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The weekly newspaper for air cargo professionals No. 1,178
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2 MAY 2022
New app aims to solve logistics ...
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INSIDE
HAE GROUP OPENS IN ITALY ...
AIRFREIGHT general sales agent HAE Group has opened an office in Milan, Italy and has appointed Maurizio Picco as country manager ... PAGE 2
BLIMP AND YOU’LL MISS IT
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HONG KONG MEASURES END ...
AIRPORT AUTHORITY HONG KONG (AAHK) has welcomed the Government’s adjustments of inbound control measures ... PAGE 2
TOWER WINS QUEENS AWARD ...
Pharmaceutical temperaturecontrolled specialist Tower Cold Chain has won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise, the UK’s highest export accolade ...
ogistics-focused international development organisation Transaid is offering the chance to win a flight on board Goodyear’s airship when it returns to the skies over central London in May. The once in a lifetime opportunity to see London from on high is available via a free to enter prize draw, with the option to donate towards Transaid’s lifesaving work. But anyone wanting to participate in this unique event will need to get their skates on as the deadline for entry - which can only be done via the form at www.transaid.org - is midnight on Thursday 5 May, with the flight taking place a week later on Thursday 12 May. The Blimp will depart from Essex, where on-site parking is available and both breakfast and lunch will be provided. The prize draw will take place on Friday 6 May, with the winner announced and contacted later that same day. Goodyear has been a corporate member of Transaid since 2014, support-
ing the organisation to transform lives through safe, available and sustainable transport in sub-Saharan Africa. The tyre company is committed to providing essential, unrestricted funding towards the testing and implementation of Transaid’s programmes aimed at improving access to healthcare and road safety in the region. In 2019, and after reaffirming its commitment to Transaid, Goodyear pledged £5,000 towards the MaMaZ programme, an innovative community-led project designed to improve severe malaria case management in rural areas. The funding provided a bicycle ambulance, protective clothing for emergency transport volunteers and vehicle maintenance, training and support for 12 months. The organisation first pledged a bicycle ambulance to the programme in 2015. Several of Transaid’s programmes are focused around championing female inclusion in the transport and logistics sector, and it recently launched a new initiative to increase the number of female truck and bus drivers in Uganda.
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WFS MAKES GAINS IN SPAIN ...
WORLDWIDE FLIGHT SERVICES (WFS) has won new contracts to support cargo charter, leisure and executive jet airline customers in Spain ... PAGE 6
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NEWS HAE group unveils Italy office in Milan AIRFREIGHT general sales agent HAE Group has opened an office in Milan, Italy and has appointed Maurizio Picco as country manager to head up its new team for the country. He brings experience in major trade lanes to and from and within Italy including China, Japan and Latin America. Both HAE GSSA and HAE Solutions will be represented by the Milan-based team. Neville Karai, CEO HAE Group commented: “All our team welcome Maurizio to HAE. His experience, drive and enthusiasm for our GSSA+ and Solutions products means we look forward to his leadership in the vital EU market of Italy. We also know he will enjoy his time with us.”
ECS opens up Brazil market to DHL Aviation ECS GROUP’S Brazilian subsidiary, BCS AIR, has signed a year-long GSSA contract with DHL Aviation to operate a six-days-a-week freighter schedule, the airline’s first online connection in the country. It will operate a Boeing 767-300F from Sao Paulo’s Viracopos airport (VCP) via Bogota (BOG) in Columbia to Miami (MIA) every day except Sundays, from 10 July. São Paulo-based BCS AIR will also serve as DHL Aviation’s exclusive GSSA. BCS AIR’s managing director Brazil, Joao Luiz Ferreira, said the route would stimulate the market, explaining: “Despite regular services already being provided by UPS, Avianca and LATAM, this is much-needed capacity that DHL Aviation is bringing into the Brazilian market, and it therefore opens up great development potentials for a wide range of businesses, particularly to Colombia, Central America, the Caribbean, and Florida.” He said that BCS AIR was in the process of putting together a dedicated four-person team for DHL Aviation. Its focus will be on automotive, pharma, high-tech, footwear and express traffic, as well as general cargo. ECS Group’s regional VP for Central and South America, Paco Ortega, added: “We are extremely happy and proud to have gained this new GSSA
contract in the region so soon after also signing with DHL Aviation in Chile. It not only confirms DHL Aviation’s faith in our competence, but also establishes DHL Aviation as one of our main customers in South America. This is definitely a new milestone achievement in our ECS Group strategy of establishing strong GSA leadership in South America and the Caribbean.”
