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German-Thai alliance to boost air cargo

Airports

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September 25, 2023

Leipzig/Halle Airport, Dresden Airport operator Mitteldeutsche Airport Holding has signed an alliance with Airports of Thailand PLC (AOT) to develop best practices in cargo operations and route development. Leipzig/Halle Airport is the second-largest air freight hub in Germany and the third-largest in Europe.

The Airports of Thailand PLC (AOT) under the Ministry of Transport, formed in 2002 by transforming the Airports Authority of Thailand into a public limited company. It operates six international airports in Thailand including the main gateway, Suvarnabhumi. AOT managers a duty-free zone, which provides about 660,000sq m with two cargo terminal operators, TG and BFS, offering capacity of 1.7 million tonnes per year.

Cool Chain Association to start pharma trials

Chris Lewis

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September 25, 2023

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The Cool Chain Association is to launch trails for temperature-controlled pharma shipments, following the conclusion of recent research into food perishables.

It will partner with member Lamprecht Pharma Logistics AG to track the most critical parts of the pharmaceutical supply chain, identifying pain points to further optimise performance.

The trial will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2023.

CCA has meanwhile produced a best practice video for perishables based on recent trials by another member, the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB).

The trials examined transportation of raspberries and cut flowers from South Africa to the UK and Europe, and advisessuggested handling procedures to protect product integrity and maximise shelf-life.

The video explores highlights good agricultural practices, requirements for fresh air ventilation and taint, and recommendations for thermal protection of perishable products, including cartons, packaging, and labelling.

The guidance also covers optimal aircraft loading and transport procedures, and cold storage and pre-cooling of perishable products, offering advice on specific temperatures.

Cincinnati joins IAG Constant Climate network

Airlines

Chris Lewis

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September 22, 2023

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Cincinnati joins IAG Constant Climate network

IAG Cargo has announced Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky International Airport as its latest Constant Climate station, bringing the total number of approved stations in the US to 21.

It will facilitate the movement of pharmaceuticals between Cincinnati and London Heathrow for critical cargo such as vaccines, medicinal drugs and clinical trial. IAG says it will be of special interest to pharmaceutical customers in Ireland and India whose medicines transit through Heathrow to the US.

IAG Cargo’s New Premia facility at Heathrow, opened in May 2023, includes a Constant Climate Quality Centre allowing sensitive shipments are held in a temperature-controlled environment at all times.

ACS speeds aid to stricken Libya

Brokers

Chris Lewis

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September 21, 2023

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Air broker Air Charter Service has been working around the clock to arrange aid charters to Libya following the catastrophic floods in the country.

By 21 September it had already chartered aircraft carrying over 500 tons to the country, with more to follow in the coming days.

Director for government and humanitarian services, Ben Dinsdale, said: “At the weekend we had our first flights to Libya, into Benghazi, Al Abraq and Tobruk airports, with several more booked over the coming days. They mostly are carrying aid including shelter equipment, such as tarpaulins, tents and sleeping bags, as well as water purification tablets.
“Our European and Middle East offices have been the busiest in arranging these charters and so far we have used a variety of aircraft, including Boeing 747, Airbus A300 and Ilyushin IL-76. We are still receiving requests now, but the rate at which they are coming in has slowed down.”

Storm Daniel came just a week an earthquake hit another North African country, Morocco.

Dinsdale continued: “It seems unbelievable that there were two such devastating natural disasters, so near to each other geographically and in such a short period of time – I can’t remember anything remotely similar to this happening before. We were at the stage of trying to arrange a number of search and rescue flights into Morocco when the Moroccan government announced that it had restricted aid senders to just four governments. Then we heard about Libya, and most governments’ and NGOs’ attention turned to helping the victims there.”

Air Canada to offer all-year space to Europe

Airlines

Chris Lewis

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September 21, 2023

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Air Canada to offer all-year space to Europe

Air Canada Cargo says it offer customers year-round capacity to key European cities following the carriers decision to make seasonal summer passenger routes year-round These include Montreal to Rome, Toronto to Copenhagen and Toronto to Madrid.

It is also restarting its route to Lyon, France in mid-October.

Managing director, commercial, at Air Canada Cargo, Matthieu Casey, said: “The belly capacity of Air Canada’s passenger network complements our freighter service, and these new routes together with additional passenger schedule frequencies will bolster the offering over the Atlantic.”

There are also increased frequencies out of either Toronto or Montreal to Barcelona, Casablanca, Paris, Lisbon, Athens, Rome and Edinburgh.

Beau Paine to lead Menzies global cargo

Chris Lewis

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September 19, 2023

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Menzies Aviation has appointed Beau Paine (pictured) as global head of cargo alongside his current role of senior vice president cargo for Oceania and South East Asia (OSEA). He joined Menzies in 2005, and has led the Australian cargo team since 2018, and the wider OSEA team since 2021.

Menzies recently opened several new locations including Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) in the US and José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) in Colombia.

In his new role, Beau Paine will be work with the company’s regional cargo teams, including the global roll-out of its next generation warehouse management system.

Kayla Moa has been appointed vice president cargo operations, Australia while Karl Aldwinckle will be the new vice president cargo Europe, based at London’s Heathrow Airport. He will be responsible for increasing Menzies cargo footprint in Europe.

Buffalo Airways launches Edmonton freighter link

Chris Lewis

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September 19, 2023

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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.”