Marc Cavaliere is new Executive Vice President-North America for South African Airways.
     Based at SAA U.S. headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Mr. Cavaliere will oversee all aspects of North American operations including the airline' s regional integration into the global Star Alliance.
     Cavaliere joins South African Airways from his most recent position as Vice President of Sales and Distribution for low-fare specialist Spirit Airlines.
     He also served at American Airlines and once upon a time with Pam Am as the airline ' s last Country Director in Brazil, and as Director of New England responsible for Pan American World Airways, Pan Am Shuttle and Pan Am Express.
     “South Africa has undoubtedly established itself as a world-class destination, but I believe there is still untapped potential in the North American market for cargo and travel to South Africa and across the region," Mr. Cavaliere said.
     "SAA' s daily direct flights from the U.S. to South Africa, its strong African network and its recent induction into the worldwide Star Alliance, uniquely position the airline to be a leading force in growing air trade to Africa."
     South African Airways is the only airline to provide direct flights from the U.S. to South Africa with daily departures that couple convenience and award-winning service excellence.

Ben DeCosta the top airport executive was jubilant.
    “Opening of the fifth runway at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport sets the stage for additional domestic and international expansion, along with improved on-time performance at the world’s largest airport.”
    Delta Airlines looking for some bright spots right now certainly found one on May 16 saying the fifth runway at its major world hub has immediately improved arrival and departure rates by 25-35 percent and will significantly reduce delays for customers flying to, from or through Atlanta during severe weather and peak travel periods.
    DL CEO Gerald Grinstein added:
      “For more than 65 years Delta has called Atlanta home.
    “On behalf of Delta customers worldwide, I’d like to thank the City of Atlanta, the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration for their leadership and support in increasing capacity and operational efficiency at the world’s largest airport at a critical point in our airline’s history.
    “Piece by piece, Delta is making certain we deliver the service and product features our customers value.”
    To celebrate the opening of the new runway, Delta flew more than 200 national and local dignitaries onboard the first departure and arrival on Runway 10-28, a DL Boeing 767-300ER aircraft.

    Airbus A380F got clobbered before airborne as Emirates switched its orders to the passenger version because of a delay in finalization of the aircraft’s specification.
    First A380-800F due to be delivered to FedEx Express in August 2008, is now supposed to be ready for early 2009.
    Boeing 747-8F, is due to enter service in late 2009.
    Emirates which made A380 a reality in the first place, and was the only non-integrator to hold firm orders for the A380F, now holds orders for 43 aircraft, plus two on lease.		       American Airlines wants more rights in China and is expected to gain access to most Chinese cities through a code sharing agreement with Shanghai-based China Eastern.
    Meanwhile, China Eastern said it plans to open a non-stop flight from Shanghai to New York in December.
      Lufthansa Cargo streamlines its handling and sales activities outside Germany with area managers now responsible for both these functions.
     In Germany handling and sales will remain separate organizational units.
     Jürgen Siebenrock has been named vice president sales, Germany while J. Florian Pfaff is new vice president area management- Europe/Africa.
     Klaus Holler moves to vice president area management, Americas, and Martin Schlingensiepen is named vice president area management Asia/Pacific.
     As new vice president global sales steering, Helge Krüger-Lorenzen will manage Lufthansa Cargo’s worldwide sales activities.
     The five executive managers will report direct to Dr. Andreas Otto, Lufthansa Cargo executive responsible for Marketing and Sales.

     Cathay Pacific Airways “silver bullet” is not a martini or a beer but a freighter that enters service this week with a polished silver fuselage and no paint, making the Boeing 747 about 200 kg lighter and saves more than HK$1.5 million annually on kerosene.
     Ultimately all 14 freighter aircraft in the Cathay Pacific fleet will undergo the transformation.
     Cathay said lighter cargo and baggage containers are also being introduced across the entire Cathay Pacific fleet to make further weight and fuel savings.
     Future CX ULD s, are made of "Twintex" that is supposed to be more durable than traditional aluminum, and at 73kg per container, 24 kg lighter.
     CX Chief Operating Officer Tony Tyler enabled a “Task Force” attracting more than 200 staff suggestions for ways to lose unnecessary weight on aircraft, thus the new containers and “naked aircraft.”
     Whoever came up with the no paint scheme for CX freighters must have had a window looking out at the American Airlines ramp.
     AA “silver- birds” have been “bare-assed” for decades.
     Come to think of it during the 1940’s up until the 1960’s when Captain Eddie who was quite tight with a buck departed, Eastern Airlines aircraft mostly unpainted had the words “Great Silver Fleet” inscribed like a badge of honor on every aircraft.
     Meantime Boeing and JAL International celebrated completion and certification of the second 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter, fully painted and all, at a redelivery ceremony held in Xiamen, People's Republic of China, May 21.
     JAL International has orders for eight of the passenger to freighter conversions and four options.