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JORDAN

Royal Jordanian to resume Amman- Baghdad flights

Royal Jordanian (RJ) will resume its Amman-Baghdad flights after an agreement was reached with insurers covering the commercial aircraft flying the route. Insurance underwriters have suspended war risk coverage, following the September 11 terror attacks on New York and Washington. The national carrier will operate four chartered flights a week to the Iraqi capital starting December 14, RJ President and CEO Samer Majali stated to the state news agency Petra .

RJ resumed its Baghdad-bound flights in June, initially operating a bi-weekly flight schedule, the Jordanian airline increase its flights to three in August.

RJ faced a serious financial crisis in the wake of the September 11 events, and received a generous two billion dollar rescue package from the Jordanian government. The company has a fleet of 14 planes, a mix of Airbus 310 AND 320 planes that fly to 47 destinations.

Posted-30^th Dec 01

IRAN

Iran to merge airlines, semi-privatize state carrier

Iran is to shake up its airline industry, opening state carrier Iran Air to the private sector and merging small companies into a second large airline, national aviation chief Behzad Mazaheri was quoted as saying Friday, December 7.

"We are going to merge our small companies into one large private company and open up Iran Air to private capital, creating a new national semi-state firm", state radio quoted Mazaheri, director of the Iranian National Aviation Organization, as saying. Mazaheri gave no other details of the decision.

Apart from Iran Air, the country has a dozen small airlines mainly serving the provinces with leased Russian aircraft, which were set up after the end of the Iran-Iraq war in 1988. Iran Air has been in financial difficulties for several years, and has problems servicing its fleet made up largely of ageing Boeings because of a US trade embargo on Iran.

Since the terror attacks on the United States on September 11 business has fallen off, with revenue falling 20 to 30 percent, leading to cancellation of several international flights for lack of passengers. In October Iran Air announced a 21 percent rise in domestic airfares.

Posted-30^th Dec 01

DNATA cargo superintendent gets a firm grasp on two different worlds

Dnata Cargo's Benjamin Tipatet, Superintendent Cargo Operations, has become the first staff member to complete the IATA Station Management training programme. Having passed with flying colours, Benjamin is now working on an MBA, sponsored by Dnata.

With modules on aspects of airport operations from passenger and cargo handling to ground safety measures, Benjamin believes that the Station Management programme has helped him to "achieve a better understanding of operational challenges and how to confront them effectively."

Benjamin Tipatet pictured at work in the Cargo Terminal at Dubai Air Cargo Village.

Benjamin joined Dnata Cargo from Kenya Airways six years ago. Working in the Cargo Terminal at Dubai Air Cargo Village, one of the world's busiest cargo transit points, where annual growth is regularly in double digits, operational challenges come thick and fast.

Success in the IATA training programme, however, is not Benjamin's only distinction. He is the first Maasai to be employed by Dnata and one of only very few living in the UAE.

Home for Benjamin is Kajiado in Kenya's Rift Valley Province. When he goes back there, he steps not only into another country, but into the traditional Maasai way of life.

He handles both lifestyles with impressive assurance but admits: "In Dubai, I miss speaking my own Maasai language."

Posted 1^st Dec 01

Annual regional meeting of DHL country managers held in Bahrain

DHL pledges commitment to continue regional investment in mid east.
Reinforcing DHL Worldwide’s commitment to the Middle East, the company’s Chief Operating Officer stated that the company’s investment in the region would continue to grow.

Speaking at the annual regional meeting of DHL country managers in Bahrain, Graham Davey said: “We are satisfied with the regional performance and are solidly committed to this region. I want to stress our investments in the Middle East will continue to maintain DHL’s customer-centric global standards.”

In the UAE, DHL’s investment strategy includes the imminent opening of a new Dhs1 million-flagship service, logistics and sales centre in Karama, Dubai and additional outlets in the Northern Emirates.
Eleven country managers from throughout the Middle East attended the Bahrain meeting, which reviewed DHL’s 2001 regional performance, priority projects’ progress as well as plans and business priorities for the coming year.

Posted-15^th Nov 01

Qatar Airways takes delivery of first A320 from airbus

Qatar Airways has taken delivery of its first A320 from Airbus – one of six scheduled for delivery in the next few years, for use on regional routes from its Doha base. Qatar Airways already operates leased A320s, which the new aircraft will progressively complement.

