Category Archives: Aviation

Virgin Atlantic Cargo is set to expand its all-cargo network with the addition of a new service to Billund Airport. The service will operate three times per week between the Danish Airport and Heathrow using an Airbus A321F operated by Titan Airways, offering 28 tonnes of capacity per flight. The new flights are due to launch on August 3 in response to strong cargo demand and will connect with Virgin Atlantic flights to the US and other destinations. The airline said the flights would cater for cargo currently being trucked from the Scandinavian region. “The partnership will see the Danish airfreight export industry receive more direct connections to the US, as Virgin Atlantic Cargo support’s the airport’s ambition to grow its air freight business and establish the cargo industry at Billund Airport,” the airline stated in a statement. Steve Buckerfield, Head, Cargo Sales, Virgin Atlantic Cargo, said “We are excited to bring this new dedicated all-cargo service, connecting our customers in Billund and the wider Scandinavian region with Virgin Atlantic’s route network via Heathrow. “We will be targeting pharmaceutical, automotive and perishables destined for the USA, Africa, Israel and the Indian subcontinent.”

Rainbow Aviation has signed up to represent Fly Baghdad, as their cargo General Sales Agent (GSA) in India. The carrier plans to transport pharmaceuticals, readymade garments, raw materials, consumer durables and electronic parts to Baghdad from India. Fly Baghdad started flying to India on 13 May 2022, and is operating two weekly passenger Boeing 737-700 flights to and from Mumbai every Tuesday and Friday, offering four to six tonnes of cargo capacity per flight. The Iraqi airline also wants to expand to other key Indian cities. The carrier in a statement, said, “The carrier focuses on passenger and cargo ops and having captured its presence in the Middle East and East Asia, Fly Baghdad has expanded its reach to India and Europe.” Rainbow Aviation noted the flights go to Baghdad and Najaf depending on the demand from passengers, while the Indian GSA group also intends to use the capacity and routes offered by Fly Baghdad to move these commodities to countries in GCC and Europe.

Air cargo movement in Coimbatore grew by 22 per cent in 2021-22, signaling revival of industrial activity in the state. As per reports, 8,062 tonnes of goods were moved in and out of Coimbatore by air to domestic and global destinations last year. Domestic cargo was 6,737 tonnes, of which 3,697 tonnes were outbound. Domestic cargo was 24.05 per cent higher than the previous year. In the case of global cargo, 1,180 tonnes were exports and 145 tonnes were imports, registering a total growth of 17.36 per cent. “This is an indication of recovery of industrial activity after COVID-19 and the potential for air cargo in this region,” an official said. With just two direct flights to global destinations from Coimbatore, most of the export products airlifted from here were perishables. In the case of domestic cargo, the products included automobile components, castings, textile machinery, samples, healthcare products, and food items. There were a few consignments that were moved through bonded trucking too.

Airbus, in its latest report, expects sustained demand for freighters over the next 20 years with nearly 70 per cent of the current fleet to be replaced. The air framer’s 2022 Global Market Forecast for the 2022-2041 shows that the world freighter fleet will reach 3,070 aircraft by 2041. The new report anticipates there will be demand for 2,440 new converted freighters over the next 20 years, with 900 new build freighters expected. Of this freighter demand over 2022-2041, 990 will be 10 to 40 tonne single-aisle aircraft, 890 will be 40 to 80 tonne mid-sized wide-bodied aircraft and 560 will be over 80 tonnes large wide-bodied aircraft. About 2,030 aircraft were in service at the beginning of 2020 and 31 per cent will stay in-service, including 2020 & 2021 deliveries, while 69 per cent will be replaced, the report suggest. Airbus expects world air cargo traffic growth of 3.2% CAGR from 2019-2041.

