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03. May 2020

SHORT SHOTS


DB Schenker launches daily China Shuttle with Icelandair


45 cargo flights between Shanghai and Munich will have taken place by the end of May, using 3 Boeing 767 passenger aircraft operated and converted exclusively for DB Schenker by Icelandair, providing 200m³ of cargo space per flight. It is the first time that a DB Schenker logo has decorated an aircraft. The exclusive conversion can be seen here: https://bit.ly/DBSchenkerconversion

The shuttle has been organized to alleviate the capacity bottleneck, and to serve customers importing medical equipment from China. The first flights last week already transported dozens of tons of masks and protective suits to Europe, with several thousand cubic meters of freight booked on subsequent flights. Operating 12 rotations per week, the lead time to delivery at the destination is five to seven days. DB Schenker is planning to expand operations to include two weekly services to Chicago, for example.

"Where capacity is lacking, we create it. With the China Shuttle, DB Schenker is also further expanding its global supply network in the fight against corona," says Thorsten Meincke, Member of the Management Board for Air and Ocean Freight at DB Schenker. "With these additional flights, we have demonstrated our ability to act flexibly and in the shortest possible time in the crisis.”

DB Schenker’s China shuttle in cooperation with Icelandair - Image courtesy of Icelandair
DB Schenker’s China shuttle in cooperation with Icelandair - Image courtesy of Icelandair

ICAO set up new COVID-19 Aviation Recovery Task Force

On 29APR20, a new Council Task Force was set up to support governments and the aviation industry in coordinating measures to ensure a stable comeback after the devastating COVID-19 effects. Representatives from the 36 countries on the Governing Council of the UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) agreed on the new COVID-19 Aviation Recovery Task Force which is composed of Council Members and high-level aviation industry representatives including the Directors General of all major air transport industry associations, as well as bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and various national aviation administrations. Chaired by Mr. Philippe Bertoux, Representative for France on the ICAO Council, and with Mr. Boubacar Djibo, Director of the ICAO Air Transport Bureau, as Secretary, the Task Force is expected to identify and recommend strategic priorities and policies for states and industry operators in restarting a more resilient and flexible aviation network after COVID-19, with first results being presented by the end of MAY20.

Speaking at the Task Force’s first meeting on 29APR20, ICAO Council President, Salvatore Sciacchitano, said: “As we know, air connectivity is critical to economic and sustainable development in every region of the world. Consequently, an effective recovery of international air transport is essential to support the post COVID-19 pandemic worldwide economic recovery. […] We are not talking of a recovery after an international air transport crisis. International air transport has faced several crises in the past from which it was able to regain its position thanks to timely initiatives by ICAO. The progress achieved over the course of decades could be entirely erased if international air transport does not resume soon and effectively. In these uncertain times and exceptional circumstances, ICAO is being called upon to rescue international air transport and facilitate the resumption of operations.”

ICAO Council establishes COVID-19 Aviation Recovery Task Force - Image: ICAO
ICAO Council establishes COVID-19 Aviation Recovery Task Force - Image: ICAO

The lockdown which started 20MAR20, is due to last until 01SEP20 - Image: Getty
The lockdown which started 20MAR20, is due to last until 01SEP20 - Image: Getty

“Don’t fly to me!”, Argentina

In what is thought to be the toughest of all COVID-19 decrees thus far, Argentina’s National Civil Aviation Administration (NCAA) has put a stop on the sales of flight tickets both in national and international commercial flights for a further four months, up to 01SEP20. The government has stated that only cargo flights or those carried out to repatriate citizens will be authorized to operate.

While the NCCA feels that its ban is “understood to be reasonable,” and certainly the country’s comparatively low corona statistics (circa 4,500 infections to date, placing it at #52 in the list of affected countries), support the idea that prevention is working, the move has been met with a great deal of criticism from the aviation and travel industry in a country where roughly one in ten jobs is connected to travel and tourism. In a joint statement, the IATA, ALTA and ACI Latin America and Caribbean trade bodies urged the government to reconsider its move: “This decision directly affects the future of the entire commercial aviation value chain in Argentina and the region, including domestic and international airlines, tourism and related sectors, putting at risk thousands of jobs. Also, Argentina’s connectivity with the world, as well as its domestic airline network which is vital for the transportation of essential supplies and the economic and social well-being of the nation, is being put under threat.”

Speaking to La Nacion on 29APR20, IATA regional VP Americas, Peter Cerda, warned that the government will need to support aviation sector, otherwise: “There will be unfortunate consequences and some [international carriers] will not return for a long time.”


Vital supplies delivered in Abuja, 30APR20 - Image courtesy TIACA Tweet
Vital supplies delivered in Abuja, 30APR20 - Image courtesy TIACA Tweet

TIACA urges African cargo responsibles to set up Recovery Plan

The latest CLIVE statistics show a 70% decrease in air cargo capacity to Europe in comparison to previous year. In Kenya alone, perishable exports from Nairobi to Europe have fallen from 5,000 tons to 1,800 tons, with dramatic effects on the Kenyan agriculture sector. TIACA has urged all those involved in air cargo, from authorities to private stakeholders, to come up with a recovery plan to weather the effects of the pandemic, and to ensure that supplies of basic necessities and essential medical equipment can still come through.

TIACA vice-chairman and Astral Aviation CEO Sanjeev Gadhia said: “We are encouraging African airlines to respond to capacity requirements immediately, in particular by putting Passenger Freighter systems in place, such as those implemented by airlines, including Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, SAA and Rwandair.”
“Collaboration and cooperation between African airlines across their respective fleets and networks are both essential so we can overcome the challenges we are facing.”

The Air Cargo Community in Africa, with airlines, airports, handlers, forwarders and shippers, along with African governments and civil aviation authorities (CAAs), all need to implement measures to support the aviation sector and the economy. Measures that have already been put in place in a number of countries, such as: keeping airports running, exempting crews from quarantine, lifting night bans and simplifying procedures for pharma and food cargo.


Air France and KLM due to divorce? - Image: Air France
Air France and KLM due to divorce? - Image: Air France

Are Air France and KLM due to divorce over COVID-19?

It has always been a rocky marriage. CFG last reported back in 2018 that a split could be imminent, but the relationship has continued. And appears to have evened out a little more since the Dutch government bought more shares in the joint company early last year, thus better balancing the French government’s existing stake of around 14%. Yet, with the Corona crisis, speculations have begun once more as to an impending divorce, especially since France recently provided a €7 billion relief package. The Dutch government is considering €2-4 million in support, but with conditions attached, and essentially the rift is down to KLM being the more profitable and better managed of the two companies, and the Dutch government does not want to be funding a less efficiently run Air France. Despite both being in the European Union, neither of the two governments is keen on joint funding. According to a recent article in Financieele Dagblad, the two Ministers of Finance, Dutch Wopke Hoekstra and his French Bruno Le Maire both emphasized that public money will only benefit their own airline. KLM’s skepticism of proper cooperation between the two governments was exacerbated by the fact that a press conference ended up taking place the moment the French government agreed to help Air France, but before negotiations between KLM and the Dutch government could be concluded. 


Bolloré improves its cargo footprint with solar energy

In line with its Paris Agreement CSR Program ‘Powering Sustainable
Logistics’ plans to reduce its GHG emissions by 43% 2027, based on its 2017 emissions, Bolloré Logistics recently had Total Solar Distributed Generation (DG) install more than 2,400 panels on the roof of Bolloré Logistics’ Green Hub in Pioneer Turn, Singapore. This will enable Bolloré to cut over 11,500 tons of CO2 emissions, over the lifetime of its solar rooftop. The system has a capacity of almost 1MW and can generate an estimated 1.3GWh of electricity per year, covering around 30% of the building’s power needs. The solar transformation can be seen here: https://bit.ly/Bolloréconversion

Frederic Marcerou, Managing Director of Bolloré Logistics Singapore, stated: “Global warming is altering how businesses run their operations. In Singapore, we have over 200,000sqm of warehouse space and 1,600 employees. It is vital for us to tap into sustainable energy to support our electricity consumption in the fight against climate change. Green Hub is our first building to be equipped with solar panels. With this milestone, we will continue our journey, in line with Singapore’s solar energy target 2030, towards a greener future.”


