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US gateways spearhead Menzies green plastics move

Chris Lewis
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US gateways spearhead Menzies green plastics move

Menzies Aviation is switching to biodegradable plastic in its cargo operations. M&G Packaging’s BioNatur Plastics will first be used in its cargo operations at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Miami International Airport (MIA), where the switch will reduce long-term plastic waste by the equivalent of over 5 million water bottles each year. Plans to continue rolling out the sustainable material will follow across all US cargo operations, and into Europe and the UK.

BioNatur Plastics are fully recyclable in normal waste collection streams and biodegradable in a landfill environment, speeding up the process from 1,000 years to less than 8-12 years. It leaves no trace of microplastics when it degrades and reduces the reliance on fossil fuel-based plastics, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

Menzies adds that products made from BioNatur Plastics also outperform regular plastics with the same thickness as a result of its superior elongation and puncture resistance. With added strength, the plastics can be used in thinner amounts, minimising the quantity of plastic waste overall.

Menzies Aviation head of sustainability and corporate responsibility, Katy Reid, said: “Waste is a top priority for many of our stakeholders, and the introduction of BioNatur will not only help make our cargo operations more sustainable, but also ensure we’re working in partnership with our customers to meet their own ESG goals.

“Our cargo operations utilise various packing materials and our priority is to continue reducing the volume of plastic use and waste, increase recycling, and source materials that minimise any impact on the environment. Adopting BioNatur represents a key milestone for our cargo operations as we continue to grow our business responsibly and sustainably.”

Global head of cargo, Beau Paine, added: “Our cargo business has expanded rapidly, growing from 49 locations in 2021 to 75 this year, and we have ambitious plans to take this even further. Our cargo operations utilise various packaging materials and replacing our cargo-use plastic products with BioNatur Plastics will not only dramatically reduce waste levels but supports our long-term sustainability targets.”

Angel Rodriguez to run ASF Air

Chris Lewis
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Angel Rodriguez to run ASF Air

Charleston, South Carolina-based logistics company ASF has appointed Angel Rodriguez as president of its Air arm.

He brings over 30 years of supply chain experience and in his most recent role at Flexport, delivered airfreight solutions to meet the needs of Fortune 100 and 500 clients and delivered the highest tonnage and revenue contributions by anyone in the history of the company. At Panalpina, he spearheaded solutions for all modes of transport with a focus on consumer and retail clients worldwide.

He said: “I’m thrilled to join ASF, a company with strong values of putting people first, honor, integrity, and unmatched customized services. ASF’s expertise and personalized service is a welcome capability for the shipping industry. Our clients benefit from our trusted, transparent way of doing business, and deserve the best service possible.”

Pharma.Aero and Cool Chain Association to collaborate

Chris Lewis
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Pharma.Aero and Cool Chain Association to collaborate

The Pharma.Aero collaboration platform for life science airfreight has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Cool Chain Association, an industry association specialising in temperature-controlled logistics, to harmonise processes in the sector.

The MoU outlines the associations’ shared commitment to foster collaboration and enhance transparency between the life science and perishable supply chain.

The associations aim to compare critical control points identified in the CCA’s perishable trials with those recognised by Pharma.Aero in the pharmaceutical supply chain, using IATA’s CEIV Pharma and Fresh certifications as benchmarks to identify shared standards for improving the cold chain.

Pharma.Aero and the CCA will collaborate on projects to review and recommend new industry processes and guidelines.

CCA board chairman and head of global healthcare, Cargolux, Stavros Evangelakakis, said: “Our partnership with Pharma.Aero is born out of a shared goal to improve the quality and safety of the cool supply chain. We believe that we can achieve so much more through cross-industry collaboration than we ever could working independently in silos.”

CCA secretary general and senior quality manager, SkyCell, Nicola Caristo,added: “By promoting harmonious processes across perishables and pharma we hope to facilitate a holistic and sustainable approach to air cargo, highlighting where the industry can simplify operations with better handling, reduce waste with improved data visibility, and increase profits with more efficient processes.”

