Category Archives: Aviation

Kuehne+Nagel enters into a binding agreement to acquire Apex International Corporation (Apex), one of Asia’s leading freight forwarders, especially in the transpacific and intra-Asia. The company was founded in China in 2001 and has expanded throughout Asia and beyond over the years of its growth history. With approximately 1,600 employees, Apex generates yearly turnover in excess of CHF 2.1 billion. In 2020, the company handled total air freight volume of approximately 750,000 tons and sea freight volume of 190,000 TEU. Dr. Detlef Trefzger, CEO of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, says, “The combination of Apex and Kuehne+Nagel provides us with an opportunity to offer our customers a compelling proposition in the competitive Asian logistics industry, especially in e-commerce fulfilment, hi-tech and e-mobility. We are looking forward to welcoming the Apex colleagues to the Kuehne+Nagel family.” Tony Song, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Apex, adds, “With Kuehne+Nagel, we have found a strategic shareholder and logistics group with more than 130 years of heritage. We are sure that with this transaction, we will be able to add value for our customers’ supply chains and expand our global logistics network. We will complement Kuehne+Nagel’s existing global Air Logistics team while offering our management and key talents unique career opportunities.” The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including merger clearance by the competent competition authorities. The purchase price will be financed by available liquid sources and, if needed, by available credit lines. Following closing of the transaction, a minor stake of Apex shares is to remain with the experienced and entrepreneurial management of Apex. Furthermore, the company will then continue to operate separately within the Kuehne+Nagel Group. At this …

Responding to increased demand for airfreight transport options out of Europe, Dachser USA, a subsidiary of the global logistics provider Dachser, is expanding its dedicated Frankfurt-Chicago air cargo service with the addition of a second flight, scheduled for the weekday to compliment the current weekend schedule. Dachser USA has been successfully operating a dedicated Frankfurt-Chicago-Frankfurt air cargo service since end of July last year when demand for air transport began to increase due to pandemic-related supply chain disruption. The new route will be operated by American Airlines with B777/PAX freighters and will run every Wednesday from Frankfurt to Chicago. This additional dedicated air freight option will allow for more transit choices as Dachser’s extensive network continues to expand, innovate and deliver for its customers. Andy Frommenwiler, Vice President – Airfreight, Dachser USA, commented, “Many of our customers are shifting some of their shipments to airfreight transport because of the uncertainty surrounding ocean transport right now. As volumes increase, our recently launched dedicated Frankfurt-Chicago airfreight service continues to attract clients and is now operating at full capacity. In order to serve the growing demand for reliable and predictable service levels, we launched our new weekday service, which is already drawing new customers.”

MASkargo successfully flew in the first batch of Covid-19 vaccines to Malaysia. Over 300,000 doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine were transported via a passenger-to-cargo flight utilising the Airbus 330-300 aircraft in close collaboration with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Health, Pfizer and DHL Express. Captain Izham Ismail, Chief Executive Officer, MAG Group said, “Being the country’s national carrier, we take this responsibility of transporting the vaccines very seriously, as the success of the vaccination programme is key in helping the country achieve economic and financial recovery.” “Our skilled workforce and adequate infrastructure are vital points in ensuring the safe, secure and hygienic handling, transportation and distribution of the Covid-19 vaccines to Malaysia or any part of the world,” he said. The distribution of Covid-19 vaccines involves highly coordinated transport and security protocols to ensure their safe delivery to key hubs/points of vaccination. MASkargo has conducted live simulations and dry runs during its international and domestic scheduled flights in preparation for the various types of vaccines, of which each has different logistic requirements in Malaysia.

Qatar Airways operates 14 weekly flights from Dubai and daily flights from Abu Dhabi. In preparation for this much awaited recommencement of cargo sales and bookings in the United Arab Emirates, ECS has bolstered its local teams, with a dedicated team supervising the scheduled flights seven days a week. Ehab Matta, Senior Manager Regional Cargo – Indian subcontinent, Middle East and Pakistan, said, “We are delighted to be able to count on ECS Group, with who we share our values of service excellence and customer-centricity. Their perfect understanding of the airline’s processes and their excellent reputation in the region were key factors in our choice.” For the world’s leading GSA, the recommencement of cargo sales and bookings is excellent news for the region. “We welcome Qatar Airways’ return to the Gulf region. At ECS Group, all the teams in place are fully committed and are ready to support our partner, Qatar Airways Cargo, as they recommence cargo sales and bookings,” said Adrien Thominet, CEO of ECS Group. As of February 21, ECS Group, the leading GSSA, with its established presence in the region and strong partnership with the airline in over 20 countries, is supervising the management of cargo capacity via its subsidiary Globe Air Cargo.

