Category Archives: Aviation

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.

Georgia-based CAMEX Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing B737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) from San Francisco, California-headquartered lessor BBAM. The cargo charter airline, based at Tbilisi International Airport, stated that it operates B737-800F and 737-800BCF aircraft.According to CAMEX’s LinkedIn profile, CAMEX Airlines was established in 2020 by CAMEX International, which has been operating for over 12 years as a freight forwarder across CIS, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Europe and the US. CAMEX Airlines will operate to destinations in Asia, the UK, the US and the EU. According to CAMEX’s LinkedIn profile, CAMEX Airlines was established in 2020 by CAMEX International, which has been operating for over 12 years as a freight forwarder across CIS, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Europe and the US. CAMEX Airlines will operate to destinations in Asia, the UK, the US and the EU.

Korean Air Cargo resumed its thrice-weekly Boeing 777 freighter service from Delhi to Vienna and Milan. According to the official press release, flying from Delhi every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, the flight originates at Seoul-Incheon (ICN) and reaches Delhi via Hanoi before it continues to destinations in Europe. The carrier carries mobile parts, electrical equipment, industrial goods, and electronics to Delhi and mobile phones, readymade garments, leather goods, auto parts and carpets to Vienna and Milan which then mostly go to Italy, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Netherlands, said, Group Concorde, the general service agent (GSA) for Korean Air Cargo in India in the statement.  Group Concorde’s Prithviraj Singh Chug, CEO, Group Concorde said, “As the market starts to recover from Covid-19 challenges and the restrictions lifted, we are delighted to resume our freighter operations to Vienna and Milan and reaffirm our commitment to our Indian customers. Korean Air Cargo is one of the world’s biggest cargo brands. We have the outstanding serviceability to serve east and west with freighters into Europe and passenger flights into its hub in Incheon International Airport, thereby connecting to the Korean Air network.”

Tej Mayur Contractor and Nil Tunasar were elected as Chairman and Deputy Chair of Advisory Body Information Technology (ABIT) at the virtual Annual General Meeting organized by the Federation Of Freight Forwarders Association In India (FFFAI) and FIATA, the International Freight Forwarders Association on June 30. FIATA sources said that both bring recognised expertise in the field of digitalisation and will further leverage the digitalisation of trade documents at FIATA. Tej is an Executive Committee member of FFFAI and President of Indian Institute of Freight Forwarding (a training arm of FFFAI).  Federation Of Freight Forwarders Association In India (FFFAI)  is the National Member of FIATA representing India and recommends membership of Logistics Service Providers for FIATA membership.

Pradhaan Air Express, India’s brand new all-cargo airline, to be based in Delhi, will begin commercial operations later this year with the world’s first A320 converted freighter. The first converted freighter, likely to arrive in Delhi later this month, will offer charter capacity to Indian shippers and freight forwarders on domestic and international routes. The launch of Pradhaan Air Express endorses the Govt’s vision to achieve 10 million tonnes of annual cargo throughput by 2030 and pushes the Indian air cargo market in global ranking. The conversion was done by Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), a JV of ST Engineering and Airbus, at its facility in Singapore. The aircraft has been leased from Vaayu Group/Astral Aviation.  Interestingly, Pradhaan Air Express will be India’s first airline to operate an Airbus narrow-body freighter. The aircraft offers a payload of 21 tonnes with a fully palletized main deck. “We aim to make a small contribution to the big dreams of the Indian cargo industry by offering tailor-made solutions with on-demand charters’ ‘ said Vipul Bhalla, CBO, Pradhaan Air Express.

South Korea-based Air Premia Airlines with business operations across the regional and global circuits has gone live with IBS Software’s iCargo Management solutions for its air cargo business. With operations based at ICN airport, Air Premia flies to Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Los Angeles (US) by Boeing 787-9.  Air Premia is using the entire suite of iCargo Sales and operations from IBS Software, with US Customs capabilities to help streamline its cargo booking and operations processes, says official release. This covers everything from cargo reservation, capacity allocation and management, and AWB stock management. It also includes cargo product and service portfolio management, proactive disruption management, cargo acceptance and load planning to provide a streamlined service to customers, a report stated.

IndiGo, announcing Bahrain as its 25th global destination, will commence new direct flights between Mumbai-Bahrain with effect from August. With this new addition in 6E network, IndiGo will now connect to all six countries in the GCC. Sanjay Kumar, Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer, IndiGo said, “These new flights will enhance international connectivity and bolster trade and commerce and tourism between India and Bahrain, known for its pearl diving and trading. We will strive to stay true to our promise of affordable fares, on-time performance, courteous and hassle-free service across a wide network.” 

According to the latest statistics from the CLIVE data services, the demand for Air cargo declined for the fourth month in a row for June as compared to the last year. According to the data, Figures from the Xeneta-owned data provider show an 8% year-on-year decline in chargeable weight in June, following on from drops in March, April and May. The dynamic cargo load factor – taking into account weight and volume – for the month was nine percentage points behind last year at 59%. The load factor decline comes as demand fell and carriers continue to add capacity – up 6% on last year – to cater for returning passenger demand. Despite the weakening supply and demand conditions, rates for the year were up 13% compared with the same month last year, although there was a decline compared to May, added the report.