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DHL and IAG extend SAF deal

By
Chris Lewis
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The DHL Group and IAG Cargo have expanded their sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) collaboration with a new five‑year agreement. It allows some 240 million liters of SAF to be uplifted at London Heathrow Airport to reduce the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of DHL Express cargo transported on British Airways flights.

It covers nearly all of the fuel currently attributed to transporting DHL Express cargo within IAG Cargo’s network. The SAF used is certified by International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC), and derived from sources such as used cooking oil, achieving 90% lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reductions compared to the fossil jet fuel it replaces.

A further framework agreement will strengthen DHL Group’s cross‑divisional strategy to secure reliable and diversified access to sustainable fuels and could increase the total volume to over a million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions reductions on a lifecycle basis.

DHL says that ensuring stable and predictable SAF access is increasingly important as customers seek credible, long‑term solutions to reduce their transport‑related emissions. The agreements also support DHL’s goal of increasing the share of sustainable aviation fuel in air transport to 30% by 2030.

Executive vice-president for global network operations and aviation at DHL Express, Travis Cobb, said: “This agreement shows what is possible when two committed SAF users in the industry pool their efforts. It significantly expands our ability to reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions on a major trade lane and demonstrates how cross‑sector partnerships can contribute towards concrete lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reductions.”

Chief sales and marketing officer at IAG Cargo, Camilo Garcia Cervera,  added: “DHL and IAG Cargo have a longstanding relationship, and it’s great to see our partnership continue to grow as we work together to deliver more sustainable air freight solutions while we keep global trade moving. Partnerships like these will be critical to scaling the use of sustainable aviation fuel.”

SATS steps in to support Jazeera Airways-in-exile

By
Chris Lewis
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Handling company SATS has been supporting cargo operations for Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways A320neo aircraft at its base at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

Following the latest Middle East crisis and closure of the country’s International Airport, the low-cost carrier has established alternative air-land connections to Kuwait, in Dammam, where SATS operates a 60,000 sqm cargo facility, and at Qaisumah–Hafar Al-Batin International Airport in Saudi Arabia.

The SATS station in Dammam began serving Jazeera’s cargo connection to Kuwait on 26 March, managing all air cargo shipments for the airline. These include general cargo and perishables such as frozen meats, fruit and vegetables for overland transport to Kuwait.

Operating from two airports in Saudi Arabia has enabled a significant scale-up of Jazeera’s operations.

Chief executive of SATS APAC Gateway Services, Bob Chi, said: “Through the movement of passengers and essential cargo such as food, pharmaceutical supplies, and critical spare parts, we hope to help maintain and keep vital air cargo connectivity open into Kuwait during this challenging period.

“As the situation in the Middle East adjusts to a new dynamic, we will leverage SATS’ global network across 27 countries to minimise disruptions to customers. SATS will continue working closely with airline and logistics partners to facilitate the safe handling, storage and onward movement of cargo as routes and schedules evolve.”

Jazeera Airways chief executive, Barathan Pasupathi, added: “In the face of unprecedented operational challenges, Jazeera Airways has moved quickly to establish a cross-border air-land model that keeps Kuwait connected. Our partnership with SATS, a well renowned and world class organization headquartered in Singapore, is a critical part of this effort, ensuring the uninterrupted flow of essential cargo including food items and other vital supplies. Together, we are not only maintaining connectivity, but reinforcing a lifeline for the community and the wider economy during this period.”

SATS operates three cargo facilities in Saudi Arabia, in the capital, Riyadh, as well as Dammam near the Persian Gulf, and in Jeddah along the Red Sea. SATS also has a cargo facility in Oman.

Etihad to start Bangladesh flights

By
Chris Lewis
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Etihad Airways will launch a seasonal service between its Abu Dhabi hub and Dhaka, Bangladesh from 26 June for cargo and passengers. It will be operated four times a week to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC) by Boeing 777 aircraft. The carrier said that the introduction of widebody capacity on the route will boost Bangladesh’s garment and textile sector and give exporters improved access to markets across the Middle East, Europe and North America.

