Category Archives: Aviation

Tushar Jani, Group Chairman, Cargo Service Center said, “I believe 70 – 75 percentage of generic drugs today are exported to the Europe and US from India. I think that’s very critical. Our pharma manufacturing industry has been doing a fantastic job and getting regular FDA approvals from the US Drug administrators, during inspection. Today you go to any pharmacy abroad you will find many Indian generic drugs. The important factor is if this development enables us to build cross border pharma e-commerce capabilities out of India. As a company, our vision now is to develop pharma e-commerce capabilities and increase our world share. Around 31 % of depression drug is in fact transported from India to US. If we develop the capability of giving pharma e-commerce services, the world would recognize us and that’s what’s needed. Domestic pharma industry would also benefit greatly from this vision. We have to develop our skills for product delivery to Europe and US in a most controlled manner. We need to immediately take action on temperature excursions at any point in supply chain and also need to have infrastructure controlled by us on the destination. In my company our workers are being trained about variety of drugs being loaded/ off loaded. We need to have a robust supply from starting point to the destination. That’s where investment is needed from the Indian service providers to give good reliable pharma to the world.”

The global air cargo market may have to ‘hang on until October’ for signs of recovery after a flood of summer bellyhold capacity on major lanes and a -4% drop in demand in April indicated a challenging 4-5 months ahead, according to new weekly analysis from CLIVE Data Services, part of Xeneta. Airfreight spots rates dropped -41% versus April 2022 as a 7% rise in cargo capacity resulted in lower load factors and a fourteenth consecutive month of falling volumes year-over-year. CLIVE’s ‘dynamic load factor, measuring global volume and weight perspectives of cargo flown and capacity available, dropped -5% pts versus 2022 to 57% in April, continuing a more than year-long decline. Summer capacity had its traditionally profound impact on the air cargo market from Europe to North America, with capacity up 26% in comparison to March 2023. Data showed a 10% pts decrease in load factor across the North Atlantic to 57% last month, compared to the 67% level recorded to major North American airports in March. This pushed the general airfreight spot rate on this westbound lane down to USD 2.29 for April. While air cargo market performance in April recorded a level of seasonality expected for the time of year, volumes were also impacted by the Easter, Eid, Pesach, and Ramadan public holidays all coming together so closely – but, this didn’t disguise the dwindling market conditions, says Niall van de Wouw, Chief Airfreight Officer at Xeneta. “This is a market that will test companies. If you look at Europe-North America, what other industries see supply increase from one month to the next by 26%, very much outside of their control. This is a tremendous jump in …

Kale Logistics Solutions in its latest study on airport sustainability titled Kale Shaping Sustainability at Airports stated that technology can save $9 billion for the industry with approximately 16,000 gallons of carbon emissions being cut per airport. Cargo Community platforms have the potential to save 2000-3000 gallons of fuel being saved with lower truck wait times annually at an airport and a hector of forest saved every year with paperless operations. The report was launched at the Air Cargo Europe (Transport Logistic) 2023 event in Munich, Germany. This is the first study by the organization which is committed to drive a sustainable future for the logistics industry. Kale conducted an industry-wide study to understand the impact of technology on airports and its allied community sustainability outcomes. The global study measured improvements at airport level on operational efficiency, visibility, truck congestion, carbon emissions and physical paper utility. Amar More, CEO and Co-Founder of Kale Logistics Solutions said, “Sustainability matters more than ever, our technology enabled strategy is helping power the logistics industry to march forward on the path of sustainability.” “The study’s promising outcome gives us hope that the industry is moving in the right direction. Some exciting facts mentioned in this report will surprise industry patrons and stakeholders.”

Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics division of UAE flag-carrier Etihad Airways, has opted to use logistics software system specialist Descartes’s Bluetooth Low Energy container monitoring system to offer greater visibility of conditions of air cargo during the shipping process as well as insight into ULD handling processes. Descartes’ Internet of Things (IoT)-based Bluetooth Low Energy solution, integrated with Jettainer’s unit load device (ULD) management services, are expected to enable Etihad Cargo’s ability to see where ground and ULD handling processes might be improved while also gaining data concerning the ambient conditions of airfreight in transit. The Bluetooth tags are fixed to containers or pallets, mobile applications and mesh networks to automate the end-to-end tracking of these assets, said release. Such tags fixed to ULDs prior to loading onto an aircraft enable easy access to real-time location data and information on the cargo’s condition within, offering data on conditions such as temperature, light, humidity and movement. They also offer ‘chain of custody’ detail that indicates in whose custody assets are at any given time. Tags can also be added to any ground service equipment (GSE), like dollies, for visibility of a freight carrier’s handling equipment.

Air cargo charter broker CharterSync is all set to offer a fully integrated digital end-to-end booking process and management system for freight forwarders. CharterSync has launched its updated booking system at the ongoing air cargo Europe 2023 exhibition in Munich. According to company officials, it’s time-saving features are build for driving change in the air cargo charter industry using digital disruption and innovation”. The system is expected to be rolled out to customers in June. Fully integrated into CharterSync’s pre-existing web and mobile booking platform, the new process captures and consolidates all the data and documentation associated with a charter booking, aggregating it into a central ‘hub’ which can be accessed in real time by all involved. Accessible by “an intuitive booking dashboard”, the system offers access to key documentation such as air waybills (AWBs), permits, air cargo manifests, customs declarations, load plans, technical drawings, and emails and other correspondence conducted off-platform as required.

