Etihad boosts bellyhold across the board

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August 31, 2023

Etihad Cargo will add 29 weekly passenger flights to new destinations and add 90 flights to existing routes in its winter schedule. The Abu Dhabi-based airline will offer capacity to two new European gateways with four flights a week to Copenhagen in Denmark and three to Düsseldorf in Germany, bring its total number of services to Germany to 28 per week, including four freighter services to Frankfurt.

In Asia, it will operate five passenger flights per week to Osaka, its second Japanese gateway, add three more flights per week to Beijing and four to Shanghai. Etihad Cargo recently announced a new freighter service to the freight-orientated Ezhou Huahu Airport in China. New passenger routes operate to Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram in India, along with seven new flights to Chennai, eight to Kochi, two to Islamabad, seven to the Maldives, five to Cairo and seven to Phuket per week.

Lufthansa launches Detroit upgrade

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Chris Lewis

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August 30, 2023

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Lufthansa Cargo and handling partner Avflight are upgrading cargo operations at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

The German carrier has moved into a temporary warehouse on the apron pending construction of a new warehouse in the near future.

It says that the new location make for more streamlined operations and shorter distances for loading and unloading aircraft.

With currently more than 500 tons of cargo handled per year on seven weekly passenger flights and multiple truck connections to Chicago, Detroit is an important location for Lufthansa Cargo in the automotive region of Michigan with potential for expansion.

Lufthansa Cargo is now operating out of a former aircraft hangar converted into a temporary cargo warehouse. The more direct location allows for shorter handling times and offers opportunities to meet the requirements of special cargo shipments, such as animals, valuable cargo and dangerous goods shipments.

In the second phase of the project, Lufthansa Cargo will support Avflight in designing a new cargo facility next to the existing structure, which the handling partner is under contract with the airport to construct. The goal is for this to be operational by the end of 2024.

Henry Julicher, Lufthansa Cargo head of sales and handling Michigan and head of sales Midwest said: “In Detroit, there is a great demand for secure and professional transport solutions, for example, urgently needed components in the automotive sector. There is a lot of weekly freight traffic here between Michigan and the world, including destinations in Germany, Europe, South Africa and Thailand.

“Our dedicated ground handling agent, Avflight, is providing us with significant support in these endeavors.”

((Pic – Detroit))

Sea-air solution shaves day off Singapore-Dongguan transit

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Chris Lewis

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August 29, 2023

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Freight forwarder Dimerco has partnered with Cathay Cargo to pilot an air-sea solution from Singapore to Dongguan, China via Hong Kong, shaving up to a day off the established air-truck schedule.

The Dimerco team worked closely with Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) to optimize the transit time for a shipment of integrated circuits for a leading semi-conductor distributor. Originating in Singapore, the shipment travelled by air to HKIA, then by sea to the port of Dongguan (DGM) and by truck to DGM Logistics Park and on to the delivery destination. Total journey time was three days.

After the cargo was released from the air terminal without the need for customs clearance, it was towed to the seaport. The sea portion of the operation provided a more cost-effective alternative to trucking, and Dimerco had identified that, with the planned introduction of more frequent sailings, transit time could be reduced by between 12 and 24 hours.

The three participants in the pilot – the Airport Authority, Cathay Cargo and Dimerco – analyzed the outcomes of the pilot and identified further efficiencies, including the documentation procedure and customs data integration. This will improve the process flow for future operations.

Pallet-building tech to optimise Etihad cargo flights

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Chris Lewis

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August 29, 2023

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Air services company Dnata has partnered with logistics technology solutions provider Speedcargo to deliver services to Etihad Cargo at Singapore Changi Airport.

Following successful trials, Speedcargo’s artificial intelligence (AI)-based Cargo Eye and Assemble solutions installed at Dnata’s facilities will help optimise cargo capacity for the carrier’s daily flights from Singapore.

Cargo Eye uses advanced, vision-based 3D technology to scan and capture exact cargo dimensions, volume data, images, and labels. This information is then fed into Assemble which creates a digital plan, advising Dnata’s cargo handling teams of the optimal method of building a pallet. Charles Galloway, dnata’s regional chief executive, airport operations – Asia Pacific, said: “Working alongside Speedcargo, Cargo Eye and Assemble will enable us to provide Etihad Cargo and its customers with digital audit trails of how their cargo has been handled, improving efficiency and providing a quality end-to-end service.”

Emirates goes live on CargoMART

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Chris Lewis

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August 29, 2023

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Emirates SkyCargo is now live on CargoAi’s CargoMART marketplace solution. It is being launched in the Netherlands, Spain and France, and will open up to customers in select countries across Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Far East and Australasia in the coming months. Customers will be able to access Emirates SkyCargo schedules, tariff and contract rates, along with real-time access to available capacity and make immediate bookings. Once the system is fully operational, over 10,000 freight forwarders on CargoAi’s database will have access.

WFS to build fifth Madrid terminal

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Chris Lewis

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August 24, 2023

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Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a member of The SATS Group, is to open a fifth cargo handling terminal at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport.

WFS aims to begin operations from the6,500sq m (69,965sq ft) facility by the end of the first quarter of 2024, increasing its total cargo facility footprint in Madrid to 17,000sq m (183,000sq ft).

WFS has been present in the Madrid cargo and ground handling market since 1998 and serves 39 airline customers, as well as providing trucking services connecting other key airports in Spain and across the EU.

