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Cathay signs Tower deal

Chris Lewis

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April 3, 2023

Cathay Cargo – formerly Cathay Pacific Cargo – has signed a global long-term rental agreement with Tower Cold Chain, giving its customers access to a wider size and volume range of temperature-controlled containers for pharmaceutical, biotech and life-science products.

Tower says it will give the airline’s customers increased flexibility and variety when shipping high-value, temperature-sensitive products in both Euro or US pallet sizes.

They can access and order Tower’s passive cold chain solutions online, either via the Tower website or through Cathay’s booking service.

The equipment gives over 120 hours’ protection for products that require an internal temperature of -80°C (ultracold), -60°C (ultracold), -20°C (frozen), +5°C (refrigerated) and +20°C (controlled room temperature).

Tower’s containers offer internal payloads ranging from 3,075 litres down to the 26.4 litre KTEvolution, the company’s first hand-held container, for small-batch, direct-to-patient shipments.

Phase-change materials (PCMs) guarantee safe temperature-controlled transportation without the need for electricity or human intervention. The fully reusable containers, and the option for customers to select a dry-ice free solution for temperatures from -40°C to +40 °C also support Tower and Cathay’s commitment towards sustainability.

Tower containers are available through hubs at major airports, giving greater proximity and availability for customers, in over 70 destinations worldwide.

Lufthansa Cargo chiefs change planes

Chris Lewis

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April 3, 2023

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Lufthansa Cargo has appointed current chief commercial officer Ashwin Bhat as its new chief executive, following the move of Dorothea von Boxberg to head up Brussels Airlines. Subject to approval by the Supervisory Board, he will take on 15 April. He will continue to be responsible for product and sales.

Current Lufthansa Cargo board chair Dorothea von Boxberg is set to move on to a new post as chief executive of the Lufthansa Group’s Brussels Airlines from 15 April.

Deutsche Lufthansa board member and chairman of the supervisory board of Lufthansa Cargo Dr Michael Niggemann described Ashwin Bhat as “a very skilled manager and internationally experienced logistics and cargo expert. As a member of the Executive Board, he has played a key role in achieving Lufthansa Cargo’s most successful years so far. As CEO, he will further develop the company and expand its strong market positioning.”

Ashwin Bhat began his professional career at Airline Financial Support Services in India and joined the former Swisscargo in 1999, where he held various positions in revenue management, transport management and global area management. From 2015, he headed the cargo business segment at Swiss International Air Lines and in 2021 was appointed to the executive board of Lufthansa Cargo as CCO.

Lufthansa signs cargo.one deal

Chris Lewis

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March 30, 2023

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Lufthansa Cargo has signed a partnership with the cargo.one booking platform to give forwarders live offers and allow them to compare and book general cargo, passive pharma and perishables.

While the Lufthansa Cargo website will continue to be available as a central information and booking platform for the entire product range and digital processes, cargo.one will offer optimized search and booking functions for general cargo up to ten tons in particular.

The two partners say they will in future bring new innovations to cargo.one first. Last year, they piloted AWB auto assignment.

Lufthansa Cargo chief commercial officer, Ashwin Bhat, added that he recommended customers to use cargo.one to retrieve live offers, compare and book cargo.

((Pic – Lufthansa cargo one))

First Air Canada freighter touches down in Belgium

Chris Lewis

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March 30, 2023

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First Air Canada freighter touches down in Belgium

Air Canada Cargo’s first Boeing 767 freighter from Toronto landed in Liege, Belgium, on 30 March. Flights will operate twice per week, increasing to three later in the year. The service originates in Toronto with a stop in Halifax.

In April, Air Canada Cargo will start a twice weekly service to Basel, Switzerland, one of Europe’s premier pharmaceutical hubs. The carrier already flies to Dallas, Atlanta and Bogota.

Managing director, commercial, Matthieu Casey, said: “This is another important connection from a key European market with Air Canada and Air Canada Cargo’s global network through its Toronto hub.”

Liege Airport chief executive, Laurent Jossart, added: “Liege Airport has been chosen by Air Canada Cargo as the first ever freighter-only station, which clearly shows the fast growing importance of Liege Airport as a leading European cargo hub.”

Sterling Transportation expands with service to/from Chicago

John Saunders

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March 28, 2023

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Sterling Transportation expands with service to/from Chicago

Beginning on April 11, 2023, Sterling Transportation will be adding service to Chicago (ORD) and the surrounding areas of Indianapolis (IND) and Columbus (CMH) out of DFW and IAH. These expanded services will include shipments into Texas from those same endpoints in the Midwest.

The company is proud to offer the same level of exceptional customer service and communication that Sterling Transportation has become known for throughout the industry.

Sterling Transportation is committed to expanding and improving its services to meet the needs of its customers. These latest offerings represent a significant milestone in the company’s growth, and Sterling Transportation is excited to continue to provide reliable and efficient transportation solutions.

Cathay Mail brings better customer experience to postal users

Chris Lewis

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March 28, 2023

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Cathay Mail brings better customer experience to postal users

Cathay Cargo says that its enhanced Cathay Mail platform will give post offices track-and-trace visibility and improve customer experience.
The “mail as cargo” solution integrates mail-handling data with air cargo systems using the the postal air waybill (PAWB) to remove much of the shipment paperwork previously needed. It gives origin and destination post offices, and designated operators visibility of shipments down to mail bag level, allowing package-level visibility to e-commerce shippers.
The information also helps the carrier manage capacity against actual volumes of mail on flights, allowing for surges in demand, or making unused space available for other cargo at slacker periods for mail.
Mail heading to Europe will also be compliant with the European Union’s new ICS2 customs requirements being introduced this year.
Cathay Cargo is also making KPIs such as on-time delivery and visibility performance, accessible and updated from live data available on its EzyPost platform. Also, in the event of an aircraft being grounded at an intermediate stop, staff will also be able to identify and segregate express mail shipments for priority uplift.

Barcelona test-bed for autonomous airport trucks

Chris Lewis

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March 24, 2023

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Barcelona test-bed for autonomous airport trucks

Handler World Freight Services (WFS) and airport operator Aena have launched a proof-of-concept trial for autonomous cargo vehicles at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona – El Prat Airport.

The project is aligned with the first automated ground vehicle (AGV) guidelines being developed by IATA’s Ground Operations Automation and Digitization working group, of which WFS is a member.

WFS and Aena have been joined in the 10-week trial by ground equipment company Faserek, intralogistics specialist Movvo and towing tractor firm Simai.

The trial will monitor the vehicles’ ability to provide smooth driving at a constant speed as well as safety, flexible routing, monitoring, and traceability.

Menzies expands cargo in Costa Rica and Chile

Ground Handling

Chris Lewis

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March 24, 2023

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Menzies expands cargo in Costa Rica and Chile

Menzies aviation has been awarded licenses to operate ground services at Juan Santamaría International, the largest airport in Costa Rica, and at Liberia Guanacaste Airport (LIR). It will also develop a cargo facility Juan Santamaría in partnership with Terminales Unidas.

Menzies says it is the only aviation services provider operating in Juan Santamaría that offers the full suite of ground, air cargo, and security services.

In Chile, following the acquisition of a controlling stake in Agunsa Aviation Services last year, Menzies Agunsa has now secured permits to provide air cargo services. The recently formed Menzies Agunsa partnership will operate a 65,000sq ft on-airport cargo warehouse at Santiago de Chile Airport for import cargo and courier products.

Forwarder lobbyist to press for air cargo decongestion

Forwarding

Chris Lewis

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March 24, 2023

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Forwarder lobbyist to press for air cargo decongestion

The Airforwarders Association has appointed Diakon Partners’ Michael Taylor as a lobbyist to help maintain its pressure on US Congress for urgent investment in air cargo infrastructure at US airports.

Taylor will represent the interests and concerns of both AfA and partners the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA).

His key objectives include education of key members of Congress about the economic importance of air cargo, the critical need for investment in air cargo at US airports, recommended actions, and the costs of inaction.

He will also campaign to gain support from influential Members of Congress sitting on the Appropriations Committees to support the effort decongestion effort.

Taylor has more than 30 years of government and public affairs experience at the international, federal, state, and local levels, along with more than 15 years of experience in multimodal transportation policy.

AfA executive director, Brandon Fried, commented: “AfA’s engagement of Mr Michael Taylor in this critical role will greatly enhance our efforts to convince members of Congress of the urgent need to strengthen US air cargo, to enable it to thrive as the critical link it is in the global supply chain and to protect the many thousands of jobs it creates.

“Both AfA and the NCBFAA set up the Congestion Committee in 2022 to conduct an inquiry and its findings were conclusive that investment in air cargo infrastructure at federal level across the US was vital.

“Having sustained the aviation industry and, in large measure, regional economies and the morale of the population, both AfA and NCBFAA members are reliant on investment if air cargo infrastructure is to be able to support the demands of the sector for the future.”

WFS to handle Qatar Airways in the Big Apple

Chris Lewis

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March 24, 2023

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WFS to handle Qatar Airways in the Big Apple

Qatar Airways Cargo has awarded a new three-year cargo and freighter ramp handling contract at New York JFK to WFS.

Under the agreement, the handler will initially provide cargo services to support the carrier’s 11 Boeing 777 passenger services a week and three B777 freighter flights, handling a projected 45 million kilos per annum. Destinations served by the airline from JFK include Doha, Mexico City, and Liege in Belgium.

WFS is now responsible for managing all aspects of the cargo handling process for Qatar Airways Cargo at New York JFK, including cargo acceptance, screening, build-up and breakdown of pallets and containers at its dedicated Building 75 facility. It is also providing full freighter handling and ramp parking for Qatar’s B777F at its Building 76 operation at the airport.

WFS executive vice president, Americas, Mike Simpson, said: “This is a very significant new contract for WFS with one of our leading global clients. In North America alone, Qatar Airways Cargo is now partnering with WFS in Boston, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Seattle, as well as in New York.

“As the largest cargo handler at JFK, Qatar Airways Cargo recognises the value we will bring to their operational efficiency and customer experience through the significant expertise and resources we can leverage. Qatar Airways’ customers will enjoy a priority service through the dedicated WFS warehouse facility we are providing for the airline.”

WFS is in the process of obtaining GDP (Good Distribution Practice) certification for Building 75 to support the handling of pharma and other special products and has developed intuitive electronic tools to manage and track cargo across its JFK facilities.

A new dock management system rolled out at WFS’ buildings at JFK is also enabling trucking companies to forward book appointments for the delivery and retrieval of cargo, resulting in significant resource planning and productivity gains for all stakeholders.

In 2024, WFS will also commence a 15-year lease on a new 346,000sq ft cargo terminal in the first phase of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s e Vision Plan to enhance the international reputation of JFK. The new facility will have a throughput capacity of over 300 million kilos a year.