United

Minister says Trade Single Window makes business easier for all industry participants

Magazine Stories September Issue 2009
Friday, 13 February 2009
WILLIE van Heusden, president of New Zealand’s Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation, says the organisation’s recent annual conference in Gisborne had an appropriate theme with ‘A New Dawn’.

“What our expert presenters all agreed on was that, as bad as things are, the upturn will come.  And when it does, the changes taking place within our industry during these harsh times will be the springboard for a revitalised industry.”

True, he says, “things may get worse before we turn that corner.  But when we do, it will be a whole new world.”
The conference was more orientated to maritime freight than air cargo, but many of the speakers canvassed subjects that cut across transport modes.

For instance, John Secker of New Zealand Customs pointed to the “new environment” driven by the change in government, as well as the closer border collaboration between departments and stakeholders.

“Times have definitely changed,” he said.

“This time last year our planning and operational responses were addressing growing volumes of trade.  Now volumes are in decline with accompanying impact on the revenues we collect.

“But Customs is determined to focus on positioning for the inevitable upswing.”

Rodney Hide, the minister for Regulatory Reform, told delegates his crusade against red tape was extending to the freight sector.  He asked for industry input. “For all those little things that annoy you, I am the person that can wrap that up into a regulatory omnibus bill and clean it up”.

The Trade Single Window was a good example of the way the Government was trying to make things easier for importers and exporters, the minister noted.

“There will still be many arms of government underneath, but only one hand that you deal and interact with.  The objective fits well with my aims to minimise costs, reduce delays and increase transparency for participants in the supply chain.

“An open trading system is critical to New Zealand if we are to grow trade and strengthen our international connections.”

Pointing to the government’s “leadership role in improving co-operation and reducing red tape,” as evidenced both by actual experience and the thrust of speakers such as Secker and Hide, van Heusden suggested it’s about time the industry followed the government’s example.

“We may be hurting, but that shouldn’t stop us from working towards a better operating environment for all.”

New look and feel for S’pore Customs web

Magazine Stories September Issue 2009
Friday, 13 February 2009
CONTINUING its policy of enhancing its e-interface with shippers, forwarders and others in the transport and logistics sector, Singapore Customs has launched a new home page for its corporate website.

This has “consolidated and reorganised information to provide easy access to the most frequently-visited pages and e-services,” said Chew Lai Leng, Customs corporate communications head. A new feature provides visitors the latest news at a glance.

“The middle column of the home page provides visitors with the latest news and updates on Customs matters,” she said.  “Occupying a central location is a new, animated feature providing important customs announcements and reminders.”

Frequently accessed resources have been reorganised into a neat column on the right of the page and in response to user feedback, there is a direct link to the information and resources on ‘classification of goods’.
On the web:  www.customs.gov.sg

NSW truckers urged to check permits status

Magazine Stories September Issue 2009
Friday, 13 February 2009
A SYSTEM to remotely track heavy vehicle movements in New South Wales is set to cause chaos for the state's trucking industry, with concerns over access raised before the program even begins, according to the Australian Trucking Association (ATA).

 Under the Intelligent Access Program (IAP), which launches 01 July, operators are required to fit specialised regulatory GPS units to their trucks if they want to carry higher mass limits. 

 These units are very different to the GPS systems that trucking operators currently use to manage their fleets. The IAP units automatically record a 'non-compliant event' if a truck drives off its allowed routes, allowing the event to be investigated by the road authorities.

 The ATA is urging New South Wales trucking operators who participate in the IAP to ensure their permits cover the entire length of their trip, including the final metres of road to their customers and depots.

 Without the correct permits, it is feared operators will be swamped with non-compliance notices. While many of these will be false, operators will have to spend hours explaining them to the RTA.

 “Trucking operators planning to use IAP need to do an audit of their permits now, to make sure the paperwork is in order for all their routes,” said ATA chairman Trevor Martyn.

 “Some trucking operators have been led to believe that enrolling in IAP will automatically resolve their first and last mile access issues. It won't.”

