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Forwarded to you by: April 4, 2011 Beijing tops world air freight, passenger volume in 2010 LONDON's Heathrow Airport, the world's second-busiest airport in 2010, and Hong Kong, the top for freight, have both been surpassed by Beijing's, reports the Panama Bulletin. Passenger volume in Beijing increased 13 per cent to 73.9 million, trailing only the US Atlanta hub, according to data published by Airports Council International (ACI). Hong Kong freight volumes surged 23 per cent to 4.17 million tones, propelling it past Memphis International, FedEx Corporation's main hub, which had a 5.9 per cent increase to 3.9 tones. Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific became the world's biggest international air cargo carrier in 2010, outstripping Korean Air Lines with help by exports from the neighboring Pearl River Delta. FedEx, No 1 if both international and domestic shipments are included, and United Parcel Service (UPS) have opened hubs in the Pearl River Delta region. Shanghai was the world's third-busiest cargo airport last year, and also the busiest container port. China boosted exports of electronics, clothes and other goods by 31 per cent in 2010. Global passenger traffic increased 6.3 per cent overall, based on results from more than 900 airports, ACI said. Cargo rose 15 per cent and aircraft movements increased less than one per cent. Heathrow fell to fourth from second, with passenger numbers dropping 0.2 to 65.9 million, from a sluggish UK economy and cancellations after a volcanic eruption in Iceland hurt demand. China's gross domestic product grew 10.3 per cent in 2010, the fastest in three years, as the nation of 1.3 billion people passed Japan to become the world's number two economy. Beijing airport was 14th globally as recently as five years ago with 41 million passengers, a total now matched by airports in the Chinese cities of Guangzhou and Shanghai, which rank in the top 20, according to ACI. Nick Cunningham, an analyst at Agency Partners in London said air travel typically expands at twice the pace of the economy, and Chinese demand should, therefore, increase at close to 200 per cent a year, though that may be curbed by constraints such as a lack of trained pilots. In the US, the world's largest economy, Atlanta attracted 89.3 million passengers last year, up 1.5 per cent and still 15 million ahead of Beijing. Chicago O'Hare International Airport ranked third globally with 66.7 million customers after growth of 3.3 per cent. Heathrow, where strikes by British Airways crews added to disruption from the Icelandic volcano, remained Europe's busiest as next-ranked Paris Charles de Gaulle added only 0.4 per cent more passengers, the third-worst performance in the top 30. Las Vegas had the only drop other than Heathrow, down 2.6 per cent. North America and Europe have struggled to reach pre-crisis passenger volumes, the Asia-Pacific, Latin America-Caribbean and the Middle East sustained a strong momentum and gained market share," said Angela Gittens, director general of the ACI in a statement. CBP Trade Symposium Sold Out, Webcast Participation Still Available On March 30, 2011 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that on-site attendance of the 2011 Trade Symposium had sold out but online participation via live webcast is still available. The symposium, entitled "Working Together to Strengthen Economic Competitiveness," will feature a number of panels and discussions regarding CBP's role in international trade initiatives and programs. Specific topics include: The webcast will feature live broadcasts on both days of the event, April 13 - 14, and access to recorded sessions for a period of time afterwards. Those interested in participating must register.
Additional information on the symposium is available at:
U.S. - New Zealand Agree to Expand C-TPAT Mutual Recognition In a news release published on March 28, 2011 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that the U.S. and New Zealand had signed four bilateral agreements to advance trade and security between the two nations, including one which grants Tier 2 Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) status to New Zealand business members of the Secure Exports Scheme. While a mutual recognition agreement between both countries was first signed in June 2007, this is the first time another government's secure-supply-chain program has earned Tier 2 status in C-TPAT. Tier 2 further reduces the number of exams required, compared to Tier 1, and allows those containers selected for exam to receive priority and move to the front of the line. In addition to the expanded recognition agreement, the U.S. and New Zealand also signed a Science and Technology Project Arrangement for a pilot risk assessment exchange program and two Memoranda of Cooperation to allow for closer collaboration between the agencies on traveler targeting projects.
Tons News, for current and past issues of Tons News by E-mail request from tonsnews@tonslogistics.com or call (310) 338-0337. ________________________________________ Tons News is compiled from a number of public sources that, to the best of Tons knowledge, are true and correct. It is our intent to present only accurate information. However, in the event any information contained herein is erroneous, Tons accepts no liability or responsibility.
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