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<title>AIR TRANSPORT - Transportweekly.Com</title> 
<link>http://www.transportweekly.com</link> 
<description>AIR TRANSPORT</description> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Transition to the future]]></title>
        <pubDate>23.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ Cargolux Airlines International S.A. has accepted its final Boeing 747-400 freighter, LX-YCV - ‘City of Contern’, at a ceremony in Seattle. The aircraft arrives in Luxembourg early next week. It is the sixteenth&nbsp; 400F that Cargolux has bought new from Boeing. Like the fifteen aircraft before, the new addition to the fleet has left Seattle with a full load of cargo, thereby maximizing its utilization and potential.For the occasion, Cargolux has invited a number of guests to Seattle, including representatives of the commune of Contern, after which the aircraft is named, and of the Luxembourg media. At the delivery ceremony in Seattle, Cargolux praised the versatility and effectiveness of its long-time workhorse and noted that this aircraft type was instrumental in the growth and profitability of the company over the last 15 years. LX-YCV comes with a modified one-off livery, with the traditional red and white stripes fading away instead of reaching all the way to the tail. This hints at a new and revamped design that will be introduced on the B747-8F. In 1993, Cargolux pioneered the introduction of the B747-400F when it became the first operator of the type worldwide. At that time, its decision to acquire this brand-new, purpose-built freighter had been widely questioned throughout the industry, but many of those who voiced their concern soon rushed to acquire their own fleets of&nbsp; 400 freighters.“Up until Boeing developed the B747-8F, the B747-400F was the most economical freighter for long range markets”, explains Ulrich Ogiermann, Cargolux’s President and CEO. “It allowed us to eliminate technical stops on many routes, thus improving the flow of goods and services upon which our customers rely. The B747-400F is also the most fuel-efficient long-range freighter aircraft. This has always been a key asset for Cargolux, allowing strong increases in the productivity and cost-effectiveness of our operation, at the same time providing the most environment-friendly transport of goods.”The freight-specific design of the B747-400F offered great flexibility to adapt to shippers‘ demand: its capacity to sub-divide into four independent temperature zones makes it a particularly efficient transporter of live animals as well as perishable goods. At the same time, thanks to its nose cargo door, it is equally well suited for transporting large, bulky or heavy equipment to anywhere in the world. The first five of Cargolux’s B747-400Fs are powered by General Electric engines, while the remainder of the fleet is equipped with Rolls Royce RB211-524H-Ts. From 2009 on, Cargolux will receive 13 new B747-8 freighters that will gradually replace the -400F fleet. The new and improved -8F will be powered by General Electric’s new GEnx engines that are again more fuel efficient and show remarkable improvements in noise, engine and CO2 emissions.At a time, when fuel costs make up over 40% of Cargolux’s cost base, the decision to again invest in the most fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly aircraft available makes perfect sense, just as it did in 1993. Only this time, there are no critical voices to be heard.]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52981/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52981/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Passenger growth up 38.6% at Abu Dhabi Airport ]]></title>
        <pubDate>21.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), the owner-operator of Abu Dhabi International Airport (ADIA), released figures revealing its passenger, cargo and aircraft ]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52934/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52934/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Forecasts over the next two decades]]></title>
        <pubDate>14.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ Boeing [NYSE:BA] forecasts a $3.2 trillion market for new commercial airplanes over the next two decades, driven by an increasing demand for airplanes ]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52850/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52850/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ WFS wins Asian handling contract]]></title>
        <pubDate>08.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has won a competitive tender to provide cargo, ramp and passenger handling services for Asian Airlines in France.The new contract further extends WFS’ partnership with Asiana. WFS already provides handling services for the airline in Brussels and Frankfurt.&nbsp;In addition to Paris CDG and Orly, WFS will represent Asiana at all of its stations in France, including Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Strasbourg and Toulouse.&nbsp;The South Korean airline launched services between Seoul and Paris at the end of March 2008. It now operates three Boeing 777 flights a week from Paris CDG to Seoul, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As well as providing passenger and ramp services, WFS expects to handle some 3,600 tons of cargo for the airline in its first year of operation.Olivier Bijaoui, President and CEO of WFS, said: “We are proud that Asian Airlines has chosen WFS as its handling partner in France. As a new online carrier, Asiana and WFS recognise the added importance of service quality for both passengers and cargo customers to enable the airline to build a strong reputation in this market. We have already been able to demonstrate our ability to Asiana at other key airports in Europe and I am confident we will do the same in Paris and across France.”]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52795/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52795/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Cargo 2000 quality certification for Cargologic]]></title>
