TNT Airways obtained the ETOPS 180 certification for the Boeing 777 aircraft. After becoming ETOPS 90 on 1 September and ETOPS 120 in November, this was the ultimate target the company wanted to reach for this aircraft type. With ETOPS 180, TNT Airways is now allowed to fly over oceans or deserted stretches of land, 180 minutes away from any diversion airport. Even if one engine fails, the company can continue for 3 hours to the nearest diversion airport. This will enable the airline to fly more direct routes, save on fuel and reduce CO2 emissions. TNT Airways is the very first company in Belgium to obtain this qualification.

TNT 14/03/2012

TNT Express’ airline subsidiary, TNT Airways, and Emirates SkyCargo expand their cooperation by signing a code-share and blocked-space agreement. Under the agreement, Emirates SkyCargo will place its airline code and use space on TNT Airways’ B777 freighter flights on the New York JFK to Liege and Hong Kong-Dubai-Liege routes.

The agreement enables each airline to optimize its operational capacity, while increasing the weekly frequencies on these routes, using very fuel-efficient Boeing 777 freighters. The flight frequency on the Hong Kong-Dubai-Liege route will be raised from four to six times a week. The flight frequency on the JKF-Liege route is five times a week.

“The code-share agreement of TNT Airways with Emirates SkyCargo will allow TNT Express to continue to offer excellent international delivery services to its customers, while optimising use of the long-haul fleet. This is an important step towards reducing TNT’s intercontinental fixed capacity. TNT Airways is the operating airline, which gives us and our customers the required visibility and control,” said TNT Express CEO Marie-Christine Lombard.

“Joining forces with TNT Airways will enable us to facilitate more international trade by providing our customers new business opportunities through increased connectivity between US and Middle East, as well as Dubai and Hong Kong,” said Ram Menen, Emirates’ DSVP Cargo. “Additionally, new trade routes will be created between Liege, Belgium and points throughout our network of more than 120 destinations, served by our fleet of 163 wide-bodied passenger aircraft and eight freighters.”

TNT Express operates three Boeing 777 freighters. The Boeing 777 freighter can fly 9,070 km with a payload of 226,000 lbs (103 metric tons). For pictures and additional information, visit our press library.

The agreement is subject to government approval.

TNT Airways press release, Hoofddorp, the Netherlands, 08 March 2012 08:30 CET