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Etihad streamlines for faster response

Airlines

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January 23, 2023

Etihad Cargo has restructured its contact centre team. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier has created two separate units, one dedicated to servicing UAE customers, and the other to servicing the rest of the world and global key accounts. To avoid overlap and improve response times, the separate units will have dedicated communication channels and email addresses. The capabilities of both teams include sales support, customer service, billing dispute and resolution, escalations and case management. The global team, which offers 24/7 customer support, also provides special commodity and product support.

Three quarters cent of Etihad Cargo’s transactions originate from the UAE, and establishing a dedicated UAE-focused team will enable the contact centre to communicate with customers and respond to enquiries more efficiently.

Congestion and labor are top topics for Aircargo 2023

Chris Lewis

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January 19, 2023

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Congestion and labor are top topics for Aircargo 2023

Supply chain congestion and labor challenges will top the conference agenda at The Airforwarders Association’s Aircargo 2023 event in Nashville, Tennessee on February 12-14.

AIT Worldwide Logistics chief executive Vaughn Moore will give a keynote address which will be followed by AfA’s annual general meeting

Ten speakers from federal government agencies and the private sector will bring AfA members up to date on key developments.

AfA executive director, Brandon Fried, said: “In recent times, we have all felt the pain of industry capacity constraints compounded by global events, from geopolitical uncertainty to rising fuel prices and ongoing challenges related to Covid.

“AirCargo 2023 will provide a vital opportunity for industry stakeholders to exchange insight that will help us to navigate current hurdles and plan for a sustainable future for the sector.”

Panels and presentations will offer perspectives on volumes, mergers and acquisitions, and predictors of the future to how to stay agile and resilient against a backdrop of congestion, changing regulations, and increasing demand.

A panel will also explore emerging technologies to support all-important digitization and automation of air cargo, while a women’s networking event aims to support diversity in the sector.

A total of 85 exhibitors are registered to participate in the AirCargo trade show, including DHL, Dallas Fort Worth Airport, United Cargo, IATA, and the FAA.

AirCargo 2023 is brought together by the AfA, Airports Council International-NA (ACI-NA), and Air & Expedited Motor Carriers Association (AEMCA), and is supported by 50 sponsors.

This year’s event will take place at the Omni Nashville Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee February 12-14, 2023.

To register, visit aircargoconference.com

Spain at the forefront of green handling revolution

Chris Lewis

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January 19, 2023

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Spain at the forefront of green handling revolution

Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) says its Spanish cargo and ground handling operations are spearheading the group’s ‘Our Sustainable Flight Path’ program with a series of emission-reduction initiatives and at its seven airport stations.

WFS’ ground support equipment (GSE) fleet in Spain is now 89% electric for all cargo handling operations as well as 30% of ramp handling equipment. This includes electric towing tractors, passenger stairs and belt loaders, aircraft pushback tugs, and other heavy-duty vehicles. WFS Spain’s ‘Going Green Team’ are also continuing to test new green GSE and collaborating with start-up companies to evaluate the introduction of new types of electrically powered equipment, equipment engine conversions to hydrogen, and other electric devices, such as small cars and last mile vehicles. Trials of solar-powered aircraft steps and electric ground power units have also been conducted.

The company’s airport stations in Barcelona, Madrid, Asturias, Santiago de Compostela, Sevilla, Valencia, and Vitoria are also the latest operations across WFS’ global network to be powered by 100% renewable energy. WFS has also signed a contract with green energy supplier, Plenitude, which has achieved 100% renewable energy status for all cargo stations in Spain.

To ensure equipment and vehicles are used as efficiently as possible, new @XOPS telematic geolocation systems have been installed to track and monitor usage. WFS is also participating in a specific initiative to pool some handling vehicles at Spanish airports between different ramp operators to eliminate equipment redundancy in 2023.

Silk Way deal to smooth air cargo for Nippon Express

Chris Lewis

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January 19, 2023

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Silk Way deal to smooth air cargo for Nippon Express

Azerbaijan-based Silk Way West Airlines and Japanese forwarder Nippon Express Holdings have signed an air cargo memorandum of understanding to offer enhanced solutions to customers and respond more flexibly to changing supply chains. The carrier said the agreement strengthens its presence in the Japanese market whilst helping Nippon Express to expand its business globally by providing cargo capacity across a worldwide network.

Silk Way West Airlines has been serving Japan since 2018 via weekly flights between Baku and Kansai International Airport along with regular flights to Narita International, since 2021.

President of Silk Way West Airlines, Wolfgang Meier, said: “We are delighted and honoured with the signing of this memorandum, which will contribute to the further strengthening and development of economic relations between the two countries. Moreover, the conditions of this memorandum align perfectly with the growth strategy we are pursuing to increase our footprint in Japan, and we are sure that it will be beneficial for both companies.”

Seeing sense over plastic pollution

Brokers

Chris Lewis

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January 17, 2023

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UK-based cargo management company Magma Aviation has transported over plastic-free biodegradable 1,000kg flip flops free for the Sea Sense non-profit group.