        <pubDate>08.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ Cargo 2000 has awarded quality certification to Cargologic for the company’s freight handling centres in Switzerland, The Netherlands, Germany and Slovakia.Cargologic joined Cargo 2000 four years ago. It is part of the Rethmann Group that employs 15,000 staff at 230 locations worldwide. At its cargo handling locations in Europe, Cargologic is a service provider to more than 50 airlines and handles over 600,000 tons of cargo per annum.To gain accreditation, cargo handling organisations must demonstrate how they are meeting Cargo 2000’s standards and how this is supported through their operational processes, customer service and internal quality system.&nbsp; Rudolf Steiner, Executive Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing at Cargologic, said: “We first joined Cargo 2000 to pro-actively communicate status updates with our customers in a uniform way and to simplify our procedures. We believe standardized status updates are a must and they are a vital part of our in-house quality system. “Updating customers with timely and reliable status information is part of almost every service level agreement today. We are sure that when they come to appointing handling partners, airlines and forwarders are most likely to choose companies working to Cargo 2000’s standards rather than others.”]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52790/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52790/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ AeroLogic signs pilot-training contract with Austrian Airlines ]]></title>
        <pubDate>08.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ AeroLogic, the airfreight subsidiary of DHL Express and Lufthansa Cargo, has taken another important step in preparing itself for the start of flight operations in the spring of 2009. AeroLogic GmbH is now cooperating with the Austrian Airlines Group on the type ratings required for the new Boeing 777F. The agreement enables AeroLogic to use the licensed training organization of the Austrian carrier. Type rating involves a basic course in theory as well as training on flight simulators. An important advantage for AeroLogic is that Austrian Airlines not only has the flight-simulator capacities, it also has years of experience in operating this specific aircraft.&nbsp; The first aircraft in the AeroLogic fleet will be delivered at the start of 2009.“We're pleased that AeroLogic, an internationally active and fast-growing company, has opted for the know-how and service of Austrian Airlines,” explains Dr. Peter Malanik, member of the executive board and Chief Operations Officer at Austrian Airlines. “Our licensed training program is ideally suited to the needs of AeroLogic. Its decision to opt for Austrian Airlines is an acknowledgment of the technical reliability and competence of our training program. By choosing Austrian, AeroLogic can count on the highest efficiency in its pilot training.”Dr. Thomas Papke, one of AeroLogic’s two executive directors, responsible for airline operations and crew training, is convinced: “In Austrian Airlines we’ve found the ideal partner for our ambitious pilot-training goals. The rapid growth of our company requires flexible, efficient and state-of-the-art training facilities. Austrian Airlines offers just that.”&nbsp;AeroLogic chose the Boeing 777F because of its exceptional payload-range ratio, as well as for its ability to reach many of AeroLogic’s future flight destinations without refueling. Moreover, the aircraft’s relatively low fuel consumption and low noise emissions mean that AeroLogic will be flying as environmentally friendly as possible. &nbsp;]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52781/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52781/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Memorandum of understanding signed]]></title>
        <pubDate>08.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ FMG, the Munich Airport operating company, and Lufthansa Cargo AG have signed a memorandum of understanding in which both parties reaffirm their resolve to “work together to take Munich Airport to the top of the rankings among its competitors in the European cargo segments.” Core elements of this partnership for strategic growth are joint development, design and utilization as well as expansion of the freight facilities at Munich Airport. A key element in the cooperation is the regular integration of Munich into the cargo flight network of Lufthansa or its partner companies. Lufthansa’s passenger flights have already been carrying large quantities of coloaded freight for many years. A team of experts from FMG and Lufthansa Cargo will begin working together in the fall of this year on the systematic development of the freight business. ]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52778/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52778/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Cargolux leads IATA e-freight]]></title>