 Trucking companies need to check that: - They have permits covering the first and last miles to all their customers, including where local councils have indicated approval to use the route but have not yet completed the paperwork;
- Those permits are completely accurate and do not have any minor errors in them;

- They have written permission from the private road owners whose roads they use, not just a handshake or verbal agreement.

They should then confirm they have access to all their routes by lodging an IAP route confirmation form with the NSW RTA. 

PANYNJ gets solid support for plan to cure major airports bottleneck

Magazine Stories September Issue 2009
Friday, 13 February 2009
THE NATIONAL Alliance to Advance NextGen, a coalition devised and led by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), is heading towards 300 member organisations.  The coalition was created to urge full funding for initiatives to overhaul the ailing US air traffic control system and significantly reduce delays.

PANYNJ has become an activist in this area over recent years, concerned that federal efforts to deal with the problem have so far been ineffective and/or inappropriate.

NextGen has drawn wide support from airport operators, chambers of commerce and economic development corporations, freight forwarders, tourism companies, unions, manufacturers, educational institutes and a number of industry associations, notably in the aviation sector.

These include the Cargo Airline Association, JFK Air Cargo Association and Newark International Airport Air Cargo Council.

Among recent sign-ups are Boeing, Amex, GE and the Hotel Association of New York.

Anthony Coscia, PANYNJ’s chairman,  said his organisation was “excited about leading this effort to overhaul the nation’s 1950s-era air traffic control system.

“This broad-based coalition reflects the importance of NextGen to America’s economic future, and we look forward to securing federal funding for its implementation.”

PANYNJ executive director Chris Ward described NextGen as “a state-of-the-art technology that is destined to reshape air traffic control systems and significantly reduce delays nationwide.

“We’re optimistic that this widespread support will lead to commitments from Congress and the Obama administration to begin advancing these NextGen operations.”

The NextGen Alliance is calling for an FAA legislative bill that includes the billions of dollars necessary to advance, install and operate NextGen technology and procedures as quickly as possible, starting with the US’s most congested airspace, especially the New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles regions.

FAA studies have shown that about 75 per cent of US air traffic delays have their genesis at one of the New York metropolitan region’s airports.

On the web: www.panynj.gov

Partnership to cut transport delays for time-critical global shipments

Magazine Stories September Issue 2009
Friday, 13 February 2009

A NEW partnership between time:matters, a special speed solutions expert within the Lufthansa Caro Group, and Cebu Pacific Cargo, based in the Philippines, is expected to reduce transport times between Manila and Europe, the Americas and Africa.

It means that time:matters now has access to Cebu Pacific flights departing from Manila airport for its special speed solutions and time-critical shipments on an international scale.

With Manila airport and the Cebu Pacific air network at its service for the transport of time-critical shipments, time:matters now has even more fast-service alternatives for customers and will reduce transport times, especially to and from the Philippines.

According to Sanjeev Wadhawan, vice president operations and customer service of time:matters Asia-Pacific, the network expansion is a clear advantage for customers, as they will benefit from the shortest delivery times to and from the economically-important region of Manila.

For example, an urgent shipment for a leading high-tech manufacturer that has production facilities in the Philippines can be dropped off in Manila at 18.00 and be available for pick up in Mexico at 19.00 the next day, due to the seamless transport involving Cebu Pacific and Lufthansa flights. Dedicated teams monitor and oversee each and every stage of the entire transport chain, in real time.

The time:matters worldwide network is claimed to be one of the largest optimal schedules for time-critical and emergency shipments.

Lufthansa Cargo’s regional director South East Asia & Australia, Gabriela Ahrens, says the added value generated for customers is the increased number of connections to and from Manila to international economic centres. “The co-operation with Cebu Pacific Cargo enables substantial time savings for time-critical shipments, which makes our range of services even more attractive.”

