Air Canada launches freighter routes

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May 22, 2023

Air Canada Cargo operated the first of its twice-weekly 767 freighter flights into San José, Costa Rica, on 19 May. They are the latest addition to the carrier’s worldwide freighter network, following recently launched freighter services to Basel, Liege, Dallas, Atlanta and Bogota.

Vice president, cargo, Jon Turner, said: “The start of our freighter operations into Costa Rica builds upon Air Canada’s passenger service to the country and bolsters the cargo presence to offer consistent year-round capacity for our key customers in the region.”

The carrier has also operated its first weekly B767F freighter flight into Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Ukraine carrier still delivering the goods

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Chris Lewis

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May 18, 2023

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Ukrainian carrier Antonov Airlines has delivered Intelsat commercial satellite to Cape Canaveral on one of its AN-124-100M aircraft. It flew the components from Moffet Federal Airfield in California, to NASA’s Shuttle Landing Facility in Titusville, Florida, USA, for a launch by the US aerospace company SpaceX.

The 55,000kg cargo consisted of eight pieces, including the satellite and its payload, the AN-124-100 being the only aircraft available able to handle the pieces – which it can do without special ground support equipment to load and unload the cargo.

Despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Antonov’s fleet of five AN-124-100 aircraft continue to fly worldwide from a temporary base in Leipzig, Germany.

IAG Cargo boosts Caribbean and Latam space for the summer

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Chris Lewis

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May 18, 2023

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IAG Cargo is offering more capacity between Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean for the summer season, including the restart of services between Barcelona and Chile. The carrier’s network today includes 33 destinations and in Latin America and the Caribbean, up from 25 in 2019

Flights between Madrid and Bogota increase from 14 to 18 weekly services and in Lima four more connections will be added, offering 11 weekly flights. Panama will have between five and seven weekly connections throughout the summer, and daily services from November onwards. There is also a daily service between London and Mexico and flights between Barcelona and Chile are restarting.

In the Caribbean, services between Madrid and Havana increase to five per week and Puerto Rico to six per week in August. Flights between London and Bermuda have increased to daily.

Air France KLM extends Sustainable Flight Challenge

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Chris Lewis

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May 18, 2023

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Air France KLM Martinair Cargo is operating two more flights under the second edition of its Sustainable Flight Challenge.

The first Sustainable Flight Challenge was organised in 2022 as an initiative of KLM, organised under the SkyTeam alliance umbrella with affiliated SkyTeam airlines and their partners joining forces to operate the most sustainable flight possible as a collective knowledge-generating exercise.

In the latest phase of the challenge, KLM operated a Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner flight from Amsterdam to Los Angeles on 17 May, while Air France is due to operate an Airbus A350-900 from Paris to Atlanta on 23 May.

This year’s sustainable flight challenge will see 24 affiliated and non-affiliated partner airlines joining the Challenge to conduct flights in the most sustainable manner possible. All knowledge and insight acquired will be shared with the stakeholders, fostering cooperation and enabling the industry to work together to create a more sustainable future.

UPS launches freighter link to Ireland and UK

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Chris Lewis

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May 17, 2023

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UPS has launched a freighter flight from its Worldport air hub in Louisville, Kentucky to Dublin and East Midlands in the UK and returning to the US. The Boeing 767 operates every weekday and is expected to carry healthcare and small package goods between the three countries. UPS is making significant investment in the UK and Ireland. It recently opened a sortation and delivery centre in Telford while its Dublin healthcare facility is also expected to open in early 2024.

Virgin launches Cargo.one presence

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Chris Lewis

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May 17, 2023

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Virgin Atlantic Cargo is to offer its capacity on the Cargo.one digital booking platform, used by 15,000 freight forwarders in over 75 countries. Customers can customize handling, speed, priority, and price, choosing from Classic, Priority, and Express rates on Virgin Atlantic’s network including US, India, China, Nigeria, South Africa, Israel and the Caribbean.

Virgin Atlantic Cargo managing director, Phil Wardlaw, said: “We anticipate that by 2025, a significant proportion of bookings will be completed online. This meant it was important for us to partner with the leading marketplace that continues to expand the choice for our customers, so they can book cargo their way.”

Air Canada and Emirates interline to Asia

By

Chris Lewis

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May 17, 2023

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Air Canada Cargo has expanded its recently announced cooperation with Emirates SkyCargo by expanding its interline capacity and network reach into India, and Southeast Asia, through key European hubs.

Air Canada Cargo customers can book shipments on Emirates flights via AirCanadaCargo.com, WebCargo, Cargo-One and CargoAI or by direct connection.

The move follows the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in February between the two airlines and builds on the broader strategic commercial partnership between Air Canada and Emirates announced last year.

ATC and Aerocharter sign Viva Aerobus Ecuador deal

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Chris Lewis

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May 16, 2023

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General sales and service agent ATC Aviation Services has signed a cooperation deal with Mexico based Aerocharter de Mexico to develop and manage cargo sales and operations for Mexican carrier Viva Aerobus in Ecuador.

Viva Aerobus operates flights to more than 50 domestic and international destinations across Mexico, the US and South America with a fleet of Airbus A320 and A321neo aircraft. It also operates a cargo division, Viva Cargo for which Aerocharter provides total cargo management.

Start-up to be first Navis conversion customer

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Chris Lewis

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May 16, 2023

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Avensis Aviation says that new German carrier USC will be the launch customer for its Navis PTF main deck cargo door conversion for Airbus A340-300 and A340-600 aircraft.

USC will start service early this summer with a fleet of A340-300s and A340-600s. The aircraft will be initially be used in passenger (ACMI) service, but will be modified at the earliest opportunity to Avensis’ full size Cargo door.

Avensis says its Navis PTF conversion introduces an industry first plug-type main deck cargo door and features a separated crew cabin section, a 9G rigid cargo barrier, a full Class E cargo compartment and a main deck cargo loading system (CLS). The conversion offers reduced downtime, and a more flexible, faster and cost-effective operational performance, it adds.

Avensis chief executive Cristian Sutter, said: “Navis is our flagship PTF conversion and it is aimed at lessors and established cargo airlines that demand a permanent, innovative and cost-effective PTF solution. The innovative plug type main deck cargo door is fully electrically operated, lightweight, and safer due to its locking mechanism design. The Airbus A340 provides a competitive aircraft freighter platform for the express market by offering payload, volume and performance advantages, particularly for ultra-long-haul routes such as Asia and other far flown cargo hubs.”

Menzies to acquire Panama handler

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Chris Lewis

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May 15, 2023

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Menzies Aviation is to acquire Panama-based Aircraft Services and Consulting

The UK-headquartered handling and services provider said the move would allow it to extend its activities at Tocumen and Scarlett Martinez international airports and it had additional operating licenses secured for David Airport and Panama Pacifico Airport.

Menzies added that Panama is a pivotal commercial gateway within the Americas region and an ideal hub for efficient cargo and passenger connectivity.

Tocumen International Airport, the largest airport in Central America, is the home base for COPA Airlines and accommodates more than 20 major regional and international carriers.

Aircraft Services and Consulting will be re-branded and trade as Menzies Aviation (Panama).