Continental Carriers Group of Companies is set to open one of India’s first Greenfield air freight stations, where Customs Clearance, Cargo Consolidation, and Palletization will all take place at the AFS facility, and goods will be delivered in pallets ready to load on planes at Delhi International Airport, said Vipin Vohra, Chairman. Vohra, who is also the Advisor, Cargo Division, Union Ministry of Civil Aviation said they are constantly working to reduce costs through innovative solutions and provide the best possible service to customers. “We have strived for accurate and real-time visibility of forecasts, orders, shipments, inventory, and locations to improve business performance, and we have invested heavily in technology, digitization, and skilled workforce to that end.”

FedEx Express and ecommerce marketplace eBay have teamed up to enable sellers from the APAC region to sign up for a FedEx account and access all the services the delivery company has to offer. According to FedEx Express official statement, marketplace sales count for 67% of ecommerce globally, with APAC’s ecommerce market expected to reach USD 352.68 trillion by 2030. The partnership between the companies will help propel merchants, especially small business owners, amidst the booming of ecommerce in the region driven by consumers’ changing behaviours towards online shopping. Through the collaboration, eBay sellers will be able to provide its clients a premium delivery experience at competitive prices, as well as a full suite of custom-made shipping and logistics services provided by FedEx.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) has placed an order for two of Boeing’s recently launched B777-8 freighter aircraft. The airline has converted two of its previous commitments for 20 B777-9 passenger aircraft dating back to 2014 into the new freighter model. The aircraft are expected to enter service during or after ANA’s 2028 financial year. “The announcement reflects ANA Holding’s plan to further expand its cargo business through securing large freighters,” the company statement said. “The Boeing 777-8F is a world class freighter that has the largest cargo capacity of any twin-engine aircraft and has reduced CO2 emissions and operational costs that uses less fuel per ton,” the statement added.

GEODIS has acquired e-commerce specialist Keppel Logistics as the forwarder expands its presence in Asia, read a release. The deal was first announced in early 2022, but GEODIS has obtained all regulatory approvals allowing completion. The statement added that the acquisition would bolster the two firms’ respective e-commerce offerings by combining Keppel Logistics’ delivery service with its own controlled airfreight network and its seafreight and road transport connections across the region. “We are pleased to welcome Keppel Logistics’ customers, employees and management to the GEODIS Group,” said Marie-Christine Lombard, chief executive, GEODIS. “The acquisition of Keppel Logistics marks a key milestone in GEODIS’ Asia Pacific ambition, increasing our contract logistics footprint and e-commerce fulfillment services in Singapore and Asia-Pacific,” she added.

With focus on healthcare operation for customers, Kuehne+Nagel has launched its air logistics services from Liège (Belgium) to Americas, Asia and Africa with regular charters, multiple times per week. “The solution called MedConnex addresses constraints in terms of air freight capacity, especially for cargo that requires specialised handling and transportation,” a release stated. MedConnex combines the capabilities of Kuehne+Nagel Belgium’s two air logistics hubs. This includes an experienced team at Liège airport, Europe’s fifth largest European cargo airport with excellent capacity, landing slots and a building at Brussels Airport equipped with a GDP-compliant and temperature-controlled warehouse, direct tarmac access and a large stock of special packaging materials. Geert Torfs, Air Logistics Director, Kuehne+Nagel BeLux, said, “Europe is a major exporter of healthcare goods, and thus the charters that link Europe with major continents is in high demand. With this service, we support our entire European network of Kuehne+Nagel colleagues when they need to ship healthcare products for customers to the rest of the world.”

Airbus Beluga (A300-608ST) made a brief stopover at Chennai International Airport on Monday for refuelling. This is the first time the whale-like aircraft has touched down at the airport. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) tweeted that “The elegant whale is here and with such awesomeness. mighty #Beluga No.2 (A300-608ST) landed at Chennai airport first time today. The cargo transporter is a rare visitor in this part of the world and a marvel to behold.” The aircraft, which is not carrying cargo, is on its way to Thailand, said the AAI. Known as super transporter, the aircraft is a version of wide body A300-600 aircraft of the Airbus and is usually used to carry aircraft or machine parts and huge cargo. The plane will depart at 7pm.