RAM to offer China-Brazil link

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March 3, 2025

Royal Air Maroc is now offering three direct flights per week between Casablanca and Beijing oprated by Boeing 787-9 aircraft. As well as adding 30 tons of weekly cargo uplift each way between China and Morocco, the route also opens up a new China -Morocco-Brazil link, via the Moroccan carrier’s Casablanca hub and its new service to Sao Paulo. The flights operate on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays between Casablance and Beijing.

Vice presicent of cargo at Royal Air Maroc, . Yassine Berrada, said: “Our newly launched, thrice-weekly service out of China’s largest airport, not only provides a highly efficient service for Chinese goods destined for Africa, but also offers a direct onward connection to Brazil, thanks to our recently commenced Sao Paolo route.”

Royal Air Maroc enjoyed a successful business relationship with the Chinese market prior to the pandemic, with regular flights to Beijing.

Cargo demand into Beijing is strong given the growing Chinese interest in the vast array of African exports ranging from integrated circuits, to metallic products, along with produce of various kinds

In China, Royal Air Maroc is represented by Globe Air Cargo China, a subsidiary of ECS Group.

Kuehne+Nagel opens UAE logistics site for Rolls Royce

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Chris Lewis

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February 28, 2025

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Kuehne+Nagel UAE has opened a custom-designed hub for Rolls-Royce aircraft engines in Dubai serving the whole Middle East.

The aircraft engine manufacturer has distribution centres in the UK, US and the Netherlands, and the UAE centre is in preparation for the opening of the new Al Maktoum Airport in Dubai and the anticipated increase in air traffic.

The 3,000sq m facility, located within Kuehne+Nagel’s existing hub in Dubai South, has been extensively refurbished including an electric overhead traveling crane with a lifting capacity of 25 tons, along with a parallel 64-metre-long runway and traveling bridge for movement of heavy equipment, as well as the loading and unloading of trucks.

The centre will house the entire Rolls-Royce Trent high-bypass turbofan family, from smaller engines to Trent XWB, Rolls-Royce’s most powerful engine, with a 3-meter diameter fan and a weight of nearly 17 tons, as well as spare parts, units and nacelles.

Menzies opens Bengaluru terminal

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Chris Lewis

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February 28, 2025

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Menzies Aviation has opened a 245,000sq ft greenfield domestic cargo terminal at Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru in south-central India.

It has a capacity to handle up to 360,000 tonnes with space for up to 42 trucks simultaneously. It also has eight strategically placed floor-level weighted scales for accurate cargo weight and volume verification.

Constructed in line with Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) standards, the building incorporates sustainable design elements such as sky lighting, enhanced ventilation for optimal air quality, water conservation measures, efficient waste management systems, and energy efficient technologies.

Felines fine after 1,700 mile flight

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Chris Lewis

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February 27, 2025

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Air Charter Service recently chartered a private jet to help a dedicated animal-lover move 58 cats across the US to a new home.

The broker was contacted by the owner at the end of December, having been unable to find an operator will to accommodate so many animals on one flight. She was personally relocating from Houston to Idaho and wished to all her rescue cats with her to her new home.
ACS sourced the best and most suitable aircraft for the job, a Metroliner III. The customer then needed to purchase USDA approved crates and obtain health certificates for each cat. The Metroliner III was perfect as it allowed all the cat carriers to be placed safely on board, strapped and secured in place.

The cats are all reported to be happy in their new home.
ACS has a vast amount of experience in flights with both pets and rescue animals. Probably the largest was in 2018, following hurricane season in Texas, which had caused severe damage to many animal rescue centres in the state, and it was asked to transport 240 homeless cats and dogs to a new home in California.

Qatar Airways launches Aerospace service

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Chris Lewis

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February 27, 2025

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Qatar Airways Cargo has launched an Aerospace service to provide components logistics for the aviation, defence, and space technology sectors.

It is aimed at manufacturers, freight forwarders and partners working with commercial airlines, as well as those serving the defence and space technology sectors. The carrier says that its service is unique in that it moves not only traditional aircraft on ground items such as aircraft engines and spares but also other critical parts and components such as avionics, electric propulsion equipment, airframe interiors and landing gear.

It adds that it is the only air cargo carrier to introduce bespoke, shock absorbing 20-ft and 40-ft engine transport dollies at its hub in Doha, capable of carrying up to 20,000kg. It is also expert in floating loading techniques for engines which minimises ground time and expedites aircraft turnaround.

Aerospace is available across the entire Qatar Airways Cargo network, and comes with the highest loading priority, a dedicated handling team and Control. Dedicated special loads team will respond to customer enquiries on the loadability of aerospace equipment within 45 minutes.

The network of 28 Boeing 777 freighters and 230 belly-hold passenger aircraft offer tail-to-tail transfers in as little as four hours and, where required, ad hoc charter operations can be arranged.

