http://english.ahram.org.eg/

New explosive detectors to be installed outside Cairo Airport

Head of Cairo International Airport Mohamed Said announced on

Tuesday the purchase of two explosive detecting devices at a cost

of 18 million Euros ($19.6 million) to boost security measures

around the airport.

Said explained that the devices will be located at outside

checkpoints that inspect all vehicles and cars prior their entry to

the airport.

For the past months, airport officials have been taking numerous

measures inside and outside the airport aiming to increase

security measures.

In November, new x-ray baggage scanners were installed in the

departure hall of the airport.

The new measures were put in place following the 31 October

crash of a Russian plane in Sinai which killed all 224 people on

board.

Following the crash, Russia suspended all its flights to Egypt;

while Britain suspended their flights to Sharm El-Sheikh.

France and Germany have also warned their citizens against

visiting Egypt.

Since then, the tourism and the aviation ministries have been

inviting security experts to evaluate the new security measures

recently installed.

The measures have been hailed by Russian and Dutch airport

security experts who arrived late November to review security at

Cairo International Airport.

http://www.iata.org/

Air Freight Growth Slowed to 2.2% in 2015

Geneva - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released figures for global

air freight markets showing cargo volumes measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs)

expanded 2.2% in 2015 compared to 2014. This was a slower pace of growth than the

5.0% growth recorded in 2014. The weakness reflects sluggish trade growth in Europe

and Asia-Pacific.

After a strong start, air freight volumes began a decline that continued through most of

2015, until some improvements to world trade drove a modest pick-up late in the year.

Cargo in Asia-Pacific, accounting for around 39% of freight traffic, expanded by a

moderate 2.3%. The key markets of Europe and North America, which between them

comprise around 43% of total cargo traffic, were basically flat in 2015. Latin America

suffered a steep decline (-6.0%) while the Middle East grew strongly, up 11.3%. Africa

also saw modest growth of 1.2%. The freight load factor (FLF) was at times the lowest

for some years, falling to an average 44.1% compared to 45.7% in 2014, driven down

by weak demand and capacity expansion.

“2015 was another very difficult year for air cargo. Growth has slowed and revenue is

falling. In 2011 air cargo revenue peaked at $67 billion. In 2016 we are not expecting

revenue to exceed $51 billion. Efficiency gains are critical as the sector adjusts to

shortening global supply chains and evermore competitive market conditions. We have

to adjust to the „new normal‟ of cargo growing in line with general rates of economic

expansion. The industry is moving forward with an e-freight transformation that will

modernize processes and improve the value proposition. The faster the industry can

make that happen, the better,” said Tony Tyler, IATA‟s Director General and CEO.

World Cargo The industry‟s key challenges will be discussed in detail at the

March. The world‟s largest gathering of air cargo 17 -15(WCS) in Berlin, Symposium

professionals, the 10th WCS will bring together 1,000 delegates under the theme of

„The Value of Air Cargo‟ to debate solutions for strengthening air cargo and the vital

service it performs for the world economy.

Dec 2015 vs. Dec 2014 FTK Growth AFTK Growth FLF

International 0.7% 6.6% 47.4

Domestic 1.4% 6.2% 30.8

Total Market 0.8% 6.5% 43.9

YTD 2015 vs. YTD 2014 FPK Growth AFTK Growth FLF

International 2.5% 6.4% 47.6

Domestic 0.1% 4.6% 29.6

Total Market 2.2% 6.1% 44.1

Regional Analysis in Detail

The global freight growth rate in December was 0.8% compared to December 2014. Within

that range there were considerable regional fluctuations.

African airlines FTKs declined by 8.4% in December although for 2015 as a whole the region

grew by 1.2%. The FLF in 2015 was 29.7%, the lowest of any region. The underperformance

of the Nigerian and South African economies was a challenge throughout the year, but trade

growth to and from the region was sufficient to drive a modest expansion in FTKs.

