Home Blog

FedEx Madrid hub ready for the Christmas peak

By
Chris Lewis
-
0

Federal Express has completed modernization of its second airside facility at Madrid-Barajas Airport in Spain.

The refurbished facility complements the existing FedEx installation at Madrid Airport and together bring the company’s total airside operational footprint in Madrid to more than 4,500sq m. It strengthens capacity to respond to surging demand during the peak shipping season and delivers greater flexibility, speed, and reliability.

“This expansion in Madrid-Barajas represents a critical milestone in strengthening our logistics infrastructure across the Iberian Peninsula,” said

Senior manager hubs and gateways Iberia, María José Palacios, explained: “By consolidating core air cargo, transit, and customs capabilities at one of Southern Europe’s most vital hubs, we deliver the resilience, speed, and scalability that Spanish businesses demand. Amid significant growth in cross-border trade and on the eve of the peak shipping season, this modernized facility streamlines cross-border flows and shortens transit times, ensuring our customers connect better with global markets.”

The modernization of the second facility adds 1,550sq m of airside operational warehouse space and 913sq m dedicated to technical and administrative offices. To optimize flow between the airside tarmac and the road transport network, the facility incorporates four dedicated trailer docks, a castor deck roller platform capable of handling up to 14 air cargo containers, and a storage area with secure space for 5,700 pieces.

The facility has automated sorting systems, check-weight-cube dimensioning and weighing equipment, and X-ray screening systems and a Temporary Bonded Warehouse  authorized customs area.

The facility will help centralize Express and Economy shipping flows to and from the Canary Islands, simplifying customs formalities and shortening transit times and expands consolidation capacity for European Union Economy shipments bound for Latin America and the US.

The facility also streamlines the comprehensive handling priority and heavyweight cargo that require direct ramp connectivity and fast customs processing, while providing additional surge capacity to accommodate seasonal volume peaks or tailored projects for strategic customers.

Freight forwarders urge tough action on cargo crime

By
Chris Lewis
-
0

The Airforwarders Association (AfA) is urging Congress to take tougher action on cargo theft and urging the House of Representatives to include the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) in the final Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) following the midterm elections.

The NDAA is passed annually to set defense and spending priorities and is frequently used to advance other measures with bipartisan support.

The House passed CORCA by a large margin in May, and the AfA is calling on lawmakers from both parties to use the NDAA to deliver a coordinated federal response to organized cargo theft and freight fraud.

AfA’s new chief executive, Steve Smith (pictured below) said: “Congress has already shown overwhelming bipartisan support for tackling organized cargo crime, and the job now is to turn that support into law. Forwarders are dealing with organized criminal networks that operate across state lines and exploit gaps between jurisdictions, so this is an issue where Republicans and Democrats should continue working together to give law enforcement and legitimate businesses the tools to route them out.”

CORCA would establish an Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within Homeland Security Investigations to strengthen information sharing and coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement and the private sector.

Over the last year, the AfA has taken member concerns directly to Congress, work that is supported by the AfA’s Cargo Theft Committee which brings members together to share intelligence, examine vulnerabilities, and help shape practical responses to cargo crime.

Chair of the AfA’s Cargo Theft Committee, David King of AB&M Logistics (main picture) added: ”Forwarders are seeing how sophisticated these crimes have become and how difficult they can be to investigate when activity crosses jurisdictions. The industry can help by sharing what is happening on the ground, but we also need law enforcement agencies to be able to act on it.

“CORCA is an opportunity to improve that coordination and give legitimate businesses a stronger federal partner in tackling organized cargo crime.”

Emirates goes high tech

By
Chris Lewis
-
0

Emirates SkyCargo has launched an AI Techserviceto move AI infrastructure such as server racks, semiconductors, GPUs, capital equipment and other critical hardware infrastructure. It combines priority loading, specialised handling and proactive shipment monitoring through Emirates SkyCargo’s command centre in Dubai.

With increasing sophistication of computing and processing systems the movement of technology equipment has become increasingly complex, the carrier says.

AI Tech is available across Emirates SkyCargo’s global network. For highly specialised manufacturing equipment, station capability assessments are conducted in advance to ensure shipment requirements can be safely accommodated.

Popemobiles take to the air with Latam Cargo

By
Chris Lewis
-
0

Latam Cargo has flown two three-ton Popemobiles from Viracopos Airport in Brazil to Jorge Chávez International in Peru on one of its Boeing 767-300F freighters.

Due to the vehicles’ dimensions and specific characteristics, the operation required between six and eight hours of preparation on the airport ramp, including calculating weight distribution inside the aircraft, securing the vehicles with specialized tie-down systems on cargo platforms, and using hydraulic equipment for loading

The Chevrolet popemobiles are part of the preparations for Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Peru, on November 11–16, with activities planned in Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco, and Pucallpa.

Logistics Plus adds Central America offices

By
Chris Lewis
-
0
Panama-Stadt mit ca. 1,5 Millionen Einwohnern ist die Hauptstadt und der Regierungssitz des mittelamerikanischen Staates Panama.

Erie, PA-headquartered Logistics Plus has opened new offices in Panama and Guatemala. Located in Panama City, the new LP Panama office can handle air, ocean, and ground import/export shipments, local transportation, customs services, and related logistics solutions.

