Category Archives: Aviation

Californian autonomous cargo aircraft developer Natilus has successfully completed multiple flights of the subscale prototype of its 3.8 ton payload unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The flight tests for the ‘Kona’ short-haul UAV mark a significant milestone for Natilus by validating wind tunnel tests conducted over three years, testing the aerodynamic performance of the Natilus blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft design. The subscale prototype of the domestic feeder aircraft took off from a private runway in Southern California and reached speeds of 70 mph. Natilus said one the key challenges with the BWB design has been stability – and the test flights validated that the Natilus configuration can fly without the help of a complex autopilot system. “We are fully focused on completing the full-scale Kona prototype,” stated Aleksey Matyushev, Natilus co-founder and chief executive. “Our Kona remotely piloted aircraft will be capable of carrying over 9,000 pounds (4.3 metric tons) of freight and will open new markets worldwide. “The progress of Natilus developing autonomous cargo aircraft is a game-changer in the logistics industry, providing an efficient and cost-effective solution for shipping goods across oceans.” Natilus has also recently completed the full-scale prototypes of both vertical tails. The company will receive Hartzell propellers in May, gearing up for the manufacture of the engine test stand. The 85 ft full-scale Kona demonstrator, the smallest of the Natilus fleet, will be the largest commercial air cargo drone targeted to fly in 2024, said the company.

FIATA, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations, and the Global Shippers Forum (GSF) have jointly issued an agreed Charter for Protection and Governance of Data in International Trade. The agreement sets out the arrangements for data security and confidentiality, which digital booking and trading platforms operators and users must adopt and incorporate in their End-User Agreements (EUAs). Recommendations in the Charter seek to enable a safe and trustworthy environment for conducting business based on a level playing field, said release. The Charter has been approved by members of both organizations and is believed to be the first declaration of rights for platform users in the trade and logistics sector. Dr. Stéphane Graber, Director General of FIATA notes that “FIATA is committed to enabling the shift of trade from analog to digital form to increase efficiency and resilience of global supply chains. In this journey, interoperability between platforms and their credibility amongst users is critical for success. This requires clear and fair rules on data exchange to protect the confidentiality and ensure trust between stakeholders. FIATA is happy to lead this effort with GSF on the crucial topic of data governance and protection.” James Hookham, Secretary General of GSF said, “Digitalisation of international trade and transport paperwork offers huge savings and benefits for all parties in the supply chain, but its storage and processing comes with risks of loss, leakage, and unauthorized use that could expose commercially sensitive patterns and trends.” Additionally, he commented, “Our Charter sets out reasonable expectations of the protections that should be in place to respect the ownership of the data, protect its confidentiality, and guard against unauthorized access and use”.

Saudia Cargo has signed a new global rental agreement with Tower Cold Chain. The carrier added the agreement to its approved providers of temperature-controlled containers for shipping pharmaceutical, biotech and life science products, said release. “The deal reinforces Saudia Cargo’s commitment to having the broadest possible selection of cold chain products (both in terms of cargo size and temperature requirements) to serve the growing requirements of pharmaceutical customers from around the world,” the release added. Adel Elshazly global product manager at Saudia Cargo said, “A key benefit of Tower Cold Chain’s technology is its reliability in maintaining product integrity without the need of electricity even in extreme heat, meaning that a solution is required to prevent temperature excursions. Given these conditions, we have an extra duty of care to customers to ensure due diligence in choosing our pharmaceutical cold chain partners. Tower’s passive solutions are proven to maintain temperatures up to 120 hours, without any need for intervention or external power.”

Drone tech startup TSAW Drones has announced a strategic partnership with Kanhaiya Life Care Medicine to initiate a first-of-its-kind B2C medicine drone delivery service in Kolkata. The vision behind the collaboration is to provide swift and efficient delivery of medicines to patients at their doorsteps while also cutting down on the delays caused by road traffic. The Hind Motor warehouse of Kanhaiya Medical shall avail of the innovative service of drone-assisted parcel pickup to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted transportation process for their vital medical supplies to a diverse range of recipients, including local residents, law enforcement personnel, and loyal patrons. The said parcels shall be conveyed to the Howrah drone hub of TSAW Drones, whereupon the final leg of the journey shall be undertaken by TSAW’s skilled bikers, who shall ensure the seamless delivery of the parcels to their respective destinations. Arpit Sharma, AVP of TSAW Drones, said “TSAW Drones is honored to join hands with Kanhaiya Life Care Medicine in introducing cutting-edge drone technology to the healthcare sector in Kolkata. Our pioneering business-to-consumer (B2C) medicine drone delivery service will herald a paradigm shift in the way medical supplies are transported to those requiring them, guaranteeing swifter, more streamlined, and more secure transportation. We are excited to be at the forefront of this innovative approach to healthcare delivery and look forward to improving the lives of many in the Kolkata community.”