Platts opens 2009 award nominations

Magazine Stories September Issue 2009
Friday, 13 February 2009
ENERGY information provider Platts is seeking nominations for its annual Global Energy Awards, which recognise excellence in the global energy industry’s companies and individuals. 

Eighteen performance categories will be recognised and nominations must be received by 12 September 2009.
Established in 1999, the Platts Global Energy Awards has become the leading awards program in the industry, drawing on average more than 200 nominations and 500 attendees.

The 2009 Awards, in particular, will seek to recognise corporate leaders and companies that are successfully coping with the difficult economic environment as they continue to address the domestic and global challenges of sustainable and “green” energy, efficiency and innovation. 

New or updated categories for 2009 include Green Energy Initiative of the Year, Energy Efficiency Program of the Year, Deal of the Year, Infrastructure Project of the Year and Energy Producer of the Year.

Any company doing business in the energy industry is eligible to enter these awards. Nominations may be submitted by the energy companies themselves, from clients, vendors or other associates. To submit a nomination or learn more about the award categories visit www.globalenergyawards.com

Qantas adds state-of-the-art perishables facility to its Melbourne freight terminal

Magazine Stories September Issue 2009
Friday, 13 February 2009
QANTAS Freight has officially opened its Freight Terminal at Melbourne International Airport following a multi-million dollar redevelopment.

Completed in four stages the redevelopment included construction of a new administration building; extensions to the main terminal building; installation of automated materials handling equipment; new loading docks; a dedicated mail handling area and a custom designed perishable freight facility.

The state-of-the-art terminal, designed to incorporate as much green design, automation and technology as possible, can now handle almost triple the number of aircraft containers.

The terminal features a fully automated temperature-controlled perishables facility able to store up to 20 AKE type containers at a constant temperature of 13C. The area also features a scalable SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) computer system.

Head of Qantas Freight Terminals Bob Lugton commenting on the opening of the new facility said: “Previously we had just one queue lane and two break-down stations in our import area. We now have 14 motorised queue lanes which allow us to move freight into the building without a fork lift, and 17 break-down workstations that can be utilised by either export or import depending on demand.”

The design of the terminal’s temperature controlled area incorporates the latest technology and equipment and is expected to be at least 10 to 15 per cent more energy efficient than the terminal’s previous cool storage facilities.
“Individual fan units are able to automatically sense whether or not they needed and switch on and off as necessary to keep the facility at the right temperature,” said Lugton.

“The azeotrope refrigerant that we are using is arguable the best commercial refrigerant available. It is non flammable, contains no ammonia, has a zero ozone deleting rating and takes considerably less energy to cool than other refrigerants which can help to extend compressor and equipment life.”

Container tracking has also improved.

“Each unit number is recorded as it enters the facility and can be tracked in the warehouse from a central LCD screen. “When a particular unit is needed for a flight, the system can automatically select and deliver it airside,” said Lugton.

Data about units within the perishable facility, such as location and weight, is also automatically fed into the airline load control system for flight planning.

Qantas links Vietnam, China, USA

Magazine Stories September Issue 2009
Friday, 13 February 2009

QANTAS Freight has commenced a direct weekly B747-400 freighter service between Australia, Vietnam, China and the United States.

The service departs Sydney and Ho Chi Minh City on Thursdays, arriving in Shanghai and New York early on Friday morning and Chicago early on Saturday morning.

Stephen Cleary, executive manager Qantas Freight, said the new route confirmed the carrier's commitment to seeking new opportunities to service the needs of its global customers.

“Vietnam is one of the few countries in the region that continues to see export growth, and we are very pleased to be able to support initiatives to grow trade between Australia and Vietnam and between Vietnam and the rest of the world,” said Cleary. 

“Our service will offer Vietnamese exporters one of the shortest transit times to the US and is conveniently timed to connect with our scheduled mainland China trucking services as well as passenger and freighter aircraft operating from Shanghai back into Australia. 

“Importantly, we also have the option to add a second weekly service once global air freight volumes pick up.” 

