The World Trade Center Miami welcomes you to Air Cargo Americas News, offering you updates from the industry and useful information on the 20th year of the Air Cargo Americas Conference and Exhibition.

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NEWS IN THE AMERICAS

• North American Airlines May Cut Losses Despite Decline in Passenger and Cargo Business
• Air Carriers Trim Capacity to Protect Load Factors
• May Traffic Data for Three Airlines Show Challenging Cargo Market
• Latin American and Caribbean Airlines Had Less Cargo Volume in April
• Pursuing Privatization, Air Jamaica Reportedly Draws Suitors
• TNT Establishes Integrated Road Network in South America

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Trade and Cargo Crisis Draws Leaders to Miami
With US ports laying off idle workers, hundreds of cargo ships at anchor empty and air cargo at it lowest point since World War II, the World Trade Center Miami, the Port of Miami and Miami International Airport have invited industry leaders and government policy makers-- including President Barak Obama and US Trade Representative Ron Kirk-- to a historic conference in Miami Nov. 4- 6.

Intent on sharing ideas, building business and hearing the government’s solutions executives from the major air and sea cargo corporations serving the Western Hemisphere are lining up for the 10th Biennial Air Cargo Americas and the 4th SeaCargo Americas conference and exhibition sponsored by the Miami International Airport, the Port of Miami and the World Trade Center Miami. This is the first time the leaders of the two most high-value economic engines – air cargo and sea cargo – will be gathered in one hall to discuss major issues and opportunities.

The organizers of the conferences also expect that many top US government officials – some yet to be appointed -- will join dozens of leaders from Central America, South America, U.S. and the Caribbean to discuss trade, transport, security and logistics issues facing the industry. Charlotte Gallogly, President of the World Trade Center Miami said, “President Obama knows a good opportunity when he sees one. Miami in November will provide him the rare, historic chance to speak about his trade and security agenda to leaders of the hemisphere in trade and transport in one place at one time.” www.seacargoamericas.com www.aircargoamericas.com

The Miami International Airport will again host Air Cargo Americas. The airport, under the leadership of Jose Abreu, has supported the event since its inception. Abreu believes that the event will increase two-way cargo growth for the Americas by providing a world class forum on international aviation, maritime and logistics issues and showcasing the latest maritime and security products, e commerce solutions, technologies and services.

North American Airlines May Cut Losses Despite Decline in Passenger and Cargo Business
North American airlines may lose substantially less money this year than last year despite declines in passenger traffic and cargo volume.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecast that North American airlines will record net losses totaling $1 billion this year, much better than their combined loss of $5.1 billion last year. Lower fuel costs this year have helped, and so have reductions in aircraft operations to ensure full flights.

IATA also reported June 8 that “Latin American carriers are expected to post a loss of US$900 million, as the impact of the recession in the U.S. and China weakens demand for the region’s commodities.”

The association this month increased its financial forecast for the global airline industry to a combined net loss of $9 billion in 2009, which would compare with industry losses totaling $10.4 billion last year. Also, IATA forecast that worldwide air cargo volume will fall 17 percent to 33.3 million tons this year from 40.1 million tons last year. http://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/2009-06-08-01.htm

Air Carriers Trim Capacity to Protect Load Factors
As air cargo markets in the Americas have descended from the levels of last year, cost-conscious carriers have offset the impact by cutting their flight operations.

Consider, for example, the latest traffic data from Miami International Airport, where cargo volume has slumped and airlines have responded by reducing flight activity to protect their load factors, or the percentage of available cargo space that is sold and filled.

Airlines handled 150,711 tons of freight at the Miami airport in April, including 132,366 tons of imports and exports and 18,245 tons of domestic shipments. That was 23.1 percent less freight than passed through the airport a year earlier, in April 2008.

From January through April, the Miami airport’s cargo volume was 546,259 tons, down 23.7 percent from the same four-month period last year.

But the total number of takeoffs and landings at the airport fell to 30,122 in April, down 6.88 percent from April 2008. And from January through April, the number of flight operations fell to 9.68 percent 120,203. http://www.miami-airport.com/html/monthly_traffic_apr.html

May Traffic Data for Three Airlines Show Challenging Cargo Market
May traffic data for airlines Lan, American and Continental show continuing challenges in the cargo market.

Chile-based Lan Airlines reported that cargo traffic fell 17.4 percent in May, compared with the same month last year, “mainly due to a slowdown in global import and export markets in Latin America.”

Lan’s load factor, or the percentage of cargo space occupied by cargo, fell to 66 percent in May from 71.7 percent in April. The Chilean carrier reduced cargo capacity by 10.3 percent in April from the year-earlier level, mainly by reducing its use of leased freighters. Lan took delivery of a Boeing 777 freighter at the end of April.

May cargo volume fell by 24.9 percent at American Airlines, compared with volume in May 2008, and Continental Airlines reported a comparable 15.5 percent drop.

On the passenger side of their operations, American reported a 16.1 percent decline in May traffic in Latin America, versus the same month last year, and Continental had a comparable 15.5 percent decline in the region.

The two U.S. carriers reduced their May passenger capacity in Latin America but recorded lower load factors, anyway, compared to the May 2008 levels.

Lan flew in the other direction, adding both flights and passengers in May, moving 11.4 percent more passengers with 10.8 percent more capacity. http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-08-2009/0005040472&EDATE=

http://aa.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2641

Latin American and Caribbean Airlines Had Less Cargo Volume In April
The Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association, also known as ALTA, reported that member airlines’ cargo volume fell 22.8 percent in April, compared with the same month last year.

ALTA members’ cargo volume from January through April dropped 20 percent from the level of the same four-month period last year.

Among the members of ALTA are such carriers as Lan Airlines, Avianca, Aeromexico, Copa Airlines, TAM and TACA. http://www.alta.aero/descargas/trafico/informe_200904.pdf

Pursuing Privatization, Air Jamaica Reportedly Draws Suitors
Caribbean Airlines and United Kingdom-based tour operator Thomas Cook reportedly are interested in acquiring Air Jamaica. Their reported interest in Air Jamaica surfaced as the Caribbean island’s national carrier pursues a plan to privatize itself. The airline’s privatization deadline recently was extended to June 30.

An acquisition of Air Jamaica could make Caribbean Airlines, the national carrier of Trinidad and Tobago, the largest indigenous air carrier in the Caribbean region.http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/Business/html/20090605T010000-0500_152894_OBS_CARIBBEAN_AIRLINES_AND_THOMAS_COOK_MAKE_PLAY_FOR_AIR_J.asp

TNT Establishes Integrated Road Network in South America
Express courier TNT has established what it calls the only integrated over-the-road shipping network in South America, linking Argentina, Brazil and Chile.

TNT said it is now providing day-definite ground delivery service over 1,800 miles of roads that connect 30 cities.

Amsterdam, Holland-based TNT employs more than 75,000 full-time workers worldwide and has fleets of 26,000 road vehicles and 47 jet freighter aircraft. http://www.aircargoworld.com/break_news/08062009c.html

Air Cargo Americas provides an outstanding opportunity for you company to showcase its products and services to a targeted group of potential new customers. Sponsorship range from directional banners ($1,000), welcome banners ($2,500), luncheons ($10,000), coffee breaks ($3,000 -$6,000), Air Cargo Americas conference brief cases ($10,000) and receptions ($10,000). To receive further information, please call Charlotte Gallogly at 305-871-7910 or email: info@worldtrade.org. Visit: www.aircargoamericas.com