From the city center to BLR in the blink of an eye via Hyperloop
If the feasibility studies are positive, then in a few years passengers and cargo could be making their way from the city center to the airport at a breathtaking speed of up to 1,080 kmph, with
the journey lasting a mere 10 minutes as opposed to the 1-2 hours needed for the 35 km journey today. On 27SEP20, a first-of-its-kind Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Virgin
Hyperloop, and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), to conduct a feasibility study for a hyperloop corridor from Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (KIAB/ BLR Airport) to the
city center, in a further step in BIAL’s strategy of turning BLR Airport into a transportation hub reachable via various modes of transport. The studies will focus on technical, economic and
route feasibilities and will be carried out in two phases lasting around six months each.
“We are honored to partner with Bangalore International Airport Limited to explore ways in which hyperloop can become a part of the solution to tackle congestion and support economic growth
in Bengaluru,” said Sultan bin Sulayem, Chairman of Virgin Hyperloop and Group Chairman and CEO of DP World. “Beyond just the transit of passengers, airports are crucial conduit for
goods, especially time-sensitive deliveries. A hyperloop-connected airport would dramatically improve the delivery of cargo and create an ultra-efficient supply chain.”
“At BIAL, our vision is to make BLR Airport the new gateway to India by transforming it as a transportation hub. We are excited to take this landmark step which can catalyze the economic
growth of the state of Karnataka and the region. Technological innovation is key to building and sustaining a world-class transportation hub, and this study is an important step forward. This
mode of transportation offers enormous economic potential, connecting passengers at unprecedented speeds, with zero emissions,” said Mr. Hari Marar, MD & CEO, BIAL.
time:matters’ Sameday Network in the US now includes 100 stations
Rapid spread is a good thing when it comes to a domestic express network. With the inclusion of another 11 stations recently, time:matters Americas, Inc. has managed to hit three figures. It now
links 100 stations, and all that within just a couple of months of going live back in JUL20 (as we reported HERE) With Alaska Airlines® joining as a new service partner, it now offers 50,000 weekly
frequencies across North America.
“The US domestic Sameday Air network and its expansion are of particular interest to companies operating in the automotive, aviation and aerospace, and machinery and component sectors”
the press statement reads, pointing to Syracuse in the US state of New York, Greensboro in North Carolina and Laredo in Texas as examples amongst the 11 new additions, and outlining the fast
transit times for all shipments of up to 90 kg flying on board of key service partners such as American Airlines® and United Airlines®.
"Following the launch of our US domestic Sameday Air network with initially 89 stations, we are continuously increasing the number of frequencies and stations," stated Alexander Kohnen,
CEO of time:matters. "I am delighted that we are already in a position to present to our customers such a large offering after just a short time. We are working constantly on expanding this.
Further link-ups will follow."
Taking the train to cargo-partner’s iLogistics Center in Sofia
cargo-partner’s iLogistics Center in Sofia, Bulgaria, (opened in 2018, and close to the airport) now has its own railway terminal on its warehouse premises, so that freight can directly be
transferred from rail to warehouse and vice-versa. "With the direct railway connection to the warehouse we can offer our customers a reliable and convenient alternative to trucking,"
says Dimcho Dimchev, Managing Director of cargo-partner in Bulgaria. Not just convenient, but also environmentally friendly, and set up for those customers with manufacturing sites in the region
and needing to transport large quantities.
Though still a relatively new warehouse, cargo-partner has been active in upgrading it to include not only new temperature-controlled zones for storage at +14 °C to +18 °C and +10 °C to +20°C
(each with 3,000 pallet positions), but also an expanded e-commerce area comprising 28,000 picking locations for online vendors from the textile and sporting goods industries, in line with the
growing e-commerce trend. Dimcho Dimchev, explains the strategic significance of this logistics hub: "The location in the center of Bulgaria gives our iLogistics Center an important role as a
hub for air and sea cargo from the Far East. It is also ideally located for organizing road transport and distribution in the CEE region, especially the Balkans, and the Near East." Plans
are also in place to further expand and develop the facility, possibly doubling its capacity and adding another 20,000 pallet positions as and if required.
Kirsten de Bruijn is new Qatar Airways Cargo SVP
Qatar Airways Cargo announced last week that Kirsten de Bruijn is its new Senior Vice President, Cargo Sales and Network Planning. According to Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer Cargo at QR, her
values align perfectly with those of the company: "We share the same vision of the industry and Kirsten perfectly understands the sector's demands – as well as its volatility and its
extremely competitive nature. She is able to challenge existing processes thanks to her customer-focused vision and extremely high standards. She is a major asset to the Airline."
Prior to joining Qatar Airways Cargo, Kristen de Bruijn was VP Cargo – Pricing and Interlining over at Emirates and held various positions at Air France - KLM and Martinair Cargo before that,
totaling 13 years of experience in management in the air cargo industry.
In Kirsten’s opinion: "Air cargo is probably one of the most competitive industries out there. It means you have to find ways to avoid being commoditized and you have to think globally – to
constantly be aware of the speed with which technology is changing how we do business. Qatar Airways Cargo represents the cutting edge of change in the global air cargo market. I want to be a
part of that movement. Part of my role is to build a sense of team spirit and collective purpose. I like to hire people that are better at what they do than I am, so I can create the best team
possible."
Emirates takes up Guadalajara in its network
Emirates SkyCargo has taken up Guadalajara, Mexico in its network and will be serving the destination with B777-F aircraft offering 100 tons of capacity each flight, twice a week, with the start
of October. The Guadalajara flight will operate on Mondays and Fridays. Each time, Flight EK 9936 will arrive at Guadalajara from Mexico City at 07:20 local time, departing again at 09:20 local
time. This is the carrier’s 15th cargo destination in the Americas, and its second Mexico cargo destination since it began flying to Mexico City in 2014.
IAG Cargo now flies direct to Lahore, Pakistan
From this month, IAG Cargo runs scheduled, direct services four time a week from the London-Heathrow, UK to Lahore, Pakistan, thus providing Pakistan with a connection to Europe, the United
States, Canada, and beyond. The latest service complements IAG Cargo’s existing flights to Islamabad which recently resumed on 14SEP20.
A British Airways B787-8 wide-body aircraft as shown here will be deployed on the new route, bringing back textiles, leather, and surgical goods for further distribution in European, North
American, and Canadian markets.
Speaking for IAG Cargo, Shameer Nasarulla, Area Commercial Manager for Middle East, Pakistan & Bangladesh, said: “We're very pleased to be opening this new route and to add Lahore to our
network of over 350 destinations. Lahore is home to many manufacturers of important goods and is an important market for computer equipment, electrical machinery and auto spares parts from Europe
and the U.S. IAG Cargo will now also be able to play a bigger part in the Mango harvesting season – an important moment in the year for Pakistani exporters.”
The British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dr Christian Turner, said: “The first ever British Airways flights to Lahore is a sign of confidence in Pakistan, and the deepening ties between our
two countries. I hope it will open up even more opportunities for business links, people-to-people ties and tourism.”
Neste and Shell Aviation to supply SAF from this month on
Good news when it comes to sourcing sufficient SAF for the aviation industry: On 23SEP20, Neste and Shell Aviation inked an agreement to cooperate in supply sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from
OCT20 onwards. According to its press release, the cooperation is a perfect match, bringing “together Neste’s expertise in the production and supply of renewable diesel and SAF with Shell
Aviation’s world-class credentials in supplying and managing fuel around the world” and anticipates that airlines will increasingly move to SAF in their endeavor to reduce emissions.
“To tackle climate change and reach net zero emissions, the aviation industry must act fast. Shell Aviation aims to reduce the carbon intensity of the fuels we sell which includes selling
more lower-carbon fuels like sustainable aviation fuel, over time. Today’s agreement with Neste will help Shell Aviation customers to lower their emissions and demonstrates the kind of progress
we can deliver by working in collaboration with others,” said Anna Mascolo, President, Shell Aviation.
“The aviation industry is essential for global business, generating growth and facilitating economic recovery. It also enables people to travel and goods to be transported rapidly across the
globe. But if we are to address aviation-related emissions, we need to utilize all the available solutions. SAF offers the only viable alternative to fossil liquid fuels for powering commercial
aircraft with an immediate potential to reduce aviation’s greenhouse gas emissions. We are fully committed to supporting the aviation industry, its customers and corporates with their emission
reduction targets,” says Thorsten Lange, Executive Vice President for Renewable Aviation at Neste.
David Lara has retired
The air freight industry is again losing one of its leading representatives and best minds. Following the recent proclamation of Glyn Hughes' resignation as Head of IATA Cargo in January, cargo
veteran David Lara has now announced his retirement from active working life, “to spend more time with my family.”
CEVA’s SVP Global Air Procurement & Network Management stepped down from his post already last Friday (02OCT20) after having completed 20 years of dedicated service to the Company on this
date and 48 years in the industry altogether. In a note to airlines and customers, Peter Penseel, CEVA’s new COO, Cargo, wrote: “Those of you who have worked with David will know he is
globally a highly respected individual within the industry, renowned for his air freight expertise. He has represented CEVA on numerous industry committees and Boards and those of you who have
worked with him will therefore appreciate first-hand the experience, dedication, commitment, and skill he has brought to his role.” There is nothing much to add to this.
During his tenure, the executive was instrumental in building lasting strategic relationships with CEVA’s global airline partners to ensure that ongoing growth and the highest levels of service
were maintained for the company’s mutual customers.
“On behalf of everyone at CEVA Logistics, I would like to wish David the very best for the future. David will be greatly missed by us all and we sincerely trust he and his family enjoy the
well-earned retirement he so deserves,” reads Mr. Panseel’s announcement.
(Heiner Siegmund)
Drone Delivery Canada and Astral Aerial Solutions sign Letter of Intent
On 28SEP20, Drone Delivery Canada Corp, together with its sales agent Air Canada, signed a Letter of Intent (LOI), with Astral Aerial Solutions Limited, Kenya, agreeing that the companies will
collaborate with the local regulator, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, in identifying and analyzing market opportunities in Kenya for DDC's drone delivery solution, and with the intent of working
towards a definitive agreement for that market.
"As our first international opportunity, we are pleased to be working with Astral Aerial towards an agreement for DDC's drone logistics solution in Kenya. There are numerous potential
applications from traditional last-mile cargo to mining, oil & gas, healthcare, humanitarian aid, and infrastructure inspection services. Astral Aerial's parent company, Astral Aviation has a
global, award-winning reputation and we look forward to a commercial relationship with them," said Michael Zahra, President & CEO of DDC.
"We are honored to co-operate with Drone Delivery Canada, and to learn from their experience in providing innovative drone-based logistics platforms in Canada that can be applied in Africa.
The Canadian technology can benefit various sectors in Africa especially in Healthcare and accessibility to Remote Communities," said Mr. Sanjeev Gadhia, Chief Executive Officer of Astral
Aerial Solutions and Astral Aviation.
Brigitte Gledhill
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