The new building will offer 17 landside truck and van docks, two build-up-pallet lanes and docks, four airside truck and dolly docks with tilting and 20-foot ULD handling capabilities, a secured refrigerated cargo acceptance area, 2-8°C and 15-25°C loose and mechanised temperature-controlled cool rooms and a mechanised handling system connecting the landside and airside docks.

Like WFS’ other cargo terminals in Madrid, it will be powered by 100% renewable energy, including solar panels located on the roof. Indoor AGV (Automated Guided Vehicles) will also be introduced into the facility in the second half of 2024.

Digitisation initiatives will include the launch of Cargospot mobile warehouse technology, the CargoKiosk system to automate and expedite truck processing times, and a Warehouse Workflow Monitoring System.

Managing director of WFS in Spain, Humberto Castro, said: “Madrid is such a strategically important cargo market as a hub for Central and South America to and from the EU and connecting the Middle and Far East markets. This new cargo terminal will help to future-proof WFS’ service offering by increasing our handling capacity by 60% for our current and future airline customers.

“This will enable us to accommodate strong organic growth and support the significant increase of inbound e-commerce traffic from China.”

We have lift-off, says ACS Houston

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Chris Lewis

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August 23, 2023

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Air Charter Service has moved its Houston office to larger premises to accommodate growth plans in Texas.
ACS Houston chief executive, Dustin Roades, commented: “Last year was ACS Houston’s best, in terms of both charter numbers and revenue. On the back of what we achieved in 2022, we started looking to move to a bigger office space in order to aid further expansion of the team.
“We opened in Texas in 2014 and the office has steadily grown since then, culminating in our record year last year and a very strong first six months of 2023. This new office has more than double the amount of floorspace of our old one and we are in the process of hiring – with some of the new recruits starting imminently, now that we have space for them.
“This is an exciting time for ACS in Texas and I look forward to this next chapter and to celebrating our tenth anniversary next year.”

Two new faces for Dachser USA

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Chris Lewis

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August 22, 2023

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German-owned forwarder Dachser USA has reorganized management in the Northeastern US. It has appointed Andreas Kayser as new general manager, responsible for branches in New York, Boston and Baltimore and Robert Crimmins has been appointed branch manager for Boston.

Kayser (main picture) has been with Dachser in Germany since April 2022, acting as a National Account Manager within the Air & Sea Logistics (ASL) EMEA business unit and before joining the company, was director global airfreight at Forto Logistics. He is based at the branch in New York, close to John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Robert Crimmins (pictured below) brings over 28 years of experience in the industry and, prior to joining Dachser, was general manager for CH Robinson in Miami and east region director of sales at Morrison Express.

Rally cars rocket across Brazil with new logistics deal

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Chris Lewis

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August 17, 2023

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Entertainment and events specialist Rock-it Global has become the new logistics partner of Rally dos Sertões and will transport vehicles, motorbikes, and team equipment for the Americas’ biggest rally until 2026.

Rally dos Sertões is a cross-country off-road competition that has been held in Brazil since 1993 and is named after the Sertão region.

“Rock-it is providing transportation of team equipment, vehicles, and support equipment from any location worldwide to the rally, and back again after the event,” said Rock-it regional manager for motorsports and business development, Alex Amaral. “One of the many challenges of this rally is that it goes through many small towns throughout Brazil with very little infrastructure.

“Rock-it has employees on the ground that can coordinate and manage this and get any equipment needed throughout the entire rally route.

“Rock-it also deals with all requisite documentation including customs clearance and carnets for the teams.”

Rock-it will also use its reputation in motorsports logistics to help Rally dos Sertões grow the event both in terms of participation and global stature.

The Rally’s chief executive, Joaquim Monteiro, added: “It is a pleasure to have Rock-it on board with us. What started more than 30 years ago as a romantic adventure has turned out to be, as the years go by, more and more professional and global.

“Brazilian teams are relying more on world-class material, which puts a high emphasis on logistics and freight.” The 31st edition of the rally is currently underway, with rally cars, motorbikes, and off-road vehicles racing between five Brazilian cities.

Chapman Freeborn sets up emergency aid arm

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Chris Lewis

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August 15, 2023

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UK-based charter broker Chapman Freeborn – part of Avia Solutions Group – has set up an Aviation Emergency Services (AES) arm. It introduces solutions including crisis management, assisting organizations in effectively preparing for unexpected emergency situations, and security and risk management to proactively detect and mitigate potential threats related to security, terrorism, and natural disasters.

Chapman Freeborn’s humanitarian efforts over the years include cargo and passenger charters during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Hurricane Katrina in 2006, Cyclone Nargis in 2008, earthquakes in Pakistan, Haiti, Nepal, Turkey and Syria, as well as supporting ongoing and post-conflict crises in Yemen, Darfur, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Group chief commercial officer, Neil Dursley, said: “For five decades, Chapman Freeborn has aided countries, governments, and NGOs during crises. Just in the last few years, we repatriated pandemic-stranded crew members, relocated Afghan citizens post-ISAF withdrawal, and supplied PPE and COVID-19 vaccines globally.

“We aided Pakistan’s flood victims, helped tackle Greece’s wildfires, and chartered many flights to assist after the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, partnering with operators, governments and aid agencies. No challenge is too great, and no location is too difficult for our expert Air Emergency Services team.”

Chapman Freeborn has meanwhile appointed Marcel Kolb as vice president government and humanitarian Europe. He brings extensive experience including 12 years in the military – where he was part of a NATO mission in Afghanistan – and almost four at freight forwarder DB Schenker.