Volume 15, Issue 12


THE WE EKLY NEWS PAP ER FOR THE AIR CARGO PROF E S S IONAL


UPS to buy TNT Express in $6.8bn deal 2


Emirates


B777-300ER to serve


US capital 8


AFTER A GREAT deal of rumour and forecasting it has been confirmed that UPS is finally to acquire its fel- low express services provider TNT Express. In a deal worth approximately 5.16 billion euros (US$6.77 billion), the


Handling a


critical role in the supply chain


10 Signs


of optimism in French market


two companies will merge to form what they are both describing as “a global leader in the logistics industry with more than 45 billion euros ($60 billion) in annual revenues and an enhanced, integrated global network”. A joint statement observed that


the acquisition underlines the long- standing commitment that UPS has to Europe, while the integration of TNT’s comprehensive intra-Europe road freight network will significantly expand the capabilities of UPS in this area. TNT’s presence in rapidly expand-


ing regions such as Asia Pacific and Latin America will also mean a broad- ening of the UPS global reach. The statement said that TNT Ex-


press customers, meanwhile, stand to benefit from “unparalleled access to the North America market, as well as access to logistics solutions, such as global freight forwarding and distri- bution capabilities”. Scott Davis, UPS chairman and


CEO, comments: “With this combi- nation, both UPS and TNT Express will significantly enhance their ability to serve our combined customers’ complex global logistics needs.


Air China Cargo launches new B747 freighter connection to Chennai


ON 16 MARCH, Air China Cargo flew one of its freighters on a Shang- hai Pudong - Chennai - Chongqing - Shanghai roundtrip routeing for the first time. The twice a week B747-400F serv-


ice represents Air China Cargo’s first foray into South Asia and, while it is


currently only flying as a charter serv- ice, the freight carrier’s intention is for it to become a scheduled operation at a later stage. Titus Diu, chief operating officer


of Air China Cargo, said that the new flight would add to the car- rier’s operations out of its home hub


at Shanghai; further increase transport capacity into South and South-East Asia; and satisfy demand from emerg- ing markets for new air freight links. The airline has confirmed that it


intends to launch more freighter con- nections into the South and South- East Asia markets in the future.


13


UAE keeps growing its air links


“The additional capabilities and


broad-ended global footprint will sup- port the growth and globalisation of our customers’ businesses. At the same time, this positions us for future growth, which will benefit our em- ployees and shareowners,” he noted. Marie-Christine Lombard, TNT


Express CEO, added: “This combi- nation will significantly enhance the capabilities of two strong companies.


“I am convinced that together


we will be the supplier and employer of choice in the express delivery in- dustry,” she went on. “Our customers will greatly benefit


from our enhanced customer service offerings.” The two companies have agreed


to “seek to obtain all the necessary approvals and competition clearances as soon as practicable”.


HK gets green light for third runway


HONG KONGhas approved the construc- tion of a HK$136 billion (US$17.5 billion) third runway at the city’s international air- port, the world’s busiest air cargo hub. With the two existing runways forecast


to reach capacity by 2020, operator Air- port Authority Hong Kong says it needs a third runway to keep pace with the rapid growth in air traffic. Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Lim-


ited (HACTL) – the major cargo handler at Hong Kong International airport – has strongly welcomed the approval. HACTL managing director Mark


Whitehead said that the airport “needs to grow to meet the increases in volumes, otherwise its status as the world’s number one air cargo hub will be under threat”. Whitehead noted that the airport community can now look forward to a


Whitehead comments on a much more positive future


much more positive future: “Airlines will have the room they need to grow here, bringing jobs and prosperity.”


WORLD NEWS P2, 3, 4 & 6 ● PEOPLE P4 ● TRADEFINDER P15


26 March 2012


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