Kuehne+Nagel flies first charter to Birmingham Alabama

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April 4, 2023

Kuehne+Nagel operated its first charter cargo flight into Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in Alabama, from Stuttgart, Germany on 2 April. The weekly 747-8F flight is aimed at the automotive, aviation, and pharmaceutical industries and others that are experiencing congestion at major hub airports.

It follows the signing of a partnership between the Swiss-based logistics operator and the US airport in February.

Senior vice president, air logistics at Kuehne+Nagel, Greg Martin, said: “Our vision is to make Birmingham into a long-term gateway to and from the Southeastern Corridor of the U.S. and we’re pleased to be able to provide customers with alternative options that support their supply chain needs.”

Maersk adds China-US flights

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Chris Lewis

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April 4, 2023

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Danish-owned logistics giant AP Moller-Maersk’ss Air Cargo arm has introduced two new air freighter between the US and China.

There will be twice- weekly Boeing 767-300F flights between Greenville-Spartanburg Airport and Shenyang Taoxian International Airport and with between Chicago Rockford and Hangzhou Xiaoshan. Both will be increased to three weekly flights from May 2023.

Maersk recently opened a new Chicago air freight gateway facility for customers using Chicago O’Hare International and Rockford International.

On March 20, Maersk inaugurated its new air freight service with three weekly scheduled flights between Billund in Denmark and Hangzhou and also recently launched between Greenville-Spartanburg and Incheon, Korea.

Lufthansa adds freighter routes

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Chris Lewis

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April 4, 2023

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Lufthansa Cargo is adding new freighter destinations to its short and medium-haul A321F freighter network from April. From 12 April there will be two weekly connections between Frankfurt and Larnaca, in a combined routing with Athens, and a weekly connection to Milan.

By late summer, Lufthansa’s A321F fleet will be expanded from two to four aircraft.

Air France-KLM and CMA CGM join forces

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Chris Lewis

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April 3, 2023

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Air France-KLM has signed the long-term strategic air cargo partnership with shipping and logistics operator CMA CGM Group announced in May 2022. With an initial duration of 10 years, the two companies will combine their cargo networks, full freighter capacity and dedicated services.

The agreement has received all regulatory approvals, but currently excludes the US, Canada, Mexico, Russia, Turkey and Mauritius.

It will leverage Air France-KLM’s air cargo capabilities, especially for specialized cargo such as pharmaceuticals, perishables or express, through its hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol. For its part, CMA CGM will mobilize its commercial network and global logistics platform.

The deal will allow the two groups to benefit from greater freighter and belly capacity, a more extensive network, a mix of scheduled and charter flights, improved transit times and flexibility and tailored connections across the world. Customer support will be enhanced through a global network of agencies, and a specialized service desk will address specific requirements, including a dedicated desk for large shipments.

Customers will have direct access to a myCargo dedicated online platform and online booking. CMA CGM flights have been available for booking on myCargo since 20 March and the platform allows customers to book and combine flights operated by Air France, KLM, Martinair or CMA CGM Air Cargo.

The two operators’ combined capacity currently consists of up to 12 full-freighter aircraft, six operated by CMA CGM Air Cargo, initially based at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport (and with outstanding orders for an additional six aircraft,) and six from Air France-KLM based at Paris – and Amsterdam Schiphol (with outstanding orders for eight aircraft, mainly replacing the existing fleet).

The commercial partnership also covers Air France-KLM’s belly aircraft capacity, including over 160 long-haul aircraft.

Both groups have committed to Net Zero Carbon by 2050 replacing older planes with next generation aircraft such as the Airbus A350F, and through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). In December 2021, Air France-KLM launched the world’s first SAF program for the air cargo industry, aimed at freight forwarders and shippers.

The CMA CGM Group will also create a Fund for Energies, backed by a five-year, US$1.5 billion budget, and a dedicated team, to accelerate the energy transition and achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2050. The Fund support the industrial production of new fuels, as well as low-emission mobility solutions across the Group’s business base.

Air France-KLM Group executive vice-president and cargo and cooperation lead, Adriaan Den Heijer said: “It will accelerate the expansion of our cargo business, a strategic activity for the Air France-KLM Group, by opening up a wide range of new opportunities With our experienced and dedicated teams and a powerful distribution platform, we look forward to further transforming the future through this partnership.”

CMA CGM Air Cargo chief executive, Guillaume Lathelize added: “Our commercial joint-venture with Air France KLM Martinair is now effective. CMA CGM AIR CARGO is France’s leading full-freighter airline, and operates six aircraft. The company has demonstrated its flexibility and agility with scheduled services and charter solutions for key logistics players. Our partnership will combine the best of both worlds: flexibility, agility and world class expertise for regular and dedicated service.”

SATS and WFS create global airfreight groundforce

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Chris Lewis

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April 3, 2023

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Singapore-based airline catering firm SATS has completed its acquisition of global air cargo logistics handler Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) for €1.3 billion (S$1.8bn), from Cerberus Capital Management.