(From left to right) Gustav Humbert, Akbar Al Baker and Jack Phillips of International Aero Engines, at the delivery ceremony in Toulouse.

Airbus’ Chief Operating Officer Gustav Humbert handed over the A320 to Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker, at a ceremony held in Toulouse .

In addition to flying A320s on Middle East services, Qatar Airways currently flies A300-600s on its flights to Europe and Asia. It is also a customer for the A330-200 – deliveries of five aircraft on order begin in 2002 – and for two A380s that it will start receiving in 2007.  In addition, Qatar Airways is the first airline customer for the Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ).

“Qatar Airways has demonstrated vigorous and successful growth in recent years, and it has both the will and the means to keep expanding in size and scope,” says Gustav Humbert.

The Airbus A320 is the world’s most popular and successful airliner, consistently topping independent passenger surveys, as well as being an excellent investment with strong residual value.

Avio-Diepen to launch e-distribution services at Dubai 2001 
 
Global commercial aerospace distribution organisation, Avio-Diepen, will launch its new e-commerce solution at Dubai 2001, the International Aerospace Exhibition, taking place at Airport ExpoDubai in November.

 The new service, ADcommerce, will allow Middle East customers to request quotes (RFQ), place an order and track & trace shipments online.

 "As a major supplier of aerospace parts and components in this region, to both airlines and MROs (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul), we are constantly looking for ways to streamline our services to help lower aircraft operating costs," said Dirk Bakkeren, Vice President Sales, Avio-Diepen.

"We believe our new e-service, ADcommerce, will aid the management of aviation companies by enabling them to RFQ, order and monitor shipments anytime, anywhere."

 The Dutch supplier of aircraft parts and components, is also planning to announce several new distributorships.

Emirates achieves full e-business cargo bookings

IRAN 

Iran buys six Airbus planes from Turkey

Iran's National Aviation Organization (NAO) has purchased six Airbus 310-200 from Turkey, a report said Sunday, July 29. The purchase was approved by the country's high economic council and will be paid in installments until 2009, the Hamshahri business daily reported. It did not give either the date of the deal, or the purchase price.

Two of the Airbus planes, manufactured in 1985 and 1986, are already in service in Iran, while the four others will join the country's fleet by the end of September, it added.

The fleet of national Iran Air comprises some 30 aircraft, most of them built by US company Boeing before Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. Many of them are in need of renovations while the country's demand for flights has increased.

The US sanctions imposed on Iran, especially in high-tech goods, and "with the financial impossibility of buying new planes," according to the economic council, means it is constrained to upgrading its fleet by buying used planes

Posted-30^th Dec 01

JORDAN

RJA Internet enable cargo operation center

The installation of wireless data entry and bar-coding solution from Symbol Technologies at Jordan’s Queen Alia International Airport’s air freight terminal, is expected to speed up cargo handling and allow online tracking via Internet.

“The system allows the airline to provide on-the-spot bookings and instant online status reports on cargo movements through every point of the freight transport process. All terminal operations are controlled by automated storage and information systems based on an in-house computer system," said Mohamad Murtada, assistant vice president at Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJA), who added that this project is a major step in the total revamp of the processes and techniques utilized by RJA.

GCEsoft (General Company for Electronics and Software), Symbol Technologies’ Jordanian business partner, designed and engineered the solution in co-operation with the RJA’s IT department.

Jamal Saudi, director of information technology at the airline said "Wireless communications will have a major impacts on the new planned services such as Wireless check-in, baggage reconciliation and aircraft handling at Queen Alia International Airport, giving us the ability to provide safe, reliable, on-line and cost effective services to our customers."

Posted-30^th Dec 01

New Emirates aircraft dock opens for Business

Emirates engineers have successfully completed the first major maintenance check on a Boeing 777-300 using a new computer-controlled US$ 4.5m aircraft docking system recently installed at the airline’s Dubai International Airport maintenance base.

The massive custom-built 330-tonne facility gives engineers safe access to all areas of Emirates’ multi-million dollar jetliners at up to 60 feet above ground. Built off-airport 14 kilometers from its final home, it was moved into place in the depths of the night.

Two giant trucks carried 14 separate components over specially closed roads to Emirates’ giant hangar, where the pieces were assembled to create the new “smart” computer-controlled docking system.

This adjusts itself automatically to fit the differing profiles of Emirates’ Boeing 777-200/300s and Airbus A300, A310 and A330s, plus many older aircraft, and will also house the latest long-range A340-500s entering Emirates service from next year.