Cleary said that the new service would operate under the flight number QF7585 direct from Sydney to Tan Son Nhat International Airport, approximately six kilometres from Ho Chi Mihn City, the country’s economic hub. 

Qantas Freight has made a number of changes to its freighter operations in response to the global decline in air freight volumes. In recent months it has redirected capacity and resources from its European and Middle Eastern runs to add Bangkok, Auckland, Melbourne, Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City services.

Qatar Airways to ‘nearly double’ fleet size, add Aust this northern summer

Magazine Stories September Issue 2009
Friday, 13 February 2009
ARABIAN Travel Mart, held in Dubai early May, was something of a triumph for Qatar Airways.  There were awards aplenty and a raft of announcements about new developments that kept delegates buzzing.  Among the latter was the forthcoming introduction of daily services from Sydney and Melbourne to Doha, the Qatari capital.

This was seen more as a confirmation than a revelation - Qatar Airways has on several occasions indicated that Australian ports were high on its ‘must fly to’ list.

Current planning is for the daily services to kick in at the start of the northern summer schedules.

They will add a further dimension to cargo traffic between Australia and the Middle East - Australia is well represented among the suppliers, consultants and contractors active in Qatar’s healthy economy.

Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker said the Sydney and Melbourne services were an integral part of the company’s growth.

He noted that Qatar Airways planned to reveal further aircraft purchases at this year’s Paris Air Show, adding to its recent big orders that include 80 Airbus 350s and 60 Boeing 787s.  Five A380s will be delivered from 2012.

Overall, today’s fleet of 68 will almost double to 110 by 2012.  This is big for an airline that had only four aircraft in 1997, 28 by the end of 2003 and 50 by October 2006.

As well as hugely expanding its belly-hold freight capacity, Qatar Airways’ growing significance as a major freight mover is furthered by its freighter fleet, at present composed of three Airbus A300-600F aircraft, each with a payload of 42 tonnes.

On the web: www.qatarairways.com
HACTL
Cathay Cargo
United

Minister says Trade Single Window makes business easier for all industry participants

Magazine Stories September Issue 2009
Friday, 13 February 2009
WILLIE van Heusden, president of New Zealand’s Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation, says the organisation’s recent annual conference in Gisborne had an appropriate theme with ‘A New Dawn’.

“What our expert presenters all agreed on was that, as bad as things are, the upturn will come.  And when it does, the changes taking place within our industry during these harsh times will be the springboard for a revitalised industry.”

True, he says, “things may get worse before we turn that corner.  But when we do, it will be a whole new world.”
The conference was more orientated to maritime freight than air cargo, but many of the speakers canvassed subjects that cut across transport modes.

For instance, John Secker of New Zealand Customs pointed to the “new environment” driven by the change in government, as well as the closer border collaboration between departments and stakeholders.

“Times have definitely changed,” he said.

“This time last year our planning and operational responses were addressing growing volumes of trade.  Now volumes are in decline with accompanying impact on the revenues we collect.

“But Customs is determined to focus on positioning for the inevitable upswing.”

Rodney Hide, the minister for Regulatory Reform, told delegates his crusade against red tape was extending to the freight sector.  He asked for industry input. “For all those little things that annoy you, I am the person that can wrap that up into a regulatory omnibus bill and clean it up”.

The Trade Single Window was a good example of the way the Government was trying to make things easier for importers and exporters, the minister noted.

“There will still be many arms of government underneath, but only one hand that you deal and interact with.  The objective fits well with my aims to minimise costs, reduce delays and increase transparency for participants in the supply chain.

“An open trading system is critical to New Zealand if we are to grow trade and strengthen our international connections.”

Pointing to the government’s “leadership role in improving co-operation and reducing red tape,” as evidenced both by actual experience and the thrust of speakers such as Secker and Hide, van Heusden suggested it’s about time the industry followed the government’s example.

“We may be hurting, but that shouldn’t stop us from working towards a better operating environment for all.”

