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Geodis freighter flies the flag

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Geodis has upgraded its AirDirect services between Europe, the US and Asia with its own leased A330-300 full freighter aircraft in its own livery, becoming one of a very select number of forwarders to operate planes in their own colours. Operating between Amsterdam, London, Chicago and Hong Kong, the aircraft will also serve the China – Europe route in the peak season. The first flight will take off in September.

Geodis chief executive Marie-Christine Lombard, commented: “With the continued strain on airfreight capacity, we wish to ensure a more sustainable supply of air cargo space for our clients and are therefore investing in this, our own, first dedicated freighter. Our aim is to constantly find dependable solutions to secure our clients’ supply chains.”

The freighter, which Geodis is leasing for several years, will be integrated into the AirDirect global schedule. Initially, it will fly three times per week between Amsterdam/London Stansted and Chicago and on weekly rotations between Amsterdam and Hong Kong

It will also provide the opportunity for dedicated full capacity flights for its customers when required.

Executive vice president freight forwarding, Martin Neuville, added: “Our AirDirect service has operated more than 650 air charter flights so far across Asia, Europe, North  and Latin America in order to secure capacity for our customer shipments worldwide. The experience gained from these operations has led to the decision to charter our own Geodis freighter.”

AGI goes off-airport in Newark

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Cargo handler Alliance Ground International (AGI) has opened a new 76,000sq ft off-airport import facility near Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey. The handler is also relocating from existing facilities at Newark (EWR) to a 24,000-square-foot facility on airport at to handle export cargo.

Arriving import cargo will be trucked to the new off-airport facility by an AGI in-house shuttle service.

The off-airport facility will feature 19 cargo bay doors, active ULD charging stations, ULD storage and cold storage and pharma handling areas. It also features electronic flight boards, mobile technology for ramp operations, and truck queuing and management software.

AGI chief executive Jared Azcuy (pictured) said the dual facility solution had been tried and tested at other locations, and would speed up processing. He added: “Newark will shortly be taking back much of the warehousing on airport as leases expire. Our new facilities and digital solutions mean that AGI is more than ready to support customers in New Jersey.”

AGI has committed to long-term lease agreements for both facilities, which are in addition to the 120,000 square-foot Priority Mail facility in South Kearney, New Jersey, operated by sister company Cargo Force.

AGI is the largest independently owned ground handling company in the US, offering domestic and international operations, as well as priority products, special commodities, and USPS Postal Operations.

It will shortly be launching AGI U, a Cargo Learning Centre dedicated to team member training and development.

China Southern approves new temp-controlled container

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China Southern Airlines has approved the Envirotainer Releye RLP temperature-controlled container for use on its aircraft.  The RLP is a LD11-sized unit with air flow technology to maintain temperature stability and can take two US pallets or three Europallets. It fills a gap between the larger RAP-size and the smaller RKN-size allowing for increase efficiency by mixing and matching sizes. It has rechargeable batteries and can power its system for over 170 hours on a single charge.

Kerry profits healthy despite Covid

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Hong Kong forwarder Kerry Logistics Network said its revenue increased by 68% year-on-year to HK$36,709 million while core operating profit rose 70% to HK$2,536 million (2020 1H: HK$1,489 million) in its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2021.Core net profit jumped by 81% year-on-year to HK$1,530 million (2020 1H: HK$845 million). Group managing director William Ma said that while the Delta variant had severely affected supply chains and disrupted business operations around the world, KLN Group capitalised on the opportunities in this new environment by providing highly customised logistics solutions.

ACS flies aid to Haiti

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Air Charter Service chartered a Boeing B787-9 on 24 August to transport 20 tonnes of British government aid from London Heathrow to Haiti following the devastating earthquake there.   
ACS London cargo director James Cristofoli, said the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office cargo included shelter kits and solar powered lanterns for up to 1,300 families, adding: “We expect to see more such support to follow over the next week or so. Our US offices have already arranged several additional charters with relief in support of the operation.”
Following the 2010 earthquake ACS  arranged more than 100 flights as part of the humanitarian effort and a number of its staff spent time on the ground during the operation, “which makes our work particularly poignant”, he added.