Sea Sense produces the flip flops to help fund its efforts to clean up plastics in the oceans. It works with grassroots organisations and communities in Sierra Leone, Kenya and Indonesia to reduce plastic pollution and also provides a vital income for plastic collectors in developing countries.

So far, Sea Sense has collected over 22,000kg of ocean-bound plastic, equivalent to over 2.2 million plastic bottles.

Founder, Luke McMillan, explained: “We are grateful for Magma Aviation’s efficiency and their eagerness to assist our cause. By donating their time and resources we were able to transport our flip flops across the world quickly, and as a result we have been able to free up funds to employ more plastic collectors in Sierra Leone, providing them with a truly vital income.”

Ethiopian adds Atlanta to US routes

Airlines

Chris Lewis

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January 17, 2023

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Ethiopian Airlines is to launch a four times a week passenger service between Addis Ababa and Atlanta from May 16, reports Routes Online. It will be operated by a Boeing 787-9s via a refuelling stop in Dublin on the westbound leg to the US. Ethiopian already serves Chicago O’Hare, New York JFK, Newark, Toronto and Washington Dulles.

The carrier has also announced restoration of its routes to China and Singapore to near-pre-pandemic levels following the easing of Covid travel restrictions.

Fast, clean and green – DHL signs fresh deal with Formula E

Chris Lewis

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January 12, 2023

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Fast, clean and green – DHL signs fresh deal with Formula E

DHL has renewed its contract with electric car race organisers, Formula E and DHL, with a multi-year partnership.

With 40 years of international motorsport experience, DHL is Formula E’s official founding partner helping to set up the inaugural race in Beijing in 2014. Since then, DHL has supported Formula E through the milestone 100th race which concluded last season in Seoul, South Korea, and was also the 26th world city to host a Formula E race.

The Gen3 era for Formula E began on 14 January with the 2023 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix. The race will see the competitive debut of the fastest, lightest, most powerful, and efficient electric racing car ever built. Season 9 features 16 races in 11 cities including first-time visits to Hyderabad, Cape Town, São Paulo, and Portland, Oregon.

Using biofuels for all road and sea freight, DHL will travel over 89,000 kilometers for the upcoming season, moving approximately 415 tons of valuable freight per race, including cars, batteries, charging units, broadcast equipment and marketing and hospitality equipment.

Chief commercial officer at Formula E, Matt Scammell, said: “DHL helped bring Formula E to life and has been a valued partner ever since. We are delighted the relationship will continue as together we embark on the Gen3 era where we are racing at the very limit of innovation, pushing the boundaries of development in technology and defining the future of motorsport.

“DHL plays a critical function in the delivery of every race event around the world, pioneering cutting edge solutions in efficiency and sustainability, making them a perfect fit for the championship and our mission.”

Deutsche Post DHL Group head of global brand marketing, Arjan Sissing, added: “Formula E is not just a sport, but also a vision of the future we can all be a part of. We share that same vision of a greener future and are proud to be a founding and logistics partner of Formula E since its inception. Our years of partnership has been thrilling so far, working together to promote sustainability around the world. We look forward to continuing the green journey together.”

New man in the North for NEO

Chris Lewis

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January 12, 2023

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German broker NEO Air Charter has appointed Ian Flett to the new position of regional sales manager, Nordic Region. He is based in Denmark. He speaks four languages and will promote the company’s services to forwarders and logistics service providers with customers in the industrial- , government- and humanitarian aid sectors throughout Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland. His previous roles included Scandinavian Airlines Cargo, two cargo GSSA companies and power-plant specialist BWSC, where he handled global spare parts logistics for its many remote installation sites.

Astral moves to Air Logistics Group

Airlines
GSA

Chris Lewis

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January 11, 2023

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Kenya-based Astral-aviation has switched its representation in the US, Europe and UK from Network Airline Services to Air Logistics Group.

The carrier’s chief executive Sanjeev Gadhia said the new commercial partnership would allow it to offer more opportunities to its clients as well as increase market-share for its new perishables service into Europe.

He said: “We look forward to our partnership with Air Logistics Group, who will be responsible for promoting Astral Aviation in the strategic markets of US, Europe and the UK, and will cover Astral’s intra-African scheduled network of 50 destinations which are served from its Nairobi Hub, in addition to new point to point destinations from its Liege Hub to Africa.”

New head of commercial for Magma Aviation

Brokers

Chris Lewis

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January 11, 2023

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New head of commercial for Magma Aviation

Magma Aviation, a subsidiary of broker Chapman Freeborn, has appointed James Gilliard as head of commercial.

He brings 20 years of aviation industry experience and joins the business after two and a half years at IAG Cargo in London as regional sales manager. Prior to that, he held a number of senior roles at Etihad Airways, Gulf Air and Jet Airways. His career in air cargo began in 1989 with Cathay Pacific, where he spent almost 18 years.