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2008-03-24
NORTH/SOUTH AMERICA NEWS
Commerce Department Approves Dallas Logistics Hub as FTZ (March 11th)
Dallas Logistics Hub Gets Foreign Trade Zone Designation
Dallas Business Journal
http://dallas.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2008/03/10/daily17.html?jst=b_ln_hl
Part of 6,000 acre Dallas Logistics Hub has been recently designated as a foreign trade zone by the U.S. Department of Commerce. This designation will streamline shipments by deferring and exempting goods from duty and make custom procedures more efficient. The Dallas Logistics Hub is adjacent to a proposed BNSF intermodal facility.
FAA Orders Audits of all U.S. Commercial Airlines (March 18th)
FAA Orders Safety Checks For All Airlines
Dallas Business Journal
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2008/03/17/daily16.html
To make sure that all carriers are in full compliance with safety regulations, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered its inspectors to audit the safety programs of all commercial airlines operating in United States. “The FAA said its inspectors would complete an initial review of at least 10 safety orders, called airworthiness directives, at every airline by March 28. They will complete a full review of 10 percent of all airworthiness directives by June 30.” The Air Transport Association of America (ATA) regarded this move by the FAA as prudent and praised the FAA’s decision.
EUROPE NEWS
Russia Reaches Agreement with Lufthansa (March 19th)
Russia-Lufthansa Tussle Over?
Aircargo Asia Pacific
http://www.impactpub.com.au/aircargo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1349&Itemid=60#begin
After ongoing disagreement that began with Russia’s refusal to permit Lufthansa to fly over Russian territory, both sides have finally reached an agreement. In exchange for Lufthansa transferring its refueling point from Astana to Krasnoyarsk, Russia’s Transportation Ministry “has extended Lufthansa Cargo's permission to fly to Southeast Asia through Astana to the end of the northern summer season.” The German airline will transfer its refueling point within five months of the official publication that Krasnoyarsk airport has been certificated in the ICAO second category.
Emissions to be Key Issue in US-EU Open Skies Negotiations (March 19th)
Europe To Press On Emissions During US Open Skies Talks
Flightglobal.com
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/03/19/222330/europe-to-press-on-emissions-during-us-open-skies-talks.html
When the second stage of the EU-US open skies dialogue begins in May, emissions will be a key issue in the talks, according to European Commission transport chief Jacques Barrot. The EC will urge US carriers to participate in an emissions trading scheme. “The USA is among countries to have warned of a possible legal challenge should the EU, as it intends to, try to apply the scheme to non-EU carrier flights into Europe.”
EC, US DOT Launch Joint Research Project (March 18th)
EU To Conduct Joint Transatlantic Air Alliances Study With US DOT
CNN Money
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/newstex/AFX-0013-23848798.htm
The European Commission and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) have launched a joint research project that will study transatlantic air alliances. The growth of airline alliances, their effect on airline competition and the possible changes in their role following the EU-US Open Skies air transport agreement will be explored. The main findings of the research will be published by the middle of 2009.
ASIA/PACIFIC NEWS
India, China Reach Aviation Deal (March 21st)
India, China Ink Aviation Deal
The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_China_ink_aviation_deal/articleshow/2885726.cms
India and China have agreed on an aviation deal that allows fifth freedom rights. Airlines from both countries can take passengers and cargo from intermediate points to final destinations, with a maximum of two cities each in three regions. India requested to fly to Canada-US; Australia-New Zealand; and Asia, while China requested Africa, Middle East (including the Gulf) and Europe.
Indonesian Airline Grounded Due to Safety Concerns (March 19th)
Indonesia Grounds Budget Airline
TVNZ
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/410965/1647897
Amid safety concerns, Indonesia has grounded the flights of budget carrier Adam Air. “Indonesia's Director General of Air Transport had found evidence of potential danger of safety aviation at the airline...” A spokesman for the Transport Ministry warned that if the safety issues are not fixed within three months, their Air Operator Certificate (AOC) will be revoked.
AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST NEWS
India, Ethiopia Sign Air Services Agreement (March 20th)
India For Improving Air Connectivity With Africa
The Hindu
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200803201862.htm
India wants to improve connectivity with Africa and is looking to amend some of the existing air service agreements to introduce more than one Indian Carrier. India and Ethiopia recently signed an air services agreement. “Noting that Indian Airlines has a shortage of planes and could not operationalise all the routes, he said what has been proposed is that more than one airline is allowed to operate so that private sector airlines can step in”.
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