All-cargo carrier Coyne Airways has signed a deal with the WebCargo by Freightos booking and payment platform. Coyne specialises in destinations with limited global coverage, including the Caucasus, Afghanistan, Iraq, Africa, the Gulf, and the Caspian regions. It will also be the first carrier to provide dangerous goods booking on WebCargo.
Block space to Brazil
Air France KLM Martinair Cargo has extended its block space agreement with China Cargo Airlines. It will allow the Chinese carrier to use Air France’s belly capacity for shipments from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to São Paulo Guarulhos Airport in Brazil.
The decade-long collaboration between the two carriers began with an interline agreement and evolved into joint handling operations at Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG), where Air France KLM is handled by China Cargo Airlines.
Air France KLM Cargo executive vice president, Adriaan de Heijer, said: “By capitalising on our extensive networks, we can provide even greater benefits to our customers. I look forward to the synergies we can generate together.”
President of China Cargo Airlines, Wang Jianmin, stated: “In the face of increasing challenges in the air cargo market, we are committed to building stronger and deeper partnerships. This step with Air France KLM Martinair Cargo is a significant move towards expanding our aviation network and enhancing our air logistics market.”
Swissport opens Basel pharma facility
Handling company Swissport has inaugurated a Cool+connect terminal for temperature-sensitive goods at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse. It ensures the integrity of pharmaceutical and temperature-sensitive goods (2-8°C) throughout the loading process and, by consolidating shipments from the same suppliers in a single truck, CO2 emissions and handling time are reduced from 4½ to 1½ hours), as transportation outside the airport is no longer necessary.
Swissport plans to introduce similar Cool+connect infrastructure worldwide as well as expanding its network of IATA CEIV Pharma-certified cargo and is actively pursuing certification for major pharmaceutical centers at Miami International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Dachser growth prompts US office moves
German-owned forwarder Dachser has relocated two of its US facilities to new locations to meet current growth. The branch in Miami moved to an office next to the international airport in April, while storage services are offered in another facility around 10 miles away from. Customer-specific services are also offered including pick and pack, assembly, customs clearance, distribution, cross-docking, kitting and fulfilment solutions
Dachser’s office in New York moved at the turn of the year, almost half a century since opening its first US location in the city, which was also its first expansion overseas.
The new location is close to John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport and the port of New York and New Jersey, and acts as a gateway to the Northeast of the country.
Dachser also has branch offices in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit and Los Angeles.
Kuehne+Nagel sets up New Jersey platform for French fashion brand
Kuehne+Nagel is establishing a new logistics platform in Piscataway,New Jersey for French fashion brand, Sézane. Sézane was founded in Paris in 2013 and is now one of the fastest-growing French fashion brands, mainly using e-commerce channels. The new Kuehne+Nagel operation will allow much faster returns and inventories while continuing to expand its market share in the US.
Sézane’s chief operating officer, Arnaud Ameline, said:. “A huge merci to the Kuehne+Nagel team for working quickly to bring us this custom solution that will help us in managing our e-commerce operations in America. We have built this business from selling first via an eBay vintage shop to now being a global, direct-to-consumer fashion label. With Kuehne+Nagel’s support, we are able to stay true to our brand, which focuses on community, value, and a great customer experience – from end to end.”
Etihad and SF add China freighter flights
Etihad Cargo has expanded its partnership with China’s SF Airlines to increase the frequency of flights between the two carriers hubs at Abu Dhabi and Ezhou. They will also launch a new freighter service between Shenzhen and Abu Dhabi.
From July 15, Etihad Cargo will operate two freighters between Abu Dhabi and Ezhou and SF Airlines an additional freighter from Ezhou, bringing the total number of flights between Abu Dhabi and Ezhou to five per week.
Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines will also launch a new weekly freighter service between Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, China’s third-largest cargo airport and Abu Dhabi, adding a fifth gateway destination to Etihad Cargo’s Chinese network.
The increased frequency of will increase capacity by over 200 tonnes a week to 630 tonnes.
Etihad Cargo also provides belly hold capacity on five weekly flights each to Beijing and Shanghai.
New CargoAi feature slashes allotment work
The CargoAi airfreight platform is now offering an Allotment feature which simplifies and automates batch pre-booking for regular air cargo on 40 airlines in 130 countries. It aims to streamline the booking process for freight forwarders looking to remove manual repetitive tasks. Forwarders can secure space in batches on and, says CargoAi, helps reducing the operational workload by up to 99% for allotment bookings.
Users can generate bookings directly from their CargoMART account and modify or cancel them as needed. They can also track and trace all allotment bookings directly in-app and via email ensuring full transparency and real-time updates on shipment status.
Chicago export gateway manager at Flexport, Maxime Boucher, said: “We have been using the CargoAi Pre-Booking and Allotment’s feature since March 2024. This has simplified our pre booking process and we get automatic acceptance confirmation on our bookings ultimately saving time for our operations. We also no longer have to remember to chase confirmation on pre-bookings.”
WestJet joins Cargo.one
Canada’s WestJet Cargo is to offer its capacity on the Cargo.one air freight platform. Global freight forwarders will be able to gain, fully digital access to book WestJet Cargo’s services. The carrier operates to 45 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia with a fleet of 180 aircraft, including Boeing 737-800 BCF freighters, along with belly capacity on wide body long haul and narrow body passenger aircraft.
Forwarders can now book cargo, amend and track bookings, including import bookings, for general cargo and perishable shipments. WestJet Cargo capacity is currently available on destinations across the Americas, such as Calgary, Halifax, Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Miami, Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta and Cancun, and in Europe including London, Paris, Dublin, Barcelona, Milan and Rome.
ECS Group signs SAF partnership with TUI
GSSA ECS Group has signed its first airline sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) partnership with TUI. ECS will contribute 1% SAF towards the incremental fuel burn associated with the cargo carried on all TUI flights, and forwarders can opt in to contribute 10% SAF for the transport of their shipments.
Etihad to launch Madrid freighter flights
Etihad Cargo will launch a new freighter route to Madrid on July 15. The twice-weekly Boeing 777 freighter flights between Abu Dhabi and Madrid will add over 200 tonnes of cargo capacity for Europe and increase the total number of flights to Spain to 25 per week.
Madrid is a key European fashion hub, and the route will also boost e-commerce shipments from Asia to Europe via Abu Dhabi.
Etihad Cargo’s existing European freighter network includes six weekly flights to Amsterdam and three to Frankfurt. With the addition of Madrid to the network, Etihad Cargo’s freighter flights to Europe will increase to 11 per week.