Logistics sector losing the price war

  A large section of the logistics sector is losing the battle to implement planned price increases, coupled with an extremely low success rate when introducing new products and services. These are the results of the most recent Global Pricing Study*, based on responses from approximately 1,600 managers, conducted by the global strategy consulting firm Simon-Kucher...

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Brussels launches probe into FedEx’s proposed TNT takeover

The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation into FedEx’s proposed $4.8bn takeover of TNT Express over concerns the deal could reduce competition and push up prices. The Commission said it had concerns that on a number of European markets for international express and regular small package deliveries, the merged entity would face insufficient competitive...

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Tough June for Europe's air cargo carriers

European airlines continued to struggle with the continent’s weak economic conditions last month with volumes and load factors continuing to lag behind last year’s levels. Combined data from the IAG Group, Lufthansa Group, Air France KLM and Finnair show that demand at the airlines they own declined by 4.6% year on year in June in terms of revenue/cargo tonne km. Meanwhile,...

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UPS expands express freight service

UPS is adding eight origin and five destination countries to its Worldwide Express Freight service, designed for urgent, time-sensitive and high-value international heavyweight shipments. The expansion adds five countries in Latin America and three in Europe. UPS now offers the guaranteed service – targeting product launches, inventory shortages or equipment...

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Airfreight demand growth "comes off the boil" in May

  Cargo demand growth “came off the boil” in May, while capacity additions have resulted in a further weakening of load factors. Figures from the International Air Transport Association show that demand growth in freight tonne km terms increased 2.1% year on year in May, which is the slowest growth rate recorded this year, compared with growth of 4% for the first...

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Hong Kong airfreight chief steps down

Hong Kong Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics (HAFFA) chairman Paul Tsui is to step down and will be replaced by Cliff Sullivan, senior vice-president of A-Sonic Logistics. Mr Tsui is a 30-year veteran of the airfreight industry and in 2001 founded Janel Group, which now employs 250 staff in offices throughout China. Mr Sullivan has been a HAFFA executive...

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FedEx-TNT deal edges forward

FedEx’s potential $4.8bn takeover of TNT has edged further forward as the US express giant has filed regulatory paperwork to the European Commission. Over the weekend, the New York Stock Exchange-listed logistics company confirmed it had submitted the required filing to the EC to obtain regulatory clearance in connection with the intended recommended public cash...

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Shift from ocean to air, but for how long?

  The air cargo industry has won marketshare from ocean rivals over the last year, but analysts have warned there will be a return to sea transport. In its weekly insight analysis, Drewry Maritime Research highlighted the modal shift that had taken place as US west coast port congestion caused by difficult negotiations...

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DHL, K+N and DB Schenker the leading airfreight forwarders

  DHL Global Forwarding, Kuehne+Nagel and DB Schenker have maintained their position as the world’s leading airfreight forwarders, while the top 25 forwarders recorded a total increase in airfreight demand of less than one percent. The latest top 25 Global Freight Forwarders List from consultant Armstrong & Associates, based on revenues and ocean and airfreight...

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FedEx and TNT deal on track but clearance could take a year

TNT Express has provided an update on its planned $4.8bn takeover by FedEx, stating that the two companies are making timely progress on preparations for the offer but reiterated that it could take a year to gain regulatory clearance. TNT said that FedEx expects to submit a request for review and approval of its offer document with Dutch financial service regulator...

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FedEx updates on freighter retirements and TNT acquisition

FedEx has provided more details on its decision to retire freighters early, while also providing an update on its proposed takeover of TNT Express and saying that it will continue on the acquisition trail. Speaking shortly after the announcement of its fiscal year fourth quarter results, the US express giant said its decision to retire 15 aircraft and 21 related engines...

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Boeing ups aircraft demand expectation

Boeing has upped its expectation for demand of new aircraft from last year’s forecast, predicting that 38,050 new airplanes will be needed over the next 20 years. The company predicted that by the end of the 20 year forecast period, the commercial airplane fleet will double, from 21,600 airplanes in 2014 to 43,560 airplanes in 2034. Last year, its forecast was...

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American goes further east with FlyUs

American Airlines Cargo has extended its reach in eastern Europe with the appointment of FlyUs as its general sales agent (GSA) in both Hungary and Poland.  Both countries are currently off-line destinations in the American Airlines network, with cargo being trucked from both Budapest and Warsaw to London, Frankfurt, Munich or Paris for direct entry into the...

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Etihad teams up with WCA

Etihad Cargo is offering World Cargo Alliance (WCA) members special rates for certain destinations when they use the Worldwide Information Network (WIN) booking platform. WCA members who are participants in Etihad's loyalty programme, CargoConnect, and who also use the WIN for booking and air waybill transactions, will qualify for special rates on selected origins...

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Sharp decline in load factors

Airfreight demand growth began to ease off in April, resulting in a “sharp” decline in load factors as they reached their lowest level for a year. The latest IATA figures show that airfreight volumes increase by 3.3% year-on-year in April compared with growth of 4.3% for the first four months. It said that the slowdown was mainly the result of a weakening in demand...

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