Etihad will also increase its A320 passenger service between Abu Dhabi and Kabul from its current four times a week schedule to daily from 1 May.

Pelicargo signs Air Canada partnership

By
Chris Lewis
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The Pelicargo air freight procurement and execution platform has signed a partnership with Air Canada Cargo.

Users can access rates, secure capacity, and execute shipments within a single system.

The addition of Air Canada strengthens Pelicargo’s coverage across North America, transatlantic and other international routes.

Forwarders using the platform can price shipments from any US origin ZIP code to global destination airports, combining first-mile trucking with air freight execution, supported by a network of over 2,000 domestic road transport partners.

It allows users to move from initial pricing to confirmed airport-to-airport capacity more quickly. The company continues to expand its airline integrations as it builds out its network.

Pelicargo now has over 500 registered freight forwarders.

American ready for a busy summer

By
Chris Lewis
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American Airlines Cargo will operate up to 186 international widebody flights per day in its summer schedule including 4,400 monthly widebody flights between the US and Europe in June, July and August.

London Heathrow Airport will see the largest increase in cargo capacity this season, with service increasing to 21 daily departures.

The summer schedule also includes new and expanded European services. New or expanded routes include Athens to Dallas Fort Worth (DFW); Budapest to Philadelphia; Prague to Philadelphia; Zurich to DFW; Milan to Miami; and Edinburgh to New York JFK, with the EDI–JFK route operated on the new A321XLR.

Additional widebody to Germany includes daily service from Frankfurt to both Charlotte and DFW, as well as daily operations from Munich to Charlotte.

In Latin America, American is expanding widebody capacity with increased service from Buenos Aires to DFW, creating more connections to domestic and international destinations.

Domestically, American will operate 6,200 total domestic departures on peak summer days at its DFW hub.

There is also widebody service from Honolulu and Kahului to DFW.

Ceasefire to ease air freight rates but recovery could take months

By
Chris Lewis
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The US-Iran ceasefire will probably bring some immediate relief to air freight, but a full return to pre-conflict capacity and rates on trades transiting Middle East hubs is still one to two months away, according to Xeneta analysts.

Airspace restrictions across the Gulf in the aftermath of US-Iran conflict forced airlines to ground aircraft and cut capacity on key freight corridors, pushing rates sharply higher on routes transiting Middle East hubs – particularly Southeast Asia to Europe and South Asia to Europe.

Xeneta chief airfreight officer, Niall van de Wouw, said: “This has been a supply issue from the start. The moment airlines start increasing flights through Middle East airspace, it will put less pressure on the existing capacity and create a downward pressure on rates.

“Bringing air capacity back to these corridors should provide welcome relief for shippers, many of whom are facing continuing severe disruption in ocean supply chains which will take far longer to recover from this conflict.”

In the week ending 5 April, Xeneta data shows air cargo spot rates up +105% on the South Asia to Europe corridor. Spot rates are also up +87% from Europe to Middle East, +84% from South Asia to Middle East, +82% from South Asia to North America and +72% from Southeast Asia to Europe.

Falling jet fuel prices will add further downward pressure, however, van de Wouw cautions rates will not fall as fast as they rose and that a full recovery to pre-conflict service levels is likely to take one to two months.

He said: “Even when it is deemed safe to fly, setting up the infrastructure again takes time. Customers need to find you again and trust you again. Insurance companies may still advise against transiting these Middle East hubs despite the ceasefire.

“Carriers will be in no rush to lower rates given the ceasefire is only temporary and the geopolitical situation remains uncertain. Shippers will also not rush into major routing decisions on the basis of a fragile two-week ceasefire, especially given Iran’s re-closure of the Hormuz Strait a matter of hours after the agreement was announced. Regardless, a two-week timeline is too short to justify restructuring freight plans – so I do not expect spot rates to go down as fast as they went up.”

Van de Wouw identifies passenger confidence as a key variable in recovery of airfreight in Middle East corridors.