SpiceJet has launched twice-weekly services between Singapore and three Indian cities – Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai. Operated under SpiceJet’s cargo arm SpiceXpress using a B737F aircraft, the new services will provide additional airfreight capacity between Singapore and India. The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a reduction in global air travel. To address the reduction in belly-hold cargo capacity due to the fall in passenger traffic at Changi Airport, Changi Airport Group (CAG) has been working closely with its airline partners who operate the Singapore-India route to ensure that supply chains are kept open. In 2020, India was Changi Airport’s sixth largest air cargo market, with cargo tonnage reaching 75,000 tonnes for the year. Between April and December 2020, SpiceJet operated over 230 chartered cargo flights, comprising freighter and cargo-only passenger flights, between India and Singapore. The air cargo capacity injected by SpiceJet has helped support air trade and the conveyance of humanitarian goods, including medical supplies and perishables, between the two countries. Lim Ching Kiat, Managing Director of Air Hub Development, CAG, said, “CAG has been engaging SpiceJet for several years to mount scheduled services to Singapore, hence we are pleased to welcome SpiceJet to Changi’s family of airlines. In these challenging times when air cargo capacity is constrained, the introduction of SpiceJet’s freighter service is much welcomed. The additional capacity helps support the transportation of essential goods such as medical and food supplies between the two countries.” Sanjiv Gupta, CEO, SpiceXpress, said, “This development would strengthen air trades between the two countries by providing faster and seamless logistics solutions. In addition, this strategic move would help SpiceXpress build its network in South East Asia. Singapore is also well-positioned as …

Cathay Pacific have flown the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines to Hong Kong onboard Flight CX391 from Beijing as the airline continues to support the Hong Kong SAR Government’s vaccination programme. Augustus Tang, Chief Executive Officer, Cathay Pacific, said, “This is an important milestone in Hong Kong’s fight against COVID-19 and we are immensely proud to be doing our part in this fight. It is a successful effort, which involves close collaboration with the Airport Authority of Hong Kong, and many of our industry partners and business associates. We stand ready to undertake future shipments using our vaccine solution product and support the Government in its community-wide roll out programme.” The one million doses of Sinovac Covid-19 vaccines were loaded inside six temperature-controlled Envirotainer e2 RAP containers to maintain the vaccine temperature range of 2-8 Degrees Celsius. The shipments were loaded closest to the aircraft doors to allow for priority unloading and upon arrival the aircraft was parked at the South Apron closest to the Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal at Hong Kong International Airport to reduce the towing time between the parking bay and the cargo terminal. Meticulous planning both within Cathay Pacific and with the shipper and forwarder in Beijing, as well as the consignee in Hong Kong, was critical to ensuring the utmost precision throughout the shipping process. As part of an airport-wide recertification of IATA’s CEIV Pharma accreditation (the internationally recognised quality-assurance scheme for pharmaceutical shipments) at Hong Kong International Airport, Cathay Pacific Cargo, Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal and ground-handling subsidiary Hong Kong Airport Services (HAS) have all been re-certified. This offers a complete level of quality assurance at every stage of the import and transhipment journey.

