Home Blog Page 6

Huntsville launches first phase of expansion scheme

By
Chris Lewis
-
0

Huntsville International Airport in Alabama formally launched Phase I of its West Aviation development on 24 September.

Congressman Dale Strong secured $2 million of federal investment which will fund the initial land development phase to the west of West Runway

The gateway aims initially to attract aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul companies and long-term plans for the West Aviation development mirror the cargo complex on the East Runway, incorporating dedicated hangar space and a direct-access taxiway ramp.

Congressman Strong declared: “North Alabama is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, and we need the infrastructure to match that growth. This investment will help Huntsville International Airport expand its footprint, strengthen critical aerospace and defense supply chains, and attract high-value jobs to our community. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I’ll continue working to bring federal resources home to North Alabama and keep our district at the forefront of America’s aviation, aerospace, and defense industry.”

Huntsville International Airport chief executive Butch Roberts, added: “This funding not only drives development to our west but aligns with the City of Huntsville’s strategy to deliver essential infrastructure, including the planned relocation of County Line Road that supports our community’s long-term industrial growth. Securing these funds allows us to build our capacity to attract high-value aircraft maintenance and overhaul operations, and create new, skilled jobs right here in our community. We are grateful to Congressman Strong for his dedicated leadership and commitment to advancing our region’s transportation network.”

A free ride with FedEx for Ping Ping and Fu Shuang

By
Chris Lewis
-
0

Giant pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang  arrived in Atlanta, from Chengdu, China on 27 September on board the FedEx Panda Express – a Boeing 777 freighter.

FedEx has worked with the Chinese government and zoos worldwide to provide safe, specialized transportation for giant pandas and donated the full transportation cost of the move as part of its corporate social responsibility and environmental conservation efforts.

Throughout their non-stop flight from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, six-year-old male Ping Ping and five-year-old female Fu Shuang traveled in custom-built travel crates under the care of Zoo Atlanta animal specialists. The pandas were the sole cargo aboard the aircraft, accompanied only by fresh bamboo, water, and an assortment of their favorite treats.

Before their trip, the bears spent time getting accustomed to their enclosures to ensure a safe and comfortable journey. Following their arrival at Zoo Atlanta, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang have begun their quarantine ahead of their public debut later this year.

FedEx also provided trucking and logistical support in Atlanta to safely transport the pandas from the airport to the zoo.

FedEx chief operating officer, international, and chief executive officer, airline, Richard Smith said: “We have had the privilege of transporting giant pandas for more than two decades, and every time the FedEx Panda Express is called into service, our entire team feels the significance of the mission. Safely delivering Ping Ping and Fu Shuang to their new home in Atlanta underscores our long-standing commitment to global conservation and our network’s ability to securely transport high-priority, precious cargo.”

FedEx has now transported 23 pandas to and from China since 2000 including the US, Canada, France and Scotland.

Awery software is AI-enabled

By
Chris Lewis
-
0

Awery Aviation Software has launched new beta functionality enabling customers to securely connect their operational data with artificial intelligence tools including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Cursor.

The integration uses Model Context Protocol (MCP), a standard that enables AI applications to connect with external systems and data sources.

The Ask Awery functionality allows users of Awery’s Enterprise Resource Planning platform to ask questions about their data and receive answers directly through their chosen AI tool.

“Achieving widespread digital adoption in air cargo depends on making technology straightforward and practical for the people using it every day, and this tool allows our customers that benefit,”

Awery founder and chief executive, Vitaly Smilianets, said: “Instead of manually extracting and processing data, our users can now prompt their chosen AI tool to compile information, such as ‘tonnage by customer for August, broken down by lane’ or ‘charter quote conversion by customer, covering the last 90 days’, using data directly from their Awery account.

“Reporting tasks that previously required bringing together disparate data and could take hours can now be completed in seconds.”

Access is read-only and governed by each user’s existing Awery permissions, meaning users can only access data they are already authorised to view.

“Looking ahead, we see significant potential to take this further through AI agents that can automate recurring reporting and routine data checks,” added Smilianets. “Customers will be able to set agents to compile reports on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, removing repetitive work and giving teams more time to focus on the decisions that data supports.”

