Category Archives: Aviation

Thermo King, by Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), has launched its expanded portfolio of cold chain solutions in India, which can keep vaccines at temperatures from a range of +25 degrees Celsius to as low as -70 degrees Celsius. The company’s advanced cold chain technologies will help address the unique challenges of COVID-19 vaccine distribution in India, whose large population is spread across vast and varied geographies, from densely populated cities to far-flung rural communities. “Safety and reliability of the cold chain is critical to meet the urgent need for everyone to have access to vaccines,” said Allen Ge, President, Trane Technologies in Asia Pacific, in adding, “Our recently launched SuperFreezers were initially developed to flash-freeze high-end seafood. Our teams quickly adapted and developed a good solution for COVID-19 vaccines transport, which require ultra-cold temperatures to prevent degradation. We’re proud to support this historic effort in India and around the world with our technologies and cold chain expertise.” COVID-19 vaccine distribution is expected to start in India in the coming weeks, following the central government’s announcement of guidelines for states and Union territories for distribution of vaccines once they become available. The first approved COVID-19 vaccines must be kept at deep-frozen temperatures down to -70 degrees Celsius, and will be shipped in dry ice. A container using dry ice may require re-icing if it sits for an extended length of time, such as during a long haul or on the airport tarmac, or if the contents are exposed to ambient temperatures during transfers. Thermo King’s refrigerated solutions can extend the life of dry ice or even eliminate the need for it. Now, Thermo King products are being used by transport companies …

To offer the latest sustainable, advanced passive equipment, Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP Cargo) has signed a new airline lease agreement with pharma container manufacturer va-Q-tec. Va-Q-tec’s advanced passive containers can maintain various temperature ranges between -80 °C and +25 °C, set at the start of the journey, for up to 10 days, without any external power supply. Christel van Dael, Business Development Manager – Pharmaceutical Logistics, AFKLMP Cargo, said, “Offering va-Q-tec’s solutions is of great importance in view of the logistical challenges we face in transporting coronavirus vaccines worldwide. Together we can deliver vaccines to the world in a secure and sustainable manner.” Dr Joachim Kuhn, Chief Executive & Founder, va-Q-tec, added, “va-Q-tec pioneered advanced passive containers which use high-tech vacuum insulation and phase change materials. With our unique and patented technology, we ensure safe, cost-efficient and green shipments around the globe without an external power supply. Our containers save valuable energy, resources and CO2 due to their optimal temperature maintenance and lightweight properties. Due to this outstanding technology, we have proved that we are a very reliable partner for our clients even during this challenging time of the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, we are now proud to partner with Air France KLM Martinair Cargo Group and ready to solve any thermal logistic challenge.”

Ethiopian Airlines-DHL and African Electronic Trade Group have partnered to transport historical parcels in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The partnership is meant to invoke the start of trading of the AfCFTA market and the operations of the African e-commerce platform in the continent. The first batch of the goods has arrived at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport on January 1 at a ceremony graced by high-level officials from the public and private sectors, AU, DHL and Ethiopian Airlines Group. Working in collaboration with African Union Commission and the business community with a vision to enhance intra-and inter-African trade, the African Electronic Trade Group transports fragile trophies to various African countries as African Continental Free Trade Area commences. The smooth and reliable connection between the source and the final destination is possible because of the partnership between Ethiopian Airlines and the African Electronic Trade Group. This partnership joins the pre-existing continental partnership between Ethiopian Airlines and DHL that has strengthened the multimodal logistics systems established by Ethiopian at its hub in Addis Ababa. Commissioner General of the Eswatini Revenue Authority remarks, “Tremendous opportunities exist digitally enabled cross border trade through the implementation of ASYCUDA world, customs to customs data exchange, coordinated border management, single windows and other similar mechanisms pursued under the regional economic communities, which need to be the norm rather than the exception in Africa. The African Continental Free Trade Area brings momentum behind our commitment for enhanced ease of doing business that we are addressing in partnership with the business community, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade and all members of the National Trade Facilitation Committee.” The fragile goods have passed through Eswatini, South …