Antonov Airlines has transported a power supply skid on board one of its AN-124 aircraft – the largest single piece of cargo transported by the airline. The power supply skid was flown from Tekirdag, Turkey to Hamburg, Germany on board of one of the airline’s AN-124-100-150 aircraft in conjunction with project management firm Rolf Riedl. The prefabricated Siemens Energy sub-station used as a power distribution centre was required for Germany’s first LNG terminal to provide energy to German homes. The “E-house” was transported in the container measuring 19 m in length, 4.2 m in width and 4 m in height. To load the oversized container a loading ramp developed by the in-house Antonov team was used in conjunction with external cranes. Andrii Nazarenko, flight manager, Antonov Airlines, said: “The major task was a precise installation of low-profile loading ramp required especially for this mission. Thanks to a professional approach, the Antonov team ensured safe loading and unloading at airports under the supervision of a Siemens Energy representative.” The floating LNG terminal is scheduled to go into operation in Elbe port.

UPS sees immense opportunity in intra-Asia trade and aims to help small businesses in the region with its supply chain services. A recent study published on intra-Asia trade provides insights into the needs of regional businesses which it can use to help its customers plan better. “As the world’s largest package delivery company, it’s our job to help simplify the move into international trade for small business so they can capitalise on this opportunity while also staying focused on building a healthy, profitable business,” said UPS. “By helping more businesses succeed in international trade, we hope to create an ecosystem of opportunity, profitability and growth in the long term.” Released last year, UPS’ ‘Clearing the Runway for Intra-Asia Trade’ study found the value of Singapore’s trade with 11 other major Asian markets could grow by over 50% to $13.5trn by 2030, and small business play a significant part in this. Across the 12 markets, the four segments driving the surge in intra-Asia trade are retail, industrial manufacturing and automotive (IM&A), high-tech, and healthcare, found the study. These segments accounted for 76% of Singapore’s trade with the rest of Asia, and 75% of total intra-Asia trade in 2020. However, UPS said multi-stakeholder action is required to tackle the impact of geopolitical tensions and restrictive trade policies across Asia – including tariffs and other punitive measures – that could impact its long-term trade prospects. UPS said three key actions that can be taken include digitalising completely, diversifying supply chains and promoting the integration of MSMEs (micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises) into regional supply chains. The findings of the study also support UPS’ efforts to work with government on facilitating trade, the company …

Air Cargo Consolidation Facility Centre launched at one of the leading Industrial Hub in Goa (Verna) in collaboration with GMR Cargo (GMR Goa Air Cargo) and Amber Airways Cargo. It is one of its kind unique Logistics initiatives extended to facilitate the industry stakeholders for making seamless Air Cargo transportation. Amber Airways Cargo announced its commencement of Consolidation Services from Verna (Goa) on schedule Road Feeder Transportation with all facilities like Truck Dock, Storage, Loading unloading base, fully secured CCTV surveillance with GPS tracking of Road Feeder Transportation & Handling equipment which makes it a game changer to plug the challenges of transporting goods connecting South Goa to North Goa and its nearby catchment areas. This in turn would enable the forwarders to significantly reduce the transportation cost associated along with hassle free and seamless cargo movement. This is the first steppingstone to achieve the vision of reducing Transportation cost and easy multi-fold network connectivity joining small & big consignments along with commercial viability. T. Purushottam Singh, Business Head of GMR Goa Air Cargo speaks, “With the development of transportation services, there would be an immense scope of diversion of International Cargo which is going through surface to air. MoPA would provide a platform wherein cargo movement to Mumbai & Bangalore via road would see them land up at GOX and reach their destination in most convenient way. Goa and its adjacent areas play a significant role in the pharmaceutical industry. Around 60% of the cargo volume shipped from Goa airport consists of Pharma products. Under such environment, progressive strategy for handling Pharma shipments is the need of the hour. These are temperature controlled critical products with high value in …

Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China’s SF Airlines to expand network. The MoU will enable the UAE’s national carrier to expand its reach into China via SF Airline’s extensive in-country network,” said an official release from Etihad. The partnership will provide Etihad Cargo’s customers with greater connectivity to 25 domestic destinations in China via SF Airlines’ road feeder service trucking network, further enhancing Etihad Cargo’s capabilities in the region, the release added. This MoU is the latest step by Etihad Cargo in expanding its operations in China and will see the carrier utilising SF Airlines’ Chinese network to transport cargo to other destinations in China via the Chinese carrier’s Hubei Province mega hub. Etihad Cargo will operate the flights on a Boeing 777 freighter with services commencing on April 28, 2023 in line with this partnership. Martin Drew, Senior Vice President, Global Sales & Cargo, Etihad Airways says: “Etihad Cargo is committed to establishing partnerships that add value to customers across the supply chain. Strengthening the connection between Abu Dhabi and and one of SF Airlines’ major Chinese hubs will enable Etihad Cargo’s customers to benefit from SF Airlines’ exhaustive distribution capabilities in China, and SF Airlines will reap the benefits of Etihad Cargo’s global network for its express product. Etihad Cargo is committed to the country’s ambitious growth vision, and this partnership supports the further development of Abu Dhabi as a major logistics and express hub for the region.”

To expand pharma storage capabilities, Etihad Cargo is launching a state-of-the-art cool chain facility at Abu Dhabi Airport. “Established in partnership with Etihad Airport Services Cargo and Abu Dhabi Airports, our new pharma facility will double Etihad Cargo’s cool chain capacity to carry and accommodate an additional 50,000 tonnes of cool chain commodities, including pharmaceuticals and life sciences products. The pharma hub will support the growing global healthcare and life sciences demand. Etihad Cargo is also working more closely than ever before with partners to more efficiently manage pharma logistics, so we can create a more robust pharma ecosystem and ensure a more reliable global pharma supply chain,” told Fabrice Panza, Manager Global Cool Chain Solutions, Commercial, GDP Pharma Manager, Etihad Cargo. Etihad Cargo is working closely with the Department of Health, customs, the police, ground handling partners and freight forwarders to launch initiatives such as the Pharma Corridor 2.0 – a fully compliant origin-to-destination pharma air corridor – and dedicated long-term storage areas, such as KEZAD – a premier economic zone for life sciences located in Abu Dhabi that hosts many pharmaceutical manufacturers, life science businesses, laboratories, packing businesses and supporting services. “We are also enhancing our IATA CEIV Pharma-certified PharmaLife product, launching innovative features and utilising technology so our partners and customers can be confident their temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products are being shipped reliably. We have also recently announced the launch of dedicated thermal covers, which are helping Etihad Cargo to mitigate environmental risks during the transportation of pharmaceuticals between the cool chain facility and aircraft and handover moments,” he added.

KSU Aviation and Celebi Aviation Holding, shareholder and partner in the TaxiBot India project to associate with Air India and complement Mr Campbell Wilson MD and CEO Air India for his commitment for the environment and his vision to lead Air India towards the adoption of innovative sustainable solutions and is a reflection of the commitment of the TATA group an Industry leader towards reducing CO2 emissions, said an official Linkedin post. With this announcement by Air India along with its subsidiaries to adapt to TaxiBoting would lead the world ,in the area of Sustainable Taxiing , motivating Airlines in India and the World over to follow Air India in its path to reduce the CO2 emissions through the use of TaxiBot. Today India is the only country world over where TaxiBot operations are being performed on a regular commercial basis , KSU Aviation is on its way to almost completing 3000 TaxiBot missions in India and through this will be contributing to reducing some 1800 Tons of CO2. “We would like to thank Mr Arun Kashyap, Capt Sandhu Mr Raminder Singh ,, Capt Gupta , Capt Dhaliwal for their support and guidance throughout . we would also like to thank DIAL Delhi International Airport, BIAL Bangluru International Airport , Director General Civil Aviation India DGCA, Airports Authority of India AAI , ATC and our partner Airlines , Air India ,Spice Jet , Jet Airways, Air Asia India , Air India Express, Blue Dart , Quik Jet for all their support and vision to associate with us. We would also like to extend our appreciation towards TLD and IAI the manufacturer of the TaxiBot and the support of SAS Smart …