Hong Kong’s Hacis pioneers customs-bonded service to Vietnam

By
Chris Lewis
-
0

Hong Kong Air Cargo Industry Services Limited (Hacis) – the logistics arm of Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) – is extending its SuperLink China Direct service to Vietnam.

Hacis has completed a successful trial of the service, partnering with Vietnamese logistics company U&I Logistics Corporation to deliver a pilot shipment. It was transported from Vietnam by truck to Wuzhou, before being carried onward to Hong Kong via Hacis’ Customs-bonded road feeder services.

Hacis says that SuperLink offers Vietnamese shippers greater flexibility and more routing options to access international markets via Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland. Hacis executive director Ringo Chan, said the service could in future be extended into other parts of Asia.

The scheduled, Customs-bonded road feeder service already connects Hong Kong International Airport with mainland China.

Kuehne+Nagel gets closer to Amazon

By
Chris Lewis
-
0

Kuehne+Nagel has entered into a long-term strategic collaboration with its customer, Amazon. Building on an existing relationship, it includes Amazon Web Services, encompassing infrastructure construction, equipment deployment, ongoing maintenance, upgrades and expansion projects.

Global Cargo Joint Business handles first shipment

By
Chris Lewis
-
0

IAG Cargo, MASkargo and Qatar Airways Cargo have completed the first trial shipment ahead of the full launch of their Global Cargo Joint Business later this year – 11 tonnes of copper foil transported from Kuala Lumpur to Chicago O’Hare via Doha and Dublin.

IAG Cargo said it was an early demonstration of how customers will benefit from the combined strengths of the three airlines.

Announced in 2025, the Global Cargo Joint Business brings together the three carriers to create of over 400 destinations on six continents.

IAG Cargo chief executive David Shepherd, said: “Alongside our partners, we have been aligning our operations, systems and expertise to create a Joint Business that works seamlessly across our combined networks. As we progress towards full launch, our focus remains on delivering a coordinated proposition that provides tangible benefits for customers across the global air freight market.”

Earlier this year, IAG Cargo was appointed as the ground handling agent for Qatar Airways Cargo in Dublin and Madrid, two of the Joint Business’ strategic hubs, and following the introduction of MASkargo handling operations at London Heathrow last year,.

The three carriers will continue operational trials and integration activities ahead of the launch of the Global Cargo Joint Business later this year. Customers can book shipments on any of the carriers’ online booking platforms.

Lufthansa offers ‘911’ airfreight option

By
Chris Lewis
-
0

Lufthansa Cargo is offering an “Emergency” add-on service for highly critical shipments that require the highest transport priority and dedicated handling throughout the journey. The target market includes urgent spares, life-saving drugs and medical samples.

It is available at more than 200 stations worldwide. Customers benefit from the highest transport priority with this service and can book it at short notice, up to the Latest Acceptance Time (LAT). The maximum cargo capacity on the booked flight can be utilized.

Shipments are clearly identified and subject to enhance monitoring throughout the entire transport chain with additional dedicated monitoring is provided at the carrier’s Frankfurt, Munich and Vienna hubs. In Frankfurt, shipments are handled around the clock via the time:matters Courier Terminal in Cargo City North which has direct access to the apron and dedicated handling processes.

Dedicated customer service is available 24/7 in English and German.

The service also includes a money-back guarantee if the shipment is not available for collection within six hours.

Jettainer appoints senior account manager

By
Chris Lewis
-
0

ULD fleet operator Jettainer has appointed Jörg Krings as senior global account manager. He will focus on developing new business opportunities and further expanding Jettainer’s relationships with existing and prospective customers. He brings over 25 years of experience in international key account management and air cargo, having spent more than two decades at Envirotainer, most recently as global key account manager airlines.

Ethiopian available through CargoAi

By
Chris Lewis
-
0

Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services is making its services available to forwarders through the CargoAi platform. The largest African carrier will offer real-time rate visibility and eBooking capabilities either through the CargoMART marketplace or direct connections to transport management systems via CargoAi’s CargoCONNECT system.

Etihad extends Swissport relations

By
Chris Lewis
-
0

UAE national carrier Etihad Airways has signed a memorandum of understanding with Swissport to increase the number of airports at which the handler serves the airline from 30 to 40. It covers airports in North America, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Under the MoU, the two companies will work together across ground handling and cargo services.

1...567...215Page 6 of 215