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Cargo carrier offers lions a lifeline

Airlines

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April 26, 2024

Lions Vasylyna and Nikola started a new life on 25 April thanks to French-Dutch carrier Air France KLM Martinair Cargo.

They boarded a Martinair 747 freighter aircraft at Schiphol en route to South Africa where they will go to the Lionsrock sanctuary for big cats run by the Four Paws animal welfare organisation.

Lioness Vasylyna arrived at Four Paws’ Netherlands sanctuary on 7 June from Ukraine where she had been kept as a pet. There she managed to escape and roamed the war-torn streets of a village near Kharkiv before being scooped up and relocated to the Netherlands.

Nikola was rescued after ten days roaming the streets near Budva in Montenegro, exhausted and malnourished in February 2022.

Four Paws director, Petra Sleven said: “The relocation of Vasylyna and Nikola means they finally have the opportunity to live in a large sanctuary, surrounded by other lions. While it’s saddening that they never had the chance to be released into the wild due to illegal trade, we are glad to offer them a more natural life here.”

Qatar Airways opens state-of-the-art Animal Centre

Chris Lewis

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April 26, 2024

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Qatar Airways opens state-of-the-art Animal Centre

Qatar Airways Cargo has opened a new Animal Centre and relaunched its Next Generation Live service. The Middle East carrier, which moves over 550,000 animals a year, including 10,000 horses has also reaffirmed its commitment to animal welfare.

The new 5,260sq m (56,600sq ft) Animal Centre has full temperature control for optimal comfort, 140 dog kennels, 40 cat kennels and 24 horse stables in four zones with separate airflows for proper segregation.

There is also a custom spaces for day-old-chicks, birds, fish, reptiles and exotic animals.

The centre has capacity of up to 47 ULD positions.

Qatar Airways Cargo has also introduced a Kennel Calculator Tool that determines the ideal kennel size, ensuring comfort and compliance with IATA LAR standards. There is also a dedicated Control Tower for the most sensitive shipments and a Pet Card Service shares updates and photos of pets during transit, for customer peace of mind.

Chief officer cargo, Mark Drusch, said: “At Qatar Airways Cargo, we recognise our responsibility extends far beyond the mere transportation of animals. We are committed to advocating for their welfare globally, ensuring our operations respect and contribute positively to their overall well-being. This holistic approach to animal care is a fundamental part of our ethos, driving us to innovate and lead in the industry.

“With our new Animal Centre and service enhancements, we’re not just setting new standards for animal transport, we’re actively working towards a future where every aspect of our operations reflects a deep respect for animal welfare, embodying our commitment to making a meaningful difference in their lives.”

IAG goes HVO in Heathrow

Chris Lewis

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April 25, 2024

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IAG Cargo has completed its transition of its 160-strong ground vehicle fleet at London Heathrow from diesel to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).

HVO is a drop-in replacement for diesel, made from plant waste and from fully renewable materials and will reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% along with a significant cut in nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM). These will reduce IAG Cargo’s overall Scope 1 emissions by 50.

Director of London Operations, David Rose, said: “Transitioning our fleet of ground vehicles from diesel to HVO showcases our commitment to sustainable operations. This move to HVO for our large fleet at London Heathrow is just one of the actions we are taking to reach our goal of net-zero by 2050 and will pave the way for a more sustainable future at IAG Cargo.”

IAG Cargo is also introducing additional electric vehicles and making a concerted effort to streamline total vehicles in operation. Its fleet in Dublin is already powered by electric or HVO vehicles.

Joloda partners with AirTech to set up air cargo arm

Chris Lewis

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April 25, 2024

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Joloda partners with AirTech to set up air cargo arm

Materials handling company Joloda Hydraroll is to set up a new business branch, Joloda Air Cargo Equipment in partnership with handling system specialist AirTech Innovations.

Joloda Hydraroll will design, manufacture, install, and service a complete range of equipment for airside and landside air cargo handling operations. AirTech Innovations provides products and services for airside trucks and warehouses, from heavy-duty automated systems and sortation solutions to complete turnkey operations built to requirements, including specialist software.

Joloda Hydraroll will focus on customers in European and Asian markets, while AirTech Innovations will service those in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

Spare parts will continue to be available for all existing products and AirTech Innovation’s service department will integrate with Joloda Conveyor Services.

Joloda Hydraroll chief executive, Michele Dematteis, commented: “Our powered rollerbed loading and unloading systems for trucks and trailers are already used in cargo hubs around the globe, so the move into airside truck and warehouse solutions was the logical next step. Now, equipped with a complete range of air cargo handling systems, we look forward to leveraging our combined expertise to offer them an unparalleled service. Our combination of global knowledge and local services makes us the best partner to meet our customers’ needs.”

