AMI announces three strategic sales appointments

AIR Menzies International (AMI), a leading global wholesale freight forwarder, has made three key senior sales appointments covering the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific (APAC) regions to support its growth ambitions.

Raffaella Olah joined AMI as the Head of Sales for APAC in December 2022. She has over 20 years’ experience of working in logistics and supply chain, with 11 of those in senior sales roles across multiple sectors including e-commerce, logistics, technology, consumer services and retail.

After a successful period as AMI’s Branch Manager at Los Angeles Airport, Michelle Bellefeuille has been promoted to Head of Sales for the Americas. Michelle has significant experience in the air freight industry, having spent 13 years at DHL prior to joining AMI in 2021.

The second internal appointment sees Claire Bristow taking up the role of Head of Sales for Europe. Claire joined AMI in 2006 and has been leading the UK sales team for the past seven years. She was also a key member of the AMI UK team which won the Air Freight Operator of the Year award at the 2021 Multimodal Awards.

“At AMI, we are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment which reflects the diversity of our customers and the communities we operate in, so I’m pleased to announce the appointment of three senior women to strategic regional sales roles,” Jonathan Clark, CEO, AMI, said.

VPorts to establish first Vertiport at UAE airport

VPORTS, the world leader in the design, construction and operation of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) infrastructure, has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Airport to build and operate a first vertiport in RAK designed to establish the UAE as a world-class global AAM hub.

‘‘With the support of the Department of Civil Aviation of Ras Al-Khaimah, we are excited to build and operate the first vertiport at Ras Al Khaimah Airport. This project will enable all AAM partners to accelerate the adoption and deployment of advanced air mobility in RAK and throughout the UAE,” said Dr Fethi Chebil, President and Founder of VPorts.

“This project is aligned with RAK’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Strategy 2040 and with the vision of His Highness

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, to achieve at least a 30% savings in electricity consumption and a 20% contribution from renewable energy by 2040,” said His Highness Eng. Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman, Department of Civil Aviation, Ras Al-Khaimah.

VPorts’ initial growth strategy is based on the regional transportation of goods, tourism and the efficient movement of patients, organs for transplants and medical equipment. The RAK vertiport, which will be established on a 10,000 sq m site, will be designed for all types of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The VPorts vertiport will be opened for all eVTOLs manufacturers.

Ralf Schustereder, CEO, Ras Al-Khaimah Airport stated that “Ras Al Khaimah Airport is pleased to sign this agreement with VPorts to set up a vertiport in our airport. RAK Airport is aiming to be a leading enabler of RAK’s economic and tourism growth. This project will position RAK Airport as part of a development plan and key player in advanced air mobility in RAK. We will provide VPorts with our full support to ensure its success and prosperity.”

The first vertiport in RAK is aligned with VPorts’ strategy. By 2030, VPorts plans to extend its vertiport network to all major industrial areas across the UAE, providing a sustainable transportation solution via eVTOL aircraft. The network will focus on locations that optimize multimodal transportation connectivity, including Ras Al-Khaimah, Dubai South, Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

“We look forward to collaborating with each and every emirate to define the location of dedicated vertiports as well as safety and security regulations, flight corridors, urban integration and business community engagement for this important undertaking,’’ Dr Chebil said.

WestJet Cargo receives approval on behalf of Transport Canada certifying its 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters

WESTJET Cargo has announced that it has received Transport Canada’s approval and official certification of its four 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF).

Following certification, WestJet Cargo and the GTA Group will expeditiously implement three freighters into service, as dedicated aircraft that will fulfill the large-scale needs of businesses, freight forwarders, shippers and individual customers across North America. The fourth of WestJet Cargo’s dedicated freighters is expected to join the accompanying fleet later this year, following the completion of its conversion.

“Today is a long-awaited milestone for WestJet Cargo and the GTA Group, that will now enable us to disrupt the air cargo industry in Canada by providing our customers with more choice, competitive prices and the exemplary customer service synonymous with the WestJet brand, but unique to the air cargo industry,” Kirsten de Bruijn, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Cargo, said. “We thank Transport Canada for its dedication to certifying these aircraft, which will serve to better support Canada’s national transportation supply chain through increased competition and capacity within Canada’s air cargo market.”

Seamlessly integrating into WestJet Cargo’s existing operations and operated by WestJet’s highly skilled 737 pilots, the dedicated freighters will initially focus service within North America, serving Calgary, Halifax, Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles and Miami. Leveraging its quick to load and fly narrow-body aircraft, the 737-800 will enable WestJet Cargo to offer greater fuel efficiency, flexibility and frequency for its customers, beginning 22nd April 2023.

WestJet Cargo’s dedicated freighter routes will further connect to the bellies of WestJet’s fleet, serving to accommodate the diverse needs of cargo customers in leveraging the airline’s expansive network.

“Today’s announcement was made possible by our incredibly talented team of cargo experts and the GTA Group, our valued partner, who have worked diligently towards this achievement that brings WestJet Cargo one step closer to fulfilling our mission to bring competitive cost advantages and reliable on-time performance to Canada’s underserved cargo landscape,” de Bruijn continued.

“Today is an exciting day for the GTA Group as we celebrate this highly anticipated moment that will bring our partnership with WestJet Cargo to new heights,” Mario (Mauro) D’Urso, Chairman of the GTA Group of Companies, said. “Through the capacity of these four dedicated freighters, we are now in an excellent position to meet the needs of the rapidly growing Canadian cargo market.”