Category Archives: Aviation

Ethiopian Airlines has secured a $450m loan agreement that it will partly use to finance the purchase of two of its previously announced Boeing 777 freighters. The loan will also finance three Boeing 737-8 passenger aircraft. The airline said that “delivery of all the aircraft will be completed in the US state of Washington in December” but it did not specify when the freighters would join its fleet. The loan will be secured against the value of the five planes and has been arranged exclusively by Citi’s Corporate Banking and Export Agency and Finance teams. It is guaranteed by the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM). Ethiopian took delivery of its 10th 777Flast month, for operation by Ethiopian Cargo. The aircraft is part of an order for five 777Fsmade by Ethiopian in May 2022. The B777 freighter can carry up to 107 tonnes of cargo with a maximum range of 9,200 km.

Cathay Cargo has announced the selection of the next-generation Airbus A350F freighter to meet its future fleet requirements. Cathay has placed an initial firm order with Airbus for six aircraft and has secured the right to acquire 20 more aircraft. This order for state-of-the-art aircraft to be delivered commencing from 2027 will help further strengthen Hong Kong’s status as the world’s number one air cargo hub, providing even greater cargo connectivity between Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world. Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam said, “As we move into 2024, our rebuild journey is gaining momentum. This order marks another major component in our investment for the future. It reflects Cathay’s confidence in the Hong Kong hub as we look ahead to the opportunities provided by the Three-Runway System. “These highly fuel-efficient, next-generation freighters will provide important additional cargo capacity, expand our global network and contribute to our sustainability leadership goals.” *******

The air cargo peak season for 2023 appears to be peaking, according to the latest data from TAC Index, the leading price reporting agency (PRA) for air freight. “Following a series of rises in recent weeks, the overall Baltic Air Freight Index was slightly lower by 0.1 percent in the week to December 18, leaving it lower by 14 percent over the last 12 months,” says the latest update. Air freight prices outbound from Hong Kong – still the biggest airport in the world by cargo volume – kept going up last week, rising by a further one percent WoW to put that index ahead by nine percent YoY, led by a continuing rise in rates to North America. “However, outbound Shanghai gave back some ground after the recent surge, falling three percent WoW with rates to the U.S. dropping to leave that index only narrowly ahead YoY by 0.3 percent.” Market conditions continued to be mixed out of Europe, the update added. “Outbound Frankfurt gained six percent WoW, showing gains on rates both to China and to the U.S. though still lower by 48 percent YoY. Outbound London enjoyed no such bounce with rates falling on all major lanes to show a further WoW fall of five percent and a huge YoY drop of 57 percent. Meanwhile, the latest significant new addition to the data this week were air cargo rates from Europe to Japan, which showed a gain of three percent WoW.”

UPS has introduced a number of enhancements to its Asia Pacific network, including a new intra-Asia flight route, enabling customers in Singapore and Indonesia to ensure deliveries to the United States are completed in as little as two business days. The moves add more capacity and connectivity between Southeast Asia and UPS’s intercontinental network, and reduce delivery times from Singapore and Indonesia to the U.S. by one business day, says an official release. Additional upgrades to the regional network also mean businesses sending and receiving certain dangerous goods – including lithium batteries and dry ice – between Hong Kong and Singapore can now have these completed one day faster, the release added. UPS is also cutting delivery times on lithium battery shipments from Ho Chi Minh City to the United States and Europe by as much as two business days. “This is such an exciting announcement as it significantly benefits a really wide range of businesses located across the region and in a number of high growth sectors such as high tech and healthcare,” says Wilfredo Ramos, said President, Asia Pacific, UPS. “And it comes at a time of real opportunity, particularly for small businesses. In a post pandemic world, we see that supply chains are shifting and becoming more resilient. Companies around the globe require faster delivery times and seamless connectivity to gain competitiveness and capture even more opportunities as they look to build strong and reliable customer bases in markets with huge growth potential.”

The international cargo services at the newly established cargo terminal at the Pune airport have been inactive for the past nine months due to technical issues thus causing inconsiderable inconvenience to small producers, farmers and traders. The primary cause of the delay has been attributed to an incomplete broadband (LIS line) connection that links the computers within the cargo terminal project, says reports. Consequently, the customs department has withheld approval for the international cargo service at Pune airport. The domestic cargo services though have earned appreciation for making a positive stride in local logistics this year. It may be mentioned that international cargo services are considered to be crucial for connecting local businesses to global markets and bringing them good revenue. This technical glitch has resulted in a significant setback for those dependent on the international cargo service at the airport.

