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
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
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
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.
Champ team is champ of IATA hackathon
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
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
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
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
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
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.