Category Archives: Aviation

Airbus has utilised one of its five-strong BelugaST aircraft, based on the A300-600 design to deliver the Airbus-built Hotbird 13G satellite for Eutelsat to the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral in Florida, said an official release. This milestone marks the first time since 2009 that A BelugaST has visited the US – when it transported the International Space Station European module ‘Tranquility’. For this latest mission, the BelugaST used 30% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for its departure flight from Toulouse, France. The flight followed the successful launch of the twin Hotbird 13F satellite by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The spacecraft are the first members of the new “Eurostar Neo” family of Airbus telecommunications satellites, based on a next-generation platform and technologies developed with the support of the European Space Agency (ESA), and others, including the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) and the UK Space Agency (UKSA). Airbus launched a new air cargo service using its five-strong BelugaST fleet, based on the A300-600 design, to help meet outsized freight transportation needs in January, the release added.

Qatar Airways Cargo, Qatar Aviation Services (QAS) Cargo and Siemens Logistics have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote close cooperation in digitalising cargo handling processes. The collaborative project is due to deploy the latest in data analytics applications and predictive maintenance. Planned activities under the MoU include joint workshops, mutual site visits, and technical assistance training, said release. “Artificial intelligence, machine learning and senseful data usage are becoming increasingly important within airfreight handling,” said Michael Reichle, chief executive of Siemens Logistics. “We are excited to work with Qatar Airways Cargo and QAS Cargo in a forward-looking collaboration to jointly achieve results that will strengthen operational efficiency in demanding cargo processes.” Guillaume Halleux, chief officer cargo, Qatar Airways Group also said, “Our aim at Qatar Airways Group is to further implement digitally advanced, innovative cargo solutions to ensure that all stakeholders benefit from an even more sustainable and seamless operating environment. For this, Siemens Logistics is our clear choice as an experienced technology partner. With the signing of the MoU for digitalisation, we are preparing for the challenges to come.”

Latvia-based SmartLynx Airlines has expanded its fleet with the addition of four A321Fs to grow operations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. The additional freighters will bring SmartLynx’s fleet to a total of 15 active aircraft of this type by H1, 2023, with a plan to expand up to 20 by the end of the year, said release. All four A321Fs – MSN 941, 961, 1185, and 1241 are part of a sales-leaseback agreement with Aero Capital Solutions, Inc. (ACS) and will be registered in Malta after the conversion. The passenger-to-freighter conversions are being undertaken by Precision Aircraft Solutions (Precision) and Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), the release added. Zygimantas Surintas, CEO of SmartLynx Airlines said, “The current demand for this type of aircraft is very high – even higher than the conversion capacity, and we are happy to be one of the first airlines to believe in the program and secure multiple P2F conversion slots. I can admit that at the beginning there were doubts if it was the right move for SmartLynx, but from today`s perspective, taking that risk and diversifying our business portfolio with cargo operations has proven to be the right choice. In addition to tapping into a market that has grown during the pandemic, the addition of freight business helps offset the seasonal issues that ACMI operators typically face.”

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone of the new terminal building of Gwalior Airport in the presence of Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Minister for Civil Aviation & Steel Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar. The design of the new terminal is based on the needs of the future. The current airport has a runway can accommodate A-320 and ATR-72 types of aircraft. The new terminal building will be developed on a land of 172 acres, at the cost of Rs 450+ crore, which is 6 times more than the present 29 acres of land. The apron will have a parking capacity of 13 aircraft, which is 4 times higher than the current capacity. Apart from this, a cargo terminal will also be established to promote regional industries, which will help local production of the region reach every corner of the country and abroad. In his inaugural address, Shah appreciated the work of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and said that the way this airport has been planned it will be one of the best airports of the country. In the development of the new terminal building, technologies like rainwater harvesting and solar energy will be used to protect the environment. A 2.5 MW solar power plant will also be commissioned.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) selects SITA OptiClimb, a digital inflight prescriptive analytics tool for fuel optimisation, to support the carrier’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. By deploying SITA OptiClimb, the airline is able to optimise fuel utilisation during the aircraft’s climb-out phase. The unique solution combines aircraft tail-specific machine-learning models with 4D weather forecasts to recommend customised climb speeds at different altitudes. It leverages historical flight data to predict fuel burn in different flight scenarios and recommends optimised climb profiles on a user-friendly interface for pilots, said reports.  According to official statement, “It is estimated that airlines can derive fuel savings of up to 5% during climb-out on each flight, with around 5.6 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions avoided annually if every airline worldwide uses SITA OptiClimb.”