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US targets Russia’s sanctions-busting carrier Aviastar
THE US has slapped sanctions on Russian cargo carrier Aviastar for breaking export restrictions imposed following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. The US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) assistant secretary for export enforcement, Matthew Axelrod has issued a Temporary Denial Order (TDO), denying all export privileges to the freighter operator due to ongoing violations of the comprehensive export controls imposed on Russia by the Commerce Department. Under rules imposed by Washington following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, operators must obtain an export licence before operating international flights using US-built aircraft, or aircraft with substantial US content. BIS says that Aviastar failed to do this, and has issued a TDO against the carrier. Headquartered in Moscow, Aviastar operates a fleet of 757-200s and Tupolov Tu-204s. Customers before the outbreak of war included express carriers such as DHL and Cainiao. BIS has already issued TDOs on major Rus-
AIRPORT AUTHORITY HONG KONG (AAHK) has welcomed the Government’s adjustments of inbound control measures, including some route-specific flight suspensions and lifting of certain entry restriction for non-residents.
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sian airlines Aeroflot, Utair and Azur Air. Axelrod said the TDO would hinder Aviastar’s ability to deliver military cargo and dangerous goods to Russia at a time when Moscow was waging an unprovoked war of aggression against the people of Ukraine. Secretary of commerce Gina Raimondo added: “BIS’s export enforcement is laser-focused on depriving Russia of the items and technologies it needs to sustain its war machine.” Deputy secretary of commerce Don Graves said the US action was “another critical step in cutting Vladimir Putin off from the global economy. The Commerce Department will continue using every tool at its disposal to disrupt Russia’s ability to wage war and demonstrate the power and reach of US law.” Under-secretary of commerce for industry and security, Alan Estevez, also said: “Airlift capacity is essential for military success and economic prosperity, and that is why we targeted Russia’s aerospace sector in response to its brutal invasion of Ukraine.”
Hong Kong end to flight curbs
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It said they were “an appropriate response to air traffic demand, while preventing the spread of the epidemic in light of the current situation.” AAHK said it would work with the airport community to prepare for the expected increase in flights and traffic.
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Menzies Aviation partners with ClimateCare to cut carbon
AVIATION logistics specialist Menzies Aviation is partnering with ClimateCare to support socially responsible projects to cut carbon and improve lives. ClimateCare has expertise in climate and sustainable development and was selected by Menzies to further its Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments.
The partnership will allow Menzies to compensate unavoidable carbon emissions with a portfolio of socially responsible projects and help it become carbon neutral by 2033, its 200th anniversary. Menzies is supporting three projects: providing clean cooking stoves in Bangladesh, afforestation initiatives in Mexico and rainforest
protection measures in Indonesia. They align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals that Menzies has committed to advance as a signatory of the UN Global Compact. Menzies aims to remove emissions from its operations wherever possible. Through supporting ClimateCare projects, it has already compensated for 43,000 tonnes of its 2021 glob-
al scope 1 and scope 2 carbon emissions, which equates to 48% of its global Co2 emissions. The partnership with ClimateCare follows the launch of Menzies’ ‘All In’ plan for a fair and sustainable future. This is driving collaboration with customers and partners as well as Menzies’ own local and global initiatives, such as sustainable aviation fuel programmes, switching to electric GSE and addressing the gender balance with industry-leading diversity targets. Menzies Aviation’s head of sustainability and corporate responsibility, Katy Reid, said: “We are delighted to partner with ClimateCare to deepen our ESG commitments and progress our All In plan for a fair and sustainable future. With over 20 years’ experience in developing innovative carbon offset programmes, ClimateCare will provide highly valuable external perspectives and analysis, which we are applying across our network.”
