Air Cargo World News

As more countries sign up to the Montreal Convention, the number of trade lanes open to electronic Customs filings will increase. But in an IATA media briefing this week, Des Vertannes, the association’s global head of cargo, warned that overnight change is not a given. Some governments that are demanding advance electronic data as part of the supply-chain security process still require paper in their own Customs procedures. read more

Russia’s Volga-Dnepr Airlines hauled key parts of the launch vehicle utilized for NASA’s historic, multibillion-dollar mission to Mars. The carrier, which has worked with NASA in the past, employed an AN-124-100 “Ruslan” freighter to execute the task. read more

The International Air Transport Association has downgraded its 2012 forecast for airline profits from $4.9 billion to $3.5 billion. The biggest reason for the downgrade appears to be the economic unease permeating the eurozone. read more

Randy Babbitt has resigned as chief of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration halfway through his five-year term after being placed on administrative leave following his December 3 arrest for drunken-driving. Deputy Administrator Michael Huerta replaces him. read more