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Champ team is champ of IATA hackathon

Chris Lewis

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February 26, 2025

Temperature-controlled container company Jettainer presented a US$3,000 prize to a team from airfreight IT specialist Champ Cargosystems at the IATA Hackathon in Dublin on 26 February.

For two days, on February 24 and 25, about 100 developers in nine teams from all over the world pondered how IATAs ONE Record standard can be used to make supply chains more efficient. Among the four challenges addressed was a Jettainer ULD challenge to create a solution for an AI-assisted serviceability check of a ULD.

With Luna the team developed an AI powered assistant for serviceability checks of any type of ULD using voice, text, and pictures and leveraging the power of the ONE Record API.

Presenting the award, Jettainer chief executive, Dr Jan-Wilhelm Breithaupt said: “The competition of ideas and creative solutions here in Dublin was absolutely first class. There were numerous good and innovative approaches, but the Champ Cargosystems team narrowly came out on top and deserved it well. Their approach is very promising.”

He added that ONE Record opens up a world of new possibilities to add further value to ULD management services.

DHL eCommerce takes stake in Saudi’s AJEX

Chris Lewis

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February 25, 2025

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DHL eCommerce takes stake in Saudi’s AJEX

DHL eCommerce has acquired an equity stake in Saudi Arabian parcel logistics company AJEX. The Saudi company began its operations in 2021, and its 1,500 team members provide domestic parcel processing and delivery through a network of over 50 facilities and a fleet of more than 900 vehicles. AJEX will continue to lead the business in partnership with DHL eCommerce, which will contribute its expertise in the international parcel sector and will also have representation on the management board. DHL eCommerce has an option to increase its interest to a majority stake in AJEX.

New baby completes Envirotainer RelEye family

Chris Lewis

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February 25, 2025

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New baby completes Envirotainer RelEye family

Airfreight container specialist Envirotainer has completed its flagship product family with the launch of the RelEye RKN unit which meets the demand for small, lightweight, and connected temperature-controlled ULDs.

The RelEye RKN is the lightest of its class, reducing CO2 emissions per shipment, and also features an increased loading height, allowing for more products per shipment.

Integrated real-time live monitoring gives product condition, location, and progress of the shipment, supported by a ‘control tower’ that responds within minutes to any critical event.

It offers autonomy of over 130 hours (more than five days).

Global GSA appoints commercial chief

GSA
People

Chris Lewis

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February 24, 2025

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Amsterdam-based Global GSA Group has appointed Zafer Aggunduz as chief commercial officer. He joined the group in 2011 and has developed extensive expertise in commercial development. In his new capacity, Mr. Aggunduz will build long-term key partnerships, optimize commercial strategies, and identify new market opportunities while leading digital transformation initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Emirates to partner with Africa’s Astral

Airlines

Chris Lewis

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February 20, 2025

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Emirates to partner with Africa’s Astral

Emirates SkyCargo has signed a memorandum of understanding with African cargo carrier Astral Aviation.

Astral Aviation operates an intra-Africa network of 50 destinations by scheduled and adhoc charters. The partnership gives it access to Emirates’ network of over 145 destinations and fleet of passenger aircraft and dedicated freighters.

Under the terms of the MoU, Emirates and Astral will expand interline options and block space agreements. Astral has hubs in Nairobi, Johannesburg, Liege and Dubai.

Emirates SkyCargo’s divisional senior vice president, Badr Abbas, said: “Given the breadth of our network, our all widebody fleet and specialist product portfolio, we are well placed to support businesses reach new suppliers and customers in every corner of the globe. This partnership with Astral Aviation solidifies our longstanding commitment to the market, creating mutually beneficial economic opportunities to keep goods flowing quickly, reliably and efficiently.”

Astral signed a similar MoU with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Cargo in March 2024.