Chairman of Pharma.Aero, Trevor Caswell, commented: “We are excited about the prospect of joint industry projects that will not only drive advancements but also set new benchmarks for industry collaboration. By joining forces, we aim to leverage our collective expertise to address the evolving challenges in the life science temperature-controlled logistics.”

CCA recently launched a pharmaceutical trial in partnership with its member, Lamprecht Pharma Logistics, to identify pain points in the pharmaceutical supply chain and optimise performance.

Air Canada adopts Opticooler’s little sister

Chris Lewis
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Air Canada adopts Opticooler’s little sister

DoKaSch Temperature Solutions’ Opticooler RKN container is now available on Air Canada Cargo’s wide-body international flights, following approval of the equipment. The carrier has already approved Opticooler’s RAP model. The Opticooler is smaller version of the Opticooler RAP, with space for a single pallet compared with five for the RKN. Both containers are battery-powered and can keep products at between two and 30°C.

Air Canada’s widebody fleet operates to over 300 cities on six continents along with interline and trucking partnerships.

The technical approval of the Opticooler will enable Air Canada Cargo to strengthen its cool chain capacities for its AC Absolute service for pharma producers and their forwarders.

Managing director, commercial at Air Canada Cargo, Matthieu Casey, said: “We have always been focused on a strong cool chain integrity within our network because the supply of lifesaving medicines is absolutely crucial. Thanks to our global network, we can provide highly reliable and quick transport to a wide variety of destinations. The Opticoolers provided by DoKaSch Temperature Solutions meet our high standards and will help support our extensive cool chain network in the Americas and beyond.”

A valuable addition to WestJet Cargo’s portfolio

Chris Lewis
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A valuable addition to WestJet Cargo’s portfolio

WestJet Cargo is to launch a service for high-value freight in January 2024. SafeAir will initially be available between Canada and the US, but will shortly be expanded across the carrier’s entire network for items such as banknotes, jewellery or precious metals and stones.

Security measures prevent tampering, pilferage, and unauthorized access, include third-party oversight, direct supervision, storage protocols and high security containers. Each container bears a unique serial number and is sealed with individually numbered metal seals. All valuable cargo is escorted by security agents and transported separately to and from the aircraft.

The service has been developed in collaboration with specialist freight forwarders and will debut between Toronto Pearson, Calgary, Vancouver and Los Angeles.

Product manager at WestJet Cargo, Nawal Mir, explained: “Every step of the valuable handling process has been painstakingly analysed, potential risks identified and measures implemented to mitigate them. All hands on deck, all eyes on the ball, and absolutely no loopholes allowed. We’ve created a true ‘Freight Knox’ service at four of our stations and will roll it out to other destinations as soon as we are certain they are ready and capable of delivery.”

The high value service is initially available between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Calgary International Airport (YYC), Vancouver International Airport (YVR), and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). All other stations will be launched in priority of customer demand from next year.

Wipro rolls out MACH system Menzies-wide

Chris Lewis
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Wipro rolls out MACH system Menzies-wide

Wipro’s New Cargo Management System is being rolled out across the handler’s worldwide network. Following a launch of Menzies’ cargo operation at Bucharest Otopeni Airport in Romania, the MACH system will be deployed initially at ten air cargo locations, with plans to implement the system across Menzies’ global network by the end of 2024.

Wipro says that MACH is a significant enhancement of Menzies’ current cargo management system, with a modern user interface and easy navigation, while its Cloud-based architecture ensures accessibility. It integrates with other systems helping and improves data accuracy as all electronic information is populated automatically across the system.

Menzies will roll out MACH to ten air cargo locations – Macau in China; Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland in New Zealand; Sangster Intl. and Kingston Jamaica in Jamaica; Ontario, Vancouver, Calgary; and Amman in Jordan – by the end of the first quarter of 2024 and plans to implement it across the Menzies’ global network by the end of 2024.

