ETIHAD TO OPERATE RELIEF CARGO FLIGHT TO HAITI

Etihad Crystal Cargo will operate a special Red Crescent and Khalifa Welfare Foundation charter flight to Haiti on Wednesday 20 January, carrying medical and humanitarian supplies to the earthquake hit country.


The MD11 aircraft, which will use its full capacity of 88 tonnes, will fly first to Casablanca and then onto Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. The cargo will be unloaded there and taken to neighbouring Haiti.

The charter flight is part of the “Care By Air” initiative, founded by Maximus Air Cargo, Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi Airport Services, which provides cargo space ‘at cost’ to deliver relief aid to disaster-stricken areas around the world.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said: “Etihad is proud to be able to support the Red Crescent and Khalifa Welfare Foundation as they try to help the people of Haiti to recover from the devastating effects of last week’s earthquake.

“Despite the distance between Abu Dhabi and Haiti, everyone at Etihad Crystal Cargo is committed to ensuring this relief flight carrying vital medicines and food takes place as quickly as possible.”

Ahmed Humaid Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the UAE Red Crescent, said: “Our mission is to mobilise humanitarian forces to aid those in need and the situation in Haiti is probably the worst in the world right now and we need to get help there urgently.

“In these desperate times I am pleased the “Care By Air” partners have been able to work together to bring this much needed help to the people of Haiti.”

Fathi Hilal Buhazza, Maximus Air Cargo’s President and CEO, said: “Maximus Air Cargo is fully committed to "Care by Air" and in helping humanitarian and relief operations across the world.

“As a result we are keen to work together with our partners in helping the Red Crescent and Khalifa Foundation with their shipments to Haiti.”
About Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates based in the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi. The airline offers flights to more than 55 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and Australia. Etihad Crystal Cargo operates a fleet of three freighter aircraft which includes two Airbus A300-600s and an MD 11. For further details: Etihad Airways Corporate Communications: www.etihadmediacentre.com
FOR TICKETS AND RESERVATIONS, please contact:
Etihad Airways Bangkok Tel: 02-2530099 or BKKTKT@etihad.ae
FOR MEDIA, please contact:
Parisa Chayakula/Maetavarin Maneekulpan
Total Quality PR (Thailand) Co., Ltd
Tel. 02 260 5820 ext. 121/115 Fax 02 260 5847 – 8
E-mail: samui@tqpr.com, mae@tqpr.com
About Maximus Air Cargo

Maximus Air Cargo, an Abu Dhabi Aviation Group company, was established in 2005 to provide tailored solutions for moving outsized cargo. A

fter operating for only just over 4 years in the region, it is now a significant regional air cargo carrier and cargo aircraft wet lease operator, employing more than 175 staff and operating a fleet of eight all-cargo Antonov An-124-100, Airbus A300-600RF, Ilyushin IL-76TD, and Lockheed Hercules L382G aircraft across the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia.

Maximus currently runs regular scheduled cargo services on behalf of Etihad Crystal Cargo and is the appointed exclusive air relief support partner for the UAE Red Crescent

National Air Cargo Investing Resources to Expand Presence in Asia

Company creates sales team and adds toll free numbers program

National Air Cargo is investing resources to expand the company's presence in Asia as part of its strategic plan to enhance growth and develop new business opportunities in the Asian marketplace. The company recently formed a dedicated sales team for Asia and added toll free phone numbers that will be maintained for extended hours through a dedicated call center based in Kuala Lumpur.


"This investment is based on our significant growth in the Asian marketplace which has grown by approximately 50% in just the last year alone," Alan White, regional director, Pacific Rim, National Air Cargo said.

"We are confident that this allocation of corporate resources will provide us with a significant return on our investment in this emerging global marketplace."

The new sales team will be directed by Mr. White, who heads all National Air Cargo's operations in Asia. Hari Subramaniam has been reassigned from Dubai to India to lead the sales efforts there. Haryati Nordin has been hired to assist sales efforts in the commercial and charter markets and will be based in Kuala Lumpur. Also joining the new sales team is Walter Edwards as Business Development Manager and Keiko Takatsu who will serve in the capacity of account executive; both will be based in Japan. Martha Chung has been hired as a Sales Support Executive and will be based in Seoul, Korea, where she will manage the local National Air Cargo office and provide all servicing for the country's shipping clients.