American doubles eco-plastic use

Chris Lewis

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February 19, 2025

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American Airlines Cargo says that its partnership with BioNatur Plastics to supply biodegradable plastic products for its cargo replaced more than 274,000 lbs. of traditional material in 2024. That was equivalent to 12.6 million plastic water bottles and was a nearly 100% increase compared to when the partnership began.

BioNatur Plastics aims to provide eco-alternatives to traditional plastics that retain all the properties of traditional plastic, but do not break down into micro-plastics and instead biodegrade in landfill within 8 to 12 years.

American currently uses BioNatur plastic at most of its US hubs, as well as at smaller domestic stations and in Latin America. It plans to expand use across all operation.

Distributed by M&G Packaging, BioNatur plastic product uses include lower deck pallet covers, heavy duty poly sheeting, stretch wrap, bottom sheeting and plastic covers.

Atlas Air strengthens SATS relations

Chris Lewis

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February 19, 2025

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Outsourced aviation company Atlas Air has signed a memorandum of understanding with SATS and its Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) handling arm to expand global cooperation.

It aims to build on the existingworking relationships, particularly in North America where WFS provides handling for the airline at Chicago, Dallas Fort Worth, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Miami, New York JFK, and Seattle. The agreement will expand cooperation in Singapore, the headquarters of the SATS Group, as well as in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and includes warehouse services, freighter ramp handling, and crew transport solutions.

The MoU is the first of its kind between Atlas Air, which operates the world’s largest fleet of B747 freighters and SATS, one of the world’s largest providers of air cargo handling services.

The partners will collaborate on the development of digital and automation solutions to provide expanded supply chain visibility and traceability of cargo throughout the combined networks.

They have also pledged to achieve further collaboration on major international airfreight trade lanes and cooperate on green and low-carbon initiatives.

Schiphol cargo up 8.2%

Airports

Chris Lewis

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February 18, 2025

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Amsterdam Schiphol Airport’s total air cargo tonnage reached 1.5 million tonnes in 2024, an 8.2% increase on 2023. Growth was driven by a surge in e-commerce and various global geo-political developments and ocean shipping restrictions.

Electronics, machinery and spare parts, perishables, clothing, e-commerce goods, and pharmaceuticals are some of the largest categories by freight volume.

The full freighter to belly ratio stood at 57% to 43%, reflecting a shift towards a higher proportion of belly freight (up from 39% in 2023), a trend that is predicted to continue in the coming years.

Belly freight saw a 19.8% increase, driven by a higher number of flights carrying belly cargo, as passenger flights continued their post-COVID recovery.

All regions experienced strong growth, except for Latin America, which saw a decline, partly due to the reallocation of routes to and from Asia driven by e-commerce demand.

Awery appoints aviation expert

Chris Lewis

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February 18, 2025

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Awery Aviation Software has appointed Wayne Phelan as business growth and product development consultant. He brings extensive experience in aviation software and digital transformation, from previous consulting roles at air cargo technology companies.

Most recently, Phelan co-founded air cargo start-up, TriCargo, a not-for profit solution focussing on improving connectivity between freight forwarders and airline General Sales and Service Agents.

His prior experience also includes over five years working in senior roles at leading consultancy, Accenture, where he advised clients on the implementation of digital innovations across multiple industries.

Nordisk and Emirates sign fireproof container deal

Chris Lewis

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February 17, 2025

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Nordisk and Emirates sign fireproof container deal

Nordisk Aviation has signed an agreement to provide Emirates with up to 10,000 for fire-resistant AKE containers for baggage and cargo, designed to mitigate the risks from lithium-ion battery fires. The manufacturer collaborated with the carrier to conduct rigorous fire testing. While the aerospace standard (SAE AS8992) outlines requirements for Class A paper fires, the tests exceeded industry requirements and included a heavy-duty fire simulation involving an AKE container with 1,000 18650-Li-ion battery cells distributed across 60 pieces of luggage and other flammable items like clothing, toiletries and alcohol bottles. The Nordisk AKE’s design allowed flue gases to escape while preventing oxygen inflow, and contained the fire for the entire six-hour testing period.