Category Archives: Aviation

SEKO Logistics has streamlined international cross-border e-commerce for more than 10m parcels worldwide each month. The supply chain specialist, which in January launched e-commerce business unit Seko ECommerce, is using Descartes’ solutions for air cargo and e-commerce security filings, speeding the customs clearance processing time. David Emerson, global VP, e-commerce solutions at SEKO Logistics, said: “Cross-border e-commerce is growing significantly and more customers are looking to us to simplify the complexity of filing security and customs entries as goods travel by air between countries. “Descartes’ high-level filing automation enabled SEKO to further manage the extraordinary volumes we’re shipping. As SEKO expands internationally and regulations change, such as Brexit, Descartes has the solutions we need to grow.” Descartes provides connectivity and air messaging services to customs authorities around the world, helping shippers and freight forwarders to comply with security and customs requirements by filing air waybill information electronically for shipment clearance.

Skye Air, a drone delivery tech firm and the Department of Information Technology, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh are getting in to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to announce their collaborative intent to enable and promote medical and agri-commodity deliveries within the state. As a part of the strategic partnership, Skye Air has initiated a 3-day long BVLOS trial in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh to connect over 6 PHC/CHCs and the Area Hospitals via multiple flights between points covering an aerial distance of 170 kms throughout the trial. The Drone delivery tech firm is using its most reliable UAV, Skye Ship One to facilitate real-time deliveries of vaccines and medicines within a specified temperature range of 2-8 degree Celsius. There will be several reverse logistic flights which shall also be done in order to help the adoption of drone technology to enable cost effective deliveries within the state. The flights, equipped with consignments of medical supplies flew beyond at an altitude of 400 feet above ground level in a designated Green Zone of Chamba district. The flights took place at 3 air corridors – Chaned, Tissa and Mehla demonstrating the diversity of Skye Ship One adopting different temperature zones, steep mountain range and air-pockets. On the occasion, Mr. Mukesh Repaswal, Director, Department of Information Technology, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh said, “The use of drones can be a critical intervention in improving the ease of access to services in mountainous and remote regions of Himachal Pradesh. The demonstration in Chamba will help in ascertaining the advantages of drone use in medicine delivery and benefits of drone enabled governance. We look forward to the successful conduct of the BVLOS trials in …

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has firmed up an order for seven Airbus A350F freighters, with options for five more aircraft. The agreement was signed at the Singapore Airshow 2022 by Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Airlines, and Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International, Airbus. The A350Fs will replace SIA’s seven Boeing 747-400F freighters. The Airline will be the first carrier to operate this new generation widebody freighter aircraft when deliveries begin in the fourth quarter of 2025. The A350F burns up to 40% less fuel on similar missions to the 747-400F, reducing SIA’s carbon emissions by around 400,000 tonnes annually. This supports the SIA Group’s goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The A350F is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines. Please see Annexe A for more information on the aircraft. The range and payload of the A350F will provide SIA with greater flexibility in its freighter deployment, bolstering its cargo business and cementing its leading position in the sector. SIA has strengthened its cargo capabilities over the last few years in key segments including e-commerce, fresh produce, and pharmaceuticals. It has also rolled out several digital initiatives that provide greater value and options for customers. Please see Annexe B for more information on SIA’s cargo business. The A350F deal with Airbus includes a swap with 15 A320neo and two A350-900 passenger aircraft in the SIA Group order book. This allows SIA to manage its capital expenditure while continuing with its essential freighter renewal programme.

CDB Aviation has ordered an additional twelve A330-300 P2F conversions with Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW), expanding its fleet of this type to fourteen aircraft. The lessor, a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Leasing, is also on track to launch the A330-300 P2F freighter type in China in 2022, with lease commitments from Sichuan Airlines and Jiangxi Cargo Airlines. “We have strategically positioned our platform to be the A330 P2F program frontrunner among lessors,” commented Patrick Hannigan, CDB Aviation’s chief executive officer, adding that the A330 P2F marked the lessor’s first entry into the air cargo space. CDB Aviation’s first two A330-300 P2Fs are currently being converted in EFW’s facility in Dresden, Germany, and will be re-delivered to its launch operator, Mexico-based MasAir, in early 2022. Andreas Sperl, EFW’s chief executive officer, said: “The A330 P2F program is proving highly popular, and we now have over eighty aircraft on order. EFW is leading the overall A330 P2F programme, which is a collaboration between ST Engineering, Airbus, and EFW.”

Chennault International Airport in Louisiana, US is nearing completion of a $4m facility to enter into the air cargo sector. Construction of the 10,000 sq ft air cargo pass-through facility began in June 2021. It is expected to be completed this summer, according to Chennault Airport executive director Kevin Melton. “We believe there is value for companies to move goods through Chennault,” said Melton. “We provide a low-cost alternative to the larger markets where expense, ground delays, and airspace delays affect the efficient flow of goods.” The facility is anticipated to be certified for international cargo by federal agency U.S. Customs and Border Protection. As the facility is being built, ongoing discussions are planned with potential ground handling partners on such related issues as ramp handling, warehouse operations and securing unique ground equipment to service large aircraft.

AirAsia X (AAX) has secured full belly space utilisation for one third of its widebody A330-300 fleet as it strives to boost its air cargo revenue. Teleport, the logistics venture of Capital A (formerly AirAsia Group), will use the additional capacity from AAX for an initial period of one year. AAX is the medium haul, low-cost affiliate of the AirAsia Group and operating an all widebody A330-300 fleet. In 2021, the airline was successfully restructured and is now relaunching service as a combination carrier with equal emphasis on both cargo and passengers. The company aims to boost its regional presence by working in partnership with global freight forwarders. It recently announced a strategic partnership with global logistics leader GEODIS, to mount several weekly dedicated cargo flights throughout Asia Pacific for an extended period. CEO of AAX, Benyamin Ismail said, “We are also in discussions with several other major global clients that have air cargo requirements, particularly to where we have established bases and flying rights. It’s just two months post our restructuring and the appetite for expansion of our cargo operations is significant. This dovetails neatly into one of the core pillars of our combination carrier strategy. For the foreseeable future, cargo revenue will underpin our route strategy and passenger revenue for the first time, will be ancillary.”

Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), operator of Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has been awarded the prestigious PEER (Performance Excellence in Electricity Renewal) Platinum certification by Green Building Certification Inc. (GBCI), the foremost authoritie on sustainability in building design, construction, and operations. This honor makes BIAL the first airport operator in the world to receive an outstanding score of 92/100 for its airport power infrastructure. To ensure that the BLR Airport’s power system continues to support its sustainable development goals, BIAL sought PEER certification to analyse and improve the airport’s power system performance and was awarded the ‘Platinum Rating’ based on GBCI’s rigorous certification and review process. GBCI is the one of the world’s leading sustainability and health certification and credentialing body and is responsible for administering the LEED green building program. BIAL has demonstrated exceptional performance through its commitment to build sustainably. About 98% of the project’s distribution circuit is protected with distribution redundancy and auto restoration. It also has a 6.8 MW onsite solar PV system that supports essential services during grid failure and long-term blackout and 100% of its energy mix comes from renewable energy. Hari Marar, MD & CEO, BIAL, said, “We are proud to receive this recognition from GBCI for our relentless efforts in the energy conservation and energy resilience domain. As the operator of a world-class airport, BIAL has undertaken a variety of steps to deploy onsite renewable energy generation systems, offsite renewable power procurement, to meet our long-term goal of becoming Net Energy Neutral in 2020-21. Certified with PEER Platinum Rating will only motivate us to keep fast tracking our sustainability journey, even as we keep enhancing our infrastructure to meet the …

It’s raining roses at the Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR Airport). Enhancing its reputation as the airport of choice for perishables in India, BLR Airport cargo witnessed a near two-fold increase in rose shipments in the run-up to Valentine’s Day this year. BLR Airport facilitated the movement of approximately 5.15 lakh kgs of roses to 25 international and domestic destinations vs. 2.7 lakh kgs shipped in 2021. The demand for roses during the Valentine’s season in the domestic market has seen a considerable rise this season. Domestic shipments have witnessed a significant improvement, having increased to 3.15 lakh kgs (~6.5 million stems) vs. 1.03 lakh kgs in 2021, recording over 200% growth. Around 2 lakh kgs (~7.3 million stems) were exported to international destinations this year vs. last year’s 1.7 lakh kgs. “Bengaluru is the biggest exporter of roses in India. At BLR Airport, we take pride in becoming a channel to aid the local community, growers and shippers by facilitating shipment of their produce while maintaining freshness. Our cargo infrastructure, powered by technology, provides rapid distribution of perishable cargo, making BLR Airport the preferred cargo airport in South India. We will continue to work with our cargo partners to introduce new initiatives and facilities that cater to constantly evolving demand,” said Satyaki Raghunath, Chief Strategy & Development Officer, BIAL. The top domestic destinations for roses include Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Guwahati and Chandigarh. Among the top international destinations were Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, London, Amsterdam, Kuwait, Auckland, Beirut, Manila, Muscat and Dubai. Aided with robust cold-chain infrastructure, operated by Air India SATS and Menzies Aviation Bobba Bangalore, and adequate airline capacities to key markets globally, BLR Airport has transformed itself as …

Lufthansa Cargo is taking part in a new project by the German government to digitalise air cargo. The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure’s (BMVI) “Digital Test Field Air Cargo” project is being coordinated by the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML). Within the project, Lufthansa Cargo said it is focusing on intensified data exchange between all partners in the transport chain, even beyond the roles that have been typical in the transport process to date. This data exchange is the basis for all data-driven optimisations and AI-based applications. For example, digital accompanying documents from manufacturers to consignees will be made available to all parties by using IATA’s new, open ONE Record standard. This standard was co-designed by Lufthansa Cargo. Likewise, temperature data, position data and photos of the entire transport chain are to be made available in order to identify and solve problems earlier. This can increase transparency and make processes and capacities more efficient through better forecasts and higher data quality. Eventually, this also leads to a reduction in CO2 emissions, said Lufthansa Cargo.

Even amidst the various challenges that arose in global supply chain due to the pandemic, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) witnessed promising signs of EXIM movement going back to the pre-COVID days. CSMIA’s Air Cargo terminal in CY 2021 handled a record 7.7 lakh tones of cargo which is 28% more than around 6 lakh tones of cargo facilitated in 2020. CSMIA in the past year facilitated the increasing demand of export goods across the globe and has month-on-month witnessed a steady rise in shipments while combating the second wave of Covid-19. In CY 2021, of the approx. 7.7 lakh tonnes of cargo handled, around 2.1 lakh tonnes was facilitated domestically while over 5.6 lakh tonnes was facilitated internationally, thus, recording a 30% rise in domestic volume and 27% rise in international volume in comparison to CY 2020. The overall cargo volume at CSMIA is expected to witness a 10% growth in CY 2022 and is projected to achieve 95% of pre-covid volume by the end of CY 2022. CSMIA has successfully mobilized essential commodities across India and the world considering the fact that essentials including pharmaceutical goods, vaccines, COVID-related aid & agro products saw a prominent rise in the past year. CSMIA, since the start of the pandemic, has handled over 10,000 cargo relief flights and transported over 12,000 tonnes of COVID-19 relief cargo which includes Covid vaccines & medicines, Oxygen concentrators & generators, diagnostic kits, medical equipment, face masks & face shields etc.