National Air Cargo also launched a toll free number program to provide an added level of convenience for customers who need to schedule a transport or a pick-up delivery. Calls to the new number will be directed to the call center in Kuala Lumpur. The call center will be staffed with trained associates that will be able to manage calls in various languages. The toll free numbers will provide convenience for customers to contact National Air Cargo from anywhere in Asia and schedule shipping, track deliveries, or utilize any of the company's many freight forwarding services.
The toll free numbers are:
- Japan: 010 800 6860 4655
- Korea: 001 800 6860 4655
- India: 000 800 600 1152
- Philippines: 00 800 6860 4655
- Singapore: 800 6860 4655
- Thailand: 001 800 6860 4655

"We are very excited to add these resources to expand our footprint in Asia and we look forward to continued growth in this exciting marketplace," White concluded.
About National Air Cargo:

Since 1991, National Air Cargo has provided high quality and efficient freight forwarding services for many military and industrial customers. The company offers airlift operations with appropriate aircraft with payload options ranging from four tons to 250 tons to countries throughout the world. For more information please visit www.nationalaircargo.com .
About National Airlines

Founded in 1985, National Airlines currently operates three long range intercontinental 45 ton capacity jet freighters. National Airlines is based in Ypsilanti, MI and operates scheduled and on demand cargo charter services.

TTA christened its newest vessel, the “Thor Friendship”,worth Baht 1,241.20 million, recently at a naming and cord cutting ceremony in Sasebo, Japan

As part of its strategic long-term development plan, Thoresen Thai Agencies Public Company Limited (“TTA”) is modernising its fleet by adding several new vessels. Including the Thor Friendship, TTA owns 36 ships. The Thor Friendship was built by Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. with Sumitomo Corporation representing the shipyard as sales agent, and is the first of five newly crafted ships to be delivered over the next two years.


M.L. Chandchutha Chandratat, TTA President & CEO, revealed that the Thor Friendship will be the newest and largest dry bulk vessel of TTA’s fleet. “This purpose-built vessel will enable TTA to upgrade its cargo service, speed, capacity, and effectiveness in 2010. Dry bulk shipping is a major part of our Transport Group. Under TTA’s diversification strategy, we will invest in three main business segments: Transport, Energy, and Infrastructure in a continuous and disciplined approach,” said M.L. Chandchutha.

This vessel has a 53,350 deadweight ton capacity and was ordered in December 2006. The Thor Friendship is fully equipped with four cargo cranes, each of which has a safe working load of 36 metric tons. TTA entrusted the ship construction to Nagasaki-based Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. on the strength of the yard’s reputation for high quality shipbuilding and customer service.

“The building process was completed in 8 months. We are proud to say Oshima applied ultra modern technology at the request of TTA in building this cargo ship, reducing her environmental impact, and improving TTA’s remote monitoring capabilities. Moreover, the Thor Friendship will further enhance the dry bulk business prospects for TTA in line with the current shipping strategy,” added
M.L. Chandchutha.

“Thor Friendship is scheduled to start operating in January 2010 on a world wide basis. Including the Thor Friendship, our fleet averages 18.12 years of age and comprises 36 vessels with an average capacity of 26,887 deadweight tons. We plan to take delivery of another Oshima-built vessel in 2011, which will be part of our overall fleet renewal process and increase operating efficiencies,” said M.L. Chandchutha.
About TTA

Thoresen Thai Agencies Public Company Limited is amongst the top 50 companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand with high trading liquidity. Its investment strategy is to grow through a diversified business portfolio of transport, energy, and infrastructure assets, both domestically and internationally. TTA is recognised as a leader in the dry bulk shipping industry. The company has also expanded its investment into other business areas, such as offshore services through Mermaid Maritime Public Company Limited, fertilisers and logistics through Baconco Co., Ltd., and coal-related businesses through Merton Group (Cyprus) Limited and Unique Mining Services Public Company Limited.