Tower Cold Chain wins Queens award PHARMACEUTICAL temperature-controlled specialist Tower Cold Chain has won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise, the UK’s highest accolade for business success. The company, which makes reusable thermal containers, was recognised for outstanding short term growth in export sales over the last three years. In the last 18 months overseas sales and the proportion of total sales exporting have increased significantly. The company has seen particular success in the US, Germany, Belgium, South Africa and China, expanding its global hub networks to maximise proximity and availability to Tower customers in all regions. CEO Niall Balfour commented: “We are tremendously proud to receive the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade, which is a tribute to the expertise and hard work of the entire Tower team. Recognising our international growth shows how we are focused on meeting our customers’ global supply chain needs and will continue to invest and collaborate to deliver this.” Tower played a key role in ensuring the critical delivery of Covid-19 vaccines throughout the pandemic. In addition, the launch of both the KTM42D for ultra-cold temperature critical pharmaceuticals, and the KTEvolution, a lightweight, portable solution ideal for smaller shipments such as direct-to-patient and lastmile deliveries have helped to meet the latest cold-chain needs. The company has continued to invest to drive its growth strategy, with UK staff numbers doubling over the last three years. Tower also opened a new 26,000sq ft UK head-
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quarters and centre of excellence in Theale, Reading this includes an Innovation Centre to enhance its design and laboratory testing capabilities to develop temperature-controlled solutions. Niall Balfour added: “It is our vision to become the number one cold-chain shipping facility of choice worldwide. Winning the prestigious Queen’s Award recognises this journey, acknowledges our customers’ trust, and above all marks the tremendous efforts of all our team at Tower. I would like to thank and congratulate every one of them for their contribution – this award is a real testament to their support and our continued international growth.” Now in their 56th year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the UK, with winning businesses able to use the emblem for the next five years. The Awards recognise British businesses that excel in specific areas, including international trade, innovation and sustainable development.
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WFS makes cargo gains in Spain
WORLDWIDE FLIGHT SERVICES (WFS) has won new contracts to support cargo charter, leisure and executive jet airline customers in Spain. The Hungarian cargo charter airline, Fleet Air, has signed a contract with WFS to provide cargo handling in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and other regional airports as well as ground handling services in Madrid, Seville, Santiago, Oviedo, and Vitoria. The airline offers ad hoc all-cargo flights using an ATR72 freighter. Fleet Air chose WFS at its preferred handler as it was able to provide both ground and cargo solutions in Spain, with a single point of contact for all services. In Madrid, WFS is also providing seasonal ground handling services for Egyptian leisure airline, Cobra Jet’s new Airbus A320 passenger flights to Cairo and Luxor. Cobra Jet is also working with WFS partner Aerojetway at the
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US Post to reduce airfreight use THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE (USPS) says it will reduce its reliance on airfreight under a programme to cut costs and improve service reliability due to go into operation from 1 May. The ‘Delivering for America’ 10-year plan to achieve financial sustainability and improve
The 10-year plan aims to reverse a projected $160 billion in losses. It also includes a $40 billion capital investment in mail and package processing and facility upgrades. Postmaster general and CEO Louis DeJoy said: “Modifying select service standards is a key growth element and enabler of our 10-year
service includes modification of service standards to allow for additional transport time for long-distance package deliveries. This will allow more packages to use surface transport, which USPS says is more reliable and affordable compared to air freight. Around a third of First-Class package volume will have their service standard increased by one or two days.
plan. This action will contribute to our cost savings efforts and improve our reliability across all product classes, including our growing package market. By implementing the elements of our 10-year plan, we will deliver the consistent, reliable service that the American people and our customers expect and deserve and grow package volume, spurring revenue growth that can be invested back into the Postal Service.”
airport. Spanish charter airline, Privilege Style, an existing customer for cargo handling, has now awarded WFS a ramp handling contract. WFS currently handles the whole operation for Privilege’s B777-200 passenger-to-freighter flights in Madrid. WFS’ commercial director in Spain, Juan Luis Viton, said: “Spain is a very important and growing market for WFS. We are continuing to invest in our service capability at the airports where we are present to provide full service solutions for the many airlines already operating to and from Spain, as well as those which will come in the future. “Our latest contracts with Fleet Air, Cobra Jet, Skyvalet and Privilege Style are perfect examples of the range of handling solutions we can offer for all aviation and airline requirements.”
