Category Archives: International

Heavy-lift freighter operator Antonov Airlines has carried 40 tonnes of mining equipment from France to Argentina via Brazil. Cargo included a large semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill head, which was split into four parts sections and transported on an AN-124-100 chartered by Dynami Aviation. Antonov Airlines said the aircraft type was selected for the operation because it can accommodate more than 700 cubic metres of “unusually shaped cargo”. Additionally, it responded quickly to ensure the flight met a “strict deadline”, allowing operations at the mine to continue as normal. Olha Danylova, commercial executive at Antonov Airlines, commented: “The four pieces of cargo were loaded and unloaded using the AN-124-100’s onboard cranes and will be used in the creation of new tunnels at a mine near to Comodoro Rivadavia. “We thank our esteemed partner Dynami Aviation for its professionalism and dedicated team which always contribute to a successful transportation.”

EL AL Israel Airlines is accelerating its digital presence with real-time eBookings, access to live rates, and visible air cargo capacity through WebCargo, a Freightos Group company. With the pandemic fueling digital adoption among both carriers and forwarders, EL AL is tapping into WebCargo’s platform. EL AL Cargo will be rolling out on WebCargo across a network covering the United States, Europe, and Asia, offering freight solutions for all types of customers and freight. This engagement enables more than 2,500 WebCargo forwarders across over 10,000 global branches instant access to capacity, pricing, and booking on EL AL Cargo. “Digital adoption has always been a top priority for EL AL, and as air cargo demand continues to rise, providing our customers with instant and accurate information is essential,” said Mr. Ronen Spira, head of EL AL Cargo division.

Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) has taken its first step into robotics with the opening of a new Automated Parts Store (APS) for its giant container- and loose cargo handling systems. The new, robotically-operated parts dispensing system enables urgently-needed spares to be quickly accessed around the clock, both for routine maintenance and in the event of occasional breakdowns. Hactl’s automated and highly complex Container Storage System (CSS) has 11 levels, is 260 m long, features a giant ULD racking system that holds 3,500 units and stores and retrieves up to 8,000 tonnes of air cargo per day. Meanwhile, its automated Box Storage System (BSS) handles loose cargo, using 10,000 stillages that run on tracks between the cargo pick-up and build-up areas.

ATSG has secured conversion slots for A330 freighters as it continues to expand its mid-sized freighter options. While announcing its second-quarter results, the lessor said that it had secured 20 conversion slots for A330 freighters. Until now, the company has operated with a fleet of Boeing freighters. However, the company recently announced plans to add its first A321 freighter next year. Rich Corrado, president and chief executive officer of ATSG, said: “The A330 converted freighter, like our B767-300s will be a popular mid-sized option for our leasing customers. The addition of an A330 option will provide our leasing business with a third platform for growth, and complements the A321 freighter we will also introduce next year.” The slots start in mid-2023 through the end of 2025.It also secured 40 conversion slots for B67-300s, Airbus A321s.

Swiss WorldCargo, the air cargo division of Swiss International Air Lines, is proud to be the first airline to have successfully carried out a commercial shipment between Zurich (ZRH) and New York (JFK) with an Envirotainer Releye® RLP container onboard. The shipment was transported on flight LX 14 on August 3, departing at 13.20h local time and landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) at 16:10h local time. Ahead of the flight, the Envirotainer Releye® RLP and its shipment were loaded into the belly of a Swiss International Air Lines Boeing 777-300ER. The container held a care-intensive shipment from a leading pharmaceutical company, requiring a specific temperature range. “We are proud to have successfully carried out the first shipment of an Envirotainer Releye® RLP from Switzerland, and look forward to welcoming this container into our product portfolio,” said Lorenzo Stoll, Head of Cargo at Swiss International Air Lines. “The RLP helps showcase Swiss WorldCargo as the premier carrier of choice for the transport of temperature-sensitive, care-intensive pharmaceutical goods. Additionally, the RLP offers reduced CO2 emissions and improved environmental performance through a lightweight material design. This fully aligns with our own focus on sustainable operations and continued reduction of our carbon footprint.”

