Air Cargo News

AirGuide Business, Feb 4, 2008

Feb 4, 2008

Airbus, MatlinPatterson Global Advisers

Airbus said MatlinPatterson Global Advisers placed an order for six Airbus A330-200 freighters for placement with companies in its portfolio such as Varig Logistica and Global Aero Logistics (holding company of ATA Airlines, World Airways and North American Airlines). Airbus now has sold 72 A330-200Fs to eight customers. Jan 30, 2008

Emirates SkyCargo

Emirates SkyCargo and Dubai Customs signed an MOU to explore greater use of electronic correspondence in transactions between the airline and the agency and also in dealings with other supply chain partners. In addition, the initiative will allow importers and exporters to perform 51 customs transactions electronically without having to visit customs centers physically. IATA is making a strong push for airlines to minimize the volume of paper associated with air cargo shipments and move toward "e-freight," or electronic transfers of information similar to the use of e-tickets on the passenger side of the business. Emirates Divisional Senior VP-Cargo Ram Menen said the carrier has "long been an advocate of the e-freight movement and [is] delighted that such a progressive program has been initiated in Dubai. Such an initiative, when fully implemented, will allow a more fluid flow of legitimate goods through the air and sea borders, thus eliminating potential bottlenecks." Jan 29, 2008

Lufthansa Cargo

Lufthansa Cargo will expand its foothold in China with a joint venture with Hua Yu Air Cargo Terminal Co. at Tianjin Binhai. A new 90,000-sq.-m. air cargo center is expected to become operational this year and will offer the capacity to handle 360,000 tons of cargo annually. LHC will own a 46% stake in HYACT while Taiwanese investor Hwa-Hsia International Holding will hold 49% and Tianjin Airport International Logistics will have the remaining 5%. Tianjin's growing importance as a Chinese cargo hub will be enhanced this summer during the Olympic Games when most cargo flights are expected to divert from Beijing to TSN. LHC currently is part of cargo JVs at Shanghai Pudong and Shenzhen. It also owns 25% of Jade Cargo International, which operates six 747-400Fs from Shenzhen. Jan 28, 2008

Lufthansa, Deutsche Post, DHL Express

Lufthansa and mail and logistics group Deutsche Post's DHL Express said they were on track to start a joint cargo carrier in April 2009 after securing financing for a fleet of new Boeing 777-200LRF freighters. AeroLogic, based in Leipzig/Halle, will focus mainly on air freight and express shipments in and out of Asia and aims to break even in 2010 following EUR15 million euros (USD$22.07 million) of start-up costs next year, the companies said on Monday. Jan 28, 2008

MatlinPatterson, Airbus

MatlinPatterson Orders Six Airbus A330-200F. MatlinPatterson, the US investment fund, through an affiliate, has signed a firm contract for six A330-200 Freighter aircraft, Airbus said on Monday. It said the company intended the aircraft to be used by certain of its airline portfolio companies, such as Varig Logistica in Brazil and Global Aero Logistics in the USA. With this agreement the two airlines will become new Airbus operators. The new contract brings firm orders for the recently launched A330-200F to 72 firm orders from eight customers, confirming the strong market demand in the freighter sector, Airbus said. Jan 28, 2008

UPS

UPS reported a 2007 net profit of $447 million, down 89.4% from $4.2 billion in 2006 owing mainly to a $6.1 billion pension payment related to a new labor contract agreed to in the fourth quarter with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters representing 45,000 of its employees. But Chairman and CEO Scott Davis did note that the "economic environment" is "increasingly challenging" and warned of a "sluggish US economy." Full-year revenue rose 4.5% to $49.69 billion driven by a 13.1% lift in international package revenue, which relies heavily on UPS Airlines, to $10.28 billion. US domestic package revenue, which still makes up more than half of UPS's overall business, grew a modest 1.7% to $30.99 billion. In terms of operating profit, however, the international package business led the way with 7.1% growth to $1.83 billion. Jan 31, 2008

UPS

UPS begins flying ADS-B-equipped Boeing 757-200Fs in revenue service. UPS earlier this month for the first time operated two revenue flights simultaneously using Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems' ADS-B-based SafeRoute program aboard 757-200Fs and plans to conduct such flights about once a week over the next two months as it gradually equips aircraft and trains pilots. Jan 30, 2008

UPS

UPS sees difficult Q1 but expects growth in 2008. UPS expects the first quarter of 2008 to be the most difficult of the year, but the company remains confident that its global business will grow. UPS reported fourth-quarter profits of $1.2 billion, excluding special items. Jan 30, 2008

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