Blog | Air Cargo Vision | Air Cargo News ACV Air Freight News Air Cargo Vision

Ethiopian ponders US flights via Malta

-

February 10, 2023

Ethiopian Airlines is planning to launch flights from its Addis Ababa hub to Malta and onwards to US cities, according to press reports. It follows talks between the Maltese and Ethiopian prime ministers to discuss a number of issues, including aviation.

Current Ethiopian Airlines to North America operate with a refuelling stops in Dublin or Lomé, but it appears that the flights under discussion would treat the island as a commercial origin and destination.

The move would restore US services between Malta after an absence of several decades.

More earthquake aid on its way

Airlines

Chris Lewis

-

February 10, 2023

0

A Lufthansa Cargo Boeing 777 freighter departed Frankfurt on 10 February at with aid destined for Antalya, mainly winter clothing, blankets, food and hygiene items. They were donated by Turkish communities in Hesse and Baden-Württemberg, as well as by local companies in and Lufthansa Cargo employees.

The Lufthansa Cargo subsidiary time:matters, which specializes in emergency logistics, and Lufthansa Cargo’s customs service provider CB customs broker, organized the operation. Lufthansa Group employees who volunteer in the FRA Community of the HelpAlliance, had been consolidating and preparing the cargo for the free flight since Wednesday evening.

The Lufthansa Cargo team at the Istanbul station will receive the relief supplies after landing and bring them to the crisis area.

Dubai-based airline Emirates meanwhile said it was setting up an airbridge with the International Humanitarian City (IHC), to transport urgent relief supplies, medical items and equipment to support on-ground aid efforts and search and rescue activities in Turkey and Syria. The first shipments were due to fly on 10 February, consisting of thermal blankets and family tents from UNHCR, followed by World Health Organisation (WHO) and World Food Programme (WFP) relief cargo of medical kits and shelter items, co-ordinated by the IHC in Dubai.

More consignments of blankets, tents, shelter kits, flash lights, water distribution ramps and trauma and emergency health kits were due to be transported on Emirates.

Emirates SkyCargo plans to dedicate cargo space for around 100 tonnes of humanitarian relief goods during February across its daily flight operations to Istanbul.

Emirates signs second North America deal with Air Canada

Airlines

Chris Lewis

-

February 10, 2023

0

Emirates signs second North America deal with Air Canada

Emirates SkyCargo has signed a memorandum of understanding with Air Canada Cargo, building on the two airlines’ strategic commercial partnership announced last year.

The two carriers will work closely on initiatives including expanding cargo interline options and block space agreements, pending any required regulatory approvals. The aim is to offer freight customers access to more capacity on a combined global network.

Air Canada Cargo will have access to Emirates SkyCargo’s network through the belly-hold of Emirates scheduled passenger flights to over 140 global destinations, as well as the additional capacity offered by 11 freighters currently. In return, SkyCargo will have access to over 60 cities in Canada and more than 150 cities across five continents through Air Canada Cargo’ Boeing 767 freighters and the belly-hold capacity of its scheduled passenger flights.

Both airlines bring particular experience in handling unique cargo, such as oil and gas drilling equipment, car parts and pharmaceuticals.

Emirates SkyCargo signed a similar MoU with United Cargo in the US in September last year.

Managing director, commercial, at Air Canada Cargo, Matthieu Casey, commented: “This agreement enables both carriers to work more closely to optimize our respective freighter and belly capacity throughout each of our extensive and complementing global networks. Customers will benefit from these additional synergies by having access to an even greater array of options, destinations and streamlined handling when shipping globally.”

His Emirates counterpart, divisional senior vice president, cargo, Nabil Sultan, added: “Emirates SkyCargo is committed to being a leading player in the global air cargo industry providing our customers with the highest standards of products and services. Cooperating with Air Canada Cargo will offer our clients added value through more rapid reach to new destinations in Canada via our Toronto and US gateways.”

Etihad steps up Europe space

Airlines

Chris Lewis

-

February 9, 2023

0

Etihad Cargo is to operate new routes from its Abu Dhabi hub to Copenhagen in Denmark and Düsseldorf in Germany and will also introduce additional services to Frankfurt.

The carrier currently operates seven passenger and four freighter flights per week to Frankfurt. From 1 May, Etihad Cargo will increase weekly flights from eleven to 15 with the introduction of four new services.

From 1 October, Etihad Cargo will provide cargo capacity out of Denmark with the introduction of four weekly flights and will reinstate three weekly flights to Düsseldorf.

Denmark is home to a number of major international pharmaceutical companies and the country has become an established biotech and pharma hub in Europe.

Etihad Cargo currently offers four dedicated freighter services from Abu Dhabi to Amsterdam and two weekly freighter flights to Frankfurt, which connect to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in the US, along with cargo capacity on its passenger network.

Vienna pharma jumps by two thirds

Chris Lewis

-

February 9, 2023

0

Vienna Airport Pharma Handling Center (VPHC) increased its total tonnage by 64% in 2022 compared to the previous year, handling over 3,600 tons of pharmaceuticals, biotech products and other temperature-sensitive goods. It offers two large cold storage facilities offer warehousing options for temperatures ranging from 2 to 8 degrees Celsius (150 square metres) and 15 to 25 degrees (1,600 square metres). Movable refrigeration equipment also guarantees a secure connection between the air and land sides.

