Category Archives: Aviation

To reconfigure a used 737-800 passenger plane for dedicated cargo service, EgyptAir is planning to add the first standard-size cargo jet to its fleet early next year after officially signing an agreement with Miami-based Aeronautical Engineers Inc. “The modification work will begin in October at authorized conversion center, commercial jet, also in Miami. “EgyptAir will own the plane and send it to Miami for installation of a wide cargo door, reinforced flooring and a cargo handling system, and other changes to enable container storage on the upper deck,” said an official release. Currently, EgyptAir owns and operates three Airbus A330-200 freighters, each with a payload capacity of 60 tonnes. Amr Abu El-Enein, Chairman and CEO, EgyptAir said, “This order is part of EgyptAir’s cargo and passenger fleet modernization plan. We will continue to increase the size of our fleet in the coming years to meet the growing needs of the local market in terms of exporting goods abroad, especially crops.”

dnata is planning to expand its operations at Erbil International Airport (EBL) in Iraq with the opening of new and advanced cool chain and a bus maintenance facility for its fleets. It has reportedly invested $3.5m in the projects. dnata will further invest an additional $14m and add a 16,000 m² cargo warehouse to its infrastructure in Iraq, says an official release. “The new cool chain facility is capable of processing 10,000 tons of perishables annually including meat, fresh fruits, and pharmaceuticals. The facility was built and designed keeping in mind efficient product handling requirements and flexibility. In addition, dnata’s new cargo warehouse, likely to open in 2023, will enhance the company’s cargo offering in Iraq, the company said. “It will be capable of processing 100,000 tonnes of cargo, with a special focus on pharma and other cool chain commodities, annually. The facility will be equipped with technologies including environmentally sustainable features such as water harvesting, low energy lighting and an all-electric forklift fleet,” added a release.

To strengthen air cargo offering, Air France-KLM Group and CMA CGM Group signed a 10-year long-term strategic agreement to combine their cargo networks, and full freighter capacity. Both the companies are committed to grow and invest sustainably in the air freight business in the coming years. “The agreement will have an initial duration of 10 years. Air France-KLM and CMA CGM will operate the full-freighter aircraft capacity of the respective airlines comprising a fleet of 10 full-freighter aircraft, and an additional combined 12 aircraft, which will be ordered later. The strategic commercial partnership is expected to generate significant revenue, and enhanced products and services,” read a company statement.

To double the airline’s freighter fleet, Saudi Arabian flag carrier, Saudia Cargo has selected start-up aviation engineering firm Mammoth Freighters to get seven passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions of the Boeing 777-300. “This development and investment is the latest example of industry confidence in air cargo’s growth potential during the next 20 years and its interest in a new long-haul product that can replace large 747 and MD-11 cargo jets,” confirms an official release. Initial P2F conversions will take place at Mammoth Freighter’s new overhaul facility in Texas. Jeddah based maintenance and repair organization, Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI), would use Mammoth’s design to convert additional aircraft under the deal, the release read.

The Colombian cargo airline, Avianca Cargo and Jettainer have signed a five-year agreement for carrier’s pallet management and maintenance services. As per the contract, the Bogota headquartered airline will receive different pallet types from Jettainer to cater to the needs of its growing fleet. “With 200 freighter flights per week, Avianca Cargo serves 65 destinations in the Americas and Europe. It specializes in transporting cut flowers from Latin America to North America. Jettainer will provide Avianca Cargo with all required pallets necessary for its fleet. The global ULD leader will completely manage, maintain, and repair all units with a dedicated team out of Dallas, Texas,” a company release said.

ECS Group’s subsidiary, Globe Air Cargo (GAC) Korea has been chosen as the Cargo General Sales Agency Agreement (GSA) to Korea’s hybrid carrier Air Premia, in its home market. In accordance with the signed GSA, GAC Korea fulfils daily operational duties for Air Premia, which include cargo sales, reservations, and ensuring the handling of regular and full charter flights, said an official release. H.E. Shin, CEO of Globe Air Cargo Korea, said in an official statement, “GAC Korea and Air Premia truly act as one team, since we have been there from the start of its inaugural passenger to cargo (P2C) flight out of Seoul to Singapore on 24 December 2021. We are proud to have the opportunity to support Air Premia at its homebase, as its first GSA since the airline was established in 2017 and we look forward to driving Air Premia’s success as it expands its network.”

With the recent announcement of Global Air Cargo branch opening in Seoul, Korea, ECS Group continuing with its expansion in Asia. “The newest branch of ECS Group GSSA subsidiary GAC is a strategic milestone in the Group’s network expansion plans which see the Far East, particularly China, Korea, and Japan, as having the greatest dynamic potential,” said an official statement. Adrien Thominet, Executive Chairman, ECS Group said, “ECS Group pledges to offer the strongest Asian network with unlimited connections. Korea was missing from our extensive network. The first six months of operation have already shown that a local presence on the Korean market is highly welcomed, and we look forward to seeing GAC Korea grow its business in this well-yielding and promising market.”

SmartKargo, cloud-based air cargo solutions provider has joined Cargo iQ, a cross-stakeholder organization. SmartKargo offers a suite of scalable applications, including Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), a booking portal, and its end-to-end e-commerce shipping solution for global airlines. SmartKargo has joined Cargo iQ is to bring key quality enhancements to the air cargo industry. Milind Tavshikar, CEO, SmartKargo said, “Establishing t quality management standards requires transparency and collaboration among supply chain partners who bring a variety of perspectives to the conversation. We joined Cargo iQ to bring our unique experience to this important interest group and look forward to contributing as well as being inspired by our industry colleagues. Together, we can ensure that standards of quality management evolve steadily in this industry that is so important to the world.”

The Air Charter Association (ACA) announces Challenge Group as its new member to cater to the companies and individuals engaged in aircraft charter. Challenge Group is committed to co-constructing and sharing its values with new communities. The aim is to enhance each other and build the future of the air cargo industry. Or Zak, Vice President Commercial of Challenge Group said, “The association is one of the oldest and most respected air freight related associations globally. The Challenge Group is honoured to be accepted as a member by this association, and we are looking forward to work alongside other members and partners in shaping the future of the air freight industry in general and that of the Global Charter in particular.”

To enable a seamless payment experience, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), in partnership with Kotak Mahindra Bank and Phi Commerce, has introduced omnichannel payment solution across the airport ecosystem. The omnichannel payment solution, designed for the airport in partnership with payment solutions company Phi Commerce and KMBL, will enable a safe and secure payment experience across the airport, as per an official statement. The solution will power B2B and B2C payments across channels – both online and offline. It will facilitate transactions across the domestic terminal, international terminal, airport city, concert arena, airport hotels, retail, recreation, dining, and entertainment (RDE) destination, airport parking, cargo, and BIAL subsidiaries.