Category Archives: Aviation

Air Canada has purchased two new Boeing 767-300F freighters that are due to be delivered this year. The two factory-built freighters will be in addition to the eight Boeing 767-300s that are being converted for Air Canada Cargo operations. Earlier this month, Air Canada Cargo added its second B767-300ER freighter conversion. Air Canada Cargo’ first quarter 2022 revenue is up 42 per cent to $398m from the first quarter of 2021. Jason Berry, Vice President, Cargo at Air Canada, said, “This announcement is a further signal of our long-term commitment to freighters as we continue to adapt and grow at Air Canada Cargo. These additional factory-built 767-300F aircraft will allow Air Canada Cargo to speed up the expansion of its freighter fleet, helping provide reliable, dedicated service to key cargo routes around the world, further bolstering the capacity provided by Air Canada’s mainline fleet.”

dnata and Qatar Airways Cargo have extended their partnership in Belgium. The multi-year extension of the contract will see dnata continue to deliver a range of cargo handling and road feeder services for the airline from its state-of-the-art facility at Brussels Airport (BRU). Qatar Airways Cargo currently operates a mix of 15 freighter and passenger flights each week to and from the Belgian capital. In 2021, dnata handled 25 per cent more cargo for the airline at BRU than in the previous year. Stef Vanbinst, Managing Director of dnata Belgium, said, “We are proud to have earned the trust and loyalty of Qatar Airways Cargo with our reliable and safe services. We continue to invest in our operations to consistently provide world-class quality to the airline and its customers.”

Jet Freight Logistics announced ‘Mission Excel,’ a business transformation initiative which promises to bring 5x revenue growth in next five years. This business initiative is built on the 4 ‘Ps’ of business expansion – Product expansion, People & culture, Process automation, and Promotion of business. Under Mission Excel, the company plans to expand its wings from air/ ocean forwarding to last-mile delivery specialisation, adapting 4PL approach, offering surface transport along with custom clearance, and warehousing. Jet Freight has recently announced use of electric vehicle for its last mile deliveries promising sustainable future and environment-friendly approach ensuring seamless deliveries for customers.

Jet Freight Logistics announced ‘Mission Excel,’ a business transformation initiative which promises to bring 5x revenue growth in next five years. This business initiative is built on the 4 ‘Ps’ of business expansion – Product expansion, People & culture, Process automation, and Promotion of business. Under Mission Excel, the company plans to expand its wings from air/ ocean forwarding to last-mile delivery specialisation, adapting 4PL approach, offering surface transport along with custom clearance, and warehousing. Jet Freight has recently announced use of electric vehicle for its last mile deliveries promising sustainable future and environment-friendly approach ensuring seamless deliveries for customers.

Air India, now owned by the Tata group, has proposed to acquire the entire stake in no-frills airline AirAsia India, following which it intends to consolidate its airline businesses under a single roof. The company has approached the Competition Commission of India (CCI), the country’s antitrust regulator, seeking approval to acquire the 16.33 per cent stake held by its joint venture partner, AirAsia Group. “The proposed combination relates to the acquisition of the entire equity share capital of AirAsia (India) by Air India (AIL), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons. The proposed combination will not lead to any change in the competitive landscape or cause any appreciable adverse effect on competition in India, irrespective of the way the relevant markets are defined,” Tata Group said in an official notice filed with the CCI.

The Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR Airport) recorded the highest-ever cargo tonnage in financial year 2021-2022, despite challenging circumstances due to multiple COVID-19 waves. The BLR Airport processed an all-time high tonnage for a fiscal year since Airport Opening Day (AOD) of 411,513 metric tonnes (MT) of cargo, recording a growth of 26 per cent as against 326,643 MT in 2020-2021. International cargo recorded a 31 per cent growth, 271,988MT processed, as compared to 207,518 MT in 2020-2021. Domestic cargo grew at 17 per cent, with 139,525MT versus 119,125MT in 2020-2021.

Leading Indian freight forwarder, Continental Carriers was honoured with the prestigious ‘Most Dynamic Freight Forwarder During Pandemic’ Award at the recently concluded India Cargo Awards, India’s topmost supply chain awards which helps create a platform to recognise those behind the success of the cargo and logistics industry. Continental Carriers received the accolade for its outstanding performance, proficiency in handling air cargo during COVID-19 and its contribution towards the global logistics and air cargo industry. The award was conferred to Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers Group of Companies by Amrit Lal Meena, Special Secretary (Logistics), Union Dept of Commerce and Piyush Srivastava, Senior Economic Advisor, MoCa at Crowne Plaza, New Delhi.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) Airport in Ahmedabad gets a new cargo terminal which will boost import and export trade from the airport. The terminal has the capacity to handle 100 metric tonnes of cargo per day and 3,500 MT on average over a month when operated 24×7. “The cargo handling capacity at the airport, in addition to adding incremental cargo handling capacity to the airport’s cargo infrastructure, provides additional choice of service for the trade at the airport,” according to a statement issued by the airport operator Adani Airports Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Ltd. Limited. The statement added, “The infrastructure and proximity of the new terminal to both domestic and international passenger terminals may improve the service levels of cargo handling at the airport.” The terminal provides end-to-end terminal handling services encompassing cityside handling, security functions, storage, terminal processing, and airside handling, under supervision to ensure the safety of cargo.

In November 2021, Wiremind launched Wiremind Cargo, a dedicated air cargo business unit, headed by Nathanaël de Tarade, CEO and Etienne Corbillé, CTO. Created in 2014, Wiremind is a leading French company providing revenue optimisation and inventory management software solutions for transport, logistics and events sectors. “Over the past months, we have structured Wiremind Cargo as a separate business entity, and established a team of experts dedicated to the needs of the air freight industry. Our engineers have a background in transport and logistics, and are well-versed in how airlines, GSAs, GHAs and freight forwarders operate,” said Tarade. Wiremind’s flagship air cargo product, SkyPallet, a ULD and Flight Optimisation system launched in 2017, is now wholly managed by Wiremind Cargo.

Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India was presented with the prestigious ‘Best Air Cargo Terminal Operator’ Award at the recent India Cargo Awards, India’s topmost supply chain awards which helps create a platform to recognise those behind the success of the cargo and logistics industry. The award was conferred to the team by Amrit Lal Meena, Special Secretary (Logistics), Union Dept of Commerce and Piyush Srivastava, Senior Economic Advisor, MoCa at Crowne Plaza, New Delhi. Celebi Delhi Cargo received the accolade for its outstanding performance in air cargo services, and to acknowledge its significant contribution to the industry as well as its proficiency in handling air cargo during COVID-19.