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Buffalo Airways launches Edmonton freighter link

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September 19, 2023

Buffalo Airways launches Edmonton freighter link

Northern Canada carrier Buffalo Airways has launched a freighter route between Edmonton and Yellowknife with a Boeing 737-300SF Special Freighter. It will operate Monday through Friday, and is expected to carry critical goods such as pharmaceuticals and healthcare, food and beverage, time-sensitive automotive and other manufactured parts and retail.

Up to now essential goods were trucked to Hay River, 500 miles north of Edmonton on the opposite side of Great Slave Lake to Yellowknife, before being flown to destination but that system has reached maximum capacity, both in terms of available space and time efficiency.

Buffalo Airways general manager, Mikey McBryan, said: “I have spent the last two years preparing for the arrival of this aircraft, and I can’t wait to witness the remarkable impact it will have on our operations.”

President and chief executive of Edmonton International Airport, Myron Keehn, commented: “This dedicated freighter service improves connectivity between regions and will have a strong positive impact to the residents in Northern Canada, providing access to affordable essential goods by improving the supply chain to and from Northern communities.”

Buffalo Airways was founded in 1970 by Joe McBryan to deliver essential air services to the remote north of Canada.

Sterling ready to move in LA

Trucking

Chris Lewis

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September 15, 2023

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Airfreight trucker Sterling Transportation is poised to move into its new freestanding facility in Los Angeles on September 18The 16-dock terminal is 3.5 miles east of Los Angeles International Airport at the nexus of the 405, 105, and 110 freeways and is more convenient for the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

It offers over 50,000sq ft of fenced private yard for higher security, and easier access. While the nearly 50,000sq ft of storage is almost double that of the previous location.

Amsterdam cargo dips 6%

Airports

Chris Lewis

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September 14, 2023

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Amsterdam Airport Schiphol processed 679,214 tonnes of cargo in the first six months of 2023, a dip of 6% compared with the same period in 2022, in-keeping with global trends said the Netherlands gateway.

Full freighter flights accounted for 64% of total throughput at the airport, equating to 431,315 tonnes of cargo, while belly cargo accounted for the remaining 36% at 247,899 tonnes.

“When you compare our figures to the wider picture across Europe, you’ll find that Schiphol Airport has weathered global challenges quite well,” said Joost van Doesburg, head of cargo, Royal Schiphol Group. “According to IATA, the total air cargo market in Europe saw a 10.2% decrease – here at Schiphol, we had a significantly lower drop of 6%.”

A lifeline for the world’s loneliest lion

Airlines

Chris Lewis

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September 14, 2023

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A lifeline for the world’s loneliest lion

Qatar Airways Cargo has joined forces with Animal Defenders International to help rescue the world’s loneliest lion.

Ruben was left behind when a private zoo closed down in Armenia, in a tiny concrete cell with no contact with other lions and charity ADI could not find a suitable flight for him out of Armenia.

Qatar Airways Cargo orchestrated a 5,200-mile journey for the 15-year-old lion, where he is now re-discovering his voice and confidence as he roams the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. Despite physical challenges from years of captivity, Ruben’s resilience and determination shine through, offering hope for a remarkable recovery.

Qatar Airways Cargo senior vice-president for cargo sales and network planning, Elisabeth Oudkerk, said: “We are committed to preserving wildlife and endangered species, that is why we launched our WeQare initiative: ‘Rewild the Planet’ back in 2020. We pledged to return wildlife and endangered species back to their natural habitat, free of charge and we will continue to do so.”

“There are a lot of logistics involved in moving animals like Ruben; from the logistics at the airports involved, the process for loading and unloading the animals from the aircraft, to ensuring the correct cages and wellbeing of the animals are in place. It takes a lot of effort from our team to organise such transport – but it is something we are all collectively very proud to be a part of, knowing we helped give back to our planet.”

ADI president Jan Creamer, added: “Ruben was really in trouble until Qatar Airways Cargo stepped up. ADI had been funding his care in Armenia since December and when we could find no flights for him we feared he could be stuck there.

“Then Qatar Airways Cargo ‘WeQare’ initiative stepped in, moving a larger aircraft with hold doors big enough for Ruben’s crate, into the scheduled passenger route out of Yervan. We are so thankful to Qatar Airways Cargo for all their support in helping get Ruben to South Africa.”

Deugro delivers urgent gear from Thailand to Texas

Chris Lewis

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September 13, 2023

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Deugro delivers urgent gear from Thailand to Texas

Freight forwarder Deugro has delivered 37 urgent pipe spools from eastern Thailand to the US on nine charter flights for the start-up of a new facility. The components were shipped from the factory in Rayong Province to U-Tapao Airport, and then from George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas.

The 213 tonnes of cargo (1,628 cubic meters) cargo would normally be shipped by ocean but in the event only air freight could meet the delivery schedule.

The forwarder said that with scarce heavy lift air charter capacity caused by the war in the Ukraine, the biggest challenge was locating and securing aircraft that could not only be available at the right place at the right time, but which also allowed for loading the oversized and complex equipment.

Dimerco opens second Taiwan bond

Chris Lewis

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September 13, 2023

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Global forwarder Dimerco has opened its second bonded warehouse in the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Free Trade Zone, aimed at semiconductor manufacturers.

Supplier inventory entering Taiwan can be stored duty and tax free until it is shipped out while finished goods being manufactured in Taiwan can be stored in the bonded warehouse duty and tax free until they are sold and shipped out.