Quake hits Turkey and Syria freight

Chris Lewis

-

February 8, 2023

0

The earthquake in Turkey and Syria has damaged transportation infrastructure, including that crucial to delivering aid, reports the Freightos platform.

Roads and bridges have been hit and the southern port of Iskenderun shut down as stacks of containers toppled and started a fire.

Rail service is disrupted in the region, though major east-west traffic – which is concentrated in northern Turkey – will probably not be affected, it says.

Air cargo congestion is being reported at many smaller airports as passenger flights are cancelled and arriving aid shipments begin to overwhelm handlers, though the major air hub in Istanbul remains open.

The aid-driven increase in demand for air cargo into Turkey could push rates up, Freightos adds.

Meanwhile, Turkish airline Pegasus said on 8 February that it had operated additional flights to and from earthquake-affected zones to deliver aid and emergency suppliesAs well as offering free domestic passenger flights from Adana, Diyarbakır, Elazığ, Gaziantep, Kayseri, Malatya and Şanlıurfa on 7-12 February it is inviting anyone who wishes to send aid and relief equipment to the earthquake-affected regions to coordinate with Kızılay (The Turkish Red Crescent) and the local authorities to deliver the aid to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, which will then be transported free of charge on Pegasus aircraft.

To help animals affected by the earthquake, the carrier has transported pet carriers in aircraft cabins to all the airports in earthquake-affected zones.

Three join Awery Aviation Software

Chris Lewis

-

February 8, 2023

0

Airfreight IT specialist Awery Aviation Software has appointed Arnaud Lambert, Ariaen Zimmerman, and Pascal Morvan to its advisory board.

Lambert (pictured) has 25 years’ air cargo and IT experience in senior management roles with Cargolux Airlines and, most recently, CHAMP Cargosystems, where he was chief executive.

Morvan has 31 years’ experience in the airline and air cargo industry, including as chief operating officer at Air France KLM Cargo.

Zimmerman is an independent consultant and executive coach with over 18 years of air cargo and airline experience, including a role as executive director at Cargo iQ, where he led the cross-industry organisation’s repositioning and rebranding.

Online broker tracks aircraft in real time

Chris Lewis

-

February 8, 2023

0

Online broker tracks aircraft in real time

UK-headquartered online air charter broker CharterSync is now offering real-time flight tracking, enabling clients to accurately follow aircraft through a personalised dashboard. Freight forwarders can monitor the aircraft’s position across any phase of their booking and check progress against schedule, and providing immediate updates in the event of delays caused by weather or air traffic control.

The update also allows users to view all related flight documents, including contracts, permits and cargo information alongside the aircraft’s schedule and live aircraft location, building on CharterSync’s existing RocketRoute integration.

CARS buy to turbocharge GCL auto shipping network

Chris Lewis

-

February 6, 2023

0

CARS buy to turbocharge GCL auto shipping network

California-based specialist operator Global Critical Logistics (GCL) has acquired Classic Automotive Relocation Services (CARS) in the UK which ships historic, rare and prestigious vehicles.

GCL said CARS’ extensive coverage of the US, European, and Middle Eastern markets would solidify its position as a global specialist forwarder in the sector and complement its existing brand, Cosdel International Transportation.

CARS will continue to operate under its own business name as a member of the GCL group of companies.

GCL president and chief executive, Paul J. Martins, said: “This acquisition extends the GCL group’s service offering and proven operational capabilities across key strategic growth markets, both in terms of customer industries and geographic presence.

“CARS offers highly bespoke, tailored services and their global team has an incredible passion to always exceed their customer’s expectations. All companies of the GCL group share these core values, and we are very excited as this addition will further drive meaningful value for both customers and shareholders.”

Founded in 1989, CARS has offices in the US, UK, Middle East, Netherlands, and Japan along with a network of specialist storage facilities, offering services such as Carnet de Passages, registration and testing.

CARS co-founder and managing director, Jeremy Barker added: “By joining the GCL group, we gain access to additional resources that will turbo charge our service offerings to better serve our existing customers and to reach more customers across the globe.”

“We are thrilled to be part of a major logistics group whose operational ethos and end-market focus so closely matches our business culture.”

GCL has been making a number of strategic moves to bolster its worldwide capabilities serving the live events, fine art, classic and high-value automobiles, film, television, broadcast, sports and motor sports industries. In late 2021, it acquired Dynamic International Freight Services to enhance its global film and TV offering, and in 2022, added Spain-based forwarder Asesores de Flete, serving the Spanish-speaking live event and sports industry.

It also formed a strategic partnership with SAL Saudi Logistics Services and opened new offices in Singapore and Miami.

Lufthansa to roll out fuel saving skin across freighter fleet

Chris Lewis

-

February 3, 2023

0

Lufthansa to roll out fuel saving skin across freighter fleet

Lufthansa Cargo says it will begin equipping all its Boeing 777 freighters with AeroSHARK surface technology from 2023. The technology, developed by sister company Lufthansa Technik and BASF is a surface film that mimics the microscopic structure of shark skin and offers savings in fuel and emissions. Lufthansa Technik expects fuel savings of just over 1% which, across Lufthansa Cargo’s entire 777 fleet, will save 4,000 tonnes of kerosene and nearly 13,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

Lufthansa Cargo’s first AeroSHARK-modified Boeing 777 freighter, took off for the first time from Frankfurt on 3 February, heading for Bengaluru in India and Chengdu, China.