As the world’s most versatile multi-aircraft dock, it will allow the Dubai-based international airline to compete for third-party maintenance work for customers throughout the region, helping to reinforce Dubai’s position as a global aviation hub.

Posted 1^st Dec 01

FedEx Corp. Announces Stock Repurchase Program 

FedEx Corporation (NYSE:  FDX) has announced that its Board of Directors has authorized management to repurchase, within its discretion, up to 5 million shares of the company’s common stock.

The company said purchases might be made in the open market and in negotiated or block transactions.  FedEx currently has 298 million shares outstanding.

With annual revenues of $20 billion, FedEx Corp. is the premier global provider of transportation, e-commerce and supply chain management services.  The company offers integrated business solutions through a network of subsidiaries operating independently, including: FedEx Express, the world's largest express transportation company; FedEx Ground, North America's second largest provider of small-package ground delivery service; FedEx Freight, a leading provider of regional less-than-truckload freight services; FedEx Custom Critical, the world's largest provider of expedited time-critical shipments; and FedEx Trade Networks, a provider of customs brokerage, consulting, information technology and trade facilitation solutions.

Posted-18^th Nov 01

Fashion Leader Liz Claiborne selects Bax Global to handle Logistics

Fashion leader Liz Claiborne Inc. has named BAX Global , a $2.1 billion transportation and supply chain management company, to handle its Asia logistics and provide international transportation services.
The first orders will be handled through BAX Global's new apparel center at its Hong Kong logistics center which will be serving Liz Claiborne customers in the Middle East, according to Louis DiDonato, BAX Global Accounts Manager
The logistics award follows a major, one-year contract received by Irvine-based BAX from Liz Claiborne Inc. last year to serve as its freight forwarder for imports to the U.S.

Emirates to introduce new flights to key business cities

EXTRA flights by Emirates, the award-winning Dubai-based international airline, are being introduced on two key business routes this winter.

The flights, which are subject to Government approval, will serve Johannesburg, South Africa and Tehran, both of which offer fast-growing commercial opportunities.

South Africa’s economic strength and tourist appeal have prompted a surge in demand. Iran’s strong links to Europe, notably Britain, Germany, France and Italy, have kept bookings strong, month after month.

From 1^st December, Johannesburg departures rise from daily to 10 a week, all flown by Emirates’ latest quiet, fuel-efficient Airbus A330s.

Like the daily services, the new frequencies, carrying joint Emirates/South African Airways flight codes, will leave Dubai International Airport at 9.55am on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, returning next day.

From 1^st January 2002, Emirates’ daily A330 Tehran services also rise from seven to 10 a week. The new flights leave Dubai on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 1.55am, returning to Dubai the same morning early enough for a full day’s work.

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Top

Airbus's largest airliner successfully completes maiden flight

Airbus's largest airliner to date, the A340-600 successfully completed its maiden test flight which lasted more than five hours. It has a maximum take off weight of 365 tons.

Egypt Air and Emirates have already committed to an order of this version. This carrier offers more revenue-earning power with its excellent cargo carrying capabilities.

Containerized or palletized cargo can be accommodated in both the front and rear under-floor holds. This is possible due to the volume efficiency of the Airbus' wide body design. After allowing for full passenger baggage in containers, the A340-600 offers space for ten under-floor freight pallets, twice the capacity of the 747-400.

Yemen Airways plans joint venture

To further its cargo activities, Yemen Airways is now planning to establish a joint venture freighter service to cater for the increasing market demand and existing cargo traffic potential to/from the Republic of Yemen. Besides carrying cargo in the belly of their passenger aircrafts Yemenia Cargo has 2 dedicated freighters, an IL-76 and an AN-12. The airline also has plans to expand its fleet and is holding talks with Boeing and Airbus Industries to purchase 2 planes, a decision on which will be made soon. Yemenia Cargo's network extends to various prominent destinations in the Middle East and the Indian Sub-continent. Also operating to destinations in East Africa (Addis Ababa, Asmara, Djibouti, Khartoum, Nairobi and Moroni), it carries every type of cargo -perishables, valuables, rush items, machinery, live animals, fragile shipments, and mail and courier consignments. 