The 48,000sq ft facility offers customizable shelving, 10 storage bays and a large floor space for picking and packing operations. Dimerco says it is one of the few 3PLs In Taiwan that serves as Importer of Record allowing it to offer a solution for international customers that do not have local presence.

Carriers flock to WFS in Bangalore

Chris Lewis

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September 13, 2023

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Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a Member of the SATS Group, says it has signed handling contracts with 20 airlines since opening its first Indian terminal at at Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR) at the end of May.

The cargo handler has started a 15-year license to operate an international cargo handing operation at Kempegowda in partnership with BIAL, Bangalore International Airport Limited. New airline customers for WFS Bengaluru Private have signed contracts of between 3-5 years.

WFS employs some 700 staff at two facilities, currently offering an annual throughput capacity of 120,000 tonnes, rising to 250,000 tonnes per annum following refurbishment. WFS is responsible for the development, operation, management, and maintenance of the operations, which include the only dedicated cold chain facility at the airport.

Lufthansa ups Mexico flights

Airlines

Chris Lewis

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September 12, 2023

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Lufthansa Cargo is increasing its flights to Asia, Africa and Mexico in its latest winter schedule.

The German carrier is increasing weekly connections to Mexico City from six to a total of seven weekly freighter rotations. In July, all freighter flights were transferred to Felipe Ángeles International Airport and truck shuttles introduced to transfer cargo between the now passenger-only Mexico City airport the designated cargo hub.

Lufthansa Cargo now operates to eight destinations in the US and Canada and six in South America.

It will also operate three weekly B777 freighter services to Tel Aviv and Cairo from October.

Frequency to Hong Kong will be increased from six to seven weekly flights by routing via Mumbai and, with a combined connection from Frankfurt via Riyadh to Taipei (it will add two new freighter destinations in November, served twice a week. Taipei will become part of the global route network for the first time, while Riyadh was served by Lufthansa Cargo up to 2020.

The planned entry into service of a fourth Airbus A321 freighter during September will soon result in further expansions in short- and medium-haul services.

Lufthansa Cargo chief executive, Ashwin Bhat, said: “The market for airfreight is and remains volatile, but Asia and Mexico continue to be attractive, economically strong regions for us. The additional capacity of our 17^th Boeing 777F in our long-haul fleet offers opportunities to specifically adapt the flight offering to the needs of our customers in these markets.”

Lufthansa’s Boeing 777 freighter fleet will comprise a total of 17 aircraft with the addition of a new aircraft by the end of the year.

Canada’s Minister of Transport announces new funding

Airlines

John Saunders

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September 12, 2023

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Canada’s Minister of Transport announces new funding

Canada’s Minister of Transport, the Honorable Pablo Rodriguez, recently announced an investment of up to C$11 million under the National Trade Corridors Fund. This investment will be used to build a new cargo facility for Canadian North, the Inuit-owned airline. To further enhance this commitment, Canadian North will be matching the Government of Canada’s investment, bringing the total combined funding for this project up to $22 million.
This warehouse will be located on the grounds of Ottawa International Airport and will reduce delays in cargo handling capacity and increase connectivity between different modes of transportation at the airport. For example, the project would expand the truck loading area, where queues have created congestion in the past. In total, this project will also double the capacity for Canadian North in Ottawa.
In addition, this new facility will adopt environmentally friendly technologies and expand energy-efficient refrigeration and freezing areas to reduce waste and preserve essential goods destined for the Canadian Arctic. The facility will also have a backup power system to ensure service continuity during severe weather events.
The Government of Canada continues to invest to make the country’s supply chain stronger, to boost economic growth and to create more opportunities for our businesses to grow internationally. This represents another long-term commitment to work with stakeholders on important infrastructure projects to address congestion along Canada’s trade corridors.

Qatar Airways finds a sweet home in Alabama

Chris Lewis

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September 11, 2023

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Qatar Airways finds a sweet home in Alabama

Qatar Airways inaugurated its Gateway Star route linking Mexico to the Middle East at Huntsville International Airport (HSV) on 7 September. The Boeing 777 arrived in Huntsville from Mexico City to a water cannon salute at DSV’s International Intermodal Center at the airport, bound for Luxembourg and its final destination of Doha.

The Gateway Star route will fly twice weekly, and the venture is a collaboration between the carrier and DSV, which is responsible for cargo loading and management.

Port of Huntsville chief executive, Butch Roberts, said: “Huntsville will not only be DSV’s North American hub linking Mexico City and Doha, Qatar, via Luxembourg, this opportunity will facilitate swift, efficient cargo movement to the Middle East and beyond,” adding: “Our International Intermodal Center’s reputation as a convenient, economical choice to do global business is contributing significantly to this new venture’s success.“

The Gateway Star route also marks Qatar Airways Cargo’s first entry into Alabama airspace.

DSV executive vice president, Mads Ravn, commented: “By collaborating with Qatar Airways Cargo, we not only extend our market presence but also create avenues for seamless access to the Middle East with a keen focus on boosting our oil and gas vertical.”

The Port of Huntsville is an inland port facility comprised of Huntsville International Airport, the DSV-operated International Intermodal Center, Jetplex Industrial Park, and four contract operations including a Foreign Trade Zone. It has two parallel runways, one 10,000 feet and one 12,600 feet, with a 5,000-foot separation allowing for simultaneous operations during instrument conditions.

The International Intermodal Center is an inland port of entry for international air cargo flights and ocean containers arriving by rail while Jetplex Industrial Park, the IIC offers Customs & Border Protection clearance, on-site freight forwarders and customs brokers and a Foreign-Trade Zone.