Managing director at AirTech Innovations, Steve Hamilton, added: “With Joloda Hydraroll’s growth history, growth projections, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and project installation professionalism, we are pleased to set up this alliance and contribute to a one-stop-shop that will support the growth of air cargo handling operators around the world.”

Dnata appoints ops chief

Chris Lewis

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April 24, 2024

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Dnata has appointed Clive Sauvé-Hopkins as global head of airport operations, overseeing ground handling and cargo businesses at 97 locations in 16 countries.He will manage a team of over 37,000 people and has held several senior leadership positions with Swissport, Servisair, Aviapartner, Qatar Airways, and the Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company. He will be based in Dubai and will report to group chief executive officer, Steve Allen.

Air Canada adds Chicago

Airlines

Chris Lewis

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April 23, 2024

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Air Canada Cargo today is to add Chicago to its freighter network from June 2. The service will operate three times per week with a Boeing 767 freighter, from the carrier’s global hub in Toronto to its self-handled warehouse operation in Chicago.

Vice president, cargo, Jon Turner, said: “In Chicago, we also leverage our extensive trucking network to extend our reach, adding to Air Canada Cargo’s competitive edge. As a true global combination carrier, adding Chicago further expands on our commitment to provide consistent capacity to our valued customers and respond to the demands of the market.”

WestJet steps up Calgary/Paris flights

Chris Lewis

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April 22, 2024

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Freighter operator WestJet Cargo has increased its flights between Calgary and Paris Charles de Gaulle to 5-7 times weekly.

Previously, WestJet Cargo operated the Calgary-Paris route four times a week in summer starting from 2019, with no winter service until October 2023.
It has operated a year-round schedule since 2023, offering five flights per week in summer and four in winter. This summer, it is further enhancing the service to seven flights per week in summer and five in winter.

Paris CDG acts as a central hub, enabling with connections across Europe using multiple modes of transport in partnership with general sales and service agent ECS Group

Each flight offers a payload capacity of 18 tons.

WestJet executive vice president of cargo, Kirsten de Bruijn, said: “Our expansion into European markets through the Paris hub is a key part of our growth strategy. ECS Group’s technological support and network have been indispensable in enhancing our service capabilities, allowing us to pursue new opportunities in additional European countries.”

Jean Ceccaldi, managing director of Aero Cargo France – a subsidiary of ECS Group, said that the GSSA would support WestJet Cargo with its Quantum e-quotation system and Apollo business intelligence platform.

Carrier gives first class bear care

Airlines

Chris Lewis

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April 20, 2024

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Three koala bears are settling into their new custom-built, dedicated ‘Koalia’ home in the Netherlands at Rhenen’s Ouwehands Zoo, thanks to Air France KLM Martinair Cargo.

A keeper from Ouwehands travelled to California’s San Diego Zoo to pick up the koalas, arriving back from Los Angeles on 20 April with her charges. The carrier specialises in responsible transportation of various species and employs specialised staff with the knowledge and skills to accompany the animals on their journey.

It also operates its own animal hotel at Schiphol, where the bears were cleared through customs and given a health check before the final leg of their journey to Ouwehands in central Netherlands.

WFS adds Boston to SAS stable

Chris Lewis

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April 18, 2024

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Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has awarded a cargo handling contract to Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) at Boston, its fourth major airport in North America.

The new three-year agreement will see WFS, a member of SATS Group, handle cargo onboard SAS flights on daily Airbus A350 flights to and from the Danish capital, Copenhagen.

Boston joins Los Angeles, New York JFK, and San Francisco as airports in the US where WFS and SAS have partnered.

WFS expects to handle over 8 million kilos a year on the Boston operations, including large volumes of perishables.

WFS opened its operation in Boston in 2010 and now operates two cargo terminals at Logan International Airport, offering over 70,000 square feet of cargo handing space. The two facilities process more than 57,000 tonnes of cargo annually for WFS’ 14 airline customers in Boston.

WFS vice-president cargo, Timothy Coggswell, said: “Boston is a prime airport gateway for WFS and SAS in North America. Our ability to provide the airline with the high service standards it expects for its customers, alongside the reputation we have built working with SAS at other major US airports, have earned us this new opportunity to extend our partnership.”

DP World platform takes to the air

Chris Lewis

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April 17, 2024

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DP World is now offering an Air Tracking feature on its SeaRates visibility platform. It extends SeaRates’ existing suite of tools, which includes freight tracking, Logistics Community Systems and ship scheduling. Chief operating officer for digital technology, Mike Bhaskaran said: “Our customers’ evolving needs are always at the forefront of how we think about the industry. With the increasing reliance on air freight solutions to overcome disruptions and challenges in global logistics, SeaRates’ Air Tracking feature is a testament to our commitment to providing end-to-end solutions that fit the dynamics of the market.”