Iraqi landing fees hobble air cargo - trucks to the rescue

HIGH Iraqi air cargo takeoff and landing fees of $20,000 to $100,000 per flight applied only to foreign carriers are slowing trade to and from Iraq, industry and foreign government sources say.


Emirates, Ruslan International and the UAE Civil Aviation Authority chief Saif al Suwaidi have all complained, seeing the fees as heavy-handed protectionism.


Meanwhile, a British forwarder is organising trucking services via Italy then by ferry to Merlin, Turkey, and then overland to Bagdad and Basra.


The collection of landing fees for all but national carriers, Iraqi Airways and Rus Aviation, also restricts cargo uplift on passenger flights and damages trade flow, said an Emirates spokeswoman.


Heavy-lift Ruslan International, which operates a fleet of 17 Antonov 124-100, has been hurt by the fees, said its business development manager Michael Goodisman.


Mr Goodisman said he understands the war's impact, but prohibitive fees hurts air freight, which is paid for by Iraqi shippers, reports London's International Freighting Weekly.


"It would also be much better if the process was more transparent and payment was made direct to Iraq Airways or the civil aviation authorities, rather than through agents as is the case at present," he said.


British forwarder FS Mackenzie appears to be finding an angle with his twice-weekly express road trailer service via Italy ferry to Mersin, Turkey, then by road to Erbil, allowing for cross-trading and co-loading at European hubs. From Erbil, the company delivers to Baghdad, Basra, Sulaimanya, Duhok Kirkuk and Mosul.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)