New look and feel for S’pore Customs web

Magazine Stories September Issue 2009
Friday, 13 February 2009
CONTINUING its policy of enhancing its e-interface with shippers, forwarders and others in the transport and logistics sector, Singapore Customs has launched a new home page for its corporate website.

This has “consolidated and reorganised information to provide easy access to the most frequently-visited pages and e-services,” said Chew Lai Leng, Customs corporate communications head. A new feature provides visitors the latest news at a glance.

“The middle column of the home page provides visitors with the latest news and updates on Customs matters,” she said.  “Occupying a central location is a new, animated feature providing important customs announcements and reminders.”

Frequently accessed resources have been reorganised into a neat column on the right of the page and in response to user feedback, there is a direct link to the information and resources on ‘classification of goods’.
On the web:  www.customs.gov.sg

NSW truckers urged to check permits status

Magazine Stories September Issue 2009
Friday, 13 February 2009
A SYSTEM to remotely track heavy vehicle movements in New South Wales is set to cause chaos for the state's trucking industry, with concerns over access raised before the program even begins, according to the Australian Trucking Association (ATA).

 Under the Intelligent Access Program (IAP), which launches 01 July, operators are required to fit specialised regulatory GPS units to their trucks if they want to carry higher mass limits. 

 These units are very different to the GPS systems that trucking operators currently use to manage their fleets. The IAP units automatically record a 'non-compliant event' if a truck drives off its allowed routes, allowing the event to be investigated by the road authorities.

 The ATA is urging New South Wales trucking operators who participate in the IAP to ensure their permits cover the entire length of their trip, including the final metres of road to their customers and depots.

 Without the correct permits, it is feared operators will be swamped with non-compliance notices. While many of these will be false, operators will have to spend hours explaining them to the RTA.

 “Trucking operators planning to use IAP need to do an audit of their permits now, to make sure the paperwork is in order for all their routes,” said ATA chairman Trevor Martyn.

 “Some trucking operators have been led to believe that enrolling in IAP will automatically resolve their first and last mile access issues. It won't.”

 Trucking companies need to check that: - They have permits covering the first and last miles to all their customers, including where local councils have indicated approval to use the route but have not yet completed the paperwork;
- Those permits are completely accurate and do not have any minor errors in them;

- They have written permission from the private road owners whose roads they use, not just a handshake or verbal agreement.

They should then confirm they have access to all their routes by lodging an IAP route confirmation form with the NSW RTA. 

PANYNJ gets solid support for plan to cure major airports bottleneck

Magazine Stories September Issue 2009
Friday, 13 February 2009
THE NATIONAL Alliance to Advance NextGen, a coalition devised and led by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), is heading towards 300 member organisations.  The coalition was created to urge full funding for initiatives to overhaul the ailing US air traffic control system and significantly reduce delays.

PANYNJ has become an activist in this area over recent years, concerned that federal efforts to deal with the problem have so far been ineffective and/or inappropriate.

NextGen has drawn wide support from airport operators, chambers of commerce and economic development corporations, freight forwarders, tourism companies, unions, manufacturers, educational institutes and a number of industry associations, notably in the aviation sector.

These include the Cargo Airline Association, JFK Air Cargo Association and Newark International Airport Air Cargo Council.

Among recent sign-ups are Boeing, Amex, GE and the Hotel Association of New York.

Anthony Coscia, PANYNJ’s chairman,  said his organisation was “excited about leading this effort to overhaul the nation’s 1950s-era air traffic control system.

“This broad-based coalition reflects the importance of NextGen to America’s economic future, and we look forward to securing federal funding for its implementation.”

PANYNJ executive director Chris Ward described NextGen as “a state-of-the-art technology that is destined to reshape air traffic control systems and significantly reduce delays nationwide.

“We’re optimistic that this widespread support will lead to commitments from Congress and the Obama administration to begin advancing these NextGen operations.”

