The cash-strapped national carrier has suspended all operations while its administrator is trying to attract new sources of funding. Covid-19 travel bans that were partially lifted today (01OCT20), a huge debt level, and poor support by the Pretoria government that had announced cash injections of US$621 as part of a broader restructuring plan but failed to release the funds, have caused the financial hardship. Read more >>
The Chinese cargo airline, Hongyuan will operate 18 weekly roundtrips between China and Ostend-Bruges International Airport in the months to come. This was confirmed by Cling Guo, the group’s representative at Ostend-Bruges Airport on Thursday 24SEP20 during the official opening of his company’s future European hub. Two other Chinese companies, Mukden and ADI Express, have joined the initiative. Read more >>
The Marseille-based CMA CGM Group acquired a 30% stake in the French Groupe Dubreuil Aéro, headquartered in western France, near the Loire estuary. The Group’s fleet comprises 18 passenger aircraft, including 14 wide-bodied A350 and A330 jetliners. Market observers speak of a surprising move since up to now aviation has not been a business sector the Mediterranean shipping line paid attention to. Read more >>
Anyone talking to freight forwarders or ground handlers nowadays about Frankfurt Airport's air freight strategy and its “Relaunch 50” restructuring scheme, encounters a complete lack of understanding. Downscaling the role of air freight, especially in Covid-19 times, as recently announced by the Executive Board, “testifies an alarming loss of reality within the top management of the operator,” a critic reacted, not mincing his words. His statement is just one of a number of reactions expressing a total incomprehension of Fraport’s intention of dwarfing the air freight business. Read more >>
With the COVID-19 Vaccine transport challenge looming soon, airports, airlines and others dealing with pharmaceutical logistics, are ramping up in preparation. CFG took a quick look at what has been happening recently. Read more >>
“Just a few months ago, AFKLMP Cargo already invested in 1,118 m³ of additional controlled-climate room (CRT) at Schiphol using the same hybrid technology. With the construction of
this brand-new climate-cool room, we will be as flexible as possible to handle more vaccines if necessary.”
Enrica Calonghi, Global Head of Pharmaceutical Logistics at Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP Cargo) recently announced that a new climate-cool room was being constructed at its
Schiphol Pharma Hub especially for the anticipated COVID-19 vaccine transport. Read more
>>
The cargo handlers at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport are taking the Smart Cargo Mainport Program (SCMP) to another level by digitizing the pre-notification of export cargo as from 01JAN21.
The European manufacturer revealed a breathtaking technological roadmap for developing, testing, and constructing a commercial aircraft family dubbed “ZEROe” and powered by hydrogen. Airbus expects the first CO2 neutral flights to take place in 2035. If the ambitious masterplan is implemented within the stipulated schedule, it would usher in a new, clean, and environmentally friendly era in global aviation. Read more >>
Lufthansa Cargo might be folded back into Lufthansa’s Passenger Business. This scheme is a serious option among other bullet points listed in an updated restructuring plan titled “Renew”. Lufthansa CEO, Carsten Spohr presented its contents in a recent internal meeting to employees. If implemented, Lufthansa staff will be well advised to fasten their seatbelts. Read more >>
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (SPL) could lose 25% of its cargo flights and Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) may cease to exist as a cargo airport altogether if the Dutch government persists in introducing a cargo tax. This is made clear in the finally published research report set up to measure the effects of the tax on air cargo. So far, the government has maintained a profound silence on the results.
The contributions we received from renowned Aviation Managers in response to the forthcoming departure of Glyn Hughes who has applied for voluntary redundancy have two aspects in
common:
High respect for Glyn's excellent performance in his role as Head of IATA Cargo and a complete lack of understanding of the organization's attitude to let a highly respected manager
simply go.
This is especially true in times when the industry is extremely challenged by the upcoming air transport of Covid-19 vaccines. Read more >>
Bad news for Roberto Kriete, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Anko van der Werff, CEO of Avianca S.A.: The Administrative Court of Cundinamarca, a first instance court in Bogotá, blocked a loan to Avianca which had been granted by the Colombian government and totaled US$370 million. The 3 judges affirmed complaints of a plaintiff who had expressed severe concerns about a lack of guarantees on the money being repaid. Read more >>
“Decarbonizing Air Cargo” was TIACA’s second Sustainability webinar in its TIACA4Cargo webinar series, held on 17SEP20, and this time dealing with Number 13 of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals: Climate Action. Again moderated by Celine Hourcade, it featured a good industry cross-section panel with Michael Schneider, representing IATA, Karlijn Arts from SkyNRG talking about Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Dr. Nina Eggert speaking on behalf of FIATA, Roger Spiel from the European Shippers’ Council (ESC), and Agnieszka Kwolek, South Pole, a globally active consultancy helping sectors and organizations to implement climate-friendly projects and change. Read more >>
The flights set off from Seoul to Chicago with stopovers in Chongqing and Amsterdam. They were kicked off in August but officially announced only now. In a release DHL-GF states that they are primarily driven by the transport demand of the life sciences and healthcare industry that leverages the company’s cold chain capabilities but have also been requested by producers of technological products. Read more >>
… claims Stanley Wraight. In his guest contribution, he also comments the retirement of Glyn Hughes as Head of Cargo of the International Air Transport Organization (IATA) taking place at the end of January 2021. Read more >>
