February 2011

Lufthansa Cargo (LC) is looking to expand its fleet by 25 percent in the next four years and is considering options for new freighters or passenger conversions.

According to Airbus, a confidential report by the World Trade Organization (WTO) to be released in the next few weeks will show that Boeing allegedly received illegal subsidies from the U.S. government.

Emirates, the most recent in a number of carriers exploring scheduled services to Iraq, has commenced passenger and cargo services from Dubai to Basra. The carrier plans to fly A330s to Iraq Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.

PAI Partners is one step closer to acquiring Swissport International. The company has closed secured-bond financing, a major step in the €654 million deal with Swissport's owner Ferrovial, which was first announced in November.

A Dutch airfreight forwarder specializing in perishables, J. van de Put Fresh Cargo Handling, has achieved Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) status.

Up to 35 A320s operated by JetBlue will be outfitted with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, according to a NextGen agreement singed by two parties. JetBlue paid $4.2 million for the service and will also fund crew training and simulation time.

Giovanni Bisignani, IATA director general and CEO, has described aviation as a “sick” industry that makes way too little profit.

Israeli freighter operator CAL Cargo Air Lines is using Traxon Europe’s Air Cargo Customs (ACC) Europe solution to comply with the European Union’s new Import Control System (ICS).

A month after its operational launch, Conqueror Group, which claims to be the world’s first “virtual multinational” freight forwarder network, has reported positive feedback from its first 50 members.