In a bid to build an exclusive Vaccine Air Freight Corridor Product called ‘HYDXB-VAXCOR’ (‘Hyderabad to Dubai global Vaccine Corridor), GMR Hyderabad International Airport & GMR Hyderabad Air Cargo (GMR-HYD) and Dubai Airports are coming together, and the MoU for the same was signed by Pradeep Panicker, CEO-GMR Hyderabad International Airport, Saurabh Kumar, CEO-GMR Hyderabad Air Cargo and Eugene Barry, EVP-Commercial, Dubai Airports Corporation in a virtual ceremony. As per the MoU, GMR-HYD and Dubai Airports will be according priority to the temperature sensitive Vaccine shipments moving between GMR Hyderabad and Dubai Airports for further connections to various Continents as part of the “HYDXB-VAXCOR” and build this service offering as a key differentiator and value proposition for the Vaccine Customers and Logistics Stakeholders. This agreement will lead to the roll out of customised and simplified processes and infrastructural support to streamline the journey of Covid-19 Vaccine right from the manufacturing unit to the airport and hub logistics to delivery to end-customers. As part of this joint initiative, Dubai Airports has identified GMR-HYD as a key strategic air cargo partner to leverage its global distribution eco-system, while GMR-HYD will leverage Dubai Airport as a key Strategic Collaborator towards facilitating the Global Vaccine Supply Chain with provision of Value Added Services for Vaccine Exporters and Imported from both the countries. The Partnership also entails Technology Collaboration, under which both the entities will explore and work together on an Integrated IT Solution that will provide End-to-End Visibility including Shipment Temperature and Status Tracking for the Customers while Cargo is in Transit between HYD and DXB and during its onwards journey to various global destinations. Commenting on this development, Pradeep Panicker, CEO, GMR Hyderabad …

Qatar Airways Cargo took delivery of three brand new Boeing 777 freighters on January 1, bringing its total freighter fleet count to 30 freighters, consisting of two Boeing 747 freighters, 24 Boeing 777 Freighters and four Airbus A330 freighters. It will introduce these freighters on its long haul scheduled routes and will also operate them as cargo charters, supporting global trade and the movement of time and temperature sensitive goods. Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive, Qatar Airways Group, says, “With the arrival of these new freighters, we are injecting much needed capacity in the market helping support global supply chains at a critical time during the pandemic. The added capacity will enable us to support the logistics around the Covid-19 vaccination which is projected to be one of the greatest logistical challenges for the industry. The 777F’s fuel-efficiency, long range and high capacity will support our airline to be more sustainable and operate additional non-stop flights to further destinations around the world, facilitating the movement of time and temperature sensitive goods. With our investments in innovation and fleet, we are able to fulfil our customers’ logistical requirements and support the continuity of global trade.” Ihssane Mounir, Senior Vice President, Commercial Sales and Marketing, The Boeing Company, says, “During these challenging times, Qatar Airways Cargo has been transporting humanitarian relief and medical goods to those in need and we are proud that their growing fleet of 777 freighters is supporting such a commendable effort. We deeply appreciate our long-standing partnership with Qatar Airways and their confidence in the 777 freighters as the backbone of their expansive global air cargo operations.” The Boeing 777 freighter is an efficient, long-range, and high-capacity freighter, …

Turkish Cargo carried the first batch of the Covid-19 vaccines (Sinovac), procured from China by the Ministry of Health, to Turkey. Loaded inside 17 containers equipped with dedicated cooling systems, the Covid-19 vaccines have been delivered to the officials of the Turkey’s Ministry of Health after having been successfully transported from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) via a dedicated flight. Contributing to the continuation of the food and medicine supply chain, Turkish Cargo, on top of its considerable flight network power, has increased its capacity by 30 per cent to lend its support in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. The cargo carrier also enhanced its cold chain shipment scale to 25 thousand tonnes per month thanks to the capacity to satisfy additional 150 aircraft pallets, reinforcing its capability for carrying vaccines around the world. Holding the IATA CEIV (Center of Excellence for Independent Validators) pharma certificate, Turkish Cargo, maintains the cold chain at the optimal conditions with its TK Pharma product which was designed to carry pharmaceuticals such at global standards. Maintaining its continuous dialogue with the pharmaceutical manufacturers, forwarders, airports, ground handling companies and the national authorities, the flag carrier is capable of satisfying a wide range of requirements of the pharmaceutical manufacturers by making use of dedicatedly cooled containers and means such as dry ice for the shipments at ultra-frozen range (-70°C). Turkish Cargo, which creates a global pharmaceutical corridor between more than 400 destinations by transporting pharmaceuticals to the key and certificated destinations such as Mumbai, Brussels, Istanbul, Singapore, Dubai, Basel, London and Amsterdam, reaches more than 300 destinations, 96 of which are direct cargo destinations, and continues to offer service …

