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Virgin steps up schedules

Airlines

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August 13, 2021

Virgin Atlantic is to launch twice-weekly Airbus A330 flights from Edinburgh to Barbados on 5 December and twice weekly flights to Orlando, Florida in April 2022, reports Routes Online.

It will also start a three times a week seasonal A330-300 winter service from Manchester to Montego Bay, Jamaica from 6 November and increase frequencies from Manchester to Barbados from three times to five times a week.

The carrier will also launch a twice-weekly Boeing 787-9route from London Heathrow to Nassau, Bahamas from 20 November.

It will also return to St Lucia from 18 December with a three times a week A330-300 flight from Heathrow replacing the former service from London Gatwick.

It will also add four more flights a week to its Heathrow-Hong Kong schedule from September capacity to Hong Kong (HKG) using A350 aircraft.

IAG ships 10 million vaccines, but a long way to go

Airlines

Chris Lewis

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August 12, 2021

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IAG ships 10 million vaccines, but a long way to go

IAG Cargo says it has transported over 10 million Covid vaccines worldwide on its constant Climate service. This includes a 4 million dose shipment to Abuja, Nigeria for UNICEF’s Covax initiative and 300,000 doses to Jamaica, donated by the UK government in partnership with its Crown Agents arm.

However, Crown Agents chief executive Fergus Drake said: “As of today, 29% of the world’s population has been vaccinated. Urgent help is needed to ensure 70% vaccine coverage in every country in 2022 as per the WHO’s recommendation.”

We’re back in business says Etihad

Airlines

Chris Lewis

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August 11, 2021

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Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Cargo says it has reclaimed 90% of its pre-Covid destinations and recorded a 20% increase in tonnage compared to the same period in 2019.

The carrier currently services 72 network destinations across the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas and has an active fleet of 65 aircraft.

In the past month, it has introduced flights to Malaga, Mykonos, Santorini, Phuket and Vienna, providing additional belly-hold capacity between Europe and Asia.

Charter operations and a cabin loading initiative – which saw the carrier modify five of its Boeing 777 aircraft by removing seats to provide additional capacity on key routes such as Dhaka and Ho Chi Minh City – have enabled the Abu Dhabi-based carrier to service increased Asian demand, with record loads recently achieved on a number of flights,

So far this year, Etihad Cargo has operated over 200 charter flights to 30 destinations not serviced through its network, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Senegal, and others across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.

Direct data reduces forwarder burden

IT/Software

Chris Lewis

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August 11, 2021

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Qatar Airways Cargo and software provider WiseTech Global are implementing a direct data connection between their global operating systems, CROAMIS and CargoWise, respectively. Direct data feeds will remove extensive data duplication and reduce the burden on forwarders. Air waybill data from the forwarder will be immediately available to the global Qatar Airways ground handling network. Qatar Airways’ chief officer cargo, Guillaume Halleux, said it would help eliminate intermediate data exchange points between freight forwarders and airline operating systems, while removing technical risk and reducing costs.

Carriers extend reach into Africa

Airlines

Chris Lewis

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August 10, 2021

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Silk Way West Airlines has signed an interline agreement with Kenya’s Astral Aviation to move shipments to its Dubai hub where it will hand over to its partner’s flight to Nairobifor connection to its network – and vice-versa.

The agreement will allow Silk Way West Airlines to broaden its network in Africa, a continent where it currently has no scheduled services.

Qatar Airways has meanwhile launched passenger flights between Doha and Lusaka, Zambia and Harare, Zimbabwe. The Airbus A350-900 will offer more than 30 tonnes of cargo capacity per week, each way.

Swiss debuts new temp-controlled container

Technology

Chris Lewis

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August 10, 2021

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Swiss debuts new temp-controlled container

Swiss WorldCargo says it is the first airline to have carried out a commercial shipment between Zurich (ZRH) and New York (JFK) with an Envirotainer Releye RLP container.

The shipment was transported on flight LX 14 on 3 August on a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The container held a care-intensive shipment from a leading pharmaceutical company, requiring a specific temperature range.

Swiss WorldCargo recently approved the container and will add it to its portfolio in the coming weeks.