The NextGen Alliance is calling for an FAA legislative bill that includes the billions of dollars necessary to advance, install and operate NextGen technology and procedures as quickly as possible, starting with the US’s most congested airspace, especially the New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles regions.

FAA studies have shown that about 75 per cent of US air traffic delays have their genesis at one of the New York metropolitan region’s airports.

On the web: www.panynj.gov

Partnership to cut transport delays for time-critical global shipments

Magazine Stories September Issue 2009
Friday, 13 February 2009

A NEW partnership between time:matters, a special speed solutions expert within the Lufthansa Caro Group, and Cebu Pacific Cargo, based in the Philippines, is expected to reduce transport times between Manila and Europe, the Americas and Africa.

It means that time:matters now has access to Cebu Pacific flights departing from Manila airport for its special speed solutions and time-critical shipments on an international scale.

With Manila airport and the Cebu Pacific air network at its service for the transport of time-critical shipments, time:matters now has even more fast-service alternatives for customers and will reduce transport times, especially to and from the Philippines.

According to Sanjeev Wadhawan, vice president operations and customer service of time:matters Asia-Pacific, the network expansion is a clear advantage for customers, as they will benefit from the shortest delivery times to and from the economically-important region of Manila.

For example, an urgent shipment for a leading high-tech manufacturer that has production facilities in the Philippines can be dropped off in Manila at 18.00 and be available for pick up in Mexico at 19.00 the next day, due to the seamless transport involving Cebu Pacific and Lufthansa flights. Dedicated teams monitor and oversee each and every stage of the entire transport chain, in real time.

The time:matters worldwide network is claimed to be one of the largest optimal schedules for time-critical and emergency shipments.

Lufthansa Cargo’s regional director South East Asia & Australia, Gabriela Ahrens, says the added value generated for customers is the increased number of connections to and from Manila to international economic centres. “The co-operation with Cebu Pacific Cargo enables substantial time savings for time-critical shipments, which makes our range of services even more attractive.”

Platts opens 2009 award nominations

Magazine Stories September Issue 2009
Friday, 13 February 2009
ENERGY information provider Platts is seeking nominations for its annual Global Energy Awards, which recognise excellence in the global energy industry’s companies and individuals. 

Eighteen performance categories will be recognised and nominations must be received by 12 September 2009.
Established in 1999, the Platts Global Energy Awards has become the leading awards program in the industry, drawing on average more than 200 nominations and 500 attendees.

The 2009 Awards, in particular, will seek to recognise corporate leaders and companies that are successfully coping with the difficult economic environment as they continue to address the domestic and global challenges of sustainable and “green” energy, efficiency and innovation. 

New or updated categories for 2009 include Green Energy Initiative of the Year, Energy Efficiency Program of the Year, Deal of the Year, Infrastructure Project of the Year and Energy Producer of the Year.

Any company doing business in the energy industry is eligible to enter these awards. Nominations may be submitted by the energy companies themselves, from clients, vendors or other associates. To submit a nomination or learn more about the award categories visit www.globalenergyawards.com

Qantas adds state-of-the-art perishables facility to its Melbourne freight terminal

Magazine Stories September Issue 2009
Friday, 13 February 2009
QANTAS Freight has officially opened its Freight Terminal at Melbourne International Airport following a multi-million dollar redevelopment.

Completed in four stages the redevelopment included construction of a new administration building; extensions to the main terminal building; installation of automated materials handling equipment; new loading docks; a dedicated mail handling area and a custom designed perishable freight facility.

The state-of-the-art terminal, designed to incorporate as much green design, automation and technology as possible, can now handle almost triple the number of aircraft containers.

The terminal features a fully automated temperature-controlled perishables facility able to store up to 20 AKE type containers at a constant temperature of 13C. The area also features a scalable SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) computer system.

Head of Qantas Freight Terminals Bob Lugton commenting on the opening of the new facility said: “Previously we had just one queue lane and two break-down stations in our import area. We now have 14 motorised queue lanes which allow us to move freight into the building without a fork lift, and 17 break-down workstations that can be utilised by either export or import depending on demand.”