FedEx Express Canada with Innomar Strategies started Canada’s first operations to distribute the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine across the country on behalf of the Government of Canada from December 24, when the first shipment arrived at the FedEx Express Canada hub in Toronto. Part of this initial shipment will continue onwards to the territories to facilitate vaccine distribution in Canada’s northern regions. The vaccine roll-out will be facilitated by the vast FedEx Express Canada network, utilising the specialised, cold-chain storage and packaging capabilities of Innomar Strategies, a part of AmerisourceBergen and a leading patient support provider in the Canadian specialty pharmaceutical market. The arrival of the vaccine from Brussels, Belgium, occurred within 48-hours of Health Canada’s approval, a key logistical requirement from the federal government. Meeting the deadline was made possible by extensive collaboration with the government of Canada to move more vaccines from Europe into the country. The delivery of the first Moderna Covid-19 vaccine is notable as it will be the first vaccine to arrive in the Northwest territories. The Canadian roll-out comes shortly after the FedEx network started delivering both the Pfizer-BioNTech and later the Moderna vaccines across the US, beginning mid-December. FedEx is well-positioned to handle Covid-19 vaccine shipments around the world with temperature-control solutions, near real-time monitoring capabilities, and a dedicated healthcare team to support the express transportation of vaccines and bioscience shipments. Innomar will safely and securely store the vaccines in its GMP-compliant Canadian storage facilities across Canada. The storage facilities—which are equipped to store complex pharmaceutical products, including those with cold chain requirements—are temperature-controlled and have a validated monitoring system to protect the vaccine shipments. Before the vaccines are shipped, teams will put them …

Emirates SkyCargo has successfully transport the Brazilian satellite Amazonia-1 from Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil to Chennai, India. This is the first time that Emirates SkyCargo has transported a space satellite from South America. The satellite is due to be sent to space in February 2021 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on the East coast of India. Emirates SkyCargo had to undertake extensive preparations for this charter flight to ensure the safe and secure transport of the satellite. The air cargo carrier had to apply for special permission to operate a Boeing 777 freighter from Sao Jose dos Campos airport to uplift the satellite. Emirates SkyCargo together with the INPE, the airport and local partners conducted two comprehensive simulation sessions ahead of the transport date to be able to transport the sensitive cargo safely from the airport. During the transportation process, the Amazonia-1 satellite was dismantled into multiple components to facilitate easy loading and unloading from the aircraft. The satellite components were packed inside large containers to avoid any damage during the transport. Overall, the total cargo weighed around 22 tonnes. Four members of the team from INPE also travelled with the satellite to continuously monitor the status of the cargo during the flight from Sao Jose dos Campos to Dubai and then onwards to Chennai, India. Emirates SkyCargo has expertise in transporting satellites and other cargo developed for space technology. In 2018, the carrier transported Khalifasat, the first satellite developed completely by Emirati engineers at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre from Dubai to Seoul. Amazonia-1 is the first satellite to have been developed completely in Brazil by the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), Brazil’s apex body …

With Covid-19 vaccinations starting in Germany, Dachser is stepping up to organise vaccine logistics in the German capital on behalf of the Berlin Senate. Working on behalf of the Berlin Senate, Dachser will manage the vaccine supplies upon their delivery to the central vaccine warehouse. It will also undertake daily quality-assured deliveries to Berlin’s six vaccination centers, eleven hospital pharmacies, and up to sixty mobile vaccination teams. The requisite vaccine equipment will be supplied from a warehouse operated by the logistics provider. “We’ve been working in close collaboration with the Berlin Senate since July this year to store personal protective equipment and rapid coronavirus tests and distribute these to healthcare facilities in the city,” says Olaf Schmidt, General Manager of Dachser’s Berlin-Brandenburg logistics center in Schönefeld. “We’re pleased to be providing our logistics expertise to support this supply chain that is so important for society.”

To fulfil the growing global commitment for storage and transportation of COVID 19 vaccine, as well as other temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals, Skyways Air Services has received GDP Compliance Certification under international WHO (World Health Organisation) norms until December 31, 2023. The certification was completed after detailed scrutiny of various parameters in storage, handling, documentation, transportation and trainings modules which has covered dedicated personnel assigned to the temperature controlled shipments in the range of 2 – 8 degrees and 15 – 25 degrees. With this certification Skyways Air Services joins a select band of Indian logistics companies which are fully compliant to handle COVID-19 vaccine and temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals.