Air Cargo News.

For more air cargo news, data and analysis, please go to: http://www.airguideonline.com/professional.htm Aug 14, 2006

Bombardier, West Air Europe

Bombardier launched a new CRJ200PF (package freighter) conversion program that could extend the life of the 50-seaters as their appeal dims in favor of larger RJs. Sweden's West Air Europe is the launch customer and will acquire two previously owned CRJ200s for conversion to an all-cargo configuration. It now operates scheduled and charter package service with a fleet of 17 turboprops. "The CRJ200PF allows direct flights on longer, thin routes that are currently flown by larger aircraft," said Bombardier Regional Aircraft VP-Asset Management Rod Sheridan. "Since the introduction of the concept, considerable interest has been expressed by many prospective customers." In cargo configuration, the plane will have an estimated volume of 1,700 cu. ft. and 14,000 lb. Maximum takeoff weight will be about the same as the high-gross weight-version of the CRJ200 at 53,000 lb. Aug 7, 2006

DHL

DHL will increase its capacity into New York JFK by 8 tons per day with new twice-daily flights from Hong Kong and daily flights from Bangkok, Singapore and Taipei. Aug 10, 2006

Empire Airlines

Empire Airlines flew 4.71 billion lb. of freight in July, a 4.3% increase over the year-ago month. Aug 10, 2006

Great Wall Airlines

Great Wall Airlines will launch twice-weekly Shanghai Pudong-Chennai freighter service, with a third weekly flight starting in September. Aug 9, 2006

Japan Airlines Group Cargo

Japan Airlines Group Cargo results were mixed. Demand out of China and Hong Kong was weak but demand from Japan was buoyant. Overall traffic was down 3.4%, but yield rose 10.3% due to an increase in the percentage of high-yield cargo and fuel surcharges. Aug 8, 2006

Korean Air

Korean Air posted a second-quarter profit of KRW15 billion ($15.4 million) compared to a loss of KRW43 billion in the year-ago quarter thanks to strong international traffic and stable growth in its cargo operations. Operating revenue increased 8.7% to KRW1.94 trillion. KE attributed the turnaround to implementation "of cost control measures across the board" and focusing service on routes with strong potential. International passenger revenue jumped 14.2%, with both ASKs and RPKs growing 5.4% to 1.37 billion and 1.02 billion respectively. Yield was up 4.6%. Those gains were offset by an 8.7% decline in domestic ASKs. Cargo operations slowed out of Korea due to a strong won but that was offset by bullish growth from China. The combination of both resulted in a 6% lift in FTKs to 2.11 billion and a 4.5% gain in revenue to KRW562 billion. Fuel costs remained a massive challenge, leaping 20% as a result of both increased price and consumption. Aug 11, 2006

LAN Cargo

LAN Cargo traffic rose 5.4 percent, which the company said was mainly due to the expansion of imports into the region, offset by weak exports from Chile and Brazil. Aug 10, 2006

UPS

UPS pilots began casting ballots last week on ratification of a tentative labor contract agreed to June 30. The five-year deal reportedly provides increased pay and improved work rules for the 2,700 pilots, including a 20% raise in a captain's average annual salary to $300,000. Voting will continue until Aug. 31. Aug 9, 2006