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Barcelona test-bed for autonomous airport trucks

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March 24, 2023

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.

Lufthansa Cargo chief to move on

Chris Lewis

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March 23, 2023

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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. Lufthansa Cargo said a long-term successor would be announced as soon as possible.

DSV to boost presence in US semiconductor sector

Chris Lewis

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March 21, 2023

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DSV to boost presence in US semiconductor sector

Danish-owned forwarding company DSV is to acquire two US-based logistics firms to boost its semiconductor service offerings – S&M Moving Systems West and Global Diversity Logistics, for an undisclosed sum.

DSV added that the move would also align with its new Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport operations and support cross-border services to Latin America. The transactions are expected to be completed in April 2023, pending all legal formalities.

Headquartered in Phoenix and Chandler, Arizona, S&M Moving Systems West and Global Diversity Logistics are both run by the same family. They have 130 employees and operate across 11 sites in Oregon and Arizona. They provide domestic road freight, international air and sea freight, warehousing, tradeshow logistics and specialist solutions to the semiconductor industry.

New man for UPS in Italy

Chris Lewis

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March 21, 2023

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UPS has appointed Francisco (Paco) Conejo as country manager for Italy, taking over from Britta Weber. He will oversee UPS’s operations, business development, and strategy in the country whose exports accounts for more than 30% of the GDP, more than half of which is generated by small and medium-sized firms, according to the Italian Trade Agency.

Conejo was appointed division manager for Southern Italy in 2006, before returning to Spain where he held the same position before becoming country operations manager for Iberia.

He said: “I am thrilled to return to work in Italy, a key market for UPS, and to carry on the team’s excellent work,” says Paco. “I will be focused on driving small and medium-sized business growth, boosting cross-border exports for our customers, and helping to create an affirmative and supportive working environment for all UPSers.”

In his most recent role as transportation director for East Europe, he was part of the team which oversaw the establishment of East Europe’s new 9,000sq m operational headquarters in Prague, UPS’s largest-ever investment in the Czech Republic with a sortation capacity of 5,000 packages per hour. He also helped integrate two new historic flight paths from UPS’s European hub in Cologne to Istanbul and Tel Aviv.

Most recently, he has played a leading role in the delivery of humanitarian supplies to help those affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

Swissport to handle Chile low-cost carrier

Chris Lewis

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March 21, 2023

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Swissport to handle Chile low-cost carrier

Swissport has secured a contract with Chilean low-cost carrier, Sky Airline, the first for ground services and cargo handling at all 15 airports it serves in the country, from April. The portfolio includes loading and unloading cargo aircraft ramp handling and passenger services.

Swissport currently has some 800 employees in Chile and provides ground handling services at eight It is also present in Argentina, Perú, Uruguay, Ecuador and Brazil.

Maersk launches China/Denmark freighters

Chris Lewis

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March 20, 2023

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Maersk launches China/Denmark freighters

AP Moller – Maersk has launched a schedule air freight service between Billund, Denmark and Hangzhou, China. It is operating three weekly flights with the first of the shipping and logistics company’s newly converted Boeing 767-300 freighters operated by its Maersk Air Cargo arm.

Maersk’s new air freight hub at Billund includes a 4000sq m import and 13,000sq m export facility with separate areas for cold storage, dangerous goods, scanning and ULD handling.

Maersk also recently launched a new air freight service with scheduled flights between Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina (GSP) and Incheon, Korea (ICN) operated by Miami-headquartered cargo airline Amerijet International.

It has also opened a new air freight gateway to serve Chicago O’Hare International and Rockford International airports.

IAG flies to Aruba and Guyana

Airlines

Chris Lewis

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March 20, 2023

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IAG Cargo has opened new routes to Aruba (Oranjestad) via Antigua and Guyana (Georgetown) via St Lucia.

Both services will operate twice a week on a British Airways Boeing 777-200 widebody aircraft and are expected to carry perishables, local produce and oil equipment.

IAG Cargo operates over 250 weekly services between European and Latin American airports, including a direct three-times-weekly service between London and Trinidad, which was previously reached via St Lucia.

Regional commercial manager for Latin America, Rodrigo Casal, said: “The movement of cargo between Europe and Americas represents an important trade route, and with our specialist products such as Critical and Constant Climate we’re able to offer a speedy service and ensure that goods stay in perfect condition every step of the journey.”