SHORT SHOTS

CMA CGM places direct order for two B777F

Having set an industry first by being the first maritime company to venture into launching its own airline back in FEB21, (CFG reported: "New cargo airline will soon be making waves" and "CMA CGM Air Cargo: From small to large"), CMA CGM Group is now adding to its existing fleet of four A330-200F, having placed its first direct order for two Boeing 777 Freighters. “The 777 Freighter is the world's largest and most capable longest range twin-engine freighter. With a range of 9,200 kms and a max payload capacity of 102 tons, our two 777 Freighter will enable CMA CGM AIR CARGO to make fewer stops and reduce landing fees on long-haul routes,” the Group proudly underlines on Twitter. It is also the world’s/Boeing’s best-selling freighter currently, given its potential for more sustainable and less costly flight operations.

Pitted against its shipping fleet of 542 containerships, the CMA CGM AIR CARGO fleet of soon-to-be six is tiny in comparison. However, the growth potential matches its ambitious strategy, as it builds on its flight network concentrated around Liege (Belgium), Dubai (UAE), and Chicago, New York, and Atlanta in the USA, in an environment that is still gasping for cargo capacities. The aircraft are due to be delivered next Spring (2022), and though the Group’s “inhouse” 3PL, CEVA Logistics, does not get preferential treatment, its employees’ reactions to the news on social media are naturally all highly positive.

Qatar Airways Cargo, ECS Group, and paper airplanes

Ok – so it’s not about paper airplanes, but the given that paper is usually gifted for a first anniversary, it seemed a fitting title. The news, in fact, is that Qatar Airways Cargo and ECS Group recently celebrated their first year of serving Lyon, France. Since the initial flight on 17SEP20, the airline, together with the GSSA, has carried out exactly 211 flights, and flown over 5 million kilos of COVID-19-related pharmaceuticals, local high-tech products, and general cargo out of Lyon. Lyon was a brand-new destination in the Qatar Airways Cargo network, and was originally planned as a passenger destination due to start in the summer of 2020, but then COVID-19 got in the way. So, instead, in record time, the station was made ready for cargo operations, and has since seen a steady flow of passenger-to-cargo conversion mini-freighters (B777-300, A350-900, B787-9, and A330) as well as full-freighters take off four times a week, linking Lyon to Qatar Airways Cargo’s large, international network via its hubs in Doha (DOH), Liège (LGG) and Luxembourg (LUX).

“Qatar Airways Cargo is proud to be celebrating its first anniversary of serving Lyon, also on behalf of our passenger division who would have been carrying this flag under normal circumstances,” Kirsten de Bruijn, Senior Vice President Cargo Sales and Network Planning at Qatar Airways Cargo, said. “Against a backdrop of sky-rocketing operational and fuel costs, Qatar Airways Cargo's commitment to unparalleled customer-centricity, and its mission to remain the number one international cargo airline, has required agility, adaptability, and determination. These core qualities are shared by our long-standing GSA partner, ECS, which has greatly contributed to successfully establishing and growing the Qatar Airways Cargo brand, services, and network within and beyond Lyon.”

“Despite the competition increasingly returning to Lyon, our loyal customers enabled us to celebrate our first anniversary milestone by doing what no other airline has achieved so far: namely operate both a full-freighter and passenger-freighter together that same day, and generate positive bottom-line results as well as full customer satisfaction,” Mathias Lepeut, Senior Regional Manager Cargo South Europe at Qatar Airways Cargo, commented. “I am extremely proud of our excellent Sales Team in France, and the committed, professional support of the ECS Group as our exclusive local GSA, for making this happen.”

And another airline talks about another pair of B777F

Lufthansa Cargo has also upped its fleet by two more Boeing 777F, and now operates fifteen of the favored, modern, wide-body freighters aircraft: eleven for Lufthansa Cargo, and four in its AeroLogic joint venture. The latest additions to the freighter family bear the registrations D-ALFJ and D-ALFK and are based at the Lufthansa Cargo’s main hub, Frankfurt Airport. A case of something old, something new, since whereas D-ALFK is “a brand-new aircraft from the Boeing facilities in Everett, Washington State and touched down for the first time at Frankfurt Airport at 06:00 a.m. local time” on 29SEP21, (and “with this acquisition, Lufthansa Cargo has now exercised all of its purchase options held on widebody freighters with the manufacturer”), D-ALFJ is a second-hand purchase. The latter bears the words “I’m a natural beauty. Waiting for my Lufthansa Cargo make-up”, as it remains white, having been put into operation immediately upon receipt, given the ongoing huge need for cargo capacity.

“We are very pleased that we can now offer our customers the capacity of a total of fifteen highly efficient wide-body freighters,” Dorothea von Boxberg, Chief Executive Officer of Lufthansa Cargo, said. “We will continue to flexibly manage our freighters to best serve our customers' needs. Together with the belly capacities of Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings Discover now coming back into the market, they are forming our dense, global network.”

Comings and goings: As the 777F join, Lufthansa Cargo’s and, with it, Europe's last registered MD-11 is preparing for final landing on 15OCT21, flies with farewell livery. After more than 23 years of loyal service, D-ALCC will head out to Cairo, Tel Aviv, Chicago, and New York, on its final voyage, bearing the words “Farewell” and “Thank you, MD-11” emblazoned on its fuselage.

We are Here to Connect say AFKLMP

Together, we are stronger. The pandemic has shown that communication and connection is so important, at the same time as it created major disruption, making that connection very difficult. Air France KLM Martinair Cargo has launched HERE TO CONNECT to counterbalance the disruption, live its mission of connection, ensure that its “engine of connectivity”, namely the smooth interfaces between its partners, customers, and employees, are kept up. “Our connections sustain the world’s connectivity. With 295 shipping destinations across 110 countries, 3,500 cargo employees and 453 aircraft – which carried over one million tons of cargo in the past twelve months – Air France KLM Martinair Cargo isn’t just the world’s most extensive global cargo network: it's an engine of connectivity,” the press release emphasizes.

Adriaan den Heijer, Executive Vice President Air France KLM Cargo explained: “We thrive on logistical, digital, and personal interconnection. No matter the size of the disruption, we cannot afford to be disconnected – either externally, from our customers and stakeholders, or internally, from one another. That’s why we are working to connect with the environment, across the globe, and into the future. Logistical connections enable human connections. We want to serve customers when, how, and where it matters most to them, enabling them to make their connections across the globe. We put customers in control of their own shipments through simple, transparent online tools in myCargo, making it easier than ever for forwarders to book and track their connections. Moreover, we are continually working to connect to new customers and become their go-to global cargo carrier of choice.”

“We are dedicated to enabling more sustainable connections across the world. AFKLMP Cargo’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Program (SAF) connects partners in the cargo industry, in a joint effort to reduce CO2 emissions on a yearly basis. During the pandemic, our work has been more important than ever, transporting vaccines and other specialized cargo needed to help in the global fight against the virus safely and securely, via our expanded and fortified IATA/CEIV Pharma certified control chain. The success of our business is determined by the strength of our connections. That’s why we want to reinforce our commitment to keeping you connected, whatever happens. Air France KLM Martinair Cargo – we are Here to Connect.”

Jettainer sees demand jetting off big time

Things are moving up in the air cargo market, once more – and in order to move up, they require containers. That’s where Jettainer, the global leader in ULD management, saves the day. A huge palette (pardon the pun) is on offer, from the usual pallets and containers, all the way through to car racks or Jettainer’s latest ULD-star: fully collapsible horse stalls. “Up to three equines can fit into Jettainer's comfortable horse boxes. Their unique design has an especially wide ramp, making it easy for animals to enter the box. The boxes also have an adjustable partition at the top that creates visual separation between the animals. If the horsebox has to come back empty, it can be collapsed easily and stacked using its special foldable drop-top mechanism. This allows four boxes to be stacked and transported in the lower deck,” the press release proudly explains.

Jettainer has tailored its services to match the growing demand for short-term and long-term rentals, offering lease&fly which allows flexible leases from single-day ad-hoc requests to longer term periods spanning several months. For long-term leases of six months or more, the company also offers its global repair network of around 50 stations. The flexible ULD services support those airlines that are ramping up, often with very short lead times, or that operate ad-hoc charters. “As an extension of the previous service JettLease, ULDs can be delivered and returned not only within the lease&fly network in Frankfurt and Abu Dhabi, but also optionally at any other location within the network” the press release underlines.

“Demand for ULD leasing has grown sharply – for both ad-hoc use and, in particular, for longer-term leasing services for the most varied types of ULDs. This realization prompted us to put our services on a broader footing with lease&fly so that we can provide outstanding service to our current customers and a growing number of new clients,” Thomas Sonntag, Jettainer's Managing Director, remarked.

Brigitte Gledhill

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