SHORT SHOTS

AirBridgeCargo links Houston-Abu Dhabi
Starting today (23 May) the Russian cargo carrier connects Houston and Abu Dhabi. The weekly flights (always Mondays) are operated via Chicago and Luxembourg.
From Luxembourg, ABC offers an extensive range of trucking services to cover continen-tal Europe, while from Abu Dhabi trucking services will offer connections to both Dubai DXB and DWC airports, reads a release.
Commented Hendrik Falk, ABC’s Vice President North and South America: “The intro-duction of a Houston flight is something that has been on our agenda for quite some time as we have been expanding our presence in the USA and exploring cities where our cus-tomers have great demand for our services. We expect that the oil and gas industry, in particular, will benefit from this new service and naturally our sales force will be develop-ing this destination for other commodities, too.” He went on to say that the new service will also compliment ABC’s existing frequencies from Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles. 

YTO Express to boost fleet with wide-body freighters
The Chinese air cargo carrier, YTO Express which operates domestic cargo services within China with a fleet of two Boeing 737-200Fs has stated in an interview with the Chinese press, that they intend to add wide-body aircraft into their fleet.
The intention is, according to Mr Yu Weijiao, YTO’s Chairman, to add three aircraft by 2018, which will help YTO in its international expansion planning.

The company is said to be preparing to submit an application to the Chinese Civil Aviation authorities (CAAC) and IATA for the start-up of international services.
The present B737F fleet is expected to expand rapidly in the near future with the delivery of ten B737-800BCF aircraft which are slotted for delivery in 2018.
YTO have so far not revealed which type of long-haul freighter they are looking at.

CEVA Logistics makes senior aerospace appointment
CEVA Logistics, a leading supply chain management company has appointed Alain Sou-to as its Vice President Global Contract logistics for the Aerospace Operations Sector.
Mr Souto will have his base in Madrid, Spain and will report directly to Brett Bissell, CE-VA’s Chief Operating Officer Contract Logistics.
The aerospace logistics department plays an important role within CEVA’s so called Freight Management and Contract Logistics sector.
Alain Souto joins CEVA from Kuehne & Nagel where he held the position of Director of Industry and Aerospace Logistics.

AEI converts first Boeing 737-800 into cargo
A GECAS-owned B737-800 passenger aircraft, which was recently operated by Corendon Airlines is the first 737-800 aircraft to be converted into a freight configuration (P2F).
The aircraft with the serial number 29121 was ferried to AEI’s base at Miami International Airport where it will undergo P2F conversion and be delivered to a yet undisclosed customer in 2017.
GECAS intends to have up to twenty b737-800s configured as freighters by Aeronautical Engineers Inc in the coming years.
GECAS was the launch customer for AEI’s 737-800 conversion program. Both Boeing and Israel’s Bedek Aviation also have 737-800 P2F programs lined up.

AA gives quick support to Ecuador
Victims in the devastated areas of the recent earthquakes in Ecuador are receiving speedy help from American Airlines who have already shipped more than 20 pallets containing water purification units which will be distributed to families throughout the affected areas.
American Airlines Cargo donated the transport GlobalMedic which in turn sent a total of 560 Family Emergency Kits to Quito from New York on one of their B777 passenger aircraft.
The units are capable of purifying water for up to a period of one year.
Prior to AA’s step, LATAM Cargo had transported tons of relief goods from Santiago to Quito. Hopefully, others will follow suit on both carrier’s exemplary humanitarian action.

Arctic foxes ride home on Air Canada
Arctic foxes from Hong Kong to Montreal?
Should it not be the other way around?
Chi Chi and Cindy, two female Arctic foxes along with their male counterparts, Siu Chu and Yau Nam, whose natural habitat is normally the Arctic tundra have left their lodgings at a wildlife centre in Hong Kong and have been re-homed at the Quebec Aquarium in Montreal.
Air Canada Cargo, assisted by Hactl’s Livestock Handling Centre, moved all four on a B777-200 flight from HKG. Two of the foxes have never seen the Arctic tundra as they were born in Hong Kong
Garry Blaugrave, Director, Cargo Sales & Service Asia & Pacific of AC Cargo stated “ we are delighted to play a part in the re-homing of these beautiful animals, and hope they will be happy in their new permanent environment.”
 
IAG Cargo launches new LATAM route
A new route to Santiago, Chile will be offered by IAG Cargo as of the 2016 winter flight plan. This makes IAG the only airline to fly directly from London Heathrow to Santiago.
The route will be operated by a Boeing 787-9 aircraft with four weekly flights to and from the capital of Chile.
This will also be IAG Cargo’s longest direct route.
IAG Cargo recently announced various new Latin American route expansions of this summer.

Qatar Airways ups their share in IAG
The Doha-based carrier has for a second time within one month increased its share in IAG SA, the airlines’ holding group which includes British Airways and Spain’s national carrier, Iberia.
Qatar Airways will now hold 15.1 percent of IAG.
A month ago, they increased their 9.99 percent share to 12 percent and now have increased by a further 3.1 percent.
Qatar officials are quoted as saying that they eventually intend to hold 49 percent of IAG, which is the maximum amount allowed on foreign ownership by the EU regulatory bodies.

John Mc Donagh  /  Heiner Siegmund