LP Guatemala has a team that brings together business development, pricing and regional procurement, and operations expertise.

Both offices are led by Kendall Ovalles, regional manager, Central America and Caribbean, with Jose ‘Pepe’ Garza, managing director, Latin America, providing broader regional oversight.

New platform to monitor Calgary freighters

By
Chris Lewis
-
0

Calgary International Airport is expanding Assaia’s ApronAI platform to its air cargo operations, becoming the first airport in Canada to deploy the technology for this purpose. AI-enabled cameras are now installed at one of the airport’s dedicated cargo aprons, and will track each freighter turnaround from arrival to departure and log when key steps like unloading, loading and fuelling begin and end. Calgary Airports, cargo operators and ground handlers will receive the same real-time turnaround information.

The project is supported by the Government of Canada through the National Trade Corridors Fund to improve the movement of goods in Canada.

Calgary International recorded more than 5,200 cargo landings last year and handles more than 70% of Alberta’s air cargo tonnage. Calgary Airports has invested more than $100 million in cargo infrastructure, including facilities for e-commerce, perishables, pharmaceuticals, oversized industrial equipment and live animals.

Assaia chief executive, Christiaan Hen, said: “Cargo turnarounds present a different set of challenges to passenger operations. The processes can vary significantly depending on the nature of the cargo and the handling requirements, making it harder to predict how long each turnaround should take. By capturing exactly what happens on the apron, ApronAI gives Calgary Airports and its partners the data to better understand that variability and identify opportunities to make cargo operations more predictable and efficient.”

Etihad Airways celebrated the arrival of its inaugural flight from its Abu Dhabi hub to Calgary on 26 October. The new service will operate four times a week with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Etihad signs Virginia cargo pact

By
Chris Lewis
-
0

Etihad Cargo has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to strengthen connectivity and support the growth of aviation-related trade.

The organizations will exchange market insights, explore joint initiatives, and identify opportunities to expand air cargo and passenger activity. The collaboration supports Virginia’s broader strategy to strengthen Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) as a competitive global air cargo gateway, particularly for high-value and time-sensitive pharmaceuticals, perishables, energy and data center components.

Chief cargo officer at Etihad Airways, said Stanislas Brun, said: “Virginia is home to industries with highly specialised logistics requirements, from pharmaceuticals and perishables to technology and data centre infrastructure. Etihad Cargo’s experience in handling temperature-sensitive, high-value and time-critical shipments gives us a strong foundation to contribute practical cargo expertise to this collaboration. Through the MOU with VEDP, we look forward to exchanging knowledge and exploring opportunities that strengthen international air cargo connectivity through Washington Dulles.”

Vice president of logistics at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Eric Jehu, added: “The value of an air cargo gateway isn’t measured simply by the freight moving through it, but by the investment and economic activity it enables. Virginia is building the logistics capabilities and strategic partnerships that allow our industries to compete in global markets. Our collaboration with Etihad Cargo represents another important step toward connecting Virginia businesses to global opportunities and strengthening the Commonwealth’s position as a gateway for international trade.”

Airports sign deal to boost Belgium-Brazil business

By
Chris Lewis
-
0

Liege Airport and Viracopos International Airport have signed a memorandum of understanding to attract new freighter operations between Belgium and Brazil.

The partnership will combine customer targeting with market intelligence, joint promotional activity and discussions with potential airline partners. It will include commercial incentives for interested operators and technical and operational studies to help assess opportunities for new all-cargo services.

Both airports provide dedicated space for freighter operations and direct connections between aircraft handling areas and cargo warehouses and have experience in time-sensitive and temperature-sensitive shipments with pharmaceuticals as a priority.

Viracopos also accounts for 45% of Brazil’s airborne high-tech imports. It also expects Brazil’s REData tax regime which provides a five-year suspension of federal taxes on qualifying data centre equipment acquisitions to boost traffic.

Forwarder Hellmann opens three US branches

By
Chris Lewis
-
0

German-owned Hellmann Worldwide Logistics is opening new branches in Indianapolis, the Columbus metropolitan area, and the San Francisco Bay Area.  Hellmann established its presence in the US in 1988 and will now operates twelve branches nationwide. The Indianapolis branch, which is already operational, is designed to serve the automotive supply chain with international sea freight, air freight and domestic road solutions. The new office in Columbus, Ohio, adds dedicated capabilities for the fashion and retail sector, while the new location near San Francisco International Airport will specialise in technology, semiconductor, electronics, cloud infrastructure and renewable energy.

Challenge to fly India-Europe-Rockford

By
Chris Lewis
-
0

Challenge Group is to launch a twice-weekly Boeing 777 freighter service  from Navi Mumbai International Airport in India to Liège in Belgium and Chicago Rockford International in the US. There will be dedicated temperature-controlled trucking from Rockford for pharma shipments as well as road connections in Europe. The service will also cater for oversized and out-of-gauge cargo and there are plans to introduce live animal transportation. Rockford is within 40 miles of animal quarantine facilities and is in the process of securing approval from the United States Department of Agriculture to support animal shipments.

123...215Page 1 of 215