Category Archives: International

IAG Cargo has transported over 10 million COVID vaccines, supporting global efforts in the fight against COVID-19. This includes a 4 million dose shipment to Abuja, Nigeria in collaboration with UNICEF and its COVAX initiative and 300,000 doses to Jamaica, donated by the UK government. The Abuja shipment, completed on behalf of UNICEF, departed London Heathrow in July on two British Airways B777-200. The 300,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines bound for Jamaica also departed in July and were delivered in partnership with Crown Agents on a British Airways B777-200. Darren Peek, Head of Sales at IAG Cargo said, “We’re proud that with our sister airlines, British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus, we continue to support countries across the world on the fight against COVID-19. Last year we delivered over 20,000 tonnes of PPE and today we have delivered over 10 million COVID-19 vaccines working with UNICEF and partners like Crown Agents. We will continue to work with a range of partners in the global response to COVID-19, supporting the efforts to ensure equal access to vaccines for all countries across the world.”

Etihad Cargo recently announced to have recorded a 20 percent of increase in tonnage as compared to the same period in 2019. In the past month, Etihad Airways introduced flights to Malaga, Mykonos, Santorini, Phuket and Vienna, providing additional belly-hold capacity between Europe and Asia. Charter operations and a cabin loading initiative saw the carrier modify its five Boeing 777 aircraft by removing seats to provide additional capacity on key routes such as Dhaka and Ho Chi Minh City have enabled the Abu Dhabi-based carrier to service increased Asian demand. “Record loads have recently been achieved on a number of Asian flights, including more than 58,000 kg from Dhaka and 52,000 kg from Ho Chi Minh,” explained Martin Drew, senior vice president Sales and Cargo, Etihad Aviation Group. “These loads, with increased capacity enabled by cabin loading, were bound for Middle Eastern and European destinations via Etihad Cargo’s Abu Dhabi hub – a clear demonstration of the carrier’s determination to continue facilitating a global trade recovery.”

Volga-Dnepr delegation held a meeting with Airbus’s top management about the launch programme for A350 freighter conversion, as a wide-body cargo aircraft solution, hosted on board Airbus’s A350-1000 on July 22, 2021, during the MAKS 2021 international aviation and space salon held in Russia. There are, however, concerns emerging about the widebody aircraft as Qatar Airways grounded thirteen A350s citing fuselage degradation. The delegation, headed by the chairman of the board of directors Aleksey Ivanovich Isaikin met Airbus executive president for the European Region Wouter Van Wesche. The all-cargo carrier that specialises in large air freight shipments, along with its subsidiaries, never had any Airbus aircraft in its freighter fleet that includes Antonov, Ilyushin and Boeing aircraft. The group’s interest in the new A350 production freighter, along with their curiosity to be the launch customer for the MC-21-300 freighter version, could be a serious attempt to diversify fleets to offer customised solutions to customers around the world.

Freight handled at Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ) was higher by 9.1 percent at 133,873 tonnes in July, compared to July 2020. During the first seven months of this year, the volume increased by 18.9 percent to a figure of approx. 899,682 tonnes in comparison with the same period in the previous year. This means that the significant growth in freight is continuing in the second half of this year too. The airport handled more than 1.38 million tonnes of freight last year, setting a new record. LEJ is said to be the hub for express and e-commerce consignments, freight charter flights, large animals and medical supplies The airport is acting as a transhipment centre for medical supplies and protective equipment in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic. It has therefore regularly handled freight charter flights during the past few months – in addition to regular traffic – and, among other things, they have transported millions of Covid-19 tests.

Qatar Airways expands its presence in Southern Africa with the launch of a new linked service between Doha and Lusaka, Zambia and Harare, Zimbabwe. To mark this milestone, the new linked service was inaugurated by the airline’s state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 featuring 36 seats in the award-winning Qsuite business class and 247 seats in economy class. Qatar Airways now operates to Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN). Lusaka is the gateway to experiencing Zambia’s legendary tourist attractions from the Victoria Falls which it shares with Zimbabwe, to game reserves and a variety of wildlife. Meanwhile, Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, will be served via Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE) is also a destination with rich culture, World Heritage–listed archaeological sites, and diverse natural landscapes. The aircraft was greeted in Lusaka and Harare by traditional water cannon salutes upon arrival. Businesses and traders will also benefit from the airline’s cargo offering, allowing more than 30 tonnes of cargo capacity per week, each way to support the two countries’ exports such as vegetables and flowers to destinations on the Qatar Airways network such as London, Frankfurt and New York and multiple points in China. Imports will consist of pharmaceuticals, automotive and technology equipment.

