Transport & Logistics

2 August 2012 (Geneva)—The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global traffic results for June showing a continued slowing of growth in the demandfor air transport. This is in line with weakness in business and consumer confidence.

Year-on-year, demand for air travel in June expanded by 6.2%. Capacity grew by a much more cautious 4.5% leaving load factors at 81%. While this appears to be a healthy growth rate, the growth trend since early 2012 has seen a slowdown. This is illustrated by isolating the February through June trend which shows 2% annualized growth. That is a major slowdown from the 8% annualized growth rate experienced from mid-2011 through to January 2012.

June air freight volumes recorded a 0.8% increase compared to the previous year. This brings seasonally adjusted June demand about 2.5% above the low reached in the fourth quarter of 2011. The global picture masks strong growth for Middle East airlines (17.9%) and the improvement in North American air freight demand.

MENA Congress Award received for 100% gas-powered technology at 3rd UITP Congress & Showcase 2012

Leading commercial vehicle producer MAN Truck & Bus Middle East and Africa took home the award for “Enabling Technologies” for its MAN Lion’s City CNG bus at the 3rd UITP MENA Congress Awards, held in Abu Dhabi as part of the 3rd UITP Congress & Showcase 2012.

Based on 100% CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) technology, Man Lion’s City CNG bus has been especially developed for use in hot countries. MAN was the only commercial vehicle manufacturer to receive an award in the “Enabling Technologies” category this year and was also presented with a special appreciation award.

Launched at UITP MENA Congress and Showcase 2012, new model meets regional demand for VIP transport with best features in its class

Abu Dhabi, March 26, 2012: Leading commercial vehicle producer MAN Truck & Bus Middle East and Africa launched the fifth generation of its premium NEOPLAN Skyliner bus at the UITP MENA Congress and Showcase 2012 hosted by the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport (DoT), held at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi between March 26th and 28th.

“The GCC is witnessing an increase in demand for luxury transport solutions within the tourism and burgeoning MICE sector and this is creating opportunities for bus manufacturers targeting this region,” said Markus Geyer, CEO Sales Region Middle East & Africa.

Hoofdrop, The Netherlands – March 8th, 2012 - TNT Express’ airline subsidiary, TNT Airways, and Emirates SkyCargo expand their cooperation by signing a code-share and blocked-space agreement. Under the agreement, Emirates SkyCargo will place its airline code and use space on TNT Airways’ B777 freighter flights on the New York JFK to Liege and Hong Kong-Dubai-Liege routes.

The agreement enables each airline to optimize its operational capacity, while increasing the weekly frequencies on these routes, using very fuel-efficient Boeing 777 freighters. The flight frequency on the Hong Kong-Dubai-Liege route will be raised from four to six times a week. The flight frequency on the JKF-Liege route is five times a week.

‘Kiwi cool’ comes to the fore at ‘Big Boys’ Toys’ event

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 10th Feb 2012:  New Zealand, long regarded by those in the know as the “adventure playground of the world”, is bringing some of its unique innovations and technologies in the leisure and lifestyle sector to the UAE this weekend (Thursday 9 to Saturday 11th February) at the iconic Atlantis Hotel, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.

The event – “Big Boys’ Toys” promises to showcase everything that appeals to the modern male – from off-roading via fashion to wellness. While the event promises some unusual vehicles, gadgets and gizmos, New Zealand’s home grown talent is set to steal the show.

Hulme Supercars, for instance, is bringing its 7000cc CanAm Spyder test car “Bear 1” to the Palm – designed and built in New Zealand. “Bear 1”, will be on display at the Gillette stand at Big Boys’ Toys 2012. It is named in honour of Denny Hulme, New Zealand’s only Formula One World Champion and double CanAm Champion who became known to the American media as “The Bear”.

UAE, November 2011 –  Lovers of Indian food are being given the opportunity to experience the little-known Moplah style of cooking next month as the Taj Palace Hotel Dubai flies in India’s most well-known Moplah cook Abida Rasheed.

Alliance signs agreement with AIMS to develop intelligent transport solution in UAE

October 24, 2011
Alliance (International Business Award Honouree), Abu Dhabi-based leading Intelligent Transport Solution provider (ITS), has recently signed an agreement with Advanced Interactive Media Solutions (AIMS), SCALA Middle East partner and the GCC market leader in digital signage solutions, for a project to develop smart gates for highways and cities in the UAE. AIMS has been commissioned by Alliance to develop the content management application for the intelligent transport solution, which is poised to adopt a totally new concept for the Variable Message Signage.

Etihad Crystal Cargo – the fast growing cargo division of Etihad Airways – this week operated the first of six heavy lift flights from the UAE into Afghanistan.

The cargo flights, leased from Etihad Crystal Cargo partner Maximus Air Cargo, are being operated on a Ukrainian Antonov An-124 aircraft and are an extension of an existing commercial agreement between Hertz and Etihad Airways.

Hertz has had a commercial agreement with Etihad Airways since 2010.  The long term agreement will also utilise Etihad’s wet leased aircraft for a large number of smaller vehicle air shipments.