        <pubDate>08.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ Cargolux Airlines has been nominated as the leading carrier for the IATA e-freight project at Luxembourg, thereby further enhancing Luxembourg’s position ]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52776/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52776/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Air  France-KLM announces June 2008 traffic ]]></title>
        <pubDate>07.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ Passenger businessJune 2008 traffic rose 2.6% with capacity up 4.1%. The comparison with June 2007, which was boosted by&nbsp; two&nbsp; major&nbsp; events&nbsp;]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52739/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52739/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ New self-service baggage drop-off’ trial launched]]></title>
        <pubDate>04.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ Today marks the start of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and KLM’s new ‘self-service baggage drop-off’ trial, which allows passengers to check in their own hold baggage. The trial is expected to run for at least a half year and is the follow-up phase to previous tests using a prototype.This trial is part of an innovative programme being rolled out at the airport, geared towards simplifying the travel process for passengers and reducing queues. ‘Self-service baggage drop-off’ is one of the initiatives within this programme through which KLM and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol aim to meet the needs of their customers; specifically, to meet the need of today’s passengers to manage their own time while at the airport. More and more passengers are using the self-service kiosk and online check-in options. This trial represents the next step in the automation of the check-in process – that of dropping off hold baggage. If the trial proves successful, self-service baggage drop-off may in future become a standard part of the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol check-in process. The passenger’s experiences in using the system are important and will be taken into account. The trial drop-off station has been set up at desk row 12 in Departure Hall 2. Passengers who are flying with KLM or one of its partner airlines, and who have their boarding pass and no more than one item of baggage will be able to take part in the trial. To use the system, passengers place their baggage inside the station and enter their personal and flight details, which are then processed automatically. ]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52717/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52717/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ CAAS strengthens efforts]]></title>
        <pubDate>04.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ Rainbow Centre Margaret Drive School is new beneficiary under CAAS’ charity adoption programme.Not forgetting the less fortunate, especially children with special needs, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) officially adopted the Rainbow Centre Margaret Drive School (RCMDS) as the new beneficiary under CAAS’ Charity Adoption Programme for a 2-year period. RCMDS offers special education programmes for children with developmental disabilities such as intellectual, physical, visual and hearing impairments. The launch of this adoption programme with RCMDS was officiated by CAAS’ Director-General and ChiefExecutive Officer, Mr Lim Kim Choon.The adoption programme with RCMDS, together with the ‘CAAS HOPE’ Fund, a charity fund and branding tagline that embodies CAAS’ outlook towards community involvement and social responsibility, gives CAAS and its staff an avenue to contribute to the community. CAAS has been active in seeking new waysto contribute to the disadvantaged through staff engagement and fund-raising effortssince 1997.For the next two years, CAAS will organise various activities to raise funds for RCMDS. These activities include the sale of retro merchandise during our upcoming annual Dinner and Dance which is based on the retro theme, as well as sale of mooncakes, cookies, cupcakes and other merchandise through the year.Travellers and airport visitors can also do their bit for charity by making contributions at donation boxes that CAAS will be placing at Changi Airport’s terminals. The funds raised will allow RCMDS to better develop their children with special needs through the provision of better facilities, course materials and trained professionals.Besides fund-raising activities, to enrich the quality of life for the children at RCMDS, CAAS will organise engagement activities that will allow CAAS staff andthe children to bond with one another. Plans in the pipeline include visits to RCMDS, organising field trips for the children and having CAAS staff volunteers help out with the centre’s school eventsSpeaking at the launch, Mr Lim Kim Choon said, “Over the years, I’m glad to say that we have made a difference in the lives of others - our adoption program with the Spastic Children’s Association of Singapore, Katong School and the Singapore Cancer Society, has given us the opportunity to expose our staff tovolunteerism and has allowed us to develop a greater sense of corporate social responsibility towards the less fortunate. Mr Lim added, “The ‘CAAS Hope’ Fund and Charity Adoption Programme will allow us to have a stronger focus in our community involvement efforts and allow us to share that CAAS is an employer who cares,brings hope and joy to others.”At the launch ceremony, Mr Lim presented a painting entitled ‘Flights of Freedom & Peace’ to Ms Peggy Song, Principal of RCMDS, in the presence of about 13 children from Rainbow Centre. The painting symbolises how the children of Rainbow Centre, who will learn adaptive learning and pre-vocational skills at RCMDS, to be as independent as possible in the community – a mark of freedom and self-independence.CAAS first raised funds for charity in 1997 and has since raised about $430,000 for the less fortunate.]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52715/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52715/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Airport completes modernisation work]]></title>
