Category Archives: Aviation

Cainiao Group and online retailer AliExpress are partnering to launch a five-day global delivery service for cross-border packages. The company would achieve the new service through “full-chain operational optimisation and streamlining of workflows across first-mile pick-up, line haul, overseas distribution, and last-mile delivery,” said official release. The new service will bring a 30% uplift in delivery speed compared to the industry standard, the logistics firm said. Wan Lin said, “The next decade will unveil new development opportunities for smart logistics, and Cainiao will dedicate our efforts to building a leading global smart logistics network. This includes establishing three long-chain logistics networks encompassing domestic logistics, cross-border logistics, and overseas logistics, as well as creating three short-chain businesses in last-mile post stations, logistics infrastructure, and logistics technology. The goal is to provide quality and competitive logistics services to our consumers, merchants, platforms, and logistics partners.” The company will also target overseas markets with a focus on key logistics nodes in Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia, specifically with a target to establish one to two local warehousing and distribution centers each year.

Asia Pacific air cargo business continues to suffer in May from “subdued demand conditions, driven by weak business confidence levels”, according to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA). Preliminary air cargo traffic figures for May showed that in freight tonne kilometres (FTK) terms, air cargo demand fell by 7% year on year in May. Offered capacity rose by 6%, leading to an 8.5 percentage point decline in the average international freight load factor to 60.1% for the month. Subhas Menon, AAPA director general, said, “Air cargo demand remained soft, reflecting the prevailing weak global economic conditions and in particular, the slowdown in the manufacturing sector. He added, “Trade tensions are likely to weigh down on cargo markets for some time to come whereas air travel demand is expected to demonstrate resilience in spite of the headwinds in the external environment.” The AAPA said that international passenger markets continue to grow strongly amidst the restoration of flights in the region, resulting in increased belly capacity.

The availability of air connectivity and wide-body aircraft capacity, be it to domestic or international destinations, is vital for the growth of the air cargo industry, says Kiran Jain, Chief Operating Officer at Noida International Airport (NIA). Utilizing wide-body aircraft can offer increased cargo capacity and cost-efficiency advantages, especially for long-haul and high-demand routes. While factors such as infrastructure limitations, operational costs, and market demand may influence the feasibility of wide-body aircraft deployment, some cargo operators have incorporated wide-body aircraft into their fleet to meet specific cargo requirements. In addition to air connectivity, road, and rail connectivity also play an important part for last mile connectivity and cannot be overlooked in building a robust logistics ecosystem.

EV Cargo plans to launch its own operations in Vietnam as it continues expanding in Southeast Asia. The main EV Cargo office, located in Ho Chi Minh City, will manage the provision of air and sea freight forwarding, customs brokerage, warehousing, and cross-border e-commerce services, along with cargo handling facilities in Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi and Haiphong, “enabling buyer’s consolidation, multi-country consolidation and LCL groupage services, all powered by EV Cargo people and systems”, said EV Cargo. Headed by Ruby Nguyen, managing director EV Cargo Vietnam, the new operation in Vietnam will be fully integrated into EV Cargo’s global logistics execution platform, which manages the movement by air, sea and road of merchandise for its customers between 2,400 country pairs every year. As one of the world’s fastest-growing economic regions and logistics markets, as well as being an important sourcing origin for retailers and consumer goods brands, Southeast Asia represents a key strategic market for EV Cargo.

For the freighters to survive and thrive, the Government must re-look its policy of duty on aircraft leasing. As this is a big deterrent for this industry at the moment. There is also a need for more players who can invest in cargo only aircrafts,” says Yashpal Sharma, President, ACFI. With the arrival of new freighter operators like Pradhan air and Quikjet there is expectation of the Indian market to have long term sustainable capacity which will be positive news for Indian shippers. But there is a sizable addition of capacity in the Indian skies by the Indian and foreign airlines, he adds.

The Indian air cargo industry is adopting AI and sustainability to reduce operational and production costs, and boost demand, says Chandra Kant Govil, Managing Director, Activair Airfreight and Vice President, ACAAI. I feel AI revolution is sweeping the air cargo industry. We recently heard of a new hydrogen-powered electric blended-wing body cargo aircraft that could bring zero-emission technology to the air cargo industry. Adopting this technology in air cargo can tremendously help the aviation industry achieve its net zero emissions target by 2050. Many startups have emerged that are closing the gap between AI-powered technologies and faster air cargo handling across India. AI can help in better planning and resource utilisation and save time and effort. AI’s entry into our industry was long due and is expected to alter our modus operandi forever. We are trying to adopt as many techniques as possible to reduce our carbon footprint. I think incentivizing the production of green aviation fuel, which currently costs up to four times the traditional fuel, is a worthy endeavour by global industry leaders. We recently heard of a new hydrogen-powered electric blended-wing body cargo aircraft that could bring zero-emission technology to the air cargo industry. Adopting this technology in air cargo can tremendously help the aviation industry achieve its net zero emissions target by 2050.”