UAE

Al-Futtaim Logistics signs-up Jotun Paints

Al- Futtaim Logistics has recently been awarded a contract to provide transportation logistics services for Jotun paints in the UAE

Al-Futtaim Logistics will deploy dedicated equipment for intensive operations between the manufacturing plant in Rashidiya and the Jotun Paints distribution Centre in Al Qouz. The 15 metre curtain-side trailers, which provide maximum load protection as they are fully closed, also allow for fast and effective loading and off-loading through the rear door and the sides.

Mr. Kjell Gundersen the Operation Manager for Jotun Paints commented “Jotun’s business is to develop, manufacture and market cost effective and environmentally complaint products and services of high quality for the protection and decoration of surfaces in home, marine and industrial use. We look to Al-Futtaim Logistics to provide the logistical support to make this possible by delivering products where they are required in a timely and cost efficient manner. Through this competence, Jotun looks forward to strengthening its competitive qualities in the GCC region.”

Mr. Pall Hermannsson, General Manager Al- Futtaim Logistics, remarked, “We are very glad to partner with Jotun Paints to fulfill their logistics requirements in this market.”

Posted-28^th Feb 02

UAE

Emirates drops surcharge

EMIRATES SKYCARGO has removed its fuel surcharge on cargo with immediate effect, in line with other international airlines, following the fall of the fuel index to below 110 points.

When fuel prices experienced a sharp increase in November 2000, the airline along with the majority of other international carriers, implemented a surcharge of US$10 cents per kilo.

"Fuel prices had more than doubled at the time", says Emirates South African cargo manager Kum Naicker. Instead of raising rates at the time we opted for a surcharge which we believed was far fairer to the customer."

Posted-9^th Feb 02

IRAN 

Iran appoints new head of state carrier Iran Air

The Iranian cabinet on Sunday appointed Davoud Keshavarzian as the new head of the country's state carrier Iran Air, press reports said Monday.

Keshavarzian, former governor of the northern Mazandaran province, replaces Ahmad-Reza Kazemi after four years.

State-run Iran Air has a fleet of some 30 aircraft, most of which are Boeings purchased before the 1979 Islamic revolution.

For several months now Iran Air officials have been stressing the need to renew the ageing fleet, suffering from lack of maintenance because of unilateral US sanctions which bar Tehran from buying new aircraft from US manufacturer Boeing.

Late last year, Iran Air announced Iran would buy an additional four A-330 jets from European maker Airbus in 2001, in addition to four ordered the previous year. The total value of the deal is estimated at $720 million.

Industries Minister Gholamreza Shafei said in December that Iran Air alone would need seven billion dollars to purchase new planes and refurbish its old ones.

Posted-30^th Dec 01

UAE

FedEx expands services in UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait

UAE customers of the international parcel transportation company, Federal Express, will now on be able to receive or dispatch packages 24 hours a day, seven days a week. According to a company press release, FedEx has further expanded is network to service clients in Bahrain and Kuwait as well.

According to the company, package drop-off has been extended to 24-seven basis in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, operating until 12:00 am at selected locations in Kuwait and Bahrain.

According to Tayssir Awada, the senior manager of operations for FedEx Middle East, the company is the first express transportation company in these three countries to offer such an extensive service.

Posted-30^th Dec 01

UAE

GAC signs first global agreement with Emirates Sky Cargo

Mogens Debracy (left) and Gunnar Lundgren after signing GAC's first global agreement with an airline. With them is Peter Orange of Gulf Agency in Dubai.

In its first ever global agreement with an airline, Gulf Agency Company (GAC)-the largest independent shipping agent in the world operating in 38 countries- has signed a one-year agreement with Emirates SkyCargo for the use of the airline's services at all destinations in which both companies are located.. Though initially for one year, both sides are looking long-term and see the working partnership continuing.

The agreement assures GAC of preferential treatment by Emirates SkyCargo in terms of capacity and market rates, while GAC is committed to transporting airfreight on Emirates.

Peter Orange, GAC's Sales Manager, Freight Services states, "As GAC and Emirates SkyCargo both share the same values of quality and meeting customer needs, we can create a powerful door-to-door solution for customers on all continents.”

Confirmed space allocations and a balanced rate structure give both GAC and Emirates the chance to provide long-term solutions for the customer that are both cost effective and service-oriented.

