IATA expects slower growth with uptick in protectionism

In its second-quarter Cargo Chartbook, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicted a likely slowdown ahead for airfreight traffic, as traffic in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs) rose by a slower 4 percent, year-over-year, during the three months ended April. The positive air freight performance during 2017 was supported by overall strength in world trade demand […]

Turkish Airlines may increase number of flights to Bogota

Colombian authorities have requested Turkish Airlines (THY) to increase the number of direct flights between Istanbul and Bogota, according to THY America Sales Marketing Vice President Mustafa DoÄŸan. In response to the request, DoÄŸan said that THY was pleased with the demand in Istanbul-Bogota flight and will take a more active role in the region. […]

Air Freight Growth Recovers Slightly in April, Up 4.1%

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for global air freight markets showing that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs), rose 4.1% in April 2018, compared to the same period the year before. This was up from the 1.8% growth in annual demand recorded in March 2018. Freight capacity, measured in available freight […]

Copa 1Q net profit up 35% on strong demand

Panama-based Copa Holdings reported a first-quarter 2018 net profit of $136.5 million, up 35.1% over net income of $101 million in the 2017 March quarter, as strong demand overcame rising fuel prices. "Copa Holding"™ first-quarter results reflect a healthy demand environment and great execution," Copa management said in a statement accompanying the quarterly financial figures. […]

Canadian airline profits projected to fall in 2018 on increased costs

Canada"™s airline profitability, which reached a 20-year high last year, is expected to soften due to higher fuel and labour costs, according to a Conference Board of Canada report. Airline pre-tax profits are forecast to drop 27 per cent to $1.32 billion as increasing costs outpace higher revenues that are forecast to approach $32 billion. […]

RDU working to add flights to Mexico City, Montego Bay and San Diego

San Diego, San Jose, Mexico City and Montreal are among the destinations that Raleigh-Durham International Airport hopes Triangle travelers will be able to reach with nonstop flights in the coming years. On Thursday, RDU’s vice president for community affairs, Kristie VanAuken, outlined the airport’s strategy for persuading airlines to offer new service. It involves making […]

Swissport sees cargo demand improve in 2017

Ground handler Swissport saw cargo demand increase in line with market growth last year. The handler registered an 8.4% year-on-year increase in cargo volumes to 4.7m tonnes in 2017. Revenues for the cargo segment in 2017 were up 9.2% to Sfr600m, while total company revenues improved by 6.4% to Sfr3.1bn. Eric Born, group president and […]

Mexico"™s Volaris Sticks with Its U.S. Focus Despite Recent Stumbles

Volaris, the Mexican ultra-low-cost airline that once thrilled investors with a model that focused on persuading passengers to switch from buses to planes, has no plans to change its core strategy, even though its stock has lost more than 60 percent of its value during the past two years. The market, "keeps on growing," CEO […]

Technology plays critical role in airlines"™ year of "˜all-time highs"™

"All-time best ever" was the catchphrase of the day in Airlines for America"™s 2017 Review & Spring 2018 Air Travel Forecast teleconference. A4A, the trade group representing most US major airlines, presented a litany of records from 2017: the lowest ever number of fatal accidents; best ever recorded performance for baggage handling (99.5%); the fewest […]

IATA January figures point to "˜solid, rather than spectacular"™ growth

Airfreight"™s dramatic upswing in 2017 makes the year a tough act to follow, and industry data reported by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) indicates 2018 is unlikely to outshine the volume growth of the past year. IATA reported a robust "“ but not remarkable "“ industry-wide freight tonne kilometer (FTK) growth rate of 8 […]