Asian Countries Agree to Pursue Treaty on Dry Ports to Promote Regional Integration

Transport Ministers Forum concludes first session at ESCAP in Bangkok

Transport ministers from across Asia have agreed to work on a treaty to promote the development of dry ports – inland transport and logistics hubs – to spur intraregional trade and growth.


The agreement came at the end of the first session of the Forum of Asian Ministers of Transport, which concluded today at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Bangkok.

In the Bangkok Declaration on Transport Development in Asia, the ministers agreed to develop an intergovernmental agreement on dry ports to provide connectivity and integration of the Asian Highway and the Trans-Asian Railway networks, creating an international integrated intermodal transport and logistics system.

Under the auspices of ESCAP, countries in the region have already adopted two intergovernmental agreements - on the Asian Highway and the Trans-Asian Railway networks - to promote the development and standardization of 141,000 kilometers of roadways and 114,000 kilometers of railways, linking the continent with Europe and serving as arteries for international trade, especially for landlocked countries in the region.

Dry ports will play an important role in integrating modes of transport, reducing border crossing and transit delays, facilitating the use of energy-efficient and lower emission means of transport, and creating new clusters of economic growth and job creation in local areas.

The first session of the Forum brought together 27 countries in Asia. In his opening message on Monday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated that “enhanced regional connectivity is especially important” in addressing development issues.

In her opening address, Noeleen Heyzer, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP, spoke of the vital role of the transport sector in providing physical connectivity required for promoting domestic demand and intraregional trade as new sources of growth.

“The economic crisis has shown that relying mainly on exports to western markets comes with inherent risks. Our region will need to diversify the drivers of growth. This must include strategies for promoting increased intra-regional trade and domestic consumption,” said Dr. Heyzer.

The Forum was created by member governments of ESCAP at their annual meeting last April. During the week-long session, delegates discussed issues pertaining to transport development in the region, including the implementation of the Busan Declaration on Transport Development in Asia and the Pacific, and the Regional Action Programme for Transport Development in Asia and the Pacific.

ETIHAD TO JOIN SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL USERS GROUP

Etihad Airways has joined the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group (SAFUG), an airline-led industry working group established in 2008 to accelerate the commercialisation and availability of sustainable biofuels.


James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said: ““Etihad recognises the need for step-changes in aviation to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and meet our industry’s carbon reduction goal. We also recognise that any fuel alternatives must be morally, socially and environmentally acceptable, while not compromising the future sustainability of the aviation industry.”

SAFUG members are bound by stringent criteria for the development of non fossil fuels, including the following:

The development of plant sources must be undertaken in a manner that is non-competitive with food, with biodiversity impacts minimised and without jeopardizing drinking water supplies. The total lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from plant growth, harvesting, processing and end-use should be significantly less than that from fossil sources. In developing economies, development projects should include provisions or outcomes that improve socio-economic conditions for small-scale farmers and their families and that do not require the involuntary displacement of local populations. High conservation value areas and native eco-systems should not be cleared and converted for jet fuel plant source development.

Each SAFUG member has pledged to work through the Roundtable for Sustainable Biofuels (RSB), a global multi-stakeholder initiative consisting of leading environmental organizations, financiers, biofuel developers, biofuel-interested petroleum companies, the transportation sector, developing-world poverty alleviation associations, research entities, and governments.

“Abu Dhabi, our home base, has itself made a strong commitment towards sustainability and in the promotion of renewable energy through the establishment of Masdar City, which will the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency,” Mr Hogan said.
About Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates based in the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi. Currently Etihad offers flights to over 55 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.

FedEx Named Best Air Cargo Carrier Of The Year

At Supply Chain Asia Logistics Awards 2009 BANGKOK, November 19, 2009 – FedEx Express (FedEx), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the world’s largest express transportation company, has won the Air Cargo Carrier Of The Year award at the eighth annual Supply Chain Asia Logistics Awards.