Mogens Debracy, Emirates' Cargo Global Accounts Sales Manager, states, "We see GAC as a natural partner, sharing our values and who is also committed to an expansion programme in Europe and Asia which dovetails neatly with our own. Part of Emirates' long term strategy is to work with dynamic partners like GAC who share our values of service excellence and value for money."

As a preferred partner of Emirates SkyCargo, GAC will also receive support including information technology, training and marketing for all its local offices. The other benefits from Emirates SkyCargo, include the monitoring of performance and monthly updates on revenue achievement by station as well as quality performance measurement.

EMIRATES and CAE to launch business jet training at new aviation training center

Emirates, the international airline of the UAE, and CAE of Canada have announced the launch of ‘Gulfstream’ business jet training at the new Emirates Aviation Training Centre, set to open in Dubai in early 2003.

The move follows their announcement in July of an agreement to build and jointly operate the centre, which will be located adjacent to the existing Emirates training facility. The initial investment under the ten-year agreement is approximately US$100 million, with equal participation by Emirates and CAE.

Emirates’ Chairman, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, said: “The introduction of business jet training reaffirms Emirates’ commitment to the continued development of aviation training in the region.”

The centre, when completed, will be a state-of-the-art training facility incorporating modern classrooms and briefing rooms.  It will initially house five Full Flight Simulators (FFSs), with provision for seven more.

Anchor customer Qatar Airways will begin training in April 2002 at a transitional facility in the Dubai Airport Free Zone.  This facility will house two full flight simulators, an Airbus A319/A320/A321 and a Boeing 737 NG, until their relocation to the new centre when it opens in early 2003.

Karnik named Delta Senior VP - Network & Revenue

Delta Air Lines has appointed Subodh Karnik as senior vice president – Network and Revenue Management, to head the airline’s network analysis, schedule planning, pricing and revenue management.

Karnik, 41, previously held the post of vice president of the finance and corporate development department, where his duties included corporate financial analysis and fleet planning.

“Subodh’s leadership of this critical area of the company will help ensure that Delta continues as one of the most profitable airlines in the world, taking advantage of the greatest revenue opportunities available in today’s challenging environment,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Vicki Escarra. “His outstanding performance since joining Delta and his extensive background in finance and marketing at other major airlines make him the perfect choice for this key position.”

Karnik joined Delta in 1999 as vice president-Finance for the company’s marketing and international division. His airline industry experience includes positions at Continental Airlines and Northwest Airlines. His career also includes internal and external consulting posts at Ernst & Young and Unilever.

Mumbai-born Karnik, is a graduate of Birla Institute of Technology & Science, India, and the University of Michigan Business School.  

Abu Dhabi International Airport to create UAE's first bonded airport free zone

Building work is currently underway at Abu Dhabi International Airport to create UAE's first bonded airport free zone. A new 32,250 square metre extension to the airport's existing 16,000sq.m cargo terminal is underway and is expected to be operational from February 2002. The facility will include 8,760 square metres of ground floor warehousing space and 5,335 square metres of office accommodation at mezzanine floor.

A large section of the terminal's airside warehouse space will be given 'bonded free zone status'. Speaking about this facility, Mohamed Rashed Al Mohanadi, General Manager, Abu Dhabi Airport Services states, "Companies working from the bonded free zone area will have direct access to aircraft parking stands allowing goods to be rapidly unloaded from incoming aircrafts. This import will then be processed or finished within the zone itself and re-exported again in the fastest possible time. The bonded free zone will thus no doubt increase the cargo movement at the airport."

The new cargo complex at Abu Dhabi's International Airport will offer twelve cold stores each measuring 11square metres as well as individual storage areas for goods including high value cargo, perishables and restricted articles. Additionally, it will provide exclusive space for commercial freight forwarding companies, as well as parking facilities, loading and unloading docks for 22 trailers and 55 standard size trucks and cars.

Abu Dhabi's International Airport's existing cargo terminal already handles over 1,000 tonnes of airfreight daily. These new enhanced facilities will effectively double its cargo handling capacity.  

Cargolux offers extended gulf service

Cargolux Airlines is now offerings its clients a second Gulf turnaround flight, following increased demand for capacity in the Gulf area. Flight CV7826/CV7837 is now operating every Saturday via Kuwait and Sharjah, in addition to the existing one on Tuesdays operated via Damascus and Dubai, with return via Karachi. 

Commodities to Kuwait and Sharjah mostly include fresh produce and general cargo, and sea-air traffic on the return, plus local products destined for Europe.