        <pubDate>03.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) announced it has completed the renovation and modernisation work at its international terminal, according to India Aviation. Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the GMR led joint venture consortium tasked with the modernisation of Indira Gandhi Airport has carried out renovation programme to enhance the efficiency of the terminal and also improve its aesthetics and functionality.&nbsp;In order to reduce congestion at the International Terminal, a number of steps have been taken.Details of the modernised Terminal 2 include: Expanded city side drop off area;Customer Care Executives, Free Luggage Porters and Traffic Marshals deployed for passenger assistance;Entry gates to terminal increased from 4 to 8;Modern 3 level in-line baggage handling system to eliminate baggage x-ray queues;Check in counters increased from 78 to 100;Immigration counters increased from 56 to 90;Security channels increased from 10 to 22;Length of 4 baggage reclaim belts increased in Arrival Area.]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52690/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52690/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ An early Oktoberfest at Changi Airport ]]></title>
        <pubDate>03.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ Changi Airport has kick-started the renowned Oktoberfest celebrations with "Munich @ Changi" at Terminal 2's Departure Transit Mall. This mini version of the much celebrated Bavarian tradition in Munich is jointly organised by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Lufthansa German Airlines, to celebrate the airline's direct flights linking Singapore to Munich, the capital city of Bavaria in Germany. Daily celebrations start from 5.00pm to 9.00pm, till 15 July 2008.&nbsp; A Bavarian themed blue and white tent housed the festivities. Passengers can dress up in a Bavarian costume and take part in the "Merriest Passenger Photo Contest" for a chance to win an economy class ticket to Munich, the home of Oktoberfest, on Lufthansa German Airlines. The merriest-looking and most fun-loving passenger will be selected as the winner on 31 July. The winner will be notified by post.&nbsp; Passengers can also look forward to savouring one complimentary cup of beer and pretzel while trying their hands at Oktoberfest themed games like Slide-A-Beer Mug and Toss-A-Pretzel games. In the Toss-A-Pretzel game, the player needs only toss and "hang" three pretzels in five seconds to win a prize. Traditional German music and dance performances will also be showcased at the event. ]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52670/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52670/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Air freight posts drop in cargo growth]]></title>
        <pubDate>03.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released international traffic data for May that showed a significant drop in cargo growth to 1.3% while passenger traffic grew 6.0%. At 1.3%, cargo demand is considerably down from the 4.3% recorded for the full year 2007. For the first five months of 2008, air freight volumes were up 2.8%. The biggest cause of the slow growth came from a 0.5% contraction in Asian carrier traffic. This resulted from the impact of the earthquake in China and weakness in the Japanese economy. Asian carriers also saw weakness in transpacific markets with increased competition from US carriers taking advantage of the weak US dollar. International passenger demand grew 6% in May. This is slower than the 7.4% increase recorded for the full year 2007, but stronger than expected given the economic downturn. The results were skewed by a shift in the US of 1.7 billion available seat miles (2.72 billion available seat kilometers) from domestic routes to international routes (a 7.9% rise in capacity in international markets). North American carrier international traffic grew 8.2%, while domestic capacity fell 3.3%. Overall the underlying growth rate in global domestic and international traffic was 3 to 4% (down from an average of 6% for 2007).International load factors rose slightly for the first time in three months to 74.3% on slower capacity growth of 5.4% during the month. “The high price of oil is re-shaping the industry. The major shifts in traffic flows experienced during May reflect this,” said Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO.During May jet fuel averaged US$160 per barrel - 87% higher than the same time in 2007. By comparison, crude prices averaged US$123 per barrel - an 81% increase. “Jet fuel margins are increasing the impact of skyrocketing oil prices for the aviation industry. Unit costs are up 20-30% and that is going to take its toll on the bottom line. Efficiency everywhere is the imperative. That must be understood by governments, labour and our industry partners,” said Bisignani.Cargo– North American cargo traffic grew 4.6% as US carriers shifted capacity from domestic to international routes. In addition to expanded transpacific opportunities, the US-EU Open Skies agreement created new opportunities in Europe.