Kenya Airways Cargo has been awarded IATA’s CEIV Pharma certification for its KQ Pharma Facility as it targets the healthcare market. The certification means that Kenya Airways’ pharma facility complies with IATA Temperature Control Regulations and adheres to international standards and best practices in cold chain and pharmaceutical movements, said release. Allan Kilavuka, Kenya Airways Group chief executive said, “We will continue to improve our premium product verticals, offering long-standing standards of temperature-controlled and time-sensitive cargo transport. With this certification, we join a select group of international operators in reaffirming our diligence in transporting temperature-controlled and time-sensitive products via our pharma network.” Dick Murianki, director of cargo, Kenya Airways also added, “Pharmaceutical shipments are extremely challenging and necessitate maximum dependability from airlines. It is critical to maintain the required temperature so that medication can be used as planned after shipping. Being one of the first African airlines to receive IATA’s international certificate is the result of the work we’ve done over the last few years to strengthen our product.” The facility covers approximately 600 sq m and is dedicated to handling temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals. The facility is segregated into three temperature levels: 2-8 degrees Celsius, 15-25 degrees Celsius and a freeze room.

Global Crossing Airlines (GlobalX) is all set to receive another Airbus A321 Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) conversion aircraft shortly. “Our next A321 freighter- N411 GX- the “Spirit of Liberty” has now received all required FAA modification approvals, and is in final prep before test flights this week and then delivery to Miami,” said GlobalX in an official Linkedin post. The Miami-based airline said the aircraft is due to become operational at the end of May. “We expect to place this aircraft into revenue service at the end of May,” added post. 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.

To allow customers reduce the carbon emissions associated with air cargo shipments by efficiently using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), DHL Aviation, the in-house airline of DHL Express, is planning to launch a new GoGreen Plus service. From June, DHL air cargo customers can choose the GoGreen Plus service for their shipments, with customers being given the chance to tailor the CO2e reduction and the amount of SAF they use. Travis Cobb, executive vice president, global network operations & aviation, DHL Express, said, “Our greatest goal is achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Using SAF is currently key to reducing carbon emissions in aviation and our GoGreen Plus service is made possible following our collaborations with bp and Neste to supply SAF to DHL Express hubs around the world.” Ingrid Raj, senior vice president, global head aviation Commercial, DHL Express also added, “Insetting through GoGreen Plus allows customers to bring down their Scope 3 emissions, the indirect greenhouse gas emissions that occur in a company’s value chain, including downstream transportation and distribution. With the introduction of GoGreen Plus, we empower our air cargo customers to make more sustainable choices and embolden their contribution to reducing carbon emissions.”

Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST), the second largest cargo hub in the Netherlands, has started renovation work on its runway as part of an infrastructure investment plan of up to EUR 100 million over the next few years. MST is investing EUR35.3 million in its runway upgrade between May and June in anticipation of a project to extend its operational length to 2,750 meters by January 2025. “Maastricht has much to offer the Dutch air cargo community, with no slot restrictions or congestion at the airport and now a significant infrastructure investment program,” said Jos Roeven, Chief Executive Officer, MST. “We are CEIV-Pharma certified and the preferred station for flower imports into the Netherlands, as well as specializing in handling dangerous goods and e-commerce, and we will be focusing on further developing our facilities with this investment. “There is a fantastic opportunity in the current market for regional airports to step up for the cargo industry and help drive a more sustainable future for freight, whilst at the same time creating job opportunities for our local communities.” MST is already the European base for Turkish Cargo and Royal Jordanian, and an online station for Emirates, Qatar, and Saudia.

The Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations’ in India (FFFAI) has been recognized as a Training Partner by the Logistics Skill Council (LSC). Presenting the Certificate of Partnership at the 13th FFFAI Executive Committee Meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram Dr. C. Unnikrishnan Nair Head – Maritime Logistic, LSC said the partnership is aimed to strengthen the training initiatives of the Council thanks to FFFAI’s presence at the operation level across the country through its 30 Member Associations. He also commended FFFAI’s initiatives pertaining to skilling the logistics industry practitioners and aspirants keen to choose the logistics sector as an exciting career option through its training arm Indian Institute of Freight Forwarders (IIFF). As a result, collaboration between LSC and FFFAI would provide a big push to the skill development initiatives, pertaining to the logistics industry in India. Commenting on the partnership with LSC Mr. Shankar Shinde, Chairman, FFFAI said, “This was pending for a long time and I am happy we could conclude it now. The joint efforts by LSC and FFFAI will have a very significant impact as far as skilling the entire logistics industry is concerned with special emphasis on the Customs Brokers/Freight Forwarding community.” According to Mr. Shinde, in view of the fast changing industry scenario, changing rules & regulations, digitization, faceless transactions and above all customers demand, skilling the human resources is a dire need to survive and thrive in the logistics business. And, FFFAI is committed to fulfill this training requirement for its members and the industry fraternity.