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Tricargo to offer neutral GSA platform

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Chris Lewis
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FEDAGSA, the Federation of Airline General Sales Agents, launched Tricargo, a web-based service that connects sales agents with freight forwarders on 22 May.

It aims to address the problem that existing marketplaces and booking platforms are owned or operated by a participant with a commercial stake in the outcome and none offer forwarders a complete, neutral view of available GSA capacity.

FEDAGSA has partnered with e-commerce parcels company Mark 3 International to take the window to market after recognising that operating a global technology solution at scale requires capabilities and investment beyond those typically available to a federation.

Tricargo will operate as an independent business with structural protections for its neutrality. Mark 3 will have access to tricargo, but on the same terms as any other forwarder or GSA.

Tricargo and Mark 3 International chief executive, Matthew Ware said: “For many years, the air cargo market has been fractured, making it difficult for freight forwarders to easily access the right airfreight options, while GSAs have also found it hard to connect with the right forwarders. The air cargo market has been fragmented for a long time. Forwarders rely on the GSAs they already know; and GSAs depend on existing relationships for new business. Tricargo doesn’t replace those relationships, it makes the wider market visible alongside them.”

Tricargo is free for forwarders to use, and the first 100 GSAs to register will receive founding member status. FEDAGSA and FIATA receive a share of gross revenue under the agreement establishing tricargo’s independent operation and ensuring that tricargo’s success is returned to the community it serves.

Lufthansa gains corporate CEIV certification

By
Chris Lewis
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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has again certified Lufthansa Cargo to CEIV (Center of Excellence for Independent Validators) Pharma standard for time- and temperature-sensitive products.

In addition to airline processes, the certification for the first time also includes IATA’s corporate approach, specifically developed for global aviation stakeholders. It evaluates quality management centrally and across the network rather than limiting assessments to individual stations. Quality requirements such as processes, training and infrastructure are centrally defined, monitored and implemented locally.

In addition to the central pharma hubs in Frankfurt, Munich and Chicago, the certification also includes stations such as Atlanta, Washington DC, Mexico City and New York. Numerous independently certified stations operated by ground handling agents (GHAs) complement the network, giving Lufthansa Cargo access to one of the world’s largest pharma networks.

Lufthansa Cargo has been CEIV Pharma-certified for ten years during which time quality standards have been enhanced and the global pharma network expanded.

IAG to start Spain-Latin America routes

By
Chris Lewis
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IAG Cargo will launch routes from Madrid to Monterrey and Barcelona to Lima in June.

The new three-times-weekly service between Madrid and Monterrey will start on 2 June and will be first time that the carrier directly connects Spain with Northern Mexico. Monterrey is a major manufacturing hub, with strong automotive, aerospace and high-tech manufacturing industries, and plays a key role in nearshoring to North America.

Barcelona will also see the launch of a new three-times-weekly service to Lima, from 3 June, supporting trade between Spain and Peru, including perishables, pharmaceuticals and other high-value shipments.

Chief sales and marketing officer,  Camilo Garcia Cervera, said: “Latin America remains one of the most important regions in global air cargo, with strong and diverse trade flows connecting producers, manufacturers and consumers across continents. These new routes from Madrid and Barcelona expand the reach of our Spanish hubs and reinforce the role of Spain as a key gateway for cargo moving between the region and Europe. The new Madrid-Monterrey service in particular creates a direct link for the first time, supporting trade flows between Europe and Northern Mexico.”

Swissport to buy Morocco handler

By
Chris Lewis
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Ground handler Swissport International has signed a binding agreement to acquire Swiftair Maroc, subject to regulatory approval.

Swiftair Maroc operates a 3,700sq m airside warehouse at Mohammed V Airport, Morocco’s primary air freight hub in Casablanca including cold rooms for pharmaceutical products and perishable goods.

Morocco’s air cargo market has experienced steady growth, driven by the country’s expanding export base and strategic geographic position.

Swissport’s Maroc arm already provides ground handling services at 16 airports nationwide.

President and chief executive of Swissport International, Warwick Brady, said: “As a pivotal gateway between Europe, Africa and the Americas, Morocco supports strong export industries such as automotive, aerospace, agriculture and textiles, while also facilitating critical imports. At the same time, this agreement strengthens our cargo capabilities in the region and enhances our ability to support customers with efficient, high-quality logistics solutions.”

FCS opens Frankfurt Pharma Center

By
Chris Lewis
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Frankfurt Cargo Services (FCS) officially opened its new CEIV- and GDP-certified Pharma Center on May 12. With it, the largest airline-independent cargo handler at the Germany gateway has quadrupled its space for handling temperature-controlled pharmaceutical cargo. 
It centralizes all of its pharmaceutical handling operations across a space of just under 3,300 square meters, including receiving and dispatching temperature-controlled freight, storage, breaking down and reassembling pallets. This not only reduces travel distances but also completely eliminates transit times in an uncontrolled environment. In addition to accepting loose freight directly into a temperature-controlled storage area, it also enables the temperature-controlled assembly of entire pallets and the storage of containers  for which there are designated storage spaces with the appropriate power supply.

The new Pharma Center covers both the Controlled Room Temperature Storage segment, with a temperature range of 15 to 25°C, and Controlled Cool Storage, with a temperature range of 2 to 8°C.

FCS managing director Thomas Schürmann, said: “Pharmaceutical handling is one of the fastest-growing sectors in our industry. With our new Pharma Center, we now not only provide the optimal conditions to ensure a fully controlled environment at every stage of handling, but are also ideally equipped for further growth thanks to a significantly expanded facility.”