– Europe recorded a sluggish 1.4% increase. The strong Euro is damaging competitiveness for both European exports and the European air cargo business.– Latin America freight volumes contracted 13.2%. Industry restructuring saw the replacement of retiring wide-body aircraft with narrow-bodies with limited cargo capacity.– Africa recorded its 11th month of air freight contraction out of the past 12 months with a fall of 6.5% during May as industry restructuring removes freight capacity.– The lone bright spot was the Middle East where volumes rose 10.7% on the back of oil-based economic growth.Passenger– Airlines in Latin America continued strong growth of 13.6% reflecting robust commodity-driven economic growth in the region.&nbsp; – Middle Eastern airlines expanded their traffic 12.8%, lower than the 18.1% increase achieved for the full year 2007 due to slower economic growth in origin-destination regions using Middle East airports as connecting points.&nbsp; – The further decline in traffic carried (-2.2%) and capacity provided (-5.1%) by African airlines&nbsp; reflects a loss of market share and the reduction of unprofitable capacity in the face of high and rising fuel prices.– Reversing the trend of the previous three months, load factors rose slightly in May to 74.3% as high fuel prices are forcing cuts in capacity and the retirement of older aircraft.]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52666/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52666/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Dragonair celebrates launch of Bengaluru service]]></title>
        <pubDate>03.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ Dragonair celebrated the launch of its new scheduled service to Bengaluru (Bangalore) in India, with a ceremony held at Bengaluru International Airport following the arrival of the first flight. The new destination is a milestone for Dragonair as it marks the first time for the airline to operate passenger flights to and from India. Dragonair is the only airline offering a scheduled nonstop service between Hong Kong and Bengaluru, with a daily service operated by an A330 aircraft.“Dragonair has been looking at opportunities in the Indian market for many years, as we have long recognised the huge potential associated with this important, fast-growing country,” said Dragonair General Manager Ground Services and International Affairs Algernon Yau, who officiated at the arrival ceremony.&nbsp; “We at Dragonair see strong potential for both business and leisure travel to and from the IT hub of Bengaluru. Our new service offers travellers from the south of India convenient access to Hong Kong with good connections to Dragonair’s extensive network in Mainland China and the worldwide network of our sister airline Cathay Pacific.”On behalf of Dragonair, Mr Yau thanked all of those involved in helping to make the launch of the Bengaluru service a success. “We are committed to continuing to provide high-quality products and services to make us the airline of choice in all the markets we serve, including India,” he said.To mark the service launch, passengers on the first flight to Bengaluru were handed a traditional Indian souvenir on arrival, while those departing for Hong Kong received a Chinese lucky charm.&nbsp; Officiating guests and operating crew on the first flights also received an Indian traditional scarf as souvenir courtesy of the Bengaluru International Airport Ltd.]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52657/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52657/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Boeing delivers next-generation 737 to Sunwing Airlines ]]></title>
        <pubDate>03.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] this week delivered a Next-Generation 737-800 to Toronto-based Sunwing Airlines.The third new Next-Generation 737 to be delivered to Sunwing and the first to be operated on lease from lessor Aviation Capital Group (ACG), the airplane is equipped with performance-enhancing Blended Winglets, which improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 4 percent."The delivery of this Next-Generation 737-800 enhances our fleet with the most cost-efficient single-aisle airplane available," said Mark Williams, president of Sunwing Airlines. "The addition to our fleet of yet another state-of-the-art Boeing aircraft will allow us to continue our expansion and serve even more customers from more Canadian centers across the country." The new airplane will go into service immediately on the carrier's coast-to-coast domestic program and will serve Sunwing's routes to the U.S., Central America, the Caribbean, and Mexico.Sunwing will lease a second new 737 from ACG in 2009, at which time the Sunwing fleet will comprise 15 airplanes, all Boeing 737-800s.The Next-Generation 737 is the most high-tech, most reliable airplane available in the single-aisle jetliner market. Boeing also now offers new light-weight carbon brakes on the Next-Generation 737, which deliver additional fuel-efficiency benefits. Carbon brakes will be available on production airplanes later this year.]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52656/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52656/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Boeing 787 Dreamliner structure test a success]]></title>