FedEx opens Vilnius hub

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Chris Lewis

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February 27, 2025

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Federal Express has opened a new sorting facility in Vilnius, Lithuania. With a total area of nearly 3,700sq m, encompassing a 2,500sq m warehouse and 1,200sq m of office space, it has an advanced sorting system, three docks for linehaul trucks, three van-truck docks (including one ground-level access), and 40 dedicated courier van docking docks.

It is connected by road with FedEx operations in Kaunas from where there are daily flights to the Paris Charles de Gaulle main air hub.

FedEx says that 39% of Lithuanian enterprises are engaged in online sales, significantly above the EU average.

FedEx International Connect Plus (FICP) service, launched in Lithuania in 2022, provides a day-definite solution. with delivery to over 195 countries and territories.

In recent years, FedEx has built or expanded 17 facilities in six central and eastern European countries.

Vice president ground operations for Nordics and Eastern Europe, Mariusz Mik, said: “This facility not only enhances delivery processes and reliability for Lithuanian businesses but also helps strengthen their competitiveness on the global stage. As online shopping continues to rise, at FedEx, we remain committed to providing innovative and customer-centric logistics solutions to support Lithuania’s thriving e-commerce sector.”

Chapman Freeborn wins service award

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Chris Lewis

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February 27, 2025

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Chapman Freeborn was voted Best Full-Service Charter Company at the Aviation Achievement Awards in Dubai on 27 February. It was recognised for its critical role reinforcing supply chains’ resilience through time-critical deliveries and rapid response to humanitarian crises.

Kale launches South America’s first air cargo community system

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Chris Lewis

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February 27, 2025

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Kale Info Solutions has partnered with El Dorado International Airport in Bogota, Colombia to develop South America’s first air cargo community system.

El Dorado is the largest airport by capacity in South America, moving nearly 0.76 million tionnes of cargo a year on flights to the Americas, Caribbean, and the Middle East.

Kale has been working with the cargo community in Bogota to ensure that all stakeholders are prepared and ready to benefit from the streamlined system.

It enables real-time tracking and monitoring of cargo movements automated regulatory compliance checks and ensures compliance with industry standards and regulations.

Airport chief operating officer Fabio Marques da Silva said: “We are excited to pioneer this digital infrastructure at our airport, we believe the ACS will deliver the efficiency, sustainability, resiliency and visibility benefits to the cargo community, as we aim to build our systems with cutting-edge technology

Kale president, Amar More added: “Latin America presents a vast, untapped opportunity for comprehensive digital transformation in logistics. Starting this journey in Bogota, a city that bridges diverse worlds, is truly exhilarating. The implementation of the Bogota ACS marks a significant stride towards achieving our global vision of a seamlessly connected logistics industry. It underscores our commitment to enhancing efficiency and collaboration across borders.”

Emirates SkyCargo reveals new look for its freighters

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Chris Lewis

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February 26, 2025

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Emirates SkyCargo has unveiled its first freight in its new-look livery.

The biggest change is to the UAE flag on the tailfin, which has been a staple of the Emirates branding since the very beginning. The carrier says the new design is more dynamic and flowing, with 3D effect artwork; likewise, the iconic gold lettering across the main body in English and Arabic is bigger and bolder. The Arabic calligraphy on the engines remains, as does the iconic red branding on the aircraft belly.

It is the third iteration of Emirates’ aircraft brand colours since the UAE carrier’s launch in 1985. All 10 Boeing 777 freighters in Emirates’ fleet will be gradually scheduled for their new paint jobs and the 13 new freighters on order will come fully decked out on delivery.

DHL signs lifesaving partnership

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Chris Lewis

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February 26, 2025

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DHL Group has signed a global partnership agreement with the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) to enhance humanitarian logistics and lifesaving aid.

The collaboration encompasses initiatives across various regions, with projects in Kenya, Lebanon, Sudan, and Türkiye, as well as capacity-building for Greece and Panama. The new agreement establishes a formal legal framework for collaboration, minimizing potential hurdles and enabling seamless coordination.

IOM director general representative, Catalina Devandas, said: “By combining our expertise, we can enhance efficiency and expand our impact, ensuring more effective support for people in crisis. We look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead for our continued collaboration.”

The partnership aims to build on the success of the IOM and DHL GoHelp pilot project in Kenya.

Flooding displaced thousands, and jeopardized clean water access. In response, DHL GoHelp ensured that 1,000 donated water filters from the US reached the region thanks to DHL GoHelp’s pro bono logistics expertise, while its Disaster Response Team in Kenya assisted in assembling and distributing the filter kits to affected communities.

DHL’s GoHelp program focuses on disaster management, providing logistics expertise and support to communities affected by natural disasters.