Category Archives: Aviation

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in association with Brihanmumbai Custom Brokers Association (BCBA) planned and designed an Orientation and Skill Development program for the youth to explore the opportunities in logistics business and to spread the word of future employment scope for people residing in and around the proposed Vadhavan Port, in the eco-sensitive Dahanu Taluka. The workshop provided valuable information on the opening of a new window of employment to the regional population relating to EXIM trade and customs clearance activities along with a wide array of other supporting services within the port ecosystem. Office bearers of BCBA, Mr. Sanjeev Harale and Mr. Paresh Thakkar and Committee Member Mr. Rahul Bhojani attended and presented to the large audience gathered to shape their future. BCBA Senior Vice President, Mr. Sanjeev Harale gave an insightful understanding of the various types of job and activity opportunities which would be available with this multi-fold development. Vice President, BCBA, Mr. Paresh Thakkar explained how in the past history of the world and specifically in India, port cities have developed and brought prosperity to the inhabitants for current and future generations. They also gave assurance of the full support of BCBA to JNPA and the people in the vicinity of the port. Many examples and testimonials were shared of individuals working in this industry and their successful growth story. JNPA appreciated the role played by BCBA for supporting the orientation and skill development with youngsters. This soft initiative for skill development, concurrent with the port building, will benefit the youth who want to make a career in the Shipping and Logistics industry. BCBA reaffirmed its commitment to conduct many more workshops for grooming and …

The Air China Cargo and Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) top management met in China earlier this week, and the companies closed a firm contract for eight A330P2F conversion solutions. “All A330 conversion candidate aircraft are owned by Air China Cargo. As the belly cargo capacity of all Air China passenger aircraft is exclusively operated by Air China Cargo, the airline, which is the only cargo airline operating with the national flag, could gain extensive experience on running Airbus aircraft for cargo,” said a LinkedIn post by EFW. “To enforce our freighter fleet by Airbus conversion freighter was a natural step,” says Hongyan Wang, Vice President, Air China. The first A330 aircraft was inducted at conversion partner Ameco Beijing in Q12023 and is scheduled for redelivery by the end of 2023. A second aircraft has also been inducted, the post added. “We are glad that Air China Cargo will operate, for the first time, an Airbus freighter, and we are looking forward to seeing an A330P2F with the Air China Cargo livery soon,” said Jordi Boto, CEO, EFW.

IATA is expecting air cargo demand to increase by 4.5% next year while pressure on rates is expected to bring down revenues for the sector. The airline association said the projection of a cargo tonne km increase next year comes on the back of the International Monetary Fund’s prediction of a 3.5% increase in trade and follows an estimated fall of 3.8% in airfreight demand this year. Looking at regional performance, African carriers are expected to post a 1.5% increase in cargo demand next year, Asia Pacific 3.6%, Europe 4.1%, Latin America 7.7%, Middle East 12.3% and North America 2.1%. Asked why air cargo demand was expected to increase faster than trade, IATA senior macro economist Rachel Yuting Fan explained: “The growth rate is based on a low base. Air cargo has been decreasing for the last two years, especially this year when it declined by 3.8%, so the growth for next year is based on that. She added: “Our assumptions include GDP, inflation, interest rates, the strength of the US dollar, unemployment, jet fuel prices, the pace of recovery in China and conflicts. At the moment our baseline assumption is for war not to spread and for China to have a slow recovery.” Meanwhile, IATA is expecting cargo revenues to fall by 17.3% year on year in 2024 to $111.4bn.

Sharing the key expectations from 2024, Indian logistics trade experts, who gathered at the Association of Multimodal Transport Operators of India’s (AMTOI) 25th silver jubilee celebrations said, “Efficient and seamless multimodal operations is the future. Industry must invest in multimodal logistics. The industry requires coordinated approach, seamless operations and there’s need to upskill and invest more in training workforce in logistics, ensuring cargo safety, welcoming more youngsters and collaborating with each other, adopting technology and being aware of regulations and policies to enhance efficiency, and seamless logistics operations.” The event also focused on multimodal logistics and future growth prospects.

Cathay Cargo has placed an initial firm order for six next-generation Airbus A350F freighters, and has secured the right to acquire 20 more aircraft. “This order for state-of-the-art aircraft to be delivered commencing from 2027 will help further strengthen Hong Kong’s status as the world’s number one air cargo hub, providing even greater cargo connectivity between Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world,” says an official release. “As we move into 2024, our rebuild journey is gaining momentum,” says Ronald Lam, Chief Executive Officer, Cathay Group. “This order marks another major component in our investment for the future. It reflects Cathay’s confidence in the Hong Kong hub as we look ahead to the opportunities provided by the three-runway system. “These highly fuel-efficient, next-generation freighters will provide important additional cargo capacity, expand our global network and contribute to our sustainability leadership goals.” The freighters will link Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland with long-haul destinations in North and South America as well as Europe. The purchase agreement brings the Cathay Group’s new aircraft deliveries to 77, the release added. “There’s a new standard in the cargo space and we are gratified that such a savvy global air-cargo operator as Cathay has joined the growing number of reference players in the air-freight industry selecting the A350F,” says Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International, Airbus. Cathay Cargo has a freighter fleet of 20 Boeing 747 freighters including 14 B747-8Fs and six B747-400ERFs. In addition to freighter capacity, Cathay Cargo provides belly capacity through the Cathay Group’s extensive passenger network, providing cargo services to around 80 destinations worldwide. Airbus, so far, has 39 firm orders for the …

The Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) celebrated its 62nd Foundation Day in a hybrid format to focus on CBIC’s recent initiatives to facilitate ease of doing business, including Faceless Assessment, Single Window Clearance, Direct Port Delivery, AEO Scheme, CBLMS Portal launch and the introduction of ECL on ICEGATE. They stressed upon the National Time Release Study (NTRS) in expediting cargo clearance. Highlighting NTRS 2023, based on a perceptional study, they unveiled insightful facts to benefit the government and industry stakeholders. They urged FFFAI’s partnership in the NTRS program and advised initiating awareness programs for NTRS participation. Also, emphasized active trade involvement in NTRS 2024, especially encouraging the participation of women and young logistics entrepreneurs.

Lufthansa Cargo has added a fourth A321 freighter to its short- and medium-haul network as part of its plan to expand capacity. The freighter, with the registration D-AEUJ, has been operating in Lufthansa Cargo’s network since November, and has already made its first flights to Istanbul, Helsinki, Stockholm, Birmingham, England, Dublin, Casablanca, Copenhagen and Madrid. The carrier added its third A321F in July. As part of its expansion strategy, Lufthansa Cargo continues to expand its A321F network. The new winter flight schedule, which came into effect on October 29, includes two new destinations: Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan (AMM) and Stockholm Arlanda Airport in Sweden (ARN). AMM is connected to the Lufthansa Cargo’s Frankfurt Airport cargo hub in Germany once a week by an A321 freighter. Frankfurt and ARN are connected three times a week. The new routing takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. ARN is an important hub for the transportation of pharmaceutical and temperature-sensitive goods, said Lufthansa Cargo. “Especially the Friday flight offers customers the possibility of late deliveries at the end of the industry’s production week, connecting in Frankfurt to Lufthansa Cargo’s worldwide network the next morning, the carrier explained.

Air cargo traffic increased year on year for the third month in a row in October, but IATA has warned that optimism over the improvements should be balanced with caution. The latest figures from the airline association show that cargo tonne kms (CTK) increased by 3.8% year on year in October, while capacity was up 13.1% as bellyhold operations continued to return. As a result of capacity increasing faster than demand, the overall load factor was down four percentage points compared with last year to 45.2%. IATA said that while it was welcome news that demand was on the up, there was still much uncertainty. The association pointed out that demand was still below 2019 levels and that economic activity slowed in October, with the Purchasing Managers Index for manufacturing output remaining below the 50-point mark to indicate declining output. On the other hand, inflation in advanced economies continued to ease, global trade indicators stabilised and air cargo yields picked up in September and October after 17 months of decline. IATA director general Willie Walsh said: “Demand for air cargo was up 3.8% in October. That marks three consecutive months of year-on-year growth, placing air cargo on course to end 2023 on a much stronger footing than it began the year. “Recovering demand, slightly stronger yields and the uptick in trade are all good news. But with demand still 2.4% below pre-pandemic levels, and much uncertainty remaining over the trajectory of the global economy, optimism must be balanced with caution.

Alaska Airlines will acquire Honolulu-headquartered Hawaiian Airlines in a deal that in part aims to boost the cargo businesses of both airlines. Alaska Air Group and Hawaiian Holdings have entered into a definitive agreement for the acquisition. Both brands will remain separate. The deal is for $18.00 per share in cash and has a transaction value of approximately $1.9bn, said Alaska Airlines in a press release. The combined company aims to expand the choice of passenger and cargo service options and access throughout the Pacific region, continental US and globally. “The combination of complementary domestic, international, and cargo networks is positioned to enhance competition and expand choice for consumers on the West Coast and throughout the Hawaiian Islands,” said Alaska Airlines. The company further noted: “For Hawaii residents, the combination will expand service and convenience by tripling the number of destinations throughout North America that can be reached nonstop or one stop from the Islands, while maintaining robust Neighbor Island service and increasing air cargo capacity.”

Japan Airlines (JAL) is all set to launch dedicated freighter operations in February as it announced its first Boeing 767-300ER freighter converted from its passenger fleet. Tokyo-headquartered JAL said the freighter will operate from Tokyo Narita and Nagoya to Taipei, Seoul Incheon, as well as Shanghai Pudong. Operations are scheduled to begin on February 19. The airline is set to add a further two 767-300 freighter conversions, according to plans it announced in May this year. “The operation of the freighters will enhance stable and flexible air transportation capabilities, ensuring a steady supply. Furthermore, the development of a network strategy based on growing demand will ensure the satisfaction of customer needs and contribute to the sustainable development of the logistics infrastructure,” said JAL. The service marks a return to the freighter market after an absence of 13 years as the airline aim to grow in the cargo and mail business.