Category Archives: Aviation

Singapore Airlines (SIA) selects SITA OptiClimb, a digital inflight prescriptive analytics tool for fuel optimisation, to support the carrier’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. By deploying SITA OptiClimb, the airline is able to optimise fuel utilisation during the aircraft’s climb-out phase. The unique solution combines aircraft tail-specific machine-learning models with 4D weather forecasts to recommend customised climb speeds at different altitudes. It leverages historical flight data to predict fuel burn in different flight scenarios and recommends optimised climb profiles on a user-friendly interface for pilots, said reports.  According to official statement, “It is estimated that airlines can derive fuel savings of up to 5% during climb-out on each flight, with around 5.6 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions avoided annually if every airline worldwide uses SITA OptiClimb.”

Ethiopian Airlines Group has completed the first passenger-to-freighter conversion of one of its three B767 aircraft, said reports. Ethiopian partnered with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to launch a B767-300ER freighter conversion line at Ethiopian MRO facilities in Addis Ababa last year. The conversion of the aircraft, introduced into the airline’s fleet in 2004, will boost Ethiopian’s cargo shipment capacity. In partnership with IAI, Ethiopian started the full conversion of the B767 aircraft early this year. Meanwhile, the conversion of the second aircraft has reached an essential stage of door cutting and will be completed in few months. Ethiopian Airlines Group chief executive Mesfin Tasew said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Israel Aerospace Industries and become the first African carrier to successfully complete the passenger-to-cargo conversion of B767 aircraft.” He added, “As a fast-growing airline, our partnership with IAI, one of the global technology leaders in the Aerospace industry, is crucial in technology and skill transfer in the field of maintenance, repair and overhaul.”

Boeing and Cargolux have signed an agreement to finalize an order of ten 777-8 Freighters with options for six additional airplanes, said an official release. Cargolux’s choice of the 777-8 Freighter underlines its commitment to establishing long-term sustainability.  “The agreement we signed will consolidate Cargolux’s position as a global leader of air freight services. Replacing our aging fleet of 747-400 Freighters with the latest technology and fuel-efficient 777-8 Freighter model will contribute to our long-term sustainability program while continuing to offer our customers the tailored service they expect,” said Richard Forson, Cargolux president & CEO. Boeing launched the new 777-8 Freighter in January 2022 and has now booked more than 50 orders for the model. The 777-8 Freighter has nearly identical payload and range capabilities as the 747-400 Freighter while providing 30% better fuel efficiency and emissions and 25% better operating costs per tonne. It is the ideal choice as operators replace aging freighters later this decade. “With its purchase of our newest freighter, Cargolux has invested in a sustainable future as the 777-8 Freighter will significantly reduce CO2 emissions compared to the airplanes it is replacing,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Sunil Arora, Board of Advisors, The Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI) says, “Export freight was exempted through a notification since 2017. The Ministry of Finance dwelled upon logical reasons behind and gave continous extension till September 2022. Levy of GST on export freight will be a big deterant for Indian global economic scenario. PM initiatives like Gati Shakti, Make in India and Ease of Doing Business will be taking a reverse step. GST on export freight will make our exports commodities anti-competitive in the world market. India has just revived in fact survived the COVID setback, instead of supporting industry’s cash flow issues, exporters and freight forwarding fraternity will suffer serious cash flow setback and other compliance repurcurssions attached with refund mechanism….First subjecting freight to GST and then acknowledging refunds is not a wise workable financial module. In fact, it will add on more working complications and tedious lengthier accounting and financial management. We appeal for immediate attention of MoF and Honorable PM, we seek permanent zero rating on international freight, thus giving us a level playing arena in the global trade. None of our major export and logistics competitor nations have GST or VAT on export Air and Sea freight.” 

Pradhaan Air Express, India’s youngest all-cargo airline, which commenced operations in October has named its first aircraft ‘Pehalwan’ – which is all set to transport cargo. ‘Pehalwan’ arrived in India in July 2022 and a second aircraft is expected by the end of the year. With a payload of around 21 tons, the A320 Freighter has an ideal range to cover Indian sub-continent, Middle East and Far East destinations, said reports. The airline operated its first domestic flight on 1 October to Mumbai and returned the same day. This was followed by its maiden international operation with a flight to Hanoi on 9 October. The airline received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Ministry of Civil Aviation in September.