Airports Council International (ACI) World published a complimentary report to help airport operators develop successful cargo strategies that can contribute to the sustained recovery of the industry by developing alternative revenue streams. Air cargo remains an engine of economic growth and its crucial role during the pandemic has created positive momentum as the industry enters its recovery phase. Many airports have managed to sustain or even grow their cargo operations during the pandemic, which has proven crucial in providing liquidity for airport operators and in some cases, even ensured the longer-term solvency of the airport business. “As airports come out of the pandemic and look to ensure long-term financial sustainability through the diversification of their revenue streams, cargo is an important area to be explored,” ACI World director general Luis Felipe de Oliveira said. “A clear cargo strategy will help further airports’ understanding of the current landscape and opportunities, as well as build a robust business plan for the future.”

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) published the IATA World Air Transport Statistics (WATS) with performance figures for 2020 which signifies the devastating effects on global air transport.In a recent statistics released by World Air Transport Traffic, despite the massive drop in capacity from the bellies of passenger aircraft Air freight was the bright spot in air transport for 2020. The top five airlines ranked by scheduled freight tonnes carried were Federal Express (8 million), Qatar Airways (2.3 million), Emirates (1.8 million), United Parcel Service (5 million) and China Airlines (1.5 million). “2020 was a year that we’d all like to forget. But analyzing the performance statistics for the year reveals an amazing story of perseverance. At the depth of the crisis in April 2020, 66% of the world’s commercial air transport fleet was grounded as governments closed borders or imposed strict quarantines. A million jobs disappeared. And industry losses for the year totaled $126 billion. Many governments recognized aviation’s critical contributions and provided financial lifelines and other forms of support. But it was the rapid actions by airlines and the commitment of our people that saw the airline industry through the most difficult year in its history,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Strategic Aviation Solutions Int’l (SASI World) and The Transportation Research Board (TRB) enter into an agreement as a part of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine in the United States — to commence work on an extensive research project: Modernizing Air Cargo and Infrastructure at U.S. Airports, managed by the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP). The objective of this project is to develop a guidebook for U.S. airports of all types and sizes to help modernize their airport cargo facilities, processes and operations in coordination with key logistics stakeholders. The guidebook will address the optimization of a multimodal approach to facilitate the flow of commerce and the movement of goods in coordination with on- and off-airport facilities and services. Leading the team from our SASI World USA headquarters will be Mark Diamond and Charles Edwards, fully supported by the global team of SASI World. In announcing the award, Stan Wraight president and CEO of SASI World commented “SASI World is truly honored to be awarded this contract and our agreed mandate to deliver Head Office – Strategic Aviation Solutions International LTD. 409-111 Rue Vinet Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3J2W2 a true, value-added guidebook that will have practical and implementable solutions for airports to meet the challenges that the next decades will present.

Korean Air recently operated 10,000 cargo-only passenger flights as of August 1. The airline launched its first cargo-only passenger flight on the Incheon-Ho Chi Minh route in March 2020, and has operated these flights on 65 routes to North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, China and Japan, transporting 400,000 tons worldwide. Approximately 40 tons are transported per round trip (20 tons one-way). After most flights were suspended following the COVID-19 outbreak, Korean Air began operating cargo-only passenger aircraft. Beginning with 38 of these flights in March last year, the airline currently operates more than 800 cargo-only flights a month. Through close cooperation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and aircraft manufacturers, Korean Air has increased its cargo capacity by utilizing overhead bin space, using “cargo seat bags,” a safety device that can load cargo on passenger seats, and removing seats to enable cargo floor loading.

Air Methods announced the launch of Spright, a newly formed drone solution, designed to help improve healthcare access and minimize supply challenges. Collaborating with Wingcopter, an industry-leading German drone manufacturer, Spright is creating a drone-based, healthcare-specific delivery network across the United States. As a result of the nation’s efforts to keep healthcare costs down, Americans are impacted by a lack of immediate or timely access to healthcare resources. When these shortages impact the availability of blood products, medicines, diagnostics or small medical devices, the consequences can be dire. The solution is a flexible, rapid distribution network designed with 21st-century technology.