News in Brief

¦ Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc. (TMHU) unveiled its new line of 8-Series 4-wheel AC electric lift trucks, available in 4,000 to 6,500 pound load capacities — including a new 5,500 pound model. The new 4-wheel models will be manufactured exclusively at the company’s facility in Columbus, Ind., Toyota Industrial Equipment Mfg., Inc. (TIEM) starting this May with orders currently being accepted.

¦ Swissport announced that it has become the first ground handling agent to renew the Cargo 2000 Certificate of Approval. The audit focuses on the delivery of quality to the customer, regular and timely interaction with customers, as well as the delivery of training and maintenance of records. The new certification will last until March 2013.

¦ The International Air Transport Association halved its loss forecast for 2010 to $2.8 billion (compared to the $5.6 billion loss forecast in December 2009). The improvement is largely driven by a much stronger recovery in demand seen by year-end gains that continued into the first months of 2010. Relatively flat capacity translated into some yield improvement and stronger revenues. IATA also lowered its 2009 loss estimate to $9.4 billion from the previously forecast US$11.0 billion loss. Improvements are driven by economic recovery in the emerging markets of Asia-Pacific and Latin America whose carriers posted international passenger demand gains of 6.5 percent and 11.0 percent, respectively, in January. North America and Europe are lagging with international passenger demand gains of 2.1 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively, for the same month.

¦ Brady Worldwide Inc. has announced the launch of its new B-345 High Temperature PermaSleeve wire marker, a new heat-shrink sleeve that excels in high temperature and low-vacuum outgassing applications. Brady expanded its PermaSleeve product line to best equip the aerospace, defense and mass transit industries. Brady’s B-345 High Temperature Wire Marking Sleeves are designed to meet the challenging industry specifications.

Partnerships/Acquisitions/Contracts

¦ Airport Terminal Services Canadian Company (ATS) announced that it commenced full ground handling services on behalf of EVA Airways at Toronto L.B. Pearson International Airport (YYZ). EVA Air is introducing its inaugural passenger service to Toronto using B777-300ER aircraft serving its vast network through service from YYZ to its main hub of Taipei, Taiwan (TPE).
¦ ASIG® announced that it has commenced aircraft refueling services for American Eagle and American Connection at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), one of the world’s the busiest airports. ASIG, which has both fueling and ground handling operations at ORD, will be servicing over 300 flights daily for the carriers.

¦ NIIT Technologies announced it has partnered with Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS) to globally implement and market COSYS IS — the cargo handling solution to other ground handlers and airlines. COSYS IS is specifically designed to provide tailor-made e-freight compliant solutions to cargo handling agents and carriers. NIIT Technologies and SATS collectively have vast experience in implementing and maintaining COSYS IS at several airports.

¦ Airport Terminal Services announced that it commenced full ground handling services on behalf of Air Canada at John Wayne Airport - Santa Ana, Orange County in California (SNA). Air Canada is introducing its inaugural service to Orange County using A319 aircraft serving its vast network through non-stop daily flights to SNA from Toronto (YYZ).

¦ Swissport International and Singapore Airlines announced the launch of the carrier’s new Airbus A380 service to and from Zurich Airport. All the new processes and procedures established at Zurich to handle the world’s biggest passenger jet functioned flawlessly, to the delight of the passengers on the first inbound and outbound flights and all the airport partners involved. With the start of the new 2010 summer schedules, Singapore Airlines now operates a daily Airbus A380 flight between Singapore and Zurich. The new Zurich service is the carrier’s third to Europe with the A380, joining London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle.