SHORT SHOTS

Turkish Cargo has the Cargo iQ to do what it does

Having had all its processes, services and quality management scrutinized by the by the Geneva-based, independent inspection company SGS (Société Générale de Surveillance/General Society of Surveillance), contracted by IATA, Turkish Cargo has passed and now been awarded Cargo iQ certification. Lothar Moehle, Executive Director of Cargo iQ, said: “It is with great pleasure that the Cargo iQ organization can issue the Quality Audit Certificate to the team of Turkish Cargo. The external auditor has verified and confirmed that Turkish Cargo is complying with the process standards created by Cargo iQ for all our members and for the air cargo industry at large. Well done and thank you for the hard work of the entire Turkish Cargo team. As the quality work never stops, we are looking forward to be cooperating with the TK Cargo team on even further quality improvements in the future.”

Turhan Ozen, Chief Cargo Officer of Turkish Airlines, stated: “The Cargo iQ certificate, an independent benchmark for our performance against the quality standards of the logistics industry, is a key milestone that denotes our service quality, operational excellence, our standards that are innovative and aimed at meeting the customers' expectations, and also our sustainable achievements. Thanks to the cutting-edge technologies it uses and develops, and the innovative approaches it adopts and its service quality that is beyond the expectations, Turkish Cargo will continue to rank among the most reliable solution partners in the air cargo industry.” The cargo airline’s vision is to be amongst the top three cargo brands in the world, and is focused on achieving sustainable growth in terms of infrastructure, operational capabilities, fleet, digitalization, and expertise.

American Airlines Cargo joins the digital web

American Airlines Cargo has spent the past few years working hard on successfully bringing its digital ecosystem into the 21st century, so it was only a matter of time before the current press release hit our mailboxes: “American Airlines Cargo is embracing Digital Cargo, providing over 10,000 global forwarders with access to live rates, capacity, and instant eBookings through partnership with WebCargo, a Freightos group company”. A logical step in a world that has painfully realized the benefits of digital sales (that have always been there!) through the problems and chaos caused by the pandemic. Fast, reliable international air cargo transport is what customers want first and foremost, and online booking platforms that provide real-time data, are the answer. So, American Airlines Cargo customers and WebCargo users will soon be able to access and book the airline’s capacity initially across parts of Europe and North America (in the first half of 2022), and eventually to other parts of the globe before the end of the year.

“Over the last two years, e-commerce volume has surged and demand for global freight has increased. American Airlines Cargo has continued to adapt and innovate in order to deliver excellent customer service, and the digital solutions provided by WebCargo create another important step forward in ensuring continued connectivity and visibility for customers,” Jessica Tyler, President of American Airlines Cargo, stated.

Manel Galindo, CEO of WebCargo added: “At WebCargo, we feel extremely grateful to be a part of the industry’s shift towards digitalization. We are proud of our role as the world’s largest global freight booking platform and are immensely gratified that American Airlines Cargo chose to begin offering digital air cargo booking first on the WebCargo platform. We look forward to expanding eBooking adoption across North America, a market which has been especially stretched due to supply chain issues and is ready for faster, more reliable digital solutions.”

Establishing multimodality in Djibouti for greater Sino-African trade

Just days after announcing its MoU with Boeing to purchase five 777-8 freighters, to meet the expanding global cargo demand into and out of its hub in Addis Ababa, and position Ethiopian Cargo for long-term sustainable growth, the airline has made good on its plans; “In our vision 2035, we are planning to expand our Cargo and Logistics business to be one of the largest global multimodal logistics providers in all continents,” Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Tewolde GebreMariam, declared at the time. It has now signed a partnership agreement with International Djibouti Industrial Park Operation (IDIPO) and Air Djibouti for Sea - Air Transport, which will enable cargo to be sent from China (Africa's largest trading partner with a trade volume of $254 billion in 2021), to Djibouti Free Zone by sea, to be uplifted by air from Djibouti International Airport, across Africa. This air-sea synergy is intended to facilitate trade between Africa and China, and will help to stimulate cargo market growth in Africa.