Gavin Adda, CEO of Total Solar Distributed Generation for Southeast Asia, added: “Total Solar DG is committed to helping its customers drive down their carbon footprint. We are proud to pursue Total’s long-term partnership with Bolloré Logistics by allowing the decarbonization of the company’s facilities. We are glad to be considered as a reliable supplier in Singapore and look forward to keep expanding our presence in the country.”

Soaking up the sun. Solar panels reduce CO2 emissions - Credit: Bolloré
Soaking up the sun. Solar panels reduce CO2 emissions - Credit: Bolloré

All change at Berlin…

With passenger numbers at Tegel Airport dropped to just 1% (in figures: circa max 1,500 passengers a day compared to between 65,000 and 75,000 in normal times) and the airport operator losing just over €1 million a day, Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH CEO, Engelbert Lütke Daldrup, filed to apply for temporary closure of Tegel this week. Article § 45 of the LuftVZO, (German Air Transport Authorization Regulations) states that commercial airports have a duty to operate, and only the responsible licensing authority can release an airport from its operating obligation.

Tegel was due to close completely towards the end of this year, when Berlin Brandenburg is finally expected to start operations on 31OCT20 (with the last airlines shifting over on 07NOV20) after a delay of 9 years and 10 missed opening deadlines. A previous move to close Tegel was stopped by the government at the end of March. This time, the airport association, its operator and Berlin's governing mayor, Michael Mueller (SPD) are in favor of a temporary closure, which is due to start on 01JUN20 for a period of 2 months, though its airlines would prefer Tegel to remain operational. In the interim, Berlin’s Schönefeld Airport, normally used by low cost carriers, will remain operation and airlines continuing service to Berlin will move operations there.

Whether or not Tegel will open again prior to the switch to Brandenburg, is an open question.

The interval curtain will fall on Tegel on 01Jun20 - Image: Getty
The interval curtain will fall on Tegel on 01Jun20 - Image: Getty

The launch of Hellmann Express Services BV (HExS) APR20 - Credit: Hellmann
The launch of Hellmann Express Services BV (HExS) APR20 - Credit: Hellmann

A bewitching 24-hour express service. Hellmann launches HExS

In German, the word Hex or Hexe, stands for “witch”, though that is probably not what Night Start Express Hellmann had in mind when it launched its new Hellmann Express Services BV (HExS) last month, unless it is in reference to a 24-hour courier and express service that runs like magic!

HExS was launched in response to the growing demand for a 24-hour courier service and, since April this year, it has been offering courier and express services in the Benelux countries around the clock from its headquarters in Heerenberg, adding to the existing overnight express service provided by Hellmann Worldwide Logistics SE & Co. KG’s subsidiary. Night Star Express since the early 1990s which now handles over 2 million shipments a year in the Benelux. In particular, the automotive industry with its requirement for the smooth and fast supply of spare parts within one day is the strategically important core customer segment here.

Managing Director, Night Star Express Hellmann BV, Patrick Löwenthal, explained: "We have a very good network that has grown over decades in the Benelux, but also beyond that in Europe. On the basis of this existing infrastructure, the new company HExS BV enables us to pick up consignments both at night and during the day with a very short reaction time and to deliver them within one day, both at home and abroad."

Chief Operating Officer (COO) Courier, Express, Parcel, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, Wilfried Hesselmann, speaks of more to come: "Against the background that we want to significantly expand our express activities throughout Europe in the coming years, we are implementing a further milestone in our overall strategy with the establishment of the new Hellmann Express Service."
HExS is planned to become a one-stop-shop when it comes to offering complete supply-chain service solutions – also to new markets – and its service portfolio will include direct load services later this year, in an effort to increase efficiency whilst saving on resources.


Brigitte Gledhill

We always welcome your comments to our articles. However, we can only publish them when the sender name is authentic.

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Comments: 1
  • #1

    Rayhan ahmed (Monday, 04 May 2020 01:17)

    This divorce between KLM /Air
    France is a ideal solution to close
    Down cobalt ground solutions GH
    at Heathrow . This would give other
    Ground handlers to take over some of
    There present contracts likes
    Of menzies Aviation , dnata .

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