News From Around The World

Richard Maslen February 24, 2011

ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS AND LUFTHANSA PLAN JOINT VENTURE ON JAPAN-EUROPE ROUTES

All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Lufthansa have filed an application with the Japanese and German Governments for antitrust immunity to launch a joint venture on routes between Japan and Europe, allowing the two carriers to bring what they describe as “substantial benefits to passengers” by creating a more efficient and comprehensive service across their networks. Subject to approval of the application by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and Germany’s Transport Ministry, ANA and Lufthansa will be able to jointly manage their Japan-Europe operations in areas such as scheduling, pricing and sales. This will provide customers a greater choice of connections and a wider range of fare and service options but will reduce competition. "By forging this closer cooperation with one of our partner airlines in the Star Alliance, we will significantly enhance our ability to serve customers throughout Europe and offer new choice and convenience for passengers. We are looking forward to our application being approved," said Shinichiro Ito, President and CEO of ANA.

DHL TO BUILD ITS ACTIVITIES AT CINCINNATI/NORTHERN KENTUCKY AIRPORT

Logistics specialist DHL has announced that it will invest $22.5 million to expand its facility at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport to meet the growing demands of international shipping customers. Starting in March 2011, DHL will build on 19 acres of land it has leased from the CVG Airport authority to expand its existing aircraft parking apron and construct nine new aircraft gates. The expansion will enable parking for nine additional wide-body aircraft that will connect the US to points in Asia, Europe and the Americas. “As businesses increasingly go global to capitalise on emerging trends in international trade, the expansion at our CVG hub will position DHL to accommodate the growing needs of our importing and exporting customers,” said Ian Clough, CEO, DHL Express US. All the new aircraft gates will include a hydrant jet refueling system for a more efficient refueling operation as well as the capability to de-ice aircraft directly at the gate. The project is due for completion in September 2011 and is the second phase of a two year, $40 million investment to enhance DHL operations at the Cincinnati hub which includes equipment upgrades and various facility improvements. The CVG hub handles about 90% of the DHL volume that enters the US.

AIRPORT CORDINATION LIMITED SPREADS EXPERTISE ACROSS THE GLOBE

Airport Coordination Limited (ACL) has won a competitive European tender to continue providing airline slot co-ordination services to Dublin Airport for the next five years, through to 2016. In addition, ACL has opened an office in Dubai in July 2010 and since April 2010 has also been providing slot coordination services to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in Canada, making the London Heathrow-headquartered company active on three continents. “We have worked with Dublin Airport for more than a decade and are delighted with this continued endorsement as the airport recovers from recession and expands its route network and passenger throughput again, said Chris Bosworth, Managing Director of ACL. “ACL’s client portfolio continues to grow – we now provide slot allocation, schedules facilitation and schedule data collection for 29 airports worldwide.”

GESTAIR CARGO LAUNCHES FREIGHTER FLIGHTS WITH CONVERTED BOEING 767S

Spanish carrier Gestair Cargo, part of the Gestair Commercial Aviation group, has launched freight operations following the delivery of its first Boeing 767-300BDSF. The aircraft entered service on January 26 flying for TNT Airways under an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) deal. It is being used on TNT’s five-times weekly Liege-Dubai-Delhi-Liege route and a second B767-300BDSF, due for delivery in March, will be used on the Liege – new York – Liege route.

JAPAN AIRLINES UNVEILS NEW CRANE LIVERY

Japan Airlines (JAL) will shortly take delivery of a brand new Boeing 767-300ER, the first aircraft in its fleet to be painted in its revised corporate livery and with its new crane logo. The emblem is very similar to that already in operation with the airline but has been updated to mark the airline’s continued development. The new design will not be officially launched until April 1, but JAL plans to use the new aircraft on a special charter on February 28 from Tokyo Haneda to Kushiro in Northeast Hokkaido where Japanese red-crowned cranes can be frequently seen in the snow fields during winter. This special flight is part of a commemorative tour organised by sister company JAL Tours to celebrate the launch of the new logo and in appreciation to valued customers for their years of continued support to the JAL Group. The tour will include a visit to a crane sanctuary in the Tsurui Village in Kushiro - a natural habitat and breeding ground of these special birds in Japan. “The symbol of the crane has come to be associated with the nation’s distinct hallmarks of pristine quality and reliability,” said the airline. “For customers, JAL is determined to safeguard these values of the Japanese culture and to continue reflecting its quintessential hospitality from the heart in the airline’s authentic services - a promise that is now embodied in the Group’s new corporate policy.” From the start of March the 767-300ER will be used on JAL’s Asian routes, entering service between Tokyo Haneda and Beijing on March 2.

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