The global shipping industry will have to develop contingency plans in case Covid-19 cases continue to surge in China, more so because it happens to be the world’s most important nation for shipping movements. Already, ports like the one in Singapore and Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates have barred ships from changing crew members who have recently travelled from India, making it difficult for seafarers to be relieved at the end of their contract periods. According to reports, the Chinese port of Zhoushan has banned entry for any ships or crew that have visited India or Bangladesh, which has also struggled with a COVID surge in the past three months. The delta variant has made inroads into many countries defenses and China is no exception. Although, it has got some of the stringent protocols in the world yet, infection has reached nearly half of China’s 32 provinces in just two weeks. While the overall number of infections — more than 360 so far — is still lower than COVID resurgences elsewhere, the alarming spread points at the virulent nature of the variant forcing millions of Chinese to go under lockdown.

Chapman Freeborn Germany transported over 204 tonnes (1,400 CBM) of cargo from Germany to Namibia to aid in the fight against COVID-19 over a week. The cargo, which comprised of vital supplies including face masks, gowns and gloves, was transported in an A340 passenger aircraft that had its seats removed so it could be used as a freighter. Charter Broker Jan Körber explained, “During summer holiday season in Germany most airports are crowded and understaffed. It was a big challenge to find an airport that was able to handle all of the flights in a row. Paderborn Lippstadt Airport (PAD) was able to support this and meet all our expectations”.

Heavy-lift freighter operator Antonov Airlines has carried 40 tonnes of mining equipment from France to Argentina via Brazil. Cargo included a large semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill head, which was split into four parts sections and transported on an AN-124-100 chartered by Dynami Aviation. Antonov Airlines said the aircraft type was selected for the operation because it can accommodate more than 700 cubic metres of “unusually shaped cargo”. Additionally, it responded quickly to ensure the flight met a “strict deadline”, allowing operations at the mine to continue as normal. Olha Danylova, commercial executive at Antonov Airlines, commented: “The four pieces of cargo were loaded and unloaded using the AN-124-100’s onboard cranes and will be used in the creation of new tunnels at a mine near to Comodoro Rivadavia. “We thank our esteemed partner Dynami Aviation for its professionalism and dedicated team which always contribute to a successful transportation.”

EL AL Israel Airlines is accelerating its digital presence with real-time eBookings, access to live rates, and visible air cargo capacity through WebCargo, a Freightos Group company. With the pandemic fueling digital adoption among both carriers and forwarders, EL AL is tapping into WebCargo’s platform. EL AL Cargo will be rolling out on WebCargo across a network covering the United States, Europe, and Asia, offering freight solutions for all types of customers and freight. This engagement enables more than 2,500 WebCargo forwarders across over 10,000 global branches instant access to capacity, pricing, and booking on EL AL Cargo. “Digital adoption has always been a top priority for EL AL, and as air cargo demand continues to rise, providing our customers with instant and accurate information is essential,” said Mr. Ronen Spira, head of EL AL Cargo division.

Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) has taken its first step into robotics with the opening of a new Automated Parts Store (APS) for its giant container- and loose cargo handling systems. The new, robotically-operated parts dispensing system enables urgently-needed spares to be quickly accessed around the clock, both for routine maintenance and in the event of occasional breakdowns. Hactl’s automated and highly complex Container Storage System (CSS) has 11 levels, is 260 m long, features a giant ULD racking system that holds 3,500 units and stores and retrieves up to 8,000 tonnes of air cargo per day. Meanwhile, its automated Box Storage System (BSS) handles loose cargo, using 10,000 stillages that run on tracks between the cargo pick-up and build-up areas.