Etihad Cargo has launched Pharma Champions, a development programme to further build its pharmaceutical business and support teams to enhance local expertise, benefiting the carrier’s customers and partners with improved service levels. The programme comprises online and onsite training, a visit to Etihad Cargo’s dedicated pharmaceutical hub and the development of a dedicated PharmaLife action plan, giving participants the tools to identify new business opportunities and ensure Etihad Cargo’s PharmaLife product is delivered in full compliance with international standards. “Etihad Cargo has developed and launched Pharma Champions to enhance the carrier’s capabilities in transporting high-value, temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals across its global network,” said Tim Isik, vice president commercial at Etihad Cargo. “In addition to giving participants — Etihad Cargo’s Pharma Champions — a more in-depth understanding of PharmaLife’s key features, the programme facilitates the development of a tailored PharmaLife action plan that will enable the champions to provide customer service excellence, enhanced customer response times and expertise within their regions. “These Pharma Champions are an integral part of Etihad Cargo’s cool chain strategy and operations for the coming years and will act as focal contact points in the carrier’s key PharmaLife markets.

Global Crossing Airlines (GlobalX) has taken delivery of its second Airbus A321 passenger to freighter (P2F) conversion. The aircraft will support GlobalX’s growing cargo business and will operate out of Miami into Latin America and the Caribbean. Miami-based GlobalX said the aircraft was converted under ST Engineering’s Precision Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) and is leased from Greenwich Highland Aviation. The airline said it placed the freighter on the GlobalX operating certificate as of June 16. “We are very pleased to start operating our second A321 freighter. Our first freighter has been operating 6 days per week with a 99.5% dispatch reliability, and our customers are seeing first-hand the economics and operating performance of the A321 freighter, which make it the best in class narrowbody cargo aircraft,” said Ed Wegel, chair and chief executive of GlobalX. “We expect to make an announcement soon for two additional A321 freighters scheduled to be delivered this year in Q3, along with two more freighters scheduled for delivery in Q4.” GlobalX’s received its first A321P2F in December last year after conversion by ST Engineering. In May 2021, GlobalX signed a letter of intent (LOI) to lease five A321P2F aircraft with ST Engineering’s Aviation Asset Management unit. These aircraft are being converted and leased to GlobalX progressively.

CMA CGM Air Cargo selects Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) to provide engine and component support for the two Boeing 777 freighters recently added to its all-cargo fleet. “The two new aircraft were delivered to the transporter on May 31 and 7 June 7, 2022 respectively, and will be used to fly international routes out of CMA CGM Air Cargo’s base at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport. As a recognised specialist in A330 maintenance, AFI KLM E&M will also maintain the components of CMA CGM Air Cargo’s A330F fleet,” stated an official release. Capitalising on its airline-MRO experience in maintaining one of the world’s largest 777 fleet on behalf of its parent companies Air France and KLM, AFI KLM E&M will provide comprehensive component support for both aircraft as part of a long-term flight-hour contract that includes repairs and access to its spare parts pool set up at CDG, the release added.

The contract logistics arm of Jeena & Company has raised its warehousing capacity with the inauguration of its largest and strategically significant new warehouse in Bhiwandi, Mumbai. This facility has an area of over 1.10 Lac square feet, has a clear centre height of 50 feet and a 30 feet shoulder height. Making this stand-out is it’s infrastructure design with G+7 and G+6 heavy duty pallet racking system and the G+7 multi-tier shelving system. The warehouse is equipped with all types of necessary amenities such as forklifts, stackers, and hand pallet trolleys. The flexible design of the warehouse will allow optimized storage space and empower sellers to boost their business. This warehouse is easily accessible from major bus stops, railway stations, Nhava Sheva port and the airport. Businesses in Pharma, FMCG, apparel, e-commerce, personal care sectors will be benefitted from Jeena’s new facility. Sam Katgara, Partner, Jeena & Company said, “We are pleased to introduce our latest warehouse. This is another concrete step towards our commitment to providing high end-storage facility for all 3PL and warehousing needs supported by technology. With our investment and focus on technology, we are all set to offer world-class services at competitive pricing. The highlight of this warehouse is the ability to customize on-site storage capabilities as per the requirements of our clients and their business necessities.”