“This award is a testament to our continuous efforts in innovation, in supporting businesses in this region and our dedication to make every FedEx experience outstanding for our customers,” said David L. Cunningham Jr., president, FedEx Asia Pacific.

Organised by Supply Chain Asia magazine, winners of the awards were selected through a two-part judging process that included customers and a panel of industry experts from the regional and global supply chain and logistics industry.

Held last evening at the Raffles Town Club, the awards represent the industry’s recognition of air cargo carriers based on criteria such as the size and span of network, reliability of guaranteed services, IT know-how and systems, level of customer service, the carrier’s ability to handle specialised cargo, approach to security and risk management and approach to sustainability and other CSR issues.

PHOTO: Hardiansjah Rizal, Senior Manager, Operations, FedEx Express Singapore (right) receiving the Supply Chain Asia award for Best Air Cargo Carrier Of The Year 2009 from Wolfgang Hollermann, CEO of Agility Asia Pacific.
About FedEx Express

FedEx Express is the world's largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories. FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments, by a definite time and date with a money-back guarantee.

NOTE TO EDITORS: FedEx press releases are available on the World Wide Web at http://news.fedex.com.

Triple i reports robust air-freight growth

       The Triple i Logistics Group, a light-asset based integrated logistics service provider, expects robust 30-per-cent growth in its freight business this year, bringing its total revenue for 2009 to Bt1.1 billion, or the same as last year.
       "Focused more clearly on wholesale customers, we recorded a 21-per-cent jump in air-transport business in the first nine months, against a 30-per-cent drop in overall freight rates," said chief financial officer Viraj Nobnomtham.
       The group now manages average air-freight volumes of 1,000 tonnes a month, up from 400 tonnes last year, and expects its air-freight volumes to grow to more than 1,500 tonnes a month next year, he said.
       The group's revenue contribution from air freight this year has been 48 per cent, up from 38 per cent last year; sea freight, 41 per cent, down from 51 per cent; and logistics, 11 per cent, even with last year.
       For sea freight and logistics, the group performed better than the overall market in the first nine months of the year. Its sea freight volumes dropped 30 per cent year on year to a value of Bt311 million, while overall freight rates fell 40 per cent.
       In its logistics service, the group recorded a 1-per-cent year-on-year drop to Bt88 million in the first nine months.
       Viraj said the group was continually adjusting its business to react to global changes, enabling its performance to beat the industry average. In the first nine months, the value of Thailand's trade abroad fell. Exports and imports recorded negative growth of minus 23 per cent and minus 35 per cent, respectively.
       "Luckily for us, due to the expansion of Thai AirAsia's routes to many destinations in China, we have grown despite those conditions," he said.
       CEO Tipp Dalal said the group had adjusted its business plan in response to an expected global economic recovery next year by focusing on Asean + 6, especially China, Australia and India, plus Africa, considered to be the world's fastest-growing markets.
       He said as well as Thai AirAsia, the Triple i Logistics Group planned to become a general sales agent for cargo with other airlines.
       "We are in talks with a few airlines and expect results this year," he said, adding that this would support the group's existing air-freight services.
       The group's sea-freight business has been hard hit by the global financial crisis, which resulted in a huge fall in orders placed around the world. This applies especially to the US, one of the world's largest consumers and Thailand's major export market, which has reduced its orders in the past six months, he said.
       "However, there are potential markets that have bright prospects next year, involving exports of food, frozen food and printing products and imports of pharmaceuticals and electrical appliances," Tipp said.
       Triple i believes both air- and sea-freight rates will rise 15-20 per cent next year, helping its revenue reach Bt1.4 billion. This is because the supply side in air and sea space has been substantially reduced, he said.
       "The county's container-freight volumes should recover next year, buoyed by the recovery of the world economy," Tipp said, predicting that the volume should swing back to the same levels as those recorded last year.
       For its logistics business, Tipp said the group would focus more on cross-border transport, expecting this to become "a rising star" in the next five years as more trade developed between the Indochinese countries and other Asean members.