Category Archives: Aviation

To facilitate the growth of the airline’s cargo business, Akasa Air has signed an agreement with SmartKargo to implement its digital air cargo management solution (ACMS). Akasa will deploy the SmartKargo solution across all functional areas of its cargo business serving all its destinations pan India, said release. According to the statement, the solution will interface seamlessly with the airline’s other systems and third-party providers via APIs — for fast integration and deployment, the release added. SmartKargo’s superior capabilities include 100 percent paperless e-AWBs, ease of booking, modern and flexible technology, single screen data entries, user-configurable Business Intelligence (BI) and reporting, powerful pricing and rate making, and real-time capacity management. Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Akasa Air also said, “SmartKargo’s platform will empower us to build and develop an innovative, dependable, and flexible air cargo business. The cutting-edge cloud platform is the best technology available and will boost Akasa Air forward by providing a full solution that includes great technology and deep expertise, so we can grow our cargo business to its full potential.”

Continental Carriers Pvt Ltd (CCPL) successfully planned and executed the movement of 38 tons odd sized machinery from Germany to Chennai. The shipment was picked up from two separate factories in Germany and transported by road to Belgrade Airport for uplifting on a specially chartered IL-76 aircraft (BEG/MAA). Continental Carriers organized special equipment to load and offload the shipment on the charter, adding another feather in CCPL’s cap.

IAG Cargo has become the latest airline to approve the use of Envirotainer’s Releye RLP and RAP ULDs to transport pharma products on flights. The cargo division said that the recently launched containers would be utilised on its Constant Climate cold chain service. John Cheetham, chief commercial officer, IAG Cargo said: “Temperature-controlled air cargo is crucial for getting life-saving medicines from one corner of the world to another. IAG Cargo’s dedicated teams are always looking at ways to enhance our Constant Climate service and so we are delighted to be able to offer our customers Envirotainer’s Releye containers. “Envirotainer, is one of our long-term partners whose solution offers our customers a more effective mechanism to transport pharmaceuticals as well as complete visibility from start to finish.” The containers are monitored through a control tower service as standard. The units use rechargeable batteries, with a single battery charge able to power the system for over 170 hours. They also offer live monitoring for product condition, location, temperature, humidity, battery levels, door openings, if cargo is loaded or not, and the progress of shipments.

Airbus is expanding its outsized air cargo capabilities with a new loading system for the Beluga A300-600ST aircraft for military cargo. The total lifting capacity of the Airbus Defence and Space-developed loading system to move outsized military cargo into the A300-600ST reaches 35 tonnes. Airbus tested the capability of the loading system, which requires no crane for its use and can be relocated to the aircraft’s destination, during a verification exercise with the German armed forces, the system’s first customer. The exercise involved loading a CH53 military medium-lift helicopter into the Beluga. “The demand for outsized air cargo capability is on the rise. Capacity is scarce and, current geopolitical developments, many customers are looking for new, fast, and efficient solutions. This is what we offer with our BelugaST fleet,” said Michael Schoellhorn, chief executive, Airbus Defence and Space. “Our teams have been working on a remarkable solution to facilitate efficient, and autonomous handling to load heavy military cargo onto the aircraft. “Speed, agility and autonomy are crucial elements for our customers when it comes to such operations.”

Cathay Pacific has signed an agreement with Aemetis for the supply of 38 million US gallons of blended Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to be delivered over seven years beginning in 2025 from San Francisco International Airport. “The SAF purchased can reduce more than 80,000 tonnes of lifecycle carbon emissions, equivalent to the amount of carbon sequestered by more than 1.3 million tree seedlings grown for 10 years. The agreement is also part of the joint procurement initiative for SAF by the oneworld alliance, of which Cathay Pacific is a founding member,” said an official release. Augustus Tang, Chief Executive Officer said, “Cathay Pacific continues to reaffirm its commitment to addressing climate change despite these challenging times. In the past few years, we have announced our carbon net-zero by 2050 target and our goal of achieving 10 percent use of SAF by 2030. In doing this, we have built a robust SAF procurement strategy to help meet our goals. We are pleased that this agreement with Aemetis will contribute to that effort, and we hope it will also send the right signal to the SAF industry to encourage the much-needed investment and scaling up of its supply chain.”

US based National Airlines announced the arrival of a fuel-efficient freighter to its fleet. Boeing 747-400 ERF is an extended range freighter. With registration N663CA (MSN 35237), it features a nose door and a large side door, the aircraft is a logical choice globally for sophisticated cargo movements across long distances, said release. “The induction is part of National Airlines’ current global fleet and network expansion approach to meet the massive demand to move huge shipments worldwide.” The release added, “The aircraft has a maximum gross payload of an incredible 128 metric tons (about 282,000 pounds). The nose door loading capability, a unique feature of this type of aircraft, gives National the capability to move customers’ shipments of any length, which is not possible with the B777 freighter. This aircraft is also particularly suitable for pharmaceuticals, seafood, perishables, and other cold chain shipments.” https://www.stattimes.com/aviation/b747-400erf-joins-national-airlines-fleet-1346507

M Afzal Malbarwala, President, Air Cargo Agents Association of India shared his views on the recently launched National Logistics Policy and said it is a great gift to the logistics industry. “PM’s vision and his thoughts are very inspirational. He has given us the policy and now as a sector, we have to perform and show the progress and results. PM also praised the work done by the logistics industry during the pandemic which is a great booster. As mentione by the PM, logistics industry needs to perform at cheetah’s speed ensuring fast deliveries in the coming times and we have government’s support. It was an honour and inspiration to hear from such a great person. Today, with this policy, we are at par with any other country.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the much-awaited National Logistics Policy in the National Capital on Saturday. Commenting on the same, veteran freight forwarder, Cyrus Katgara, Partner, Jeena and Company said, “The National Logistics Policy will accelerate the growth of the sector in the coming years as it aims to promote seamless movements of goods across the country and addresses the infrastructure, procedural gaps in India’s EXIM connectivity by creating efficient, reliable and streamlined cross border trade facilitation. The sectoral plans for cost effective logistics aligned with Gati Shakti initiative is poised to be a game changer and we look forward to its unfolding in the near future.”

Air Canada has become the first airline to be re-certified by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for the safe transport of live animals by Air Canada Cargo. The carrier has been honoured with the IATA’s Center of Excellence for Independent Validators for Live Animals Logistics (CEIV Live Animals) recertification following the successful completion of the verification process. Jason Berry, Vice President, Cargo at Air Canada said in an official release, “We are very proud to be recognized for our work in operating to the highest global standards for the worldwide transport of all live animals and being the first airline to be re-certificated continues to position Air Canada Cargo as an industry leader. Every year, we expertly and safely handle thousands of complex shipments, from rescued dogs to endangered animals transported in conservation efforts and family pets. Air Canada Cargo’s dedicated employees handling animals are specially trained, and I thank them for their diligence in treating all animals as precious cargo while in our care.”

To increase its revenue contribution to 20-25%, from single digits, in addition to synergising passenger routes with airlines in its group to improve efficiency as airfares rise, AirAsia X plans to ramp up its cargo service. Air Asia X is the long-haul affiliate of AirAsia and Unilode Aviation Solutions. Tony Fernandes, acting group chief executive of AirAsia X, said cargo services will make up a bigger proportion of total revenue over the next few years. In addition to its current wide-body Airbus A330 fleet, AirAsia X might also use the narrow-body Airbus A321 for cargo flights. The company is planning to add 362 A321 jets from the second quarter of next year until 2035, and the plane could be more efficient for shorter routes than the A330.