One Air freighter is two of three

Chris Lewis
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One Air freighter is two of three

British all-cargo airline One Air has taken delivery of its second Boeing 747-400 freighter. One Air commenced flight operations in July after receiving its Air Operators Certificate from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The additional aircraft will support its current full charter services connecting Hong Kong and London Heathrow. The aircraft is also expected to offer some further ad hoc capacity for global charter services in addition to the regular operations.

The latest addition to the airline’s fleet, acquired on a long-term lease, is a former Air Canada passenger aircraft which was later converted to a freighter for Air China. Prior to joining One Air, it was in operation with Aerotranscargo.

One Air chairman and chief executive, and the airline’s major shareholder, Paul Bennett, said: “We have enjoyed a positive start to commercial operations and strong interest from the international cargo market, which reinforces our view of the long-term potential for a British all-cargo airline.

“We are extremely proud to be operating the only Boeing 747 freighters on the UK register and to be offering the aircraft’s outstanding cargo capacity.

“Our second aircraft has now entered service and increases our capabilities further – and, subject to gaining the necessary regulatory approvals, our aim is to add a third B747-400F in Q1 2024. We already have sufficient demand for a third aircraft, so our growth strategy at this stage is very much on track.”  

One Air, headquartered close to London Heathrow, has built a team of over 100 airline operations, flight crew, and cargo professionals with previous experience with Cathay Pacific, Emirates Airline, CargoLogicAir, Norwegian Airlines, and other major carriers.

Silk Way adds more freighters

Chris Lewis
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Silk Way adds more freighters

Silk Way West Airlines has added two Boeing 777 freighters to its fleet. On April 28, 2021, Silk Way West Airlines signed They are part of a strategic fleet expansion agreement signed with Boeing in April 2021 for five new 777 freighters, followed by a further agreement signed in November 2022 for two 777-8 Freighters. Silk Way West Airlines also agreed the purchase of two A350 Freighters with Airbus in June 2022.

Challenge Group reaches 1,000-flight mark

Chris Lewis
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Challenge Group has handled its 1,000th charter since starting flights in 2020. The company says that the milestone is testament to its ability to transport a broad mix of cargo, such as humanitarian aid, cars, live animals and stage equipment, coupled with its end-to-end approach, arranging trucking at origin, building up cargo, loading and unloading it on aircraft and delivering it by truck to its end-destination.

Challenge Group adds that its charter operations growth is in line with its overall fleet growth of over 60%.

ECS Group acquires Irish airfreight sales agent IAM

Chris Lewis
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ECS Group acquires Irish airfreight sales agent IAM

International airfreight generals sales agency group ECS has acquired one of Ireland’s largest and oldest established agents, International Airline Marketing (IAM).

Founded in Dublin, in 1989, by Sean McCool, father of current managing director, Ian McCool, IAM has grown from initially representing Air Canada to serving over 15 carriers and accounting for over a quarter of Ireland’s annual air cargo exports.

With the acquisition, ECS Group will increase its own market share in Ireland to 30%.

It has a main office close to Dublin city centre, and the company also has senior sales representatives in Cork and Belfast.

It added a trucking division in the mid-1990s and expanded into handling support and air cargo dangerous training in the early 2000s.

Ian McCool  said: “Our rapidly changing air-cargo industry landscape demands a solid global presence and innovative and flexible service solutions. In ECS Group, IAM sees a partner with an international reputation as a market leader, and one that recognizes the importance of growing its global business via a network of well-established local market representative offices.

“We are proud to become part of a group that is forward-looking, technologically advanced, and known to be a highly supportive business partner that is committed to promoting sustainability in the industry.”

ECS Group executive chairman, Adrien Thominet, added: “IAM is the absolute leader in the Irish market, with more than 30 years of experience and an outstanding reputation. It is the perfect example of a family business that has remained true to its founding credo of service excellence and continuous improvement –  one that very much aligns with our ECS Group philosophy. We share commercial synergies too, in the companies represented across our network, and similar business acumen. When two winners join forces, everyone wins – in this case, our joint customers.”

IAM will gain access to ECS Group’s in-house digital tools and revenue management solutions.

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