Air Freight News
Below are links to stories relating to air freight
Two UPS pilots killed as freighter crashes near Dubai
Crew reported radio problems and smoke in the cockpit of the B747-400 freighter shortly before the crash. The cause was not known at the time, but is now known to be a fire caused by lithium batteries. The 2 US pilots had reported problems and were attempting to return to Dubai’s main airport shortly after taking off. The aircraft crashed in an unpopulated area 50 minutes from departure. Non-rechargeable and rechargeable lithium batteries are flammable. (IFW)
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Dubai plans for 48% rise in air cargo traffic – already almost 2 million tonnes per year
Freight volumes at Dubai and the new Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum airports could rise by 48% over the next 5 years, it has been claimed. In its latest traffic forecast, Dubai Airports said cargo tonnage, which totalled 1.9 million in 2009, would exceed 3 million tonnes by the end of 2015. By comparison, Heathrow handled 1,277,650 tonnes of cargo in 2009, East Midlands airport 255,121 tonnes and all UK airports together handled 2,047,861 tonnes. (IFW)
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French government moves towards privatising regional airports
The French government is poised to begin opening-up the capital of the companies operating 4 of the country’s biggest regional airports – Lyon, Nice, Toulouse and Bordeaux – in which the state holds a 60% controlling stake. The other shareholders in these airports are local authorities (around 15%) and the public sector-controlled Chambers of Commerce (25%). It highlights a more pragmatic outlook on the part of the French authorities. (IFW)
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Airports Council International say global air freight grew for 7th month in a row
Airports Council International, representing the world's airports, said global freight volumes have grown by over 20% for the 7th month in a row. June results show that Shanghai, Hong Kong, Frankfurt, Miami, Incheon and Dubai grew by more than 25% compared to June 2009. ACI said total freight tonnage in the first 6 months of 2010 was higher than in the first 6 months of 2008, before the global recession. Domestic freight is still down, so the increase is international.
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Air cargo carriers Cathay and Virgin enjoy profitable start to their year
Cathay Pacific recorded a profitable first half year, with net profit for the first 6 months more than 8 times that in the same period last year, and it said there was strong demand in key markets. Virgin Atlantic Cargo had profitable first quarter, with its revenue increased 36% to £52 million in its 1st financial quarter, ending 30 May, compared with the same period last year.
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Three killed in Alaska cargo plane crash
Three people were killed when a cargo plane crashed into a national park in Alaska. They included the owner of the airline. A Fairchild C-123, registered to All West Freight of Delta Junction, Alaska, crashed into the south slope of Mount Healy in Denali National Park about 290km north of Anchorage. It burst into flames on impact, causing an enormous forest fire. The cause is not yet know. This comes just 4 days after a military cargo crash, in Achorage. (IFW)
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Lufthansa Cargo Plane Crash-Lands in Riyadh After Fire Onboard
A Deutsche Lufthansa AG freight aircraft was destroyed after crash-landing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The pilot of Flight LH8460 reported a fire in the cargo bay of the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as he approached King Khaled International Airport. It was carrying 80 metric tons of freight from Frankfurt to Hong Kong with stop overs. The cause of the incident is being investigated. The weather was good. The pilot and co pilot are not very seriously injured.
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Rise in global, European and UK air freight over the past six months
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Blimps could replace aircraft in freight transport, say scientists
Sir David King has told a conference that massive helium balloons – or blimps – would replace aircraft as a key part of the global trade network as a way of cutting global warming emissions. Boeing and Lockheed Martin were working on designs, and the US defence department had recently made a large grant to help develop the technology. Helium-powered ships might be carrying freight – and even passengers – in as little as a decade's time. (Guardian)
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Freight industry says Coalition plans will damage UK air freight
Shippers say the new coalition government risks weakening the competitiveness of UK air freight. The Freight Transport Assn says coalition plans to impose a per-aircraft emissions tax and to cancel a third runway at Heathrow would drive business to other European countries. It believes the costs involved would cause some express operators to redirect flights from UK airports. The FTA does not want UK measures which reduce the competitiveness of UK firms. (IFW)