Copenhagen which focused on climate … [Read more...] about IATA reiterates view that market has bottomed
Cargo drop stabilised but Swine flu new threat
A stabilisation of global inventory levels has helped stabilise air freight demand and halted the freefall according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as it warned that concerns over a swine flu pandemic could have a significant impact on air traffic. IATA's latest statistics show that air cargo demand has "moved sideways" in the -21 to -24 per cent range since its plunge from -7.9 to -23.2 per cent between October last year and January 2009. Freight demand in March was … [Read more...] about Cargo drop stabilised but Swine flu new threat
100% of IATA carriers meet IOSA safety audit
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that all 224 of its member airlines, comprising 93 per cent of all scheduled international air traffic, are listed on the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registry.  “Today is a momentous day for aviation safety–our number one priority,†said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's Director General and CEO. “IATA membership is now synonymous with best practice in airline safety. This is a great achievement … [Read more...] about 100% of IATA carriers meet IOSA safety audit