SHORT SHOTS

Antonov tests new tyres for AN-124 and AN-225 aircraft
Test flights have been carried out by the Ukrainian aircraft manufacturer, Antonov, on their AN-124 and AN-225 (Myria) aircraft using new tires developed especially by the Dunlop Aircraft Tyres company.
The test flights were carried out at Antonov’s test base with aircraft weighing in at take-off weights of 340, 360 and 402 tons.
Antonov intends to re-tyre it’s fleet of Ruslan 124’s and 225’s with the new Dunlop tyres.
Take-offs and landings during the test phase were carried according to Antonov performed within the limits of expected operational conditions.
It seems that the Antonov managers were happy with the results and have therefore decided to re-equip the heavy fleet with the new tyres.

LH Cargo and CX Cargo now under one roof in HKG
Another important step has been undertaken by Lufthansa Cargo and Cathay Pacific Cargo to enhance their joint business agreement.
LH Cargo has now moved its Hong Kong cargo handling operation into the CX Cargo Terminal (CPCT) at Hong Kong’s Chep Lap Kok airport.
According to a joint press release, the German carrier moved in on1. October and the aim is to have customers of both airlines benefit from one location for export and import handling and delivery.
LH and CX Cargo announced in May of this year that they would work closely together in the future on network planning as well as IT, sales and service enhancements.
LH Cargo’s CEO, Peter Gerber, stated that “we are very pleased to share a handling location in Hong Kong. There will be many advantages for our customers and it represents an important milestone for the start of our partnership at the beginning of next year.”

Cargolux goes for va-Q-tec specialized containers
The Luxembourg-based all cargo airline and the British provider of specialized aircraft containers, va-Q-tec, have signed a global rental agreement for the use of va-Q-tec’s so called advanced passive containers.
Cargolux is convinced that because of this move the CV Pharma product will receive an added boost and give their clients a more efficient and reliable service for this time and temperature sensitive product.
The va-Q-tec thermal containers are so designed that the complete transportation chain from production site to the consignee’s door can be carried through without any temperature deviation whatever.
These containers will be of special use on CV’s recently new cargo service to Puerto Rico.
These flights are geared especially to the transport of pharmaceutical products.

CEVA wins Top Supplier award from Ford
The Ford Motor Company has recognized CEVA Logistics as being one of their top suppliers in South America.
CEVA received an award at Ford’s Top Management meeting in Sao Paulo, Brazil which nominated them as being Ford’s Top Supplier in the Category Logistics and Transportation.
The award is according to Ford, based on an intensive assessment on service performance, cost reductions and the commercial relationship between both companies.
CEVA Logistics has been working closely with the Ford Motor Company in South America for the past seven years in both Air- and Sea Freight sectors.
CEVA handles up to 4,000 tons per annum in the region.

Lufthansa’s first A350-900 gets its paint job
It took 30 people eleven days of work to complete the paint job on Lufthansa’s first Airbus A350-900XWB passenger aircraft. A total of 2,100 square meters were covered and the aircraft received the registration D-AIXA.
The A350-900 is the latest Extra Wide Body aircraft being produced by the Toulouse-based aircraft manufacturer.
It offers passengers more space due to its 5.6 meter wide cabin as well as enhanced belly capacity for air cargo transport.
Lufthansa plans to station the first ten A350s in Munich as of this coming winter and it is believed that Boston and Delhi will be the first destinations served.

Tunisia’s Express Air Cargo gets its AOC
The Tunisian MoT has now granted Express Air Cargo their Aircraft Operators Certificate (AOC) ahead of planned start-up of operations within Europe as of November of this year.
The carrier had originally (CargoForwarder Global reported) planned to start flying earlier this year with a fleet of two Boeing 737-300 freighters.
First European destinations are said to be Paris, Seville, Bergamo and Cologne and the airline plans to add ATR-72 freighters in order to start up operations into African.

Chris Nielen joins Cargolux
IAG Cargo’s former Regional Commercial Manager Europe, Chris Nielen, has joined CV as the new Vice President Sales.
The manager took up his position on October 3, 2016 and is based in Luxembourg.
Chris looks back on 16 years of experience in the air freight business which have ena-bled him to build a solid knowledge base about the air freight market especially in the Sales and Marketing area.
“We are very pleased to welcome Chris in our Sales team,” says Niek van der Weide, CV’s Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing, “He is a young dynamic, and extremely sales-focused person with excellent industrial contacts.”
Niek went on to say: “His outgoing personality and vast knowledge of the industry will undoubtedly help Cargolux to further expand and strengthen the relationships with our global clients.”
Nielen is married and has two children.
As to who will replacement him at IAG Cargo has not been announced by the carrier up to now. 

British forwarders welcome positive signs on Heathrow
The British International Freight Association (BIFA), that represents the UK's freight forwarding and logistics businesses, is pleased that the UK Government appears to be ready to stop its procrastination about the expansion of UK aviation capacity.

Director General Robert Keen said: “In the last week there have been a number of indications that a decision is imminent and that the decision will favour Heathrow. That will be long overdue good news for our 1,500 member companies who have been dismayed over the ongoing delay on such a huge issue.”
Keen went on to say: “My message to Theresa May is that it really is well beyond time for her Government to take action on this matter.”

John Mc Donagh  /  Heiner Siegmund  /  Marcel Schoeters