TIACA opens Fourth Sustainability Awards THE INTERNATIONAL AIR CARGO ASSOCIATION (TIACA) has opened the fourth edition of its Air Cargo Sustainability Awards. The competition aims to recognise outstanding businesses and industry initiatives that are leading the way to a more sustainable air cargo industry. CHAMP Cargosystems, a leading industry IT solution provider, will continue as sponsor. The latter’s CEO, Chris McDermott, said: “We are proud to continue supporting TIACA by exclusively sponsoring the Global Sustainability Awards for the Air Cargo sector. Now in their fourth year, they have been successful in pioneering sustainability, raising awareness, and placing it high on the industry’s agenda. “Past winners can inspire us to do even more, so that with continued commitment and hard work, sustainability is no longer an add-on, but moves to the core of our businesses. By building stronger corporate cultures, and investing in new corporate social responsibility initiatives, we will create the positive impact that is needed for the generations yet to come.” TIACA chairman, Steven Polmans, added: “We are excited to be launching another edition of the Air Cargo Sustainability Awards. The past few years we have had a lot of strong applications submitted and we are excited to see all of the innovation and progress our industry has been making. “We look forward to receiving this year’s applications that focus on the eight core objectives of our Sustainability Roadmap as we feel this is the path our industry needs to follow in order to become a sustainable industry.” A panel of independent industry and sustainability experts will select the winner of the
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Corporate Category and three finalists in the Start-Up/Small Business Category. TIACA is calling for applications demonstrating solutions and practices making positive change in any of the areas that align with the eight key objectives for a sustainable air cargo found in TIACA’s Sustainability Roadmap: Environment: Decarbonise; Eliminate waste; Protect biodiversity. Society: Support local economies and communities; Improve lives and wellbeing. Culture & Leadership: Improve efficiencies and profitability; Attract, retain and develop employees; Build and nurture partnerships. There will once again be two categories of leadership in sustainability. The Corporate Prize will recognise an established corporation, an international organisation or a scholar with a long-standing presence in the cargo community. The Start-Up and Small Business Prize will recognise and encourage young growing as well as small businesses building their presence in the air cargo industry. There will be a $10,000 prize for the winner and $2,500 each for the two runners-up. While the Corporate Prize is focused on recognition and support; TIACA says it wishes to specifically recognise and support the StartUp and Small Business finalists that may need the financial support to get things up and running with a cash prize. The award finalists will be invited to present their solutions at the TIACA forum on November 8-10, 2022 in Miami Florida. Applications will be accepted from April 21 up to September 2, 2022. More information at: tiaca.org/awards
Cathay Pacific appoints Asia, Mideast and Africa manager CATHAY PACIFIC has appointed Rakesh Raicar as its new regional general manager for South Asia, Middle East and Africa (SAMEA), taking over from Mark Sutch. Based in Mumbai, India, he will be responsible for the growth of the airline’s business and operations in the region. Raicar began his career with Cathay Pacific in 1992 and has held roles including regional marketing and sales manager, South Asia and sales
and country manager, South Africa and Indian Ocean. His most recent role was general manager, South West Pacific where he led, developed and executed commercial strategies for the entire region. He said: “My journey with Cathay Pacific has been very enriching. Cathay Pacific has always seen SAMEA as an important region in the network to grow our passenger and cargo business.”
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UAV maker expands San Diego operations NATILUS, a US company producing the world’s first purpose-designed and manufactured autonomous aircraft for airfreight transport, is expanding to a new engineering and manufacturing facility at Brown Field in San Diego. The facility includes a 13,000sq ft hangar for prototype final assembly, structural testing, systems’ integration and secondary structural bonding. There is also an 8,000 foot runway for testing, able to land large, oversized cargo aircraft. The 1,500sq ft of additional office space will supplement Natilus’ engineering offices in downtown San Diego. The company’s co-founder and CEO Aleksey Matyushev explained: “As the design of the prototype aircraft nears completion, we are expanding the team and facilities to move into final assembly. “Our tier one suppliers are excited about the new platform which will reduce carbon emissions, while increasing cargo volume. On continents such as Africa and parts of Asia, with limited infrastructure, our new 3.8T autonomous aircraft will become an essen-
tial mode of rapid and safe transportation.” Natilus plans initially to design and manufacture a family of four aircraft. Manufacturing of the first aircraft – the 3.8 tonne payload short-haul feeder UAV – has begun and the first flight is expected in 2023. Last month, it signed a contract with Collins Aerospace for design, development, and integration of a specialised loading system. Natilus has further designs for a 60-tonne payload medium/long range UAV; 100-tonne payload longrange UAV; and 130 tonne long-range large cargo aircraft. All aircraft use JetA or SAF fuels and existing ground infrastructure and standard air cargo containers, to produce an innovative turnkey solution for its customers. Earlier this year, Natilus announced purchase commitments worth more than $6 billion for delivery of over 440 aircraft in pre-orders, from major airlines and integrators, including Volatus Aerospace, Astral Aviation, Aurora International, Dymond and Flexport.
