International Air Transport Association (IATA)

Region's airlines see 3.5% growth during Oct but IATA chief warns worst is yet to come.

The IATA e-freight initiative is set to go live in a total of 14 locations around the world by the end of this year. In this report, Air Cargo Middle East & India speaks to a number of carriers to ascertain how the challenges and benefits of implementing the financially rewarding plan.

October saw considerable angst in the Indian aviation markets, as the fuel crisis, combined with a worrying fall in capacity, at last bit home to put a considerable dent in what had previously been regarded as one of the country's most gilded industries.

Paperless air cargo systems aimed at cutting costs, improving efficiency goes live.

Numerous recent aircraft crashes have put operational safety on the aviation industry's radar.

IATA director general says 2008 profits for region's carriers will fall $100mn.

Another gloomy forecast from industry body IATA predicts that profits for carriers plying the Middle Eastern routes are set to drop by US$100 million to $200 million in 2008.

Region's airlines are positive despite IATA's doom and gloom 2008 results predictions.

Arabian Travel News grabbed outgoing IATA country manager Ibrahim Kamal for a quick chinwag to get his opinions on the fuel crisis, low-cost carriers and sustainability issues.

Following the abrupt dropping of the oil price from its near-US$150-a-barrel high in August, a number of European freight carriers have lowered their fuel surcharges.

Robert Tod focused on the challenges of airspace congestion that are facing the industry at this summer's Airport Show in Dubai.

With baggage handling mishaps rising across the world, aviation authorities are struggling to combat the problem.

Last month, IATA released its May figures for international freight traffic, which showed that air cargo growth worldwide had slowed to just 1.3%, substantially down from the 2007 full-year high of 4.3%.

We speak to Ram Menen, head of Emirates' cargo division, about the crisis afflicting the aviation industry and how he plans to navigate the operator through the next few months.

Online reservations are allowing customers to book their entire holiday without leaving the comfort of their sofa. Brid-Aine Conway asks who this sales route is reaching, and whether this will leave retail travel agents behind.

What challenges do airport operators face when it comes to securing the airports of the future?

Industry body IATA has revised its 2008 annual forecast for the aviation industry significantly downwards to a loss of US$2.3 billion.

The new generation of gigantic airport developments in the Middle East, specifically in the UAE, will provide a huge challenge to aviation security in the region, according to a number of security experts speaking at the Airport Show in Dubai last month.

The price of oil is changing everything for aviation. In 2002, a barrel of oil was $25. And the total industry fuel bill was $40bn.

The Gulf's non-state-owned airlines could become the next carriers to face turbulent times.

What travel agents must do to counter the internet threat.

IATA's March 2008 results for international passenger and freight traffic showed that growth was slowing in both areas, with freight traffic up only 3.2%, compared to the 4.3% recorded in the same period a year earlier.

Dubai's Airport Show has become the world's largest as airport development in the Middle East region hits a new high.

The air industry faces a strong threat from the combination of rising inflation and slow to non-existent economic growth.

Experts in aviation law, Ian Veall tells how employing a specialist can bolster aviation service offerings.

The Middle East's first Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) forum will be held in Aqaba, Jordan in May.

IATA has revealed plans to phase out Sponsored Sales Intermediaries (SSIs) from January 1, 2008.

Following its second World Annual Cargo Symposium, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for the air cargo supply chain to coordinate its efforts to drive forward an industry agenda for change.

Any industry expanding at the pace of the airfreight and aviation sector has to feel the force of public scrutiny.

Solar powered aeroplanes will eventually replace Middle East carriers' existing fleets if test flights next year prove successful.

The growing trade of perishables from Africa to other markets around the world has created a logistical opportunity for the Middle East, explains Jack Mwaura, general manager of Swift Perishable Logistics (SPL).

The Jordanian Logistics Association (JLA) has received the support of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to develop the emerging market for multi-modal transportation in Jordan.

Middle Eastern carriers report four years of double digit growth.

Aleks Popovich from IATA highlights dominant industry issues from 2007 and how they can be overcome in 2008.

Middle East aviation industry profits to remain stable despite global slump.

Slow US reaction to air traffic congestion impacts on international travel.

With so many different associations emerging both globally and nationally, do trade organisations have any real impact on boosting the region's air cargo industry?

The latest report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has identified an 8.2% growth in freighter demand in September.

Research suggests airlines contribute little to environmental pollution, so why are they continuously blamed?

International Air Transport Association reveals 6% growth in August, strongest rate of growth for 16 months.

Too much, too soon? Regional airline carriers are losing vast amounts of money as they forgo profits for new planes.

Carriers in region may post a combined profit of $300mn in 2008, 50% more than this year.

Protestors' efforts to prevent hub operator BAA from expanding Heathrow airport have done little to inspire British public.

Airline industry body International Airport Transport Association (IATA)'s decision in June to extend its electronic ticketing deadline to May 31, 2008 was good news for regional carriers, many of which would have struggled to meet the original deadline of December 31, 2007.

Just 16.5 million tickets remaining until IATA’s e-ticket deadline.

US-based Triton Distribution Systems has described the Middle East as a "key market" for expansion after signing several major distribution agreements with Kuwait-based travel companies.

GDS provider Amadeus has introduced an e-ticketing solution that enables airlines to issue e-tickets in non-Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) markets.

Cord blood presents a valuable resource for the medical sector and as such requires an efficient but delicate logistics operation to match. Darryn Keast, regional director of Future Health, highlights the cares and concerns involved in transporting lifeblood across the globe.

Passenger demand in the region grew 17.8% in first half of year, three times as fast as world average.

The region's airlines saw a near 20% boost in passenger demand in May.

Royal Jordanian president Samer Majali will be IATA's next chairman of the board of governors.

With $200bn in debt the industry is still weak and must do better, warns IATA chief.

Are Middle East airlines doing enough to improve fuel efficiency?

The airfreight industry is facing increased criticism for its contribution to climate change. As the pressure mounts, how can the industry unite to reconcile environmental concerns and avoid a general downturn in business?

With the December 31 deadline looming for converting all airline tickets to e-tickets, some regional carriers are warning they will not be able to switch 100% in time.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has signed Wipro Technologies as the latest partner for its e-freight initiative.

Sheikha Lubna explains how the cargo industry has successfully boosted the nation's international standing.

Question: IATA's global project to make the cargo industry paperless is fraught with complexity. Is the market ready?

The repatriation of corpses represents a unique challenge to the air cargo industry. Vivian Albertyn, partner and founder of Middle East Funeral Services, reveals how the industry helps in an hour of need.

Giovanni Bisignani, director general of IATA, has challenged the air cargo industry to implement e-freight by 2010.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has welcomed calls by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for a global effort to create a carbon dioxide emissions trading policy.

Airline association urges nations to unite over carbon dioxide emissions policy.

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Farooq Siddiqui, a tours supervisor at Regency Travel & Tours in Doha, talks about his firm, Qatar’s travel industry, language courses and why hunting trips to Tunisia are a top-seller

The countdown is on for the aviation industry to get e-ticketing systems in place, but it looks increasingly likely a large number of regional carriers will not even make it off the ground

Will the Middle East adapt to the emerging on-line travel? Barbara Cockburn examines the concept and its effects.

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