He said: “Gulf carriers such as Emirates and Qatar Airways operate some of the world’s most important air freight networks, but those networks depend on passenger revenue. If tourist confidence in Middle East destinations takes time to recover — even after the ceasefire — airlines may operate routes at below-sustainable passenger load factors and could cut network capacity as a result.

“Will airlines operate those routes or cut their networks based on demand? This is a key variable for the short-term recovery for air freight.”

From two wings to two wheels: air broker’s staff raise $200K for charity

By
Chris Lewis
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Air Charter Service’s charity fundraisers around the world helped raise more than $200,000 for good causes last year through challenges, volunteering, raffles and more –matching their record, set in 2024.
Katie Ivie, group HR director, who leads the Charity Committee, commented: “The worldwide team has really stepped up again following our record amount last year, with a range of physical challenges, including marathons, a 550 mile bike ride, summitting Kilimanjaro, and donations made by staff towards the relief effort following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica last October.
“The raffles held at our Christmas parties raised a record amount for charities ($43,000) and combined with other fundraising initiatives, including quiz nights and several bake sales (the most recent being Valentine-themed) helped to raise a total of over $200,000. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one that put in the effort and their hands in their pockets to help to reach this fantastic total.
“On top of the money-raising activities, ACS employees have been giving back to the community in other ways – including staff in our New York office helping out in a Long Island soup kitchen, volunteers from our London office wrapping Christmas presents for local children’s charity Momentum, and our Brisbane team who contributed to their local Salvation Army, creating food hampers of essentials to give some extra support to families over the holiday period.”

Healthy outlook for Geodis in Switzerland

By
Chris Lewis
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Geodis in Switzerland has achieved three key healthcare certifications in less than six months: ISO, CEIV Pharma, and GDP. The forwarder said they would help it further develop its capabilities in high-value and regulated sectors such as Healthcare and Life Sciences, for which Switzerland is a key European hub.

The standards cover its core operations, including Worldwide Freight Management, Project Logistics, and Supply Chain Solutions. Geodis has also relocated and expanded its Zurich and Basel offices and opened a new office in Geneva.

ECS signs deal for Uniworld freighters

By
Chris Lewis
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ECS Group’s Globe Air Cargo Dominican Republic arm has signed an agreement with Uniworld Air Cargo to support the launch of its freighter operations between Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Panama City with onward connections across Latin America and beyond.

Flights operate twice a week, every Thursday and Sunday, utilizing a Boeing 737 freighter with weekly capacity of 40 tons.

Connections are available in Panama to destinations including Bogotá, Caracas, Havana, San Salvador, Lima and San José, as well via Felipe Angeles International near Mexico city for the US and Canada.

Uniworld commercial director Jossette Navarro, said: “The Dominican Republic represents a market with significant growth potential for both exports and imports. Beyond its local strength, it is a strategic gateway to Europe and Canada. Through this partnership with ECS Group, we are confident in our ability to accelerate our market penetration while offering competitive and efficient cargo solutions across the region and into North America.”

Older than a dinosaur – United celebrates centennial

By
Chris Lewis
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United Airlines’ honorary representative, Ernestine the Brachiosaurus at Terminal 1 of Chicago O’Hare International Airport is helping the US carrier celebrate its centennial, decked in its brand colors.

What began with a single airmail flight from Pasco WA to Elko NV, back on 6 April 1926, has since grown into one of the world’s largest airlines, with a fleet of almost 1,100 aircraft, and a network of more than 350 destinations across six continents.

The past century has seen United develop from a national airmail provider into an international carrier. Alongside airmail and general cargo, United Airlines now offers specialized cargo services for pharmaceuticals, perishables, time-critical shipments and high-value goods. Paper and manual processes have given way to increasingly intelligent digital operations, boosting punctuality, efficiency, and shipment visibility.

United was the first carrier to offer non-stop transcontinental flights without overnight stops, using a Boeing 247, and, more recently, became the first global airline to commit to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and is the largest purchaser and user of SAF in the US.

It could be argued that United has a longer pedigree than Ernestine; the glass-fibre replica skeleton only dates back to 1993.

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