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Air Canada restores South America links

Chris Lewis
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Air Canada restores South America links

Following its resumption of flights to India, Air Canada will also increase in capacity to several South American destinations. Service to São Paulo, Brazil will resume from Montreal on December 8 with four flights per week year-round, while from Toronto they increase to daily from December 6, all with Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Montreal to Bogotá, Colombia is set to resume on December 2 with three weekly flights, and flights from Toronto to Bogotá will increase to four per week as of November 7, all operated on an Airbus A330-300. Flights to Argentina are still pending government approval. Santiago, Chile will rejoin Air Canada’s network in January 2022 with the resumption of three weekly flights.

Vaccine flies on wings of HOPE

Chris Lewis
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Vaccine flies on wings of HOPE

The HOPE Consortium is kickstarting the vaccination effort in Africa with a delivery of large freezers that will be used to store the vaccine to 21 countries.

Working in conjunction with the UNICEF aid agency and COVAX, the global collaboration that aims to ensure access for all to the vaccine – the first HOPE-facilitated flight from China to Belgium touched down in Liege Airport on 7 October carrying 65 ultra-cold chain freezers for vaccine storage, 60,000 syringes and 1,300 safety boxes. This equipment will now be transported onwards to 21 African countries, from Burkina Faso to Sudan, Zambia to São Tomé and Príncipe.

Many are difficult to reach locations, particularly with air travel disruption and the nature of the goods being delivered. Scaling up ultra-cold chain capacity is especially important as African countries prepare to receive the  vaccines, which require storage at – 70 degrees Celsius.

The ultra-cold freezers are 2.5 metres high and 1 metre long, too large to transport as bellyhold  on regular passenger flights, so all-cargo planes are the only option. 

Chief of transport at UNICEF supply division, Jean-Cedric Meeus, said: “In addition to the large size, we also faced the challenge of reducing the amount of gas within the ultra-cold freezers to make them suitable to ship by air. We worked with the manufacturer to reduce the gas levels and re-gas the freezers at destination. These are the minute but critical details that determine what, when and how we can ship, and importantly, the cost of shipping in a highly constrained market.”

However, with the world shipping industry in turmoil due to lack of capacity, reduced flights, congested ports and soaring freight costs, the competition for air and sea cargo is at an all-time high.

The HOPE Consortium is a public-private partnership consisting of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Ports, Etihad Cargo, Rafed, Maqta Gateway and SkyCell, which provides Covid-19 vaccine storage and delivery services at its hub in Abu Dhabi. It provides transport, storage, handling, sourcing, and global distribution services (via its collaboration with leading logistical companies), offering UNICEF and COVAX additional logistics capacity during a time of great need.

Jean-Cedric Meeus, added:  “In my 21 years working for UNICEF, I have never seen the kind of pressure on shipping and transport industries that we are experiencing right now. To combat the pandemic, we are moving large volumes of bulky equipment, at a time when cargo space is at a premium. This contribution from UAE and the HOPE Consortium comes at a crucial time,” said

((Pix – HOPE))

SEKO’s Californian square feet top a million

Chris Lewis
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SEKO’s Californian square feet top a million

SEKO Logistics a new facility at its LAX Campus close to the Port of Long Beach and Los Angeles International Airport, increasing its total footprint in southern California to over a million square feet.

The new Class A building is one of two new facilities adding over 300,000sq ft of additional warehouse space. The second warehouse in the new complex will open in early 2022.

SEKO’s new LAX Campus is 15 miles from Los Angeles airport and eight miles from the Port of Long Beach. The first building adds a further 189,000sq ft to SEKO’s existing warehouse operations in southern California.

It incorporates 40 truck doors, a mezzanine floor dedicated to ecommerce order picking, over 35,000 storage locations and 5,300 racking positions. The second building will increase SEKO’s footprint by a further 110,000 sq ft and expand capacity to 70,000 storage locations and 15,000 racking positions.

The new location serves SEKO’s broad service portfolio, acting at a multi-client ecommerce fulfilment center with a dedicated mezzanine floor for order picking, and a hub for SEKO’s freight forwarding, air freight, ocean freight, cross-border and white glove solutions. It will also manage SEKO’s US domestic truck distribution network, which has accelerated since ocean carriers reduced their own inland service offerings.