Privatisation plans put aviation security at risk, warns forwarders chief

By
Chris Lewis
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Picture: Brandon Fried receives a token of appreciation for service to the air cargo industry from president, Cargo Network Services, Alicia Lines

Airforwarders Association (AfA) executive director Brandon Fried has warned against US government plans to cut and privatize elements of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), saying that it would risk undermining aviation security measures established after 9/11.

He told the CNS Partnership Conference in San Francisco on 19 May: “The lessons of September 11 are clear, and the stakes are too high for failure. Any move to weaken federal oversight of passenger screening risks reintroducing vulnerabilities the system was designed to eliminate.” 

Federalization of passenger screening under the Aviation and Transportation Security Act was in response to systemic weaknesses exposed prior to September 11, when outsourced security contracts often prioritized cost over effectiveness.

Fried argued that freight forwarders built an effective security model through the Known Shipper program, Certified Cargo Screening Program, and Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS).

They allow certified operators to screen cargo before it reaches airports and submit advance data before departure, while TSA, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and industry maintain national standards and accountability.

 AfA says that this model should not be used to justify passenger screening privatization, where fragmented procurement and contracts driven by cost were among the weaknesses federalization was designed to address.

Fried added: “The air cargo industry has shown that public-private partnerships can work, but only when there is strong federal oversight setting the standards and enforcing compliance. “Applying this model to passenger screening without strict TSA oversight would significantly increase risk.”

The Association called on policymakers to reject proposals to privatize passenger screening and instead maintain and strengthen TSA authority to ensure consistent, nationwide aviation security standards.

Online systems keep airfreight on track

By
Chris Lewis
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Global GSA Group says it is continuing to maintain stable and reliable operations across its network, despite the disruptions in the Middle East.

The airfreight sales agent says that when airspace restrictions are in place, it relies on strategic partnerships with ground handlers, trucking and specialised logistics companies to maintain the flow of cargo by adapting operations to circumvent local constraints.

Teams are supported by a range of digital solutions through Global GSA Group’s partnership with CargoTech. Tools such as SkyPallet and Rotate Live Capacity enhance capacity optimization and market responsiveness, whilst Global GSA Group’s system provides real-time data and forecasting to support decision-making. ISO 27001-certified IT infrastructure ensures that its software also remains secure and resilient.

Chief executive, Aytekin Saray, said: “We are in close contact with our airline partners at all times, tailoring flexible solutions in response to each new situation. By closely monitoring developments and maintaining constant communication with our partners, we are able to react swiftly, ensuring minimal disruption to cargo flows.

“Our strong investment in digitalisation over the years, really pays off in uncertain times like these. We are able to use real-time analytics and capacity optimization tools to align supply with changing demand and can efficiently steer operations despite the disruption.”

Immerse yourself in the world of air cargo

By
Chris Lewis
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IAG Cargo is offering a Virtual Work Experience to inspire the next generation of air cargo professionals.

The free, self-led online programme is open to anyone aged 14+ and helps participants discover the world of air cargo and spark interest in careers in aviation.

Interactive modules and scenario‑based activities showcase the industry’s global impact, the variety of roles available and exciting career pathways. Learners can step into the simulated role of a cargo agent and guide a virtual shipment through milestones including acceptance, build‑up, loading and handover, a practical introduction to real‑world cargo operations.

Alongside these activities, the programme also includes a dedicated CV skills workshop, videos, quizzes and guided-learning that introduce participants to IAG Cargo’s operations, products, role and supply chain.

The training, which is available worldwide, can be completed in one sitting or at the learner’s own pace. On completion, participants will receive a certificate signed by senior leaders, which can be added to CVs. Learners can also opt-in to receive updates on future IAG Cargo learning or in-person work experience opportunities.

IAG Cargo chief customer and people officer, Caroline Andrews, said:

“The Virtual Work Experience programme is specifically designed with the next generation of global cargo leaders in mind. We know from speaking with young people that there is strong curiosity about aviation careers, but many are not sure where to begin. This initiative gives them a first connection to our industry. It helps them understand the breadth of careers available within air cargo and the role we play in keeping global trade moving, from delivering fresh food and medicines to supporting essential supply chains around the world.

“It is an important step in building our future talent pipeline, and we hope it encourages learners to continue exploring opportunities with us, whether that means progressing to our graduate schemes or taking part in in‑person work experience.”

IAG Cargo’s established Graduate Programme meanwhile offers 24‑month placements across areas such as Logistics, Data and Commercial with hands‑on experience at the company’s London Heathrow and Madrid hubs.

https://www.iagcargo.com/en/careers

Kenya Airways to handle FedEx in Nairobi

By
Chris Lewis
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Kenya Airways has signed a partnership to become FedEx’s ground handling partner in its home country.

Kenya Airways will support FedEx’s cargo operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, one of Africa’s busiest aviation and freight gateways. Kenya Airways operates ground handling services through its subsidiary, Kenya Airfreight Handling.

Kenya Airways acting group chief executive officer, Cpt. George Kamal, said: “This partnership with FedEx is a strong validation of Kenya Airways’ capability to deliver world-class ground handling services that meet international standards,” said Kamal. “It reinforces Nairobi’s role as a critical logistics and aviation gateway linking Africa to Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America. As global trade patterns continue to evolve, we are positioning JKIA at the center of efficient, reliable, and integrated cargo movement across the continent.”

The partnership is also expected to strengthen Kenya’s broader ambition to position JKIA as East Africa’s leading cargo consolidation and distribution center.

Kenya is one of Africa’s largest air freight exporters, particularly for flowers, fresh produce, pharmaceuticals, and other high-value perishables.

United adds Sapporo

By
Chris Lewis
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United Airlines start seasonal three times a week 787-9 services from San Francisco to New Chitose (Sapporo) in Japan from December 11  and 787-8 flights from Chicago O’Hare to Tokyo Narita from October 24. United already flies to Tokyo Haneda, Nagoya and Osaka.

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