Tewolde GebreMariam detailed: “We are pleased to have signed this agreement which will establish the necessary infrastructure and institutional system to enable us provide a new logistics product called “SAM” (Sea -Air-Modal), a highly cost-effective multi-modal transportation solution for African businesses. This product will use sea freight from China to Djibouti sea port, and air freight from Djibouti Airport to all African cities [and] will enable African businesses, multinational companies, Chinese companies, and other businesspeople to enhance their supply chain management system with the best combination of speed, cost, and quality services. Ethiopian Airlines Group has a long-time experience in providing a similar product through Dubai sea and air ports. We are committed to helping customers deliver their goods safely and efficiently across our network in association with our partners- International Djibouti Industrial Park Operation and Air Djibouti.”

Leading is a commitment based on everyday respect

ECS Group posted the above image on International Women’s Day, along with a press release titled “Ambition and Success Know No Gender.” It acknowledged the importance of the day as a reminder of how much women have fought for equal rights, and that much still needed doing in many parts of the world. It also used the occasion to pay tribute to all the women of Ukraine currently undergoing such emotional and life-threatening upheaval and difficult choices, as well as “all mothers and sisters in both countries, who have lost loved ones in battle.”

With regard to ECS Group, “however, the focus is and always has been on the individual, regardless of that person's sex, origin, religion, age, political leaning, or any other potentially differentiating factor. ECS Group does not differentiate, nor does it discriminate,” it declared, explaining that its success, “driven by the motto ‘Leading is a commitment’, is based on its core values of Innovation, Excellence, Daring, Diversity, and Integrity. Fairness and respect, in particular, are inherent in all ECS Group interactions, which put people at the center of every decision.” In the days prior and since 08MAR22, various images of its female managers had been posted with slogans such as “The E in ECS stands for equality” and “I am more than a hashtag,” drawing attention to the fact that its female professionals carry out their job throughout the entire year.

The Group revealed: “As it stands, in what is largely considered a male-dominated industry, the gender split across the 1,400+ people working at ECS Group today, is roughly 60% male, 40% female. Women are present at all levels of expertise in the group, from Administration, to Operations, Commercial, various Management levels, IT, Digital, and Legal, and equal pay is a given.” There is no gender pay-gap at ECS Group, nor are men and women treated differently. Integrity and Diversity are embedded in the Group’s statutes: “At ECS Group, we believe that differences between individuals are a great asset and that complementary profiles are a strength to build the future.” Adrien Thominet, CEO and Executive Chairman, underlined: “ECS Group is a global family where everyone has a voice and is encouraged to use it. We celebrate our employees all the year around, rather than over a given period of 24 hours.”

Embraer embraces a different kind of e-Cargo

Before this year is out, Embraer will be announcing a launch customer for its unique passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion plans. It revealed last week, that it aims to carry out P2F-conversions of its E190 and E195 aircraft to create e-cargo jets that will enter service at the start of 2024. The conversions whereby the aircraft will be furnished with a main-deck front-cargo door, rigid cargo barrier, floor reinforcements, and a cargo handling system, will be carried out at Embraer’s facilities in Brazil. Modifications will also be made to the air management system, and the cabins adapted with new smoke detection and fire suppression systems to align with dangerous goods transportation regulations. The result will be a maximum payload of 13,150kg for the E190F and 14,300kg for the E195F, making them perfect contenders for the e-commerce market – larger than turboprops and more efficient to use than larger narrowbody jets, with “over 50% more volume capacity, three times the range of large cargo turboprops and up to 30% lower operating costs than narrowbodies.” The E195F’s range and payload, in particular, “is similar to the B737-300SF (nearly 2,500 nm), yet the E195F burns less fuel, generates fewer emissions, and has lower maintenance and cash operating costs,” the press release stated.

Johann Bordais, President and CEO of Embraer Services and Support, predicted: “The E-Jet air freighters will provide fast, reliable and cost-effective services to freight forwarders, extend the revenue earning life of E-Jets, support E-Jets’ asset values and create a strong business case encouraging the replacement of earlier aircraft with modern, more efficient passenger aircraft.” There are currently 633 E190 and E195 in service, with a number of those that began 10-15 years ago, now likely candidates for their second life as a P2F conversion. It may also be offering solutions for its E170 and E175.