UNICEF has launched the Humanitarian Airfreight Initiative; under this landmark initiative, over 10 leading airlines are signing agreements with UNICEF to support the prioritisation of delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, essential medicines, medical devices and other critical supplies to respond to the pandemic. The initiative will also act as a global logistics preparedness mechanism for other humanitarian and health crises over the longer term. “Delivery of these life-saving vaccines is a monumental and complex undertaking, considering the sheer volumes that need to be transported, the cold chain requirements, number of expected deliveries and the diversity of routes,” said Etleva Kadilli, Director of UNICEF Supply Division. “We are grateful to these airlines for joining forces with the UNICEF Humanitarian Airfreight Initiative to support the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines.” The UNICEF Humanitarian Airfreight Initiative brings together the airlines covering routes to over 100 countries, in support of the COVAX Facility – the global effort aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. Based on the COVAX Facility’s indicative distribution and first round allocation plan, 145 countries will receive doses to immunize around three per cent of their population, on average, starting in the first half of 2021, subject to all requirements being met and final allocation plans. In addition to prioritising shipments of these life-saving supplies, the airlines will take measures such as temperature control and security, while also adding freight capacity to routes where needed. Their commitments are critical to the timely and secure delivery of vaccines and critical supplies. Safe, timely and efficient transportation of life-saving supplies is critical to supporting access to essential services for children and families. COVAX deliveries and the subsequent vaccination of frontline workers will support health and …

Antonov Airlines and Rhenus Projects Logistics USA completed the urgent transport from Ghana to India of a 54-tonne rotor used to generate power requiring immediate repairs. Fellow members of The Heavy Lift Group (THLG), Rhenus Project Logistics USA, chartered the flight to carry the 10.50 m long, 3.89 m wide, 4.13 m high rotor from Accra, Ghana, to Mumbai, India, and back. Antonov Airlines used loading equipment designed by its in-house engineering team, while the external cranes for loading and unloading at airport were arranged by Rhenus Project Logistics USA to ensure the highest levels of safety for the teams and cargo. Antonov Airlines developed technical instructions and Rhenus Project Logistics USA assisted the client in redesigning the skid to ensure the bladed rotor fitted inside the fuselage. “This transport operation required well-coordinated preparation and actions from both partners to fly such outsized and heavy cargo safely,” said Vladyslav Ishchuk, Commercial Executive, Antonov Airlines. “Antonov Airlines showcased its flexibility by providing the AN-124 aircraft on the required dates during an extremely busy period for the customer to minimise any disruption that could have been faced.” “Rhenus Project Logistics USA and Antonov Airlines have an association going back over 15 years, which has involved multiple charter performances for mutual clients and is a testimony to the strength and expertise members of THLG bring to their clients,” said Ritesh Nair, Global Sales Director at Rhenus Project Logistics USA.

Cargo services has begun at Kannur International Airport with the inauguration of air cargo complex at the airport. Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Civil Aviation has inaugurated the air cargo complex at Kannur Airport along with Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala Chief Minister and E.P. Jayarajan, Minister for Industry, Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Kerala. The cargo complex at Kannur Airport has been developed in an area of 1200 sq mt and can handle upto 12000 metric tonne of cargo per annum. This is the fourth such airport in Kerala which has been set up in PPP model. An International Cargo Terminal will an area of about 6000 sq mts is also being developed at the airport. “The opening up of cargo complex will help open up new opportunities to our farmers and industries to find new markets and see that their products reach the customers in quick time,” Puri tweets.

sKart Global Express, a brainchild of Skyways, has launched its first Depot in Noida with an airline SpiceJet for first and last-mile logistics solutions. The association would benefit customers by adding more deliverable locations besides increasing the efficiencies by working on their strength which would enable them to enhance their capabilities. Uniqueness of Skart’s solution is to provide product as per customers’ requirement of speed & cost for each consignment with complete visibility & ease of making payment without any major contractual commitments thus enabling them to focus on their core job. Speaking at the launch, Yashpal Sharma, Managing Director, Skyways Group said, “We are delighted to announce our partnership with SpiceJet with the launch of our First Depot in Noida. SKart will do the first and last-mile operation along with our other group company Phantom Express for the customers in NCR. This partnership will be enhanced to other parts of India over the next few months and will hope to cover 0ver 12000 zip codes by the middle of 2022” In spite of this sector contributing 6 per cent to GDP, 33 per cent to the manufacturing sector output and about 45 per cent to the country’s exports this sector is plagued with various limitations. One of the key elements is the lack of access to technology and limited logistics service options for taking their products to domestic or global customers besides higher costs. These have been the major impediments for growth of SMEs. To stress on the growth narrative further, Sanjeev Gupta, CEO, of SpicExpress adds, “We are delighted to have sKart as our partner in Delhi NCR region to help build out our air logistics business. It …