SHORT SHOTS

Big step towards a new way of shifting big cargo
Excited to read that Bolloré Logistics has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the French aeronautic start-up, FLYING WHALES, since CFG has been following this company with interest since 2018. (CFG reported: 1, 2 and more recently 3). The MoU was signed by Philippe Lejeune, Energy & Projects Director, Bolloré Logistics Europe, and Michèle Renaud, Market, Sales & Communication Director, FLYING WHALES, at the Breakbulk exhibition in Rotterdam on 07JUN23. It will see the two companies collaborate when it comes to transporting exceptionally heavy or oversized loads. FLYING WHALES’ LCA60T airship – the 60T in its name refers to the payload it will be able to carry – is the solution that Bolloré Logistics will use when it comes to logistics projects that will require uplifting and/or transporting abnormal loads of up to 60 tons. Why? Because Bolloré is actively looking to offer its customers a broad range of carbon-neutral transport modes as part of its “Powering Sustainable Logistics” program, in which the company has committed to decarbonizing Scopes 1, 2 & 3. FLYING WHALES' airship will provide just that: minimal environmental impact is one of the start-up’s key missions, alongside providing reliable transport, avoiding transshipment, and keeping costs low. “The exceptional capacity of LCA60T enables Bolloré Logistics to offer its customers an innovative, less carbon-intensive, economical and safe alternative,” the release emphasizes.

LCA60T’s maiden flight is planned for the end of 2025 – just 2.5 years from now. Should everything go to plan, the logistics world will have an environmentally friendly, flexible solution capable of carrying heavy cargo to remote and hard-to-reach areas. “Furthermore, the LCA60T will be produced in France at the FLYING WHALES production plant in Gironde. FLYING WHALES will also benefit from a plant in Quebec for the Americas, and a third one in the Asia-Pacific region,” the release states, pointing to a global solution for a globally present logistics company.

Philippe Lejeune, Energy & Projects Director - Bolloré Logistics Europe, commented: “We are particularly proud of this agreement with FLYING WHALES. Deliveries by LCA60T will enable us to provide our customers with an extensive choice of vehicles in order to decarbonize the transport of the goods they entrust us with.”

On LinkedIn, Michèle Renaud, Market, Sales & Communication Director, FLYING WHALES, said: “Thank you, Philippe Lejeune! We are committed to provide you and your customers with the most efficient and sustainable air transport solution!”

Astral Aviation creates Kenya-Israel air connection
Hailed “a significant milestone in strengthening the economic ties between Kenya and Israel,” the first Astral Aviation freighter flight to Tel Aviv took place on 05JUN23. The Boeing 757 freighter left Nairobi full of perishables, launching the start of a weekly scheduled service. This will increase to twice a week with the Boeing 757 freighter making way for a Boeing 767 freighter in future. “This endeavor will facilitate the efficient transportation of perishables (notably pineapples and vegetables), which will foster mutually beneficial partnerships,” the release explains, informing that Astral Aviation’s GSA over in Tel Aviv is Globespeed Ltd, and its handling agent is Maman/Laufer Aviation. The mutually beneficial partnerships mentioned include existing partnerships between Astral Aviation and El Al Cargo and Challenge Airlines, with their respective network reach benefitting from Astral's Hub in Nairobi.

The maiden flight inauguration ceremony at Astral's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Hub was attended by the Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture in Kenya, Hon Mithika Linturi, the Israeli Ambassador in Kenya, Michael Lotem, plus dignitaries and customers. Astral Aviation CEO, Sanjeev Gadhia, explained that the new direct flight means a reduced transit time for Kenyan perishable shipments, since they will no longer need to be routed via other hubs such as Istanbul, Addis Ababa, and Dubai. Instead of a 24-hour window, the transit time will now be just five hours, meaning that the perishable cargo arrives fresher.

Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture Hon Mithika Linturi, said: “With the support of the Ministry of Transport, you are now able to take us to Israel. I want to most sincerely congratulate you for the job you've done, and I want to ask you to increase capacity so we can export even more products to other countries.”
Israeli Ambassador Michael Lotem, declared: “I promise you that the government of Israel and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not only support your process of getting more products to get your cargo full, but also to get a full cargo from Tel Aviv to Kenya.” The new flight will enable exports from Israel to reach Africa via its Nairobi Hub - opening new opportunities and new markets for Africa and Israel.

On LinkedIn, Sanjeev Gadhia commented: “A great feeling of accomplishment to see the results of over a year of groundwork and preparation, that has led to this historical movement. Many more hills and mountains to climb as we execute our strategic expansion plan for one purpose, which is ‘to serve’.”

Qatar Airways Cargo is reopening destinations in its network
Haneda, Nice, Manama and Sarajevo are back on Qatar Airways Cargo’s network list this Summer. Tokyo's Haneda Airport cargo connections and reintroduced passenger flights together offer 600 tons of cargo capacity to and from Japan. This is usually filled with general cargo, vulnerable cargo and dangerous goods ex Tokyo, and general cargo, fish, seafood, fruits and vegetables into Japan. Nice passenger flights returned on 09MAY23, adding to the airline’s freighter connections to Lyon and Paris (the latter also served by passenger flights), totaling 1,100 tons each way to France. Manama, Bahrain daily flights recommenced on 25MAY23. The daily A320 passenger flights add up to 11 tons of cargo space each week, each way. An A320 passenger aircraft also flies to Sarajevo four times a week since 30MAY23, offering six tons of weekly cargo capacity.

Since MAY23, Qatar Airways Cargo has expanded its network in the Middle East with two Boeing 777 freighters to Dammam (350 tons of capacity each way), and a fifth Boeing 777 freighter frequency to Riyadh, (850 tons of cargo capacity each way to and from Riyadh, together with the passenger connections).

Mr. Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer Cargo at Qatar Airways said, “Customer-centricity has always been at the core of our business. Through such expansions, reintroductions and capacity increases via our Next Generation strategy and VISION 2027, we are bringing enhancements to our services and operations globally. The relaunch of flights to these destinations as well as the increased frequencies offer our customers direct and increased capacity to these destinations.”

And some destinations have continued throughout. Qatar Airways Cargo recently celebrated its 1000th freighter flight into Prague – a success story that began with three weekly Airbus A330 freighter back in MAR16. Meanwhile, these have been upgraded to larger Boeing 747 and 777 freighters and are complemented by the belly capacities on Qatar Airways’ daily Airbus 320 direct connections out of Doha. With balloons and cake, the airline announced the celebration on LinkedIn, wishing “Blahopřejemea děkujeme! [Congratulations and thank you!] to our Czech team on your 1000th freighter flight, and on ensuring that Prague continues to play an important role in our global freighter network.”

Challenge Technic implements AMOS
In JAN23, Challenge Group took the decision to adopt a uniform, high quality, and future-proof aircraft maintenance software system across its three airlines, Challenge Airlines IL, Challenge Airlines BE and Challenge Airlines MT, and maintenance subsidiaries. Challenge Technic has now embarked on the implementation of Swiss-AviationSoftware's AMOS Airlines Edition and AMOSmobile/EXEC. AMOS is billed as one of the leading aircraft maintenance software systems on the market. With AMOS, Challenge Technic will be in a position to optimize its maintenance processes, maintenance planning logistics, engineering, and interfaces within the group. “AMOS was chosen because of its user-friendly interface and its high integrational flexibility enabling the complete overview of every aspect of the Group's operations in a single software,” the release states. The greater efficiencies that AMOS will bring, will enhance Challenge Technic’s MRO service to its customers.

Magnus Johannsson, Technical Director at Challenge Technic, explained: “We are transitioning from our current Wings maintenance software to AMOS in two stages. The first stage, which focuses on Part 145 organization, began this month, and the second, which will tackle the Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO), will follow in AUG23. Similar to our stringent maintenance check lists, we have carefully planned this staggered IT implementation so as to ensure minimum disruption to our international line business. Once AMOS is fully installed at all of our Challenge Technic line stations around the globe, we can look forward to improved efficiency and transparency across the many entities of our group. With all group members being able to access the same live and complete technical data of our fleet and respective maintenance plans, we will be in a position to better streamline our activities and further improve our operational efficiency. AMOS's digital support will also enable us to largely go paperless, so not only will this lead to an overall reduction in costs, but we will be more sustainable in the way we work, too. These are all advantages that will also benefit our many customers.”