The design of the terminal’s temperature controlled area incorporates the latest technology and equipment and is expected to be at least 10 to 15 per cent more energy efficient than the terminal’s previous cool storage facilities.
“Individual fan units are able to automatically sense whether or not they needed and switch on and off as necessary to keep the facility at the right temperature,” said Lugton.

“The azeotrope refrigerant that we are using is arguable the best commercial refrigerant available. It is non flammable, contains no ammonia, has a zero ozone deleting rating and takes considerably less energy to cool than other refrigerants which can help to extend compressor and equipment life.”

Container tracking has also improved.

“Each unit number is recorded as it enters the facility and can be tracked in the warehouse from a central LCD screen. “When a particular unit is needed for a flight, the system can automatically select and deliver it airside,” said Lugton.

Data about units within the perishable facility, such as location and weight, is also automatically fed into the airline load control system for flight planning.

Qantas links Vietnam, China, USA

Magazine Stories September Issue 2009
Friday, 13 February 2009

QANTAS Freight has commenced a direct weekly B747-400 freighter service between Australia, Vietnam, China and the United States.

The service departs Sydney and Ho Chi Minh City on Thursdays, arriving in Shanghai and New York early on Friday morning and Chicago early on Saturday morning.

Stephen Cleary, executive manager Qantas Freight, said the new route confirmed the carrier's commitment to seeking new opportunities to service the needs of its global customers.

“Vietnam is one of the few countries in the region that continues to see export growth, and we are very pleased to be able to support initiatives to grow trade between Australia and Vietnam and between Vietnam and the rest of the world,” said Cleary. 

“Our service will offer Vietnamese exporters one of the shortest transit times to the US and is conveniently timed to connect with our scheduled mainland China trucking services as well as passenger and freighter aircraft operating from Shanghai back into Australia. 

“Importantly, we also have the option to add a second weekly service once global air freight volumes pick up.” 

Cleary said that the new service would operate under the flight number QF7585 direct from Sydney to Tan Son Nhat International Airport, approximately six kilometres from Ho Chi Mihn City, the country’s economic hub. 

Qantas Freight has made a number of changes to its freighter operations in response to the global decline in air freight volumes. In recent months it has redirected capacity and resources from its European and Middle Eastern runs to add Bangkok, Auckland, Melbourne, Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City services.

Qatar Airways to ‘nearly double’ fleet size, add Aust this northern summer

Magazine Stories September Issue 2009
Friday, 13 February 2009
ARABIAN Travel Mart, held in Dubai early May, was something of a triumph for Qatar Airways.  There were awards aplenty and a raft of announcements about new developments that kept delegates buzzing.  Among the latter was the forthcoming introduction of daily services from Sydney and Melbourne to Doha, the Qatari capital.

This was seen more as a confirmation than a revelation - Qatar Airways has on several occasions indicated that Australian ports were high on its ‘must fly to’ list.

Current planning is for the daily services to kick in at the start of the northern summer schedules.

They will add a further dimension to cargo traffic between Australia and the Middle East - Australia is well represented among the suppliers, consultants and contractors active in Qatar’s healthy economy.

Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker said the Sydney and Melbourne services were an integral part of the company’s growth.

He noted that Qatar Airways planned to reveal further aircraft purchases at this year’s Paris Air Show, adding to its recent big orders that include 80 Airbus 350s and 60 Boeing 787s.  Five A380s will be delivered from 2012.

Overall, today’s fleet of 68 will almost double to 110 by 2012.  This is big for an airline that had only four aircraft in 1997, 28 by the end of 2003 and 50 by October 2006.

As well as hugely expanding its belly-hold freight capacity, Qatar Airways’ growing significance as a major freight mover is furthered by its freighter fleet, at present composed of three Airbus A300-600F aircraft, each with a payload of 42 tonnes.

On the web: www.qatarairways.com
HACTL
Cathay Cargo
HACTL
Cathay Cargo