Cargo.One goes live in North America

IT/Software

Chris Lewis

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August 10, 2021

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The Cargo One airfreight online booking system has gone live in North America, allowing US and Canadian freight forwarders to view and book real-time capacity from all major airports. It offers real-time visibility of capacity on 18 airlines, including Air Canada, ANA, Etihad, Finnair, Lufthansa and TAP. Cargo.one is free of charge for forwarders of all sizes.

Co-founder and managing director, Oliver Neumann (pictured), said it was “the moment freight forwarders have been waiting for…From today, freight forwarders can book air cargo shipments from the US and Canada to 248 destinations globally.”

Over the past few weeks, forwarders have been invited to try the platform before its official launch. Regional manager at Nosta Logistics, Tarik Muric, said registration took “a couple of minutes while the booking process “literally takes seconds” and would replace multiple phone calls and emails.

Further airlines such as Saudia Cargo and El Al Cargo will also go live in north America shortly. The platform is also planning to bring its services to the Asia Pacific region as new airline partners.

More transpacific flights for FedEx

Express

Chris Lewis

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August 10, 2021

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FedEx Express has added new intercontinental flights from Asia Pacific (APAC) to its network in response to surging demand. They include a flight from Guangzhou, China via Anchorage, to Oakland, California or to Indianapolis and Memphis, returning via Anchorage and Incheon, South Korea to Guangzhou, five times a week; and Beijing via Osaka, Japan and Anchorage to Memphis, six days a week.

It has also enhanced its service from China and Japan to its European hub in Paris.

The new flights add 1,400 tons capacity and will meet growing demand for e-commerce traffic.

The carrier says that, in 2020 alone, online retail sales in APAC generated US$2.45 trillion, accounting for more than 60% of global e-commerce sales.

Southeast Asian economies are also starting to rebound and are beginning to match pre-Covid levels, adds Kawal Preet, FedEx’s president of the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa region: “These additional flights will empower our customers to harness the full potential of cross-border commerce, forging stronger intra-Asia, trans-Pacific and Asia-Europe trade flows, as economies across Asia Pacific continue to rebound.”

Kerry sets up shop in Huntsville

Forwarding

Chris Lewis

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August 10, 2021

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Asian forwarder Kerry Logistics Network (KLN) has introduced a trans-Pacific air freight service connecting Asian locations to the US in response to strong demand as a result of the pandemic. The Kerry Freight Controlled Network centres on Kerry’s Americas hub set in Huntsville, Alabama. The inaugural flights will originate from Hong Kong in August.

KCN is a time-definite solution with guaranteed space and long-term pricing, with door-to-door solutions from small parcels to large and oversized cargoes, including dangerous goods and Lithium batteries.

KLN is partnering with the Huntsville International Airport to establish a hub for air cargo flights and trucking connections across the Americas. The forwarder will operate multiple aircraft on a weekly basis from origins in Asia.

KLN chief operating officer of USA, Kevin Bulger, said: “We chose Huntsville as our Americas air freight hub for KCN as it is congestion free and enjoys expedited transfer of cargo to Latin America and Mexico. With cooperation from Huntsville, we will be able to execute swift dispatch of cargoes to cities within the US and Canada. KCN will be a welcomed service in the increasingly tight air cargo market and meet the demands of customers looking for a lasting and reliable solution to their air freight needs.”

Port of Huntsville chief executive, Rick Tucker, added: “The Port of Huntsville is a Southeast gateway to countries all over the world and makes our region a highly sought-after location for business and industry. Home to the Huntsville International Airport, Jetplex Industrial Park and the International Intermodal Centre, our port creates efficient, effective, and economical solutions for customers and stimulates the regional economy…Kerry Logistics Network will enhance HSV’s global connectivity and speed to market solutions. We welcome our newest logistic partner to HSV and look forward to a long term, prosperous partnership.”

Geodis on the move in Auckland

Forwarding

Chris Lewis

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August 9, 2021

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French-owned forwarder Geodis is moving to a new facility at Auckland Airport in October. The 5,700sq m facility includes temperature-controlled areas for pharmaceutical s at +15-25°C degrees and +4° C. The site also offers 5,000 pallet locations.