SEKO president and chief executive, James Gagne, said: “Southern California is a strong location for us, so getting an additional warehouse complex of this size and quality so close to the port and airport is a big deal for SEKO and our clients, especially in such challenging times. It will enable client growth in the region and across the US.”

Lothar Moehle to lead Cargo iQ

Chris Lewis
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Lothar Moehle to lead Cargo iQ

Air cargo stakeholder group Cargo iQ has named Lothar Moehle as its new executive director.

He brings over four decades of experience in the air cargo and logistics sectors, including senior positions at UPS and DB Schenker and was one of the founders of the organisation in 1997, when it was originally named Cargo 2000. He will begin his term on 1 January 2022.

Together with chair Henrik Ambak and vice-chair Kerstin Strauss Cargo iQ also announced its renewed vision for 2022.

It pledged to help members to achieve five key objectives, starting with 100% reporting, to ensure ‘one version of the truth’ from end to end of the Master Operating Plan (MOP).

It also aims for 100% reporting and full transparency, ensuring Cargo iQ processes are fully implemented as members’ quality management systems, membership growth and retention, accelerating the development of new and revised processes and ensuring that members want to be involved and truly feel that the Cargo iQ processes are their own.

Cargo iQ will also push to recruit more small and medium-sized freight forwarders.

Lothar Moehle said: “Cargo iQ is one of the few organizations in the industry with all stakeholders working together on transparency, visibility and quality improvement, and I join the leadership team as we look to drive the organization in new directions, to achieve our ultimate goal of a quality-driven global supply chain.”

“The last 18 months have taught us, more than ever, to embrace digitalization for a seamless and transparent supply chain. Collaboration is key to us achieving that as an industry, and Cargo iQ provides a vital platform to achieve that collaboration.”

Aer Lingus launches UK transatlantic flights

Chris Lewis
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Aer Lingus launches UK transatlantic flights

Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus – part of the IAG Group – will open its first UK transatlantic base in Manchester on 20 October, with a service to Barbados. It will add flights from Manchester to New York JFK on 1 December and Orlando from 11 December. Air Transat flights from Manchester to Toronto will also resume on 20 October.

Clever IT means more freight throughput for Lufthansa

Chris Lewis
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Clever IT means more freight throughput for Lufthansa

Lufthansa Cargo says it will be able to handle more cargo in the same facilities more punctually thanks to a new production planning and control (PPC) system. Based on DELMIA Quintiq -part of Dassault Systèmes- software and Ab Ovo’s industry expertise, it enables it to maximize capacity of workstations and improve the flow of freight and cargo through the main hub in Frankfurt. It also improves the quality of planning and visibility with smart algorithms.

It assists in scheduling the break-down of incoming cargo and the build-up of outgoing freight for onward transport by truck or flight and helps spread the workload better between peak and off-peak hours.

Mentors wanted for air cargo’s future female leaders

Chris Lewis
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Mentors wanted for air cargo’s future female leaders

Women in Aviation and Logistics (WAL) has launched a new mentorship scheme to support and encourage the next generation of female leaders.

The scheme is free to join and will bring together industry leaders, both women and men, to mentor and support women looking to develop their careers in the industry.

WAL has also developed a new online hub (womeninaviationandlogistics.org) to facilitate and support mentors and mentees, who are asked to commit to a minimum of four hours over four months.

Chief executive and founder of freight industry public relations firm, Meantime Communications, Emma Murray (pictured, left) said: “We continue to push for gender parity to future-proof and energise our industry by developing projects with tangible results, as well as monitoring the industry to give constructive feedback.

“For the mentorship scheme, we have put together a workable blueprint, and already have commitment from seventeen industry professionals and counting. Now we need companies and individuals to spread the word and encourage mentees to come forward and mentors to sign up.”

Céline Hourcade (right), founder and managing director of Change Horizon, which supports aviation and  logistics organizations’ development and transformation programs, added: “We are calling on more women to sign up and for the industry to properly use this resource to drive change.”

