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Silk Way unveils plans for new Azerbaijan airport at COP29

Chris Lewis

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November 12, 2024

Silk Way unveils plans for new Azerbaijan airport at COP29

Silk Way Group unveiled plans for a new cargo airport in the Alat Free Economic Zone during the COP29 summit, being held in its home country, Azerbaijan. It will operate under the Silk Way Alat Free Economic Zone Company, a registered entity established to advance Silk Way Group’s logistics and infrastructural initiatives in the region.

The project includes will a 4,000-meter runway and taxiway, 18 aircraft stands, individual forwarder warehouses, perishables airside facilities and office buildings.

On completion of the project in 2026, the wider Alat Free Economic Zone will have access to the Baku International Sea Trade Port and rail and motorway networks.

President of Silk Way Group, Zaur Akhundov, noted: “The establishment of the new cargo airport in the Alat Free Economic Zone represents a significant milestone in the country’s history, signifying a shift towards new opportunities that will effectively address the increasing local and global demand for freight transport. This initiative not only bolsters our standing within the Middle Corridor but also opens up new avenues for growth, offering promising prospects for our business, as well as for our valued partners and investors.”

Chief executive of Silk Way Alat Free Economic Zone Company, Jawad Dbila, added that the new cargo airport would be “a pillar of the Alat Free Economic Zone, transforming our vision for Azerbaijan’s logistics and transportation capabilities into reality.”

Sander Doves, director of TKH Airport Solutions, a technology partner in the project that that his company’s advanced airfield ground lighting technology would be used in the construction of the runway and would result in enables significant energy savings.

Swissport opens new Heathrow site

Chris Lewis

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November 11, 2024

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Airfreight handler Swissport has opened a new hub at Heathrow Airport at Building 588. It includes 15,000sq ft of temperature-controlled space, advanced warehouse management systems and real-time tracking capabilities, along with a Border Inspection Post.

It follows substantial growth in the UK, driven largely by e-commerce imports, as well as demand for pharmaceuticals and perishable items. Tonnage has increased 17% increase in in the year to date, it said.

Swissport is also planning to open a new facility at London Gatwick, and expand its sites at East Midlands, Manchester, and London Stansted.

Chief operating officer of cargo, Joe Bellfield, said: “Our new facility at Heathrow is a cornerstone of our global air cargo expansion strategy. It not only enhances our service capabilities at a critical global hub but also demonstrates our commitment to investing in infrastructure and technology to meet the growing demands of the air cargo industry.

“Several customers are waiting to join Swissport’s portfolio once we have the space, and we’re thrilled to be expanding at Gatwick, East Midlands, Manchester, and Stansted in the months that follow our opening at Heathrow Airport.”

More American flights from Miami

Airlines

Chris Lewis

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November 9, 2024

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American Airlines will expand its European network from Miami International Airport in summer of 2025 with its first-ever service to Rome Fiumicino Airport and two daily flights between to London Heathrow. Flights to Rome will start on June 5, a month earlier than previously planned. The carrier will offer service to five European destinations from Miami, including year-round service to Barcelona, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Madrid.

Dnata gains Cargo IQ status

Chris Lewis

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November 8, 2024

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Dubai based ground handling company Dnata has received its first Cargo iQ certification

It has integrated the Cargo iQ principles into its existing Quality Management framework, with the aim of reporting three quarters of shipments globally.

Its stations at Dubai, London, Amsterdam and Singapore are already using data collection to feed into the quality monitoring framework.

Dnata global has been a member of Cargo iQ since 2020.

Senior vice president for UAE cargo and global cargo strategy, Guillaume Crozier, said: “Achieving excellence in air cargo requires not only compliance and rigorous data management, but also a commitment to community performance, supply chain visibility and safeguarding product integrity at every step. Dnata supports the Cargo iQ framework and will continue to invest in technology and innovation, aiding real time capability to support our customers, and delivering on our promises.”

Swissport to buy eCommerce firm

Chris Lewis

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November 8, 2024

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Swissport International is to acquire end-to-end e-commerce handling company, ViaEurope, subject to regulatory approvals. It aims to create a single point of contact for shippers, airlines and freight forwarders, providing a comprehensive service offering across each step of the product journey from aircraft handling, warehousing, customs clearance, tracking and preparation for delivery. ViaEurope operates at Amsterdam, Brussels, Budapest, Frankfurt and Liège airports.

New chief for Saudia Cargo

Chris Lewis

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November 7, 2024

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Saudia Cargo has appointed Eng. Loay Mashabi as its new chief executive officer and managing director from 1 January. He succeeds Teddy Zebitz as chief executive, who will continue to serve as a member of the board of directors. Eng. Mashabi has been a Saudia Cargo board member since August 2021 before becoming managing director in October 2023. Prior to joining the carrier, he served as deputy minister for logistics services at the Ministry of Transportation and Logistics Services, and Deputy Governor for Planning and Development of the General Authority of Customs.

United Cargo joins Cargo.one

Chris Lewis

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November 6, 2024

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Leading US air belly carrier United Airlines has joined the cargo.one digital cargo booking platform. Currently, the service on cargo.one is available to selected customers in the US, Canada, the UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland but the carrier plans to progressively introduce the platform to additional markets in the months ahead.

Chop! Chop! Quick-thinking Chapman Freeborn delivers urgent car parts

Brokers

Chris Lewis

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November 6, 2024

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Chop! Chop! Quick-thinking Chapman Freeborn delivers urgent car parts

Air charter broker Chapman Freeborn landed an AS-355 helicopter on a carpark to get automotive equipment to its destination in time for a German car manufacturer. The company drew upon its fifty years of experience to identify and request the use of an adjacent car park as a temporary helipad.

“We are well aware that for our automotive customers, every second lost to inactivity translates into enormous costs,” said Reto Hunziker, President – Europe, Chapman Freeborn. “By arranging for a car park on a neighbouring site to be used as a temporary helipad, our expert team were able to deliver the spare parts needed directly to the customer’s door.”

The air charterer also recently supported a manufacturer with the testing of new cars at a remote quarry, shuttling around 250 people to the site from a nearby racetrack in Southern Germany.

New Americas chief for ECS

GSA
People

Chris Lewis

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November 6, 2024

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ECS Group has also appointed Paco Ortega as regional vice president. He will spearhead ECS Group’s commercial development efforts and work to establish greater cohesion across its US, Central, and South American operations.

With over 30 years at ECS Group, Paco Ortega has led numerous major initiatives, including integrating North American offices and establishing key partnerships across the continent. In his expanded role, he will forge stronger client connections, create regional synergies, and grow ECS Group’s ‘Abilities’ service portfolio, while overseeing the implementation of digital solutions.

His appointment follows that of Jean Ceccaldi as chief executive as part of a strategic restructuring of the airline general sales and service agency company.

New look for SATS and WFS

Ground Handling

Chris Lewis

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November 6, 2024

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SATS and its wholly-owned subsidiary Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), have created a new unified global visual identity to reflect their integration, 18-months after SATS completed the acquisition of WFS. The WFS brand name will be retained in the Americas and EMEAA region, however. The new look will be rolled out in phases over the next three years and will eventually appear on SATS’ and WFS’ uniforms, airport vehicles, and infrastructure such as warehouses acros 215 stations in 27 countries.