Asia-Pacific carriers were basically flat in December, expanding just 0.1%. For the whole of

2015, the region grew 2.3%. The FLF for 2015 was 53.9%, the highest of any region. Cargo

expansion in the region has been hampered by a shift in Chinese economic policy to favour

domestic consumption. A mid-year fall of 8% in trade to/from emerging Asia also led to

declines but this appears to have bottomed out, with a rebound in the second half of the year.

European airlines grew by 1.2% in December but the performance for 2015 in total was a fall

of 0.1% compared to 2014. The FLF in 2015 was 44.9%. Economic conditions in the

Eurozone have been subdued, leading to suppressed demand for air freight, but imports have

improved in recent months.

Latin American carriers continued the weak performance of recent months, declining by

6.2% in December and by 6.0% for 2015 as a whole. This was the weakest performance of

any region. The average FLF for 2015 was 38.3%. Economic and political conditions in Brazil

have worsened, and regional trade activity has been volatile.

Middle Eastern carriers grew 4.0% in December and for 2015 in total the region expanded

11.3% compared to 2014. The FLF was 42.8% for 2015. The region enjoyed a strong year as

network expansion into emerging markets was supported by economic growth in local

economies. Political instability and the fall in the oil price may impact on some economies in

the region but growth as a whole remains robust enough to support further expansion in 2016.

North American airlines saw FTKs expand 1.4% in December compared to December 2014.

For the year as a whole, North America grew just 0.1%. The 2015 FLF was 34.3%. Growth in

2015 faded after a strong start that was flattered by the West Coast ports strike. Recently

there have been mixed signals from economic data, indicating an uncertain outlook for air

freight in the coming months.

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/

Qatar Airways offers refunds to pregnant flyers as Zika crisis deepens

Qatar Airways has become the latest Gulf airline to offer refunds to

selected passengers who have bought tickets to countries hit by the

Zika virus.

Etihad Airways, meanwhile, said in a statement that it is “monitoring

the situation”.

Qatar Airways said it is offering to refund tickets or change the travel

date free of charge for pregnant women and their companions.

In a statement on its website on Tuesday night, the company said:

“Qatar Airways is offering travel options to pregnant women and their

travel companions who have been ticketed by 02 February 2016 for

travel through 31 March 2016 to countries known to host the Zika

virus, including one free change of date or a refund.

“Eligible passengers are encouraged to discuss options with Qatar

Airways by contacting their travel agent or Qatar Airways‟ 24-hour

call centre on +974 4023 0000.”

It added that passengers considering travel to Zika-affected nations

can find further information by visiting the websites of the World

Health Organisation, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention,

and the United Nations‟ World Tourism Organisation.

Meanwhile, Etihad Airways said it is operating its normal schedule of

flights to the Americas and Africa.

It said in a statement: “The Zika virus situation in South America has

had no impact on Etihad Airways services.

“However, the airline will continue to monitor the situation.”

Earlier this week, Emirates Airline announced it was refunding

tickets for all passengers who had intended to travel to Zika-hit

regions. The airline currently services three South American cities,

Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires.

The World Health Organisation on Monday declared the mosquito-

borne Zika virus a global public health emergency.

It told the first meeting of the International Health Regulations

committee: “A coordinated international response is needed to

minimise the threat in affected countries and reduce the risk of

further international spread.”

The virus has been linked to thousands of birth defects in Brazil and

other countries in the Americas are likely to see babies with Zika-

linked birth defects as the outbreak spreads.

Countries affected by Zika are Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia,

Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala,

Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay,

US Virgin Islands, Venezuela, Samoa and Cape Verde, according to

official reports.

http://buyingbusinesstravel.com/

British Airways threatens London City exit

British Airways is threatening to pull most of its aircraft from

London City airport after fears that new owners could raise

airline charges to cover the costly £2 billion price tag.

The airport, popular with business travellers for its location

with a number currently up for saleclose to Canary Wharf, is

of interested parties reportedly ready to make bids.