The WAL database is now searchable and hosted on the new website, including women who have registered an interest in speaking at events, putting themselves forward for board membership, and giving expert input for journalists.

The WAL database is free to use and join and already includes over 40 women who are experts in their field.

Rickenbacker gains second cargo handler

Chris Lewis
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Rickenbacker gains second cargo handler

Inoa Ventures Management’s MIC Cargo arm has selected Rickenbacker International Airport as its first location outside Chicago, leasing an adjacent 46,000sq ft facility and becoming the gateway’s second full-service freight terminal services provider.

The building, in the Alum Creek Logistics Center, was built in 1996 and features eight dock doors and one ramp. MIC is scheduled to begin handling cargo in the facility no later than January 2022.

It said its move came at a time when flights and tonnage at the airport have continued to increase exponentially through the pandemic and with the challenges facing global ocean freight supply chains.

MIC Cargo chief executive Edip Pektas explained: “As we evaluated the greatest opportunities to expand the MIC Cargo brand and philosophy, we have been actively considering a number of cities and airports. From our point of view, Rickenbacker is where we felt it best to next open based on current traffic forecasts, the Rickenbacker logistics community and our opportunity to offer service to a number of our existing clients outside Chicago.”

Columbus Regional Airport Authority president and chief executive Joseph Nardone added: “As a pioneer of the forwarder-centric business model, we believe our airport and growing community of logistics providers and air cargo partners is an ideal environment for MIC to succeed. The addition of MIC will allow Rickenbacker to continue to grow our international air cargo service while furthering our goal of providing best-in-class service for air cargo customers.”

CEVA first to gain IATA battery cert

Chris Lewis
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CEVA first to gain IATA battery cert

CEVA Logistics said it had become the world’s first company to receive IATA’s new CEIV Lithium Battery certification at the association’s annual World Cargo Symposium (WCS) in Dublin, Ireland on 12 October. The initial certification covers the forwarder’s Amsterdam and Hong Kong air freight stations but there are plans to extend it to additional locations in Europe, Asia and the Americas.

The certification confirms each facility’s ability to properly handle and store lithium batteries, as well as validating training and expertise of employees.

CEIV Lithium Battery is the fourth CEIV program from IATA, the others being for pharma, live animals and fresh produce. More than 300 companies across the logistics and supply chain industry have received certification under one of the programs.

Chief operating officer of air freight for CEVA Logistics, Peter Penseel, said: “Our experience in transporting a wide range of batteries made us an ideal partner with IATA in piloting their new CEIV certification. IATA continues to lead the way in providing standards, regulations and guidelines to improve overall quality and safety in the air transport industry. This new certification gives customers even more confidence in our ability to safely and reliably transport their lithium batteries.”

IATA director general Willie Walsh, added: “Congratulations to CEVA for becoming the first logistics company to achieve CEIV Lithium Battery certification in their Amsterdam and Hong Kong hubs. As a pioneer in the CEIV Lithium Battery program their customers will appreciate their dedication to safely handling their shipments and the industry will benefit from the quality benchmark that they are helping to set.”

IAG launches Spain-Sengal route

Chris Lewis
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IAG launches Spain-Sengal route

IAG Cargo has launched a new route between to Dakar, Senegal and Madrid, in response to increasing cargo demand to West Africa. It operates five times a week with an Iberia Airbus 330 and A350 with cargo capacity of 20 and 30 tonnes per flight.

IAG Cargo said the new route would facilitate exports of electronics and pharmaceuticals to Dakar while inbound traffic would include perishables such as green beans, mangos, melons, and fish to including to the US and Asia Pacific as via Madrid.

IAG Cargo now operates over 25 flights a week to the region, flying directly to Accra in Ghana as well as Lagos and Abuja in Nigeria from London-Heathrow.

IAG Cargo regional commercial manager for Europe and Africa, Freddie Overton, said: “This is an exciting new route for IAG Cargo that will benefit many businesses across Europe and West Africa. We know that our customers have been interested in expanding their reach into West Africa and it’s exciting to be making this happen and expanding into a new market.”

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