According to the Boeing Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) 2022-2041, there will be robust demand for dedicated freighters to support global supply chains and growing express networks. According to reports, “Carriers will need 2,800 additional freighters overall including 940 new widebody models in addition to converted narrow-body and widebody freighters over the forecast period.” The report added, “Boeing CMO is expecting 1,855 passenger-to-freighter conversions over the period. Following a 10 per cent decline in 2020, air cargo traffic bounced back strongly from the initial impact of the pandemic, posting an annual growth rate of 21 percent in 2021. Boeing forecasts air cargo will increase at an average compound rate of 4.1 percent per year over two decades. This is an increase over our 2021 forecast of 4 percent,” says the update. Robust growth in East Asia, acceleration of global e-commerce and evolution of supply chains will be key drivers over the next 20 years.”

Qatar Airways Cargo is stepping up its digitalisation efforts with a revamped cargo customer portal called Digital Lounge. The Digital Lounge platform offers customers several features such as booking, shipment tracking, account management, reporting, and other services online. It offers instant confirmation for general cargo bookings subject to availability and required validations. Qatar Airways Cargo customers can book free sale and allotments with dimensions (excluding BUP). In future, customers will be able to book any product available in the portfolio of Qatar Airways Cargo through the Digital Lounge. The Digital Lounge portal is built on the Salesforce platform and uses Salesforce Customer 360 features integrated with its native experience and analytics platform. The airline said it hoped the new platform will enable customers to retrieve information more quickly, and will no longer have to resort to phone or email communication as in the past. Guillaume Halleux, chief officer cargo at Qatar Airways, said: “Through the Digital Lounge, Qatar Airways Cargo has opted for an omni-channel digital strategy whereby the customers are given a wide variety of choices in how they wish to interact with us.”

Akasa Air, which was launched two months ago is all set to transport domesticated dogs and cats in cabin as well as cargo from November. The carrier will also be starting new routes in the coming weeks, said reports. The airline, which is “well capitalised”, plans to start international services in the second half of 2023 once it has a fleet of 20 planes. Currently, the carrier has 6 aircraft and will have a total of 18 planes by the end of March next year, added media reports. Vinay Dube, Akasa Air Founder and CEO said, “Currently, the carrier has 30 daily flights, will start services from Delhi on Friday. It started operations on August 7. Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer said, “The airline is progressively expanding its network and connecting more cities. From November, domesticated dogs and cats can travel. The bookings in this regard will start from October 15,,” he said in media reports.

According to an official statement released by the Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI), internationally, there is no levy of GST on export air freight and export sea freight. International transportation including local transportation and handling services ancillary to international transportation is zero-rated in Singapore. Similarly, in Australia, international transport of goods including arranging of such services is GST free from the place of export in Australia to a destination outside Australia. When GST was introduced from July 2017, both air freight export and sea freight export segment were taxed. However, after various rounds of representations, the GST Council saw the wisdom in the request for exemption and issued exemptions in respect of services by way of transportation of goods by an aircraft from customs station of clearance in India to a place outside India as well as transportation of goods by a vessel from customs station of clearance in India to a place outside India. This exemption has been extended from time to time and unfortunately, it has expired on September 30, 2022 and has not been further extended causing huge impact on freight forwarders as well as exporters who are already going through serious challenges on account of various developments across the world; increased freight cost; and impending recession. It is also likely to have disastrous consequences on account of cash flow pressure for both freight forwarders and exporters. India is going through a tough period with reports of possible recission in other countries which will affect our exports; energy crisis in other countries which is likely to stop production and affect demand of India’s goods; high international freight rates due to oil pricing. When internationally, most …

To expand partnership, Lessor ACIA Aero Leasing has signed a four freighter conversions deal with DHL Express. DHL Express has agreed with ACIA to acquire and convert a fleet of four ATR 72-500 aircraft into Large Cargo Door (LCD) freighters, said release. South Africa-based Solenta Aviation, which runs the entire West Africa regional fleet on behalf of DHL Express, will operate these aircraft. The first of the four upgraded freighters was converted by Ontario, Canada-based Springer Aerospace, bringing the total number of ACIA aircraft in operation by DHL Express to nine. These aircraft are currently based in DHL hubs in Gabon, Togo, and the Ivory Coast and operated in the Latin American and African markets. The remaining three aircraft are scheduled for delivery between the fourth quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023.