WFS becomes a fully owned subsidiary of SATS and will remain headquartered in Paris and operate as Worldwide Flight Services. Chief executive Craig Smyth will continue to run the company, reporting to SATS president and chief executive, Kerry Mok, and an advisory board.

The two companies will create an Americas-Europe-APAC network with 201 cargo and ground handling stations in 23 countries, covering trade routes responsible for more than 50% of global air cargo volume.

The combined group operates in five of the top 10 cargo airports in North America and Europe respectively, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Frankfurt, and Paris, and four of the top 10 cargo airports in Asia, including Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, and Beijing.

IAG appoints sales chief

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Chris Lewis

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April 3, 2023

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IAG Cargo has appointed Camilo Garcia Cervera as chief sales and marketing officer. He brings over 20 years of experience in the air cargo industry, where he re-joins the business after four years at WebCargo by Freightos. In his new role he will shape IAG Cargo’s sales and marketing strategies, lead the business’s partnerships, working closely with chief commercial officer, John Cheetham.

Cathay signs Tower deal

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Chris Lewis

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April 3, 2023

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Cathay Cargo – formerly Cathay Pacific Cargo – has signed a global long-term rental agreement with Tower Cold Chain, giving its customers access to a wider size and volume range of temperature-controlled containers for pharmaceutical, biotech and life-science products.

Tower says it will give the airline’s customers increased flexibility and variety when shipping high-value, temperature-sensitive products in both Euro or US pallet sizes.

They can access and order Tower’s passive cold chain solutions online, either via the Tower website or through Cathay’s booking service.

The equipment gives over 120 hours’ protection for products that require an internal temperature of -80°C (ultracold), -60°C (ultracold), -20°C (frozen), +5°C (refrigerated) and +20°C (controlled room temperature).

Tower’s containers offer internal payloads ranging from 3,075 litres down to the 26.4 litre KTEvolution, the company’s first hand-held container, for small-batch, direct-to-patient shipments.

Phase-change materials (PCMs) guarantee safe temperature-controlled transportation without the need for electricity or human intervention. The fully reusable containers, and the option for customers to select a dry-ice free solution for temperatures from -40°C to +40 °C also support Tower and Cathay’s commitment towards sustainability.

Tower containers are available through hubs at major airports, giving greater proximity and availability for customers, in over 70 destinations worldwide.

Lufthansa Cargo chiefs change planes

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Chris Lewis

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April 3, 2023

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Lufthansa Cargo has appointed current chief commercial officer Ashwin Bhat as its new chief executive, following the move of Dorothea von Boxberg to head up Brussels Airlines. Subject to approval by the Supervisory Board, he will take on 15 April. He will continue to be responsible for product and sales.

Current Lufthansa Cargo board chair Dorothea von Boxberg is set to move on to a new post as chief executive of the Lufthansa Group’s Brussels Airlines from 15 April.

Deutsche Lufthansa board member and chairman of the supervisory board of Lufthansa Cargo Dr Michael Niggemann described Ashwin Bhat as “a very skilled manager and internationally experienced logistics and cargo expert. As a member of the Executive Board, he has played a key role in achieving Lufthansa Cargo’s most successful years so far. As CEO, he will further develop the company and expand its strong market positioning.”

Ashwin Bhat began his professional career at Airline Financial Support Services in India and joined the former Swisscargo in 1999, where he held various positions in revenue management, transport management and global area management. From 2015, he headed the cargo business segment at Swiss International Air Lines and in 2021 was appointed to the executive board of Lufthansa Cargo as CCO.

Lufthansa signs cargo.one deal

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Chris Lewis

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March 30, 2023

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Lufthansa Cargo has signed a partnership with the cargo.one booking platform to give forwarders live offers and allow them to compare and book general cargo, passive pharma and perishables.

While the Lufthansa Cargo website will continue to be available as a central information and booking platform for the entire product range and digital processes, cargo.one will offer optimized search and booking functions for general cargo up to ten tons in particular.

The two partners say they will in future bring new innovations to cargo.one first. Last year, they piloted AWB auto assignment.

Lufthansa Cargo chief commercial officer, Ashwin Bhat, added that he recommended customers to use cargo.one to retrieve live offers, compare and book cargo.

((Pic – Lufthansa cargo one))

First Air Canada freighter touches down in Belgium

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Chris Lewis

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March 30, 2023

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Air Canada Cargo’s first Boeing 767 freighter from Toronto landed in Liege, Belgium, on 30 March. Flights will operate twice per week, increasing to three later in the year. The service originates in Toronto with a stop in Halifax.

In April, Air Canada Cargo will start a twice weekly service to Basel, Switzerland, one of Europe’s premier pharmaceutical hubs. The carrier already flies to Dallas, Atlanta and Bogota.

Managing director, commercial, Matthieu Casey, said: “This is another important connection from a key European market with Air Canada and Air Canada Cargo’s global network through its Toronto hub.”

Liege Airport chief executive, Laurent Jossart, added: “Liege Airport has been chosen by Air Canada Cargo as the first ever freighter-only station, which clearly shows the fast growing importance of Liege Airport as a leading European cargo hub.”