dnata lists sustainability progress on World Environment Day
dnata used the occasion of World Environment Day, 05JUN23, to publish an update on all the sustainability initiatives it is working on. It says it is “on track to reduce carbon footprint and waste to landfill by 20% by 2024,” – a target it laid out in its two-year green operations strategy from JUN22. US$100 million will be invested in green operations over the space of two years. In its World Environment Day press release, it illustrated 6 current initiatives. Among them, “Investing in renewable energy”, which includes the installation of rooftop solar power systems across its existing facilities in Singapore, and at its SnapFresh facility in Australia. 4,300 MWh of renewable electricity are generated annually, leading to around 1.85 million kg less carbon dioxide emissions. A solar installation is also underway in Pakistan. It will generate 244,000 kWh per annum. Plus, dnata purchases all electricity purchased in the UK and Ireland from renewables from local grids.

Water conservation was next on the list: dnata is looking to collect and re-use condensate from air conditioning units and rainwater at facilities in Iraq, the Philippines, the UAE, and Singapore, to achieve a 50% saving on water costs by 2025. Third initiative is the transformation of dnata’s GSE fleet and the use of biofuels: so far, 15% of its fleet is now electric, with more to come, plus the required electricity infrastructure. Fourth focus is on reducing waste to landfill: dnata is investing in sustainable solutions for cargo waste materials, such as transport belts and nets that are currently destined for landfill. Fifth initiative is participation in IATA's IEnvA Program, to which dnata signed up in DEC22, and finally, “United Nations Global Compact” which dnata also joined and follows the Ten Principles of the UNGC.

Steve Allen, CEO of dnata Group, said: “We are proud to have made significant progress on improving our environmental performance since the announcement of our strategic objectives. I thank each member of our team for their hard work and contribution to our green initiatives that help us make a difference across our global operations. We will continue our investments and efforts alongside our partners to further reduce our environmental footprint.”

IATA welcomes its first female chair
At the International Air Transport Association (IATA) 79th IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Istanbul, Türkiye, last week, IATA announced that RwandAir CEO, Yvonne Manzi Makolo had taken up her year-long responsibilities as Chair of the IATA Board of Governors (BoG). After 80 male post-holders, Yvonne Manzi Makolo is the first female chair. She has served on the BoG since NOV20, having succeeded Pegasus Airlines’ Chairperson of the Board Mehmet, Tevfik Nane, who continues to serve on the BoG. She will, however, be followed once again by a man. IATA also announced that, following the end of Makolo’s term in JUN24, Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, will take over as BoG Chair. I hope that it will not take another 80 rounds until the second female takes over.

Makolo has had a rapid rise in aviation. Coming over from leading commercial positions in the telecommunications industry in 2017, she started out as RwandAir's Deputy CEO in Charge of Corporate Affairs, and was swiftly promoted to CEO in APR18. The press release points out: “Under her leadership, RwandAir has become one of Africa's fastest growing airlines with a fleet of 13 modern aircraft. She has led cultural change at the airline with a focus on inclusion and diversity and growing the number of women in under-represented roles.”

Yvonne Manzi Makolo’s comment reads: “I am honored and pleased to take on this important role. IATA plays a critical role for all airlines—big and small, various business models, and in all corners of the world. Leading a medium-sized airline in Africa gives me a unique perspective on issues that airlines hold in common. At the top of the agenda are decarbonization, improving safety, the transformation to modern airline retailing, and ensuring we have cost-efficient infrastructure. I am particularly pleased to be taking on this role as IATA launches Focus Africa with the aim of unifying the continent's stakeholders so that together we can strengthen the contribution of aviation to Africa's social and economic development.”

Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General, stated: “I look forward to working with Yvonne as we tackle the important challenges of sustainability, rebuilding the aviation workforce while growing diversity and reinforcing the global standards that are so critical for efficient connectivity.”

2024 will see IATA’s 80th AGM take place. The dates (02-04JUN24) and location were also announced, with another first: Emirates will host the AGM in Dubai - the first time the UAE and Dubai will have hosted the IATA AGM.

Brigitte Gledhill

We welcome and publish comments from all authenticated users.