However, Willie Walsh CEO of BA parent

its margins would not The Financial TimestoldIAGcompany

support any increase in landing charges.

“If the owners succeed in selling this for 2 billion pounds, we

cannot see how a buyer will be able to recover or make any

return on that investment unless they make a significant

increase in airport charges," said Walsh.

“We will not stay in London City at the levels we are today if

these charges increase. Quite honestly the margins we make

at London City would not support any increase in charges,”

he added.

Walsh admitted he had concerns over the £2 billion cost for

London City, which was put up for sale by owners Global

Infrastructure Partners in August.

British Airways is the largest airline at London City with

around two-thirds of traffic made up by business travellers.

London City declined to comment.

http://www.nst.com.my/

Kuwait Airways retires 1,350 Kuwaiti nationals, targets profitability

DUBAI: Loss-making Kuwait Airways has let go of 1,350 Kuwaiti nationals during

the last two years, part of a plan to cut costs and return to profit by 2019, the chief

executive of the state-owned carrier told Reuters on Thursday. The airline has

struggled to recover from Iraq‟s 1990-91 invasion of Kuwait. Complex bureaucratic

procedures have further sidelined it from the boom in Gulf aviation over the last

two decades. Staff cuts of nationals are extremely rare in Kuwait, which

redistributes significant oil wealth to citizens through high-paying jobs with state

entities and social welfare programmes. The number of people employed by the

airline, however, is one of the main drawbacks to its turnaround plan, industry

experts say. “Since two years, almost 1,600 people left the airline, taking the

golden handshake,” said Chief Executive Abdullah al-Sarhan, referring to

redundancy packages. The airline, however, obtained special government

approval to call back into service 250 of the retired pilots, crew and engineers, due

to shortages created by the aviation boom in the region, he said. It currently

employs 5,800 people. Kuwait Airways is still reviewing a plan to let go of 1,000

non-Kuwaiti staff under a plan first announced in 2014, Sarhan added.

PROFITABILITY Kuwait Airways has posted losses each year bar one since the

Iraqi invasion, which saw aircraft and parts stolen, and since 2012, the government

has strived to improve the airline‟s finances. Sarhan said the turnaround measures

were starting to bear fruit, noting that Kuwait Airways would post a narrower 2015

loss. The carrier posted a 33 million dinar (US$109.2 million) loss in 2014, versus

67 million dinars the year before. “We have an initial target of three years from now

to be positive, so we‟re talking about 2018-2019,” he said. The turnaround

measures included converting Kuwait Airways to an independent, albeit state-

owned company and allowing it to circumvent the audit bureau, which enabled the

carrier to order new planes for the first time since the Iraqi invasion. The

government is also funding a new fleet, and Kuwait Airways ordered 35 Boeing

and Airbus aircraft in 2014, and also agreed to lease 12 Airbus aircraft. The airline

also plans to review its flight routes, and cut out unprofitable ones while boosting

flights on more popular segments. -- Reuters

http://nypost.com/

11/9suicide pilot inspired Osama bin Laden and-murderEgyptAir

attacks was 11 /9inspiration for the Osama bin Laden‟s

deliberately crashed his an Egyptian airline pilot who

100 people, including 217 , killing 1999plane in

Americans, according to a new al Qaeda report.

The terror group‟s weekly magazine, al-Masrah, reported

that EgyptAir Flight 990 co-pilot Gameel Al-Batouti‟s

murder-suicide in the Atlantic Ocean spurred bin Laden

to ask: “Why didn‟t he crash it into a nearby

.according to the Jerusalem Postbuilding?,”

, the Khalid Sheik MohammedBin Laden later met with

principal mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, who had started

working on a plan to crash 12 airliners simultaneously,

the Post reported.

Al Qaeda‟s final plan to strike the World Trade Center

with airliners combined elements from bin Laden‟s and

Sheik Mohammed‟s ideas, the report said

الشركة القابضة -ادارة العالقات العامة

لمصر للطيران