        <pubDate>03.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica company, successfully completed destructive testing on the horizontal stabilizer of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. ]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52655/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52655/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Spanair wins award at Munich Airport]]></title>
        <pubDate>20.06</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ The Spanish airline Spanair has joined an elite group of prizewinners at Munich Airport. Peter Trautmann, the COO of FMG, ]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52507/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52507/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ FAA raises safety rating for Bulgaria ]]></title>
        <pubDate>19.06</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that Bulgaria complies with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), following a reassessment of the country’s civil aviation authority in January. Bulgaria is now raised from the Category 2 safety rating given in September 2003 to Category 1. A Category 1 rating means the country’s civil aviation authority complies with ICAO standards. A Category 2 rating means a country either lacks laws or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with minimum international standards, or that its civil aviation authority — equivalent to the FAA for aviation safety matters — is deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, recordkeeping, or inspection procedures. As part of the FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program, the agency assesses the civil aviation authorities of all countries with air carriers that operate or might be authorized to fly to the United States and makes that information available to the public. The assessments determine whether or not foreign civil aviation authorities are meeting ICAO safety standards, not FAA regulations. With the IASA Category 1 rating, Bulgarian air carriers could apply to operate their own aircraft to the United States, which they currently do not. Countries with air carriers that fly to the United States must adhere to the safety standards of ICAO, the United Nations’ technical agency for aviation that establishes international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance. ]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52473/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52473/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ easyJet optimizes flight planning with Lido OC ]]></title>
        <pubDate>19.06</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ Lufthansa Systems announced that easyJet, one of Europe’s leading low-cost airlines, will begin using the dispatch solution Lido Operations Center (Lido OC) to plan all of its flights in the near future. Europe’s fourth-largest carrier, easyJet concluded an agreement with Lufthansa Systems to use the proven flight planning solution starting in October 2008. By optimizing flight routes, Lido OC will reduce airline fuel consumption and deliver significant cost-savings. In addition the service package for easyJet includes the TFR (Traffic Flow Restrictions) module that can achieve further fuel savings. The TFR module is the first solution of its kind to optimize flight plans by taking temporary air traffic restrictions into account. Traffic flow restrictions are highly complex regulations which ensure that air traffic flows smoothly. The TFR module helps airlines plan their routes more effectively by making a wider variety of segments available to them, and it also saves dispatchers a great deal of effort by automatically checking the regulations for each route.&nbsp; Another innovative extension automatically calculates flights which follow similar routings every time and sends the completed flight plans to the dispatcher, who simply has to approve them. This also eases the strain on flight dispatchers.Cor Vrieswijk, easyJet’s Operations Director, commented: “The recent surges in oil prices are having a dramatic effect on European aviation and as a result easyJet are taking a range of measures to reduce our costs and improve fuel efficiency. We chose Lido OC and the TFR module because it will help us optimize the routes operated by our modern, economical fleet and create an efficient, dynamic flight planning processes, which will reduce costs. Moreover, the system is highly automated, which helps our dispatchers work more efficiently and frees up resources for continued growth. Efficient processes and the optimal use of resources are the core of our successful business model.” Matthias van Leeuwen, Senior Vice President Sales EMEA/South at Lufthansa Systems, welcomed the latest member to the growing Lido OC user community. “easyJet is a success story just as much as our flight planning solution which has been an internationally leading application in its field for a long time. We are pleased that this dynamic airline adds to the list of major carriers from our UK growth market that benefit from the optimization potential of Lido OC,” Mr. van Leeuwen said.]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52472/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/52472/</guid> 
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