SHORT SHOTS

LH Cargo opens “myAirCargo” for private clients
Private customers can themselves now send bulky items by air with Lufthansa Cargo without having to transfer them through a normal freight agent.
LH Cargo’s new booking system for the ‘man on the street’ is called “myAirCargo” and it allows for a complete door-to-door pickup and delivery including all necessary documentation and customs formalities.
The service is aimed at large and bulky objects such as souvenirs which passengers for example acquire during their vacation.
The new service which is accessible online under www.myaircargo.com is bookable by going through five easy steps.
Here, a breakdown of the costs such as customs fees is shown and payment can be made online with the client’s credit card.
The service has started already and is available between most European countries and the USA.
LH Cargo plans to extend the service to many other countries during the coming months.

IATA Cargo XML Standard gets U.S. Customs green light
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency (US-CBP) has agreed to utilize IATA’s Cargo-XML messaging standards.
In a recent statement IATA claims that “the new data format will make electronic communication between the US-CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system, airlines and other air cargo stakeholders simpler and more efficient.”
They further state that “in addition it will facilitate growth in trade, ensure cargo security, and foster participation in global commerce through advance electronic data submission for air cargo shipments.”
The US-CBP plans to initiate the utilization of the new standards within the next few months.

Chinese HNA Group gains further foothold in South America
Hainan Airlines, a subsidiary of the China HNA Group has announced that they have finalized a 23.7% shareholding in Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras Airlines which is based in the Brazilian city of Campinas Viracopos.
Azul, which is a Brazilian Low Cost carrier now has a Chinese stakeholder which with its 23.7% is the largest shareholder in the company.
The deal is said to be valued at US$450 million and three seats on Azul’s Board of Directors will be allocated to Hainan Airlines.
The two companies have been working closely together during the past months with Hainan agreeing to take over three Airbus A350-900 aircraft which were originally ordered by Azul.
There are said to be plans to open a direct Brazil to China service which would operate via Lisbon, where Hainan Airlines also has a 25% shareholding in TAP Portugal.

Russian Post presents its aircraft in new colours
The Russian Post which recently announced that it would take over two Tupolev TU-204 aircraft previously owned by Transaero, have now had both aircraft repainted (see photo) in their new bright blue colours.
As previously announced by CargoForwarder Global, Russian Post plans an extensive inter-Russian network and international postal and cargo network.

Lufthansa Cargo takes over time:matters
We exclusively reported in our July 28th issue of CargoForwarder Global that Lufthansa Cargo had filed an application with the German competition authorities, the Bundeskartellamt, to increase their 49% share in time:matters to 100%.
The deal is now done and the necessary permission has been granted.
The 51% of the express logistics set-up which were owned by investor Ahem Capital and time:matters management will be transferred over to LH Cargo, giving them complete control again.
time:matters which was founded by Lufthansa Cargo has concentrated on same day delivery and emergency logistics within Europe and has grown to be a leader in this segment.
The 100% takeover by LH Cargo is in line with the Lufthansa Group’s so-called 7 to 1 concept for future growth strategy.

Munich Airport firms up its position in South Germany
Both passenger and cargo figures in Munich went up in July.
In figures just released by the airport management, the airport recorded growth compared to the previous month.
Cargo handled at the airport in July amounted to 29,700 tons. That represents a plus of 2 percent or 900 tons on the previous month.
The continued increase in cargo tonnage handled at the South German airport has prompted the Munich freight agents to insist that the local Bavarian government now finally come to a decision on whether the third runway will be agreed to and built as soon as possible.
The airport reported an increase on take offs and landings which totaled 35,800 for the month which is an increase of 1,400 movements or +3.9 percent.
Passenger figures rose by 4.6 percent to 4.1 million for the month.

John Mc Donagh