Category Archives: Aviation

Global Airlines tweak capacity levels to address flat demand during July

Global airlines managed the traditional summer slack season for air cargo space in July by constantly tweaking capacity levels to address flat demand during the month versus pre-Covid levels. New industry volume, loadfactor and rates data from analysts CLIVE Data Services and TAC Index also highlight airfreight rates lagging two weeks behind changes in the demand and supply ratio. As in previous months of 2021, to provide meaningful analyses of the current state of the global air cargo market, CLIVE continues to measure performance to pre-Covid 2019 levels as well as providing 2020 year-over-year comparisons. This shows chargeable weight was flat in July versus 2019 and up by 23 percent over 2020. Capacity, however, remains tightly constrained. Available capacity, up by 29 percent compared to 2020, is still down by 18 percent below the level seen in 2019 before the pandemic took hold. Consequently, CLIVE saw a fluctuating ‘dynamic loadfactor’ in July. Reduced capacity contributed to up by 5 percent pts rise in dynamic loadfactor versus 2019 – measured against both the volume and weight perspectives of cargo flown and capacity available – but down 3 percent pts drop over the same month in 2020.

Read More »

IAG Cargo reaches 10 mn vaccine milestone with UNICEF and Crown Agents

IAG Cargo has transported over 10 million COVID vaccines, supporting global efforts in the fight against COVID-19. This includes a 4 million dose shipment to Abuja, Nigeria in collaboration with UNICEF and its COVAX initiative and 300,000 doses to Jamaica, donated by the UK government. The Abuja shipment, completed on behalf of UNICEF, departed London Heathrow in July on two British Airways B777-200. The 300,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines bound for Jamaica also departed in July and were delivered in partnership with Crown Agents on a British Airways B777-200. Darren Peek, Head of Sales at IAG Cargo said, “We’re proud that with our sister airlines, British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus, we continue to support countries across the world on the fight against COVID-19. Last year we delivered over 20,000 tonnes of PPE and today we have delivered over 10 million COVID-19 vaccines working with UNICEF and partners like Crown Agents. We will continue to work with a range of partners in the global response to COVID-19, supporting the efforts to ensure equal access to vaccines for all countries across the world.”

Read More »

Etihad Cargo’s tonnage goes up by 20 percent

Etihad Cargo recently announced to have recorded a 20 percent of increase in tonnage as compared to the same period in 2019. In the past month, Etihad Airways introduced flights to Malaga, Mykonos, Santorini, Phuket and Vienna, providing additional belly-hold capacity between Europe and Asia. Charter operations and a cabin loading initiative saw the carrier modify its five Boeing 777 aircraft by removing seats to provide additional capacity on key routes such as Dhaka and Ho Chi Minh City have enabled the Abu Dhabi-based carrier to service increased Asian demand. “Record loads have recently been achieved on a number of Asian flights, including more than 58,000 kg from Dhaka and 52,000 kg from Ho Chi Minh,” explained Martin Drew, senior vice president Sales and Cargo, Etihad Aviation Group. “These loads, with increased capacity enabled by cabin loading, were bound for Middle Eastern and European destinations via Etihad Cargo’s Abu Dhabi hub – a clear demonstration of the carrier’s determination to continue facilitating a global trade recovery.”

Read More »

Volga-Dnepr concerned for aircraft fuselage degradation

Volga-Dnepr delegation held a meeting with Airbus’s top management about the launch programme for A350 freighter conversion, as a wide-body cargo aircraft solution, hosted on board Airbus’s A350-1000 on July 22, 2021, during the MAKS 2021 international aviation and space salon held in Russia. There are, however, concerns emerging about the widebody aircraft as Qatar Airways grounded thirteen A350s citing fuselage degradation. The delegation, headed by the chairman of the board of directors Aleksey Ivanovich Isaikin met Airbus executive president for the European Region Wouter Van Wesche. The all-cargo carrier that specialises in large air freight shipments, along with its subsidiaries, never had any Airbus aircraft in its freighter fleet that includes Antonov, Ilyushin and Boeing aircraft. The group’s interest in the new A350 production freighter, along with their curiosity to be the launch customer for the MC-21-300 freighter version, could be a serious attempt to diversify fleets to offer customised solutions to customers around the world.

Read More »

LEJ Airport handled 9.1 percent more cargo in July 2021

Freight handled at Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ) was higher by 9.1 percent at 133,873 tonnes in July, compared to July 2020. During the first seven months of this year, the volume increased by 18.9 percent to a figure of approx. 899,682 tonnes in comparison with the same period in the previous year. This means that the significant growth in freight is continuing in the second half of this year too. The airport handled more than 1.38 million tonnes of freight last year, setting a new record. LEJ is said to be the hub for express and e-commerce consignments, freight charter flights, large animals and medical supplies The airport is acting as a transhipment centre for medical supplies and protective equipment in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic. It has therefore regularly handled freight charter flights during the past few months – in addition to regular traffic – and, among other things, they have transported millions of Covid-19 tests.