Urgent flight beats China blockage

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With scheduled passenger flights cancelled due to Covid Delta variant outbreaks in Chinese cargo hubs, Bollore Logistics and AirBridgeCargo Airlines organised an urgent charter flight from Milan, Italy to Shanghai in China to move a large batch of diabetes treatments. The flight used a mix of Envirotainer and DoKaSch containers loaded on the main deck of the Boeing 747 freighter.  
Global healthcare director of Volga-Dnepr Group, Yulia Celetaria, commented: “Even though the world has been slowly coming back to normal life, supply chain disruptions are still taking place. In times like this, we are always here to support our customers with timely and effective logistics solutions.”

Air broker expects early Christmas

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Robert Jubb, UK head of freight at broker Air Partner says he is expecting an increase in demand for dedicated cargo flights in the lead-up to Christmas, due to the ongoing shortage of truck drivers.

He commented: “Recent complications to supply chains due to Brexit and a lack of available HGV drivers has seen our enquiries for air freight increase by as much as 60% to meet demand for orders typically fulfilled via sea or road transportation. Sea freight is experiencing significant delays in shipping, due to a short supply of available containers and costs are at their highest, which is driving further interest in air freight. Seafreight continues to run beyond maximum capacity and cargo aircraft are close to being fully-booked between September and the end of the year.”

He expects demand for air freight to surge in the short-term as retailers are recommending to customers to buy their toys and presents earlier than usual ahead of Christmas.”

US funds Alaskan air lifelines

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The US Federal Aviation Administration has made $85 million in grants to 19 Alaskan airports through its Airport Improvement Program.
While many of the gateways are small, aviation is the backbone of daily commerce for many communities, including the delivery of food and life-saving supplies.
The projects announced today will not have to pay the usual local match thanks to nearly $100 million in President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act.
They include funds for snow removal equipment, to upgrade runways, taxiways and aprons, lighting, along with other improvements to airfields and seaplane bases.

Freight hub takes airports award

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The airline industry acknowledged the importance of cargo when the Ohio Aviation Association named freight-focused Rickenbacker International Airport as its 2021 Airport of the Year. The award honors airports that have made extraordinary accomplishments in aviation.

Rickenbacker is one of the world’s few truly cargo-focused airports, and says it moves airfreight between planes and trucks faster than any other global gateway. Located within a 10-hour drive of half the US and a third of Canadian populations, it supports the world’s largest aircraft and offers services for all aircraft types.

Rickenbacker was recognized for its leadership during an unpredictable year that brought emergency PPE shipments, record-breaking shipments of international cargo and its first passenger aircraft converted for cargo.

It is one of the few non-passenger hub airports to accommodate passenger-freighters – otherwise inactive passenger aircraft used to carry cargo. In September, the airport expects to surpass 1,000 passenger-freighters since May 2020.

Rickenbacker has continued to increase its capacity in order to keep up with demand for PPE as well as consumer goods and manufacturing components. The airport broke records for international all-cargo arrivals in June 2020 with 120 flights, and again in June 2021 with 150 flights. A new pharmaceutical cargo transfer facility is scheduled to open later this year.

President and chief executive of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, Joseph Nardone, said:

“Not only did we weather the storm, but Rickenbacker came out stronger and we will continue to serve as a critical global air cargo gateway.”

Door-to-door for four-legged friends

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American Airlines is offering easier travel for our furry friends in the US with a new add-on door-to-door service provided by My Pet Cab.

From 1 September 1, customers booking travel for their cat or dog through American can add a delivery ground transportation service to their reservation so they can welcome their furry companion at home instead of waiting at the cargo terminal.

Agents will provide an exact price quote for My Pet Cab’s services using the delivery address and can book air and ground transportation at the same time.

My Pet Cab drivers will provide real-time text messages to give customers peace of mind. Pets will also have access to My Pet Cab’s 24/7 on-call veterinarians.