IATA DG and CEO Giovanni Bisignani warned Middle East and North African (MENA) carriers that they are not immune to the current industry crisis and urged them to focus on efficiency, safety and expanding commercial freedoms. Speaking at the Arab Air Carriers Organisation annual general meeting in Tunis, he said the Middle East/North Africa region’s projected US$200 million profit this year (down from US$300 million in 2007) will be generated by “only a handful of carriers, while … [Read more...] about Middle East : Bisignani: MENA carriers face
IATA
Vietnam : Vietnam, US open cargo skies a bright spot
Vietnam and the US have agreed to the terms of an Open Skies agreement that will effectively eliminate restrictions on air cargo routes linking the two countries. The new pact will give air carriers from both countries the go-ahead to carry cargo to or from third countries. The agreement was signed recently in Hanoi, where members of the Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Administration and the US Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs held meetings over the past several weeks at the US … [Read more...] about Vietnam : Vietnam, US open cargo skies a bright spot
EU Council
The EU Council has adopted the European Commission directive to include aviation in the EU emissions trading system. The decision was made “without discussion” at the Council meeting of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers, according to a statement. The EU’s 27 member states now are required to transpose the new directive into national law within 12 months. IATA instantly blasted the decision. “Crisis is not the time for rubber stamps, but that is exactly what the … [Read more...] about EU Council
Schenker adds HK to paper-free target
Schenker Australia has added Hong Kong to destinations using paper-free airfreight shipments from Australia. Last month the company successfully completed first trial shipments with electronic freight documentation on the routes Sydney-Singapore-Sydney with Singapore Airlines and Sydney-Hong Kong-Sydney with Qantas. IATA e-freight is a global project designed to eliminate the need for up to 38 paper documents that accompany air freight shipments. “This is the beginning of a new era … [Read more...] about Schenker adds HK to paper-free target
Insurance alternative to bank guarantees: The Thai experience
Beginning of the year 2001, IATA raised concerns over the aggregated sales volume generated in a period of 30 days by agents far exceeding the current financial collateral at the time. As a result IATA proposed to increase amount of bank guarantees, in order to protect IATA airlines from exposure tofinancial risks. Realising the financial burden upon member agents, the Thai Airfreight Forwarder Association – TAFA consulted with Airlines Cargo Business Cargo – ACBA (known as ACP … [Read more...] about Insurance alternative to bank guarantees: The Thai experience
Sri Lanka: SriLankan takes measures to cut fuel usage
SriLankan Airlines said it is focusing on sharply reducing its fuel usage to counter the challenge posed by high global oil prices. A series of fuel-saving measures has already been implemented, while more will be put in place within weeks, it said. SriLankan is projecting a fuel bill of US$500 million for the current year at present prices, which accounts for approximately 50 per cent of its overall costs. “Fuel is our biggest cost factor by far. While we are significantly reducing … [Read more...] about Sri Lanka: SriLankan takes measures to cut fuel usage