An agreement has been signed by Vietnam Airlines and Turkish Airlines to enhance cooperation in the field of air cargo transportation. The agreement aims to bring additional long-term benefits to air cargo customers and both airlines. Vietnam Airlines and Turkish Airlines intend to strengthen cooperation in cargo transport and will conduct research to enable the potential launch of an air cargo joint venture, providing customers with the benefits of a larger, faster network, enhanced direct flights, a wider range of destinations, and increased frequencies. Combining the resources of the two national airlines will support increased efficiency in the use of their aircraft capacities and further boost their position in global competition.

Kuehne+Nagel announced the opening of a new facility near Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to support a new partnership with MHI RJ Aviation Group (MHI RJ), a worldwide leader in offering superior maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for airline fleets worldwide. “The relocation of supply chain operations from Des Plaines, IL to Haltom City, TX will bring operations close to DFW, a major gateway providing cargo lift for both domestic and international shipments. At the new Dallas facility, MHIRJ will be utilising the space to better meet their global customers’ needs through a state-of-the-art, technology-enabled distribution facility,” says a release from K+N. “This is an exciting new partnership that builds on our strategic focus in the aerospace industry and further expands our growing presence in the Dallas/Fort Worth area,” says Eduardo Razuck, Senior Vice President, Contract Logistics Americas, Kuehne+Nagel. “The investment in a new facility in the area is the latest step in growing our network focused on supporting our customers.”

Abhishek Goyal, Executive Director, Aeroprime Group says, “In 2024 and beyond, the global aviation industry is poised for several key trends that will shape its trajectory. Firstly, sustainable aviation practices such as eco-friendly technologies, alternative fuels, and carbon offset programs etc are expected to gain prominence as environmental concerns intensify. Secondly, advancements in technology will continue to revolutionize global aviation industry. The rise of artificial intelligence, data analytics etc. will enhance operational efficiency, safety, and customer experience. Lastly, geopolitical factors, regulatory changes, and economic shifts will impact global aviation dynamics. Open skies agreements, trade relations, and geopolitical stability will influence market access and competition.”

Hong Kong-based Aerovision Technology (ATL) and Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals (Hactl) signed a collaboration agreement to install ATL’s patented intelligent cargo thermal detection system at suitable locations within Hactl’s SuperTerminal 1. Hactl is also the world’s first air cargo terminal equipped with an intelligent cargo thermal detection system, which will further enhance the safety and reliability of cargo inspection to address the increasing volume of hazardous air cargo and mitigate potential fire risks, says an official release. The collaboration agreement was signed on December 14, 2023 at Hong Kong Asia World-Expo by Angus Cheung, CEO, ATL and Wilson Kwong, Chief Executive, Hactl, the release added. “By combining advanced thermal imaging technology, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, data analytics, and artificial intelligence, ATL has overcome the limitations of existing thermal energy monitoring techniques. The system can monitor the temperature of different cargo materials in various environments in real-time and quickly identify any abnormal conditions, triggering alerts.”

Air cargo volumes were boosted by seasonal e-commerce demand from Asia in November, but Xeneta is doubtful the industry will see sustained stronger demand. November was the first month this year that saw demand outstrip supply, but, echoing IATA’s concerns, the rate analytics platform said global airfreight capacity will likely continue to outpace market demand next year. “This is due to anticipated weak consumer spending at least in H1 2024 and a continuing recovery in belly capacity for certain markets next year, boosted by improving passenger travel,” said the company. E-commerce demand from Asia to Europe and the US has seen air cargo volumes rise, but this shouldn’t be relied on to see air cargo demand, in what is already a subdued market, sustained into next year, explained Xeneta. Increased e-commerce volumes from Hong Kong and China to the US and Europe inflated global air cargo demand by 5% year over year in November. Retail brands Shein and Temu accounted for most of the rise in air cargo volumes and rates out of Hong Kong and China last month. China to the US spot rates outpaced their October growth of +10%, climbing +11% month-over-month to $4.46 per kg. Air cargo spot rates from China to Europe followed a similar upward trend, rising to $3.96 per kg, up 9% from a month ago. These increases contributed to an overall 7% month-on-month improvement in the global air cargo spot rate, which averaged $2.45 per kg in November, compared to +2% in October. Demand slightly outpacing supply helped to push the global dynamic load factor to 60%, based on both volume and weight perspectives of cargo flown and capacity available.