Ethiopian Airlines Group has completed the first passenger-to-freighter conversion of one of its three B767 aircraft, said reports. Ethiopian partnered with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to launch a B767-300ER freighter conversion line at Ethiopian MRO facilities in Addis Ababa last year. The conversion of the aircraft, introduced into the airline’s fleet in 2004, will boost Ethiopian’s cargo shipment capacity. In partnership with IAI, Ethiopian started the full conversion of the B767 aircraft early this year. Meanwhile, the conversion of the second aircraft has reached an essential stage of door cutting and will be completed in few months. Ethiopian Airlines Group chief executive Mesfin Tasew said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Israel Aerospace Industries and become the first African carrier to successfully complete the passenger-to-cargo conversion of B767 aircraft.” He added, “As a fast-growing airline, our partnership with IAI, one of the global technology leaders in the Aerospace industry, is crucial in technology and skill transfer in the field of maintenance, repair and overhaul.”

Boeing and Cargolux have signed an agreement to finalize an order of ten 777-8 Freighters with options for six additional airplanes, said an official release. Cargolux’s choice of the 777-8 Freighter underlines its commitment to establishing long-term sustainability.  “The agreement we signed will consolidate Cargolux’s position as a global leader of air freight services. Replacing our aging fleet of 747-400 Freighters with the latest technology and fuel-efficient 777-8 Freighter model will contribute to our long-term sustainability program while continuing to offer our customers the tailored service they expect,” said Richard Forson, Cargolux president & CEO. Boeing launched the new 777-8 Freighter in January 2022 and has now booked more than 50 orders for the model. The 777-8 Freighter has nearly identical payload and range capabilities as the 747-400 Freighter while providing 30% better fuel efficiency and emissions and 25% better operating costs per tonne. It is the ideal choice as operators replace aging freighters later this decade. “With its purchase of our newest freighter, Cargolux has invested in a sustainable future as the 777-8 Freighter will significantly reduce CO2 emissions compared to the airplanes it is replacing,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Sunil Arora, Board of Advisors, The Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI) says, “Export freight was exempted through a notification since 2017. The Ministry of Finance dwelled upon logical reasons behind and gave continous extension till September 2022. Levy of GST on export freight will be a big deterant for Indian global economic scenario. PM initiatives like Gati Shakti, Make in India and Ease of Doing Business will be taking a reverse step. GST on export freight will make our exports commodities anti-competitive in the world market. India has just revived in fact survived the COVID setback, instead of supporting industry’s cash flow issues, exporters and freight forwarding fraternity will suffer serious cash flow setback and other compliance repurcurssions attached with refund mechanism….First subjecting freight to GST and then acknowledging refunds is not a wise workable financial module. In fact, it will add on more working complications and tedious lengthier accounting and financial management. We appeal for immediate attention of MoF and Honorable PM, we seek permanent zero rating on international freight, thus giving us a level playing arena in the global trade. None of our major export and logistics competitor nations have GST or VAT on export Air and Sea freight.” 

Pradhaan Air Express, India’s youngest all-cargo airline, which commenced operations in October has named its first aircraft ‘Pehalwan’ – which is all set to transport cargo. ‘Pehalwan’ arrived in India in July 2022 and a second aircraft is expected by the end of the year. With a payload of around 21 tons, the A320 Freighter has an ideal range to cover Indian sub-continent, Middle East and Far East destinations, said reports. The airline operated its first domestic flight on 1 October to Mumbai and returned the same day. This was followed by its maiden international operation with a flight to Hanoi on 9 October. The airline received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Ministry of Civil Aviation in September.

According to the Boeing Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) 2022-2041, there will be robust demand for dedicated freighters to support global supply chains and growing express networks. According to reports, “Carriers will need 2,800 additional freighters overall including 940 new widebody models in addition to converted narrow-body and widebody freighters over the forecast period.” The report added, “Boeing CMO is expecting 1,855 passenger-to-freighter conversions over the period. Following a 10 per cent decline in 2020, air cargo traffic bounced back strongly from the initial impact of the pandemic, posting an annual growth rate of 21 percent in 2021. Boeing forecasts air cargo will increase at an average compound rate of 4.1 percent per year over two decades. This is an increase over our 2021 forecast of 4 percent,” says the update. Robust growth in East Asia, acceleration of global e-commerce and evolution of supply chains will be key drivers over the next 20 years.”