Read More »

Qatar Airways debuts two new gateways in Africa

Qatar Airways expands its presence in Southern Africa with the launch of a new linked service between Doha and Lusaka, Zambia and Harare, Zimbabwe. To mark this milestone, the new linked service was inaugurated by the airline’s state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 featuring 36 seats in the award-winning Qsuite business class and 247 seats in economy class. Qatar Airways now operates to Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN). Lusaka is the gateway to experiencing Zambia’s legendary tourist attractions from the Victoria Falls which it shares with Zimbabwe, to game reserves and a variety of wildlife. Meanwhile, Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, will be served via Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE) is also a destination with rich culture, World Heritage–listed archaeological sites, and diverse natural landscapes. The aircraft was greeted in Lusaka and Harare by traditional water cannon salutes upon arrival. Businesses and traders will also benefit from the airline’s cargo offering, allowing more than 30 tonnes of cargo capacity per week, each way to support the two countries’ exports such as vegetables and flowers to destinations on the Qatar Airways network such as London, Frankfurt and New York and multiple points in China. Imports will consist of pharmaceuticals, automotive and technology equipment.

Read More »

Chapman Freeborn transports over 204 tonnes of PPE to Namibia

Chapman Freeborn Germany transported over 204 tonnes (1,400 CBM) of cargo from Germany to Namibia to aid in the fight against COVID-19 over a week. The cargo, which comprised of vital supplies including face masks, gowns and gloves, was transported in an A340 passenger aircraft that had its seats removed so it could be used as a freighter. Charter Broker Jan Körber explained, “During summer holiday season in Germany most airports are crowded and understaffed. It was a big challenge to find an airport that was able to handle all of the flights in a row. Paderborn Lippstadt Airport (PAD) was able to support this and meet all our expectations”.

Read More »

Antonov Airlines flies mining equipment from France to Argentina

Heavy-lift freighter operator Antonov Airlines has carried 40 tonnes of mining equipment from France to Argentina via Brazil. Cargo included a large semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill head, which was split into four parts sections and transported on an AN-124-100 chartered by Dynami Aviation. Antonov Airlines said the aircraft type was selected for the operation because it can accommodate more than 700 cubic metres of “unusually shaped cargo”. Additionally, it responded quickly to ensure the flight met a “strict deadline”, allowing operations at the mine to continue as normal. Olha Danylova, commercial executive at Antonov Airlines, commented: “The four pieces of cargo were loaded and unloaded using the AN-124-100’s onboard cranes and will be used in the creation of new tunnels at a mine near to Comodoro Rivadavia. “We thank our esteemed partner Dynami Aviation for its professionalism and dedicated team which always contribute to a successful transportation.”

Read More »

EL AL expands digital footprint with WebCargo

EL AL Israel Airlines is accelerating its digital presence with real-time eBookings, access to live rates, and visible air cargo capacity through WebCargo, a Freightos Group company. With the pandemic fueling digital adoption among both carriers and forwarders, EL AL is tapping into WebCargo’s platform. EL AL Cargo will be rolling out on WebCargo across a network covering the United States, Europe, and Asia, offering freight solutions for all types of customers and freight. This engagement enables more than 2,500 WebCargo forwarders across over 10,000 global branches instant access to capacity, pricing, and booking on EL AL Cargo. “Digital adoption has always been a top priority for EL AL, and as air cargo demand continues to rise, providing our customers with instant and accurate information is essential,” said Mr. Ronen Spira, head of EL AL Cargo division.

Read More »

ATSG to add first A330s as demand for mid-sized freighters soars

ATSG has secured conversion slots for A330 freighters as it continues to expand its mid-sized freighter options. While announcing its second-quarter results, the lessor said that it had secured 20 conversion slots for A330 freighters. Until now, the company has operated with a fleet of Boeing freighters. However, the company recently announced plans to add its first A321 freighter next year. Rich Corrado, president and chief executive officer of ATSG, said: “The A330 converted freighter, like our B767-300s will be a popular mid-sized option for our leasing customers. The addition of an A330 option will provide our leasing business with a third platform for growth, and complements the A321 freighter we will also introduce next year.” The slots start in mid-2023 through the end of 2025.It also secured 40 conversion slots for B67-300s, Airbus A321s.

Read More »