Category Archives: Aviation

To reserve a stake in Italian airline, ITA Airways, Lufthansa Cargo has submitted a joint bid with Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC). “The MSC Group aims to create a partnership with the Italian Government and Lufthansa as the project’s industrial partner. Lufthansa has already expressed its interest in taking part in the initiative. MSC Group’s interest derives from the possibility of activating positive synergies for both companies in the cargo and passenger sectors where the MSC Group is a global leader,” said a statement. According to media reports, Lufthansa is looking forward to take a 20 per cent stake in ITA while MSC will hold a 60 per cent stake under the joint offer and the remaining 20 per cent would be held by the Italian state. Though nothing has officially been confirmed as of now.

Ethiopian Airlines announced expansion plans of its freighter fleet by ordering five Boeing 777 Freighters. Mesfin Tasew, CEO, Ethiopian Airlines Group said in an official statement, “The addition of these five 777 Freighters into our cargo fleet will enable us to meet the growing demand in our cargo operation. While cementing our partnership with Boeing with new orders, the growth of our freighter fleet takes the capacity and efficiency of our shipment service to the next level. We strive to serve our customers with the latest technology aircraft the industry could offer. Our cargo terminal is Africa’s largest, coupled with fuel-efficient freighters and well-trained cargo handling professionals will enable customers get the best quality shipment service. The customers can rely on Ethiopian Airlines for wide-ranging cargo services across five continents.”

To help Spanish companies grow their supply chains amidst the e-commerce boom, Correos Cargo, Spanish postal group, has launched a twice-weekly Madrid-Hong Kong air cargo service. The Milana Bonita Airbus A330 has a cargo capacity of 50 tonnes and offers air transport for all types of materials and sectors. It will operate on Mondays and Fridays. “With this new service, the company wants to help and favour the internationalisation of Spanish companies as well as export their products in the Eastern markets,” said Correos Cargo in an official statement. The Spanish postal group is also planning to expand its network by adding three new aircraft by the end of 2024.

Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), operator of Kempegowda International Airport, was conferred with Green Airport Recognition 2022 Platinum Award, by the Airport Council International (ACI). BIAL has won the award in the 15-50 million passengers per annum category for its achievements in carbon emission management, an official statement stated. In addition, BIAL also won the Golden Peacock Award for Sustainability 2021 for its efforts to minimise carbon emissions and improve the sustainability of its daily operations. The airport’s green initiatives such as Energy Neutrality, Water Positivity, outlawing single-use plastics at all retail food and beverage outlets, and its Sustainability Vision and Road Map 2030, were well received at the event, the statement added.

InterGlobe Enterprises and UPS announced a joint logistics venture, MOVIN, on Thursday to serve the growing demands of the Indian logistics market. “MOVIN will offer seamless integration across air and ground networks. To B2B customers, enabling an uninterrupted flow of goods that is backed by consistent and responsive operations. We are certain our foray into logistics with MOVIN will contribute to the rapid development and growth of businesses in India. We look forward to enabling and facilitating trade, commerce, and employment through this venture,” said J B Singh, Director, InterGlobe Enterprises in an official announcement in New Delhi. Ufku Akaltan, UPS President, Indian Subcontinent, Middle East, and Africa stated, “With a strategy of customer first, people led, innovation driven, UPS further expands its global network, including healthcare solutions, through a unique partnership that creates a suite of services to service B2B customers’ needs to grow.”

With the focus on capitalising growth in the South American region, the Colombia-based carrier, Avianca Cargo is planning to add four new converted freighter aircraft. According to a press statement, the carrier would initially convert two A330-300 aircraft into freighters, but this could be expanded to four aircraft with additional A330P2Fs later. “If all four aircraft are converted, the orders would expand the carrier’s freighter capacity by 70 per cent between 2022 and 2024. The airline currently operates four A330-200F and one B767-300F. The extra aircraft would be used to boost capacity in the Colombian and Ecuadorian export markets, and in the import markets to South America from the US. These actions are part of the airline’s strategic plan and its commitment to strengthen direct connections between North America and Latin America,” the statement added.

Mumbai Cargo Service Center (CSC) was conferred with the Best Air Cargo Terminal Operator-Cold Chain Award at the recently held India Cargo Awards, the country’s topmost supply chain awards which helps create a platform to recognise those behind the success of the cargo and logistics industry. Amrit Lal Meena, Special Secretary (Logistics), Union Department of Commerce and Piyush Srivastava, Senior Economic Advisor, Union Ministry of Civil Aviation presented the award. Cargo Service Center (CSC) India is a premier air cargo handling company with offices in Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Chennai. CSC provides Airports Services, Cool Chain Logistics and Consultancy Services which are customized to suit the requirements of clients. Mumbai Airport, CSC operates and manages the Perishable Cargo Terminal, two general cargo warehouses as well as the Courier Cargo Terminal.

LATAM Group welcomed a new Boeing 767 BCF, the third of the four conversions that they will receive by the end of the year. Additionally, the group announced the incorporation of another Boeing 767F in September of 2022, said an official statement. “LATAM’s cargo subsidiaries are planning to finish the year with 16 freighters. To this fleet will be added six Boeing 767 BCFs, which they will receive during 2023. Together LATAM’s dedicated cargo fleet will be between 19 and 22 cargo aircraft by 2023,” the statement added. The new Boeing 767BCF received this weekend, will be used to transport flowers from Colombia and Ecuador, and strengthen and expand the network’s destinations in the United States and Europe.

With focus on improving domestic supply chain resilience and reducing dependence on the international supply chains for EXIM trade, Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, said, “Procure locally wherever there is an opportunity so that domestic supply chains are strengthened and become more resilient and dependence on international supply chains is curbed, despite the Covid-19 constraints, which caused massive supply chain disruptions.” He was addressing the ‘Breakfast Session Discussion on Trade 4.0’ in Davos, Switzerland. The minister added that during the pandemic, Indian businesses had displayed resilience, overshooting export targets and achieving USD 421.8 billion worth of exports. Goyal said, “India had responded to every crisis in a timely manner. This responsiveness is a manifestation of the resilience that Indian businesses have to offer and the resilience and confidence of political leadership.”

Aircraft leasing company, World Star Aviation has officially announced the purchase of 30 Boeing 737-400F aircraft with leases attached. World Star Aviation manages, buys, sells, and leases commercial aircraft for the international aviation industry. According to the statement, “The aircraft portfolio is spread across 10 lessees in 12 countries worldwide. This new acquisition reinforces the continued strategy of diversifying and expanding our global freighter franchise in partnership with Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. We at World Star Aviation are excited to work with and support our new lessees going forward.”