Handler invests in solar energy at Changi Airport
AIRFREIGHT handler and travel services company Dnata has installed a 3.5 megawatt-peak rooftop solar power system across its operations, including its cargo and catering facilities, at Changi Airport (SIN). The rooftop plant has over 6,500 individual solar panels and will generate more than 4,300 megawatt hours of green power a year, reducing Dnata’s electricity-related carbon emissions by 20% annually in Singapore. Divisional senior vice president for airport operations, David Barker, said: “We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint to ensure the highest possible level of environmental efficiency across our operations. The inauguration of the solar power system in Singapore marks a significant milestone in our efforts to make Dnata’s operations even more sustainable and reduce our carbon footprint by 20% in the next two years globally.” In recent years Dnata has significantly invested in infrastructure, equipment and process improvement, aiming to reduce its global carbon footprint. It has replaced and refurbished ground support equipment at airports to decrease engine emissions and invested in facilities incorporating the latest carbon reduction initiatives in design and operation. In Singapore, Dnata took initiatives to reduce food waste across its catering operations and replaced a number of its ground support equipment (GSE) and forklifts with hybrid or electric alternatives. It also refurbished selected GSE to extend life cycles, reduce waste and update them to the latest safety and quality standards. Most recently, it has added 44 electric baggage tractors to its GSE fleet at Changi Airport.
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VIEW FROM THE MAINDECK NEW APP AIMS TO SOLVE LOGISTICS SKILLS CRISIS
A new app aims to tackle record vacancies in the UK logistics industry. TalentX is described as the world’s first logistics-focused career development and recruitment app and was due to be launched at the Bruntwood SciTech Innovation Birmingham Campus on 28 April 2022. TalentX founder and logistics professional Nick Winder won a nationwide entrepreneur competition with Birmingham-based SuperTech, for fully funded no-code tech development in October 2021. Figures released on the run up to Christmas by industry body Logistics UK revealed that 93% of logistics businesses were having recruitment issues, while the Office of National Statistics reported the highest ever number of vacancies in transport and storage, with 52,000 unfilled positions. The new app aims to tackle two of the biggest challenges the industry faces in attracting new talent, namely a lack of awareness and its poor perception among potential recruits. Aimed at educators, school, college and university leavers, TalentX provides further details on the many and varied career opportunities in logistics as well as putting potential applicants in direct contact with the UK logistics firms. Nick Winder, who started his career as an agency warehouse worker in 1997 and has since gone on to hold director positions at DHL and EV Cargo before launching his own business, WIN Logistics in 2018, said: “Logistics is a hidden profession. Everything you can touch and see, from your coffee to your clothing, has to pass through the supply chain, but very few people are aware of the huge number of high-value jobs that are created as a result of this. “While there has been a lot of focus on the industry in recent months and years due to the effects of Brexit and the Coronavirus pandemic, skills shortages have been a growing issue within logistics for well over a decade and it isn’t just limited to truck drivers. Like many careers, very few people wake up one morning and say: ‘I’m going to be a logistician’, but with high-rates of pay, an ability to problem-solve and the added satisfaction of seeing the results of a job well done, they really should. “TalentX is designed to attract more people into the industry, providing them with a platform from which to grow their careers. While we’re focused on reaching people entering the world of work, there are also a huge number of vacancies available now for talented people looking for a career change. “This isn’t a short-term problem. Logistics is an industry that is here to stay, growing in importance as we increasingly rely upon online shopping and global trade - 85% of the jobs we’re going to need in the industry by 2035 don’t exist today. The skills we’re going to need will be completely different. We’re going to need engineers, marketers, digital experts. TalentX is designed to grow and develop alongside the industry, ensuring candidates can have successful and rewarding careers for life.” Richard Atkinson CBE, who directed air operations in Afghanistan and is now a teaching fellow at Aston University and chairman of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), spoke at the TalentX launch event. He said: “In almost every dimension, the world of logistics is fervently seeking out the talent to take the profession forward. TalentX will connect ambitious individuals to rising demand from agile logistics companies, across the UK. “At Aston University – the UK’s leading logistics faculty – we know that logistics roles are fast-moving, action packed, people-centric, well-rewarded and problem-solving; they are for people who want to make a difference in the world. As a former senior commander of RAF combat forces, I know that amateurs think tactics – professionals think logistics. “I encourage everyone to have a fresh look at the fabulous world of logistics and supply chain – it’s what makes the world go round.”
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