Cargo

Penang, 29th Oct 2024: Raya Airways Sdn. Bhd. (“Raya”), Malaysian cargo airline, has announced that it has commenced the route between Penang and Hong Kong SAR with the inaugural flight on 28 October 2024 from Penang International Airport. The route will operate five flights per week. The route enhances DHL’s aviation network in Asia Pacific, and is served by Raya under DHL’s charter arrangement. Other than the Penang-Hong Kong route, Raya is also operating other charter services between Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong SAR as well as Kuala Lumpur and Singapore for DHL. Raya’s Group Managing Director, Mohamad Najib Ishak said, “We are pleased to be given trust by DHL to support their growing network, which is a testimony to their market leadership. Throughout the 14 years of partnership between the parties, Raya has developed a robust operational infrastructure to support DHL’s time-definite business model. In addition, we are also delighted to be given the opportunity to support the growth of Penang as a premier air cargo hub, given the presence of large high-end industrials in the state.” “The Penang-Hong Kong route will not be possible without the strong support of Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad as the airport operator, in providing the operation-critical arrangements. A special note of thanks to MAHB’s team, led by YBhg. Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani, the Managing Director,” he added.

London, 22nd October 2024: IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG), has announced the return of its London Heathrow (LHR) and Jeddah King Abdulaziz International (JED) service from 2nd November 2024. The six times weekly service will be operated by a Boeing 787 widebody aircraft and will complement IAG Cargo’s existing connectivity to Saudi Arabia via the ten times weekly London Heathrow (LHR) to Riyadh King Khalid International Airport route. Camilo Garcia Cervera, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at IAG Cargo, said: “In the first quarter of 2024, trade in goods and services between the UK and Saudi Arabia totalled £17.6 billion*. The resumption of the Jeddah service – which has been paused since the Covid-19 pandemic – and the additional capacity to Saudi Arabia is therefore timely and will ensure additional choice and flexibility for our customers. “Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport is a vital air cargo hub for trade between the East and West and with plans to double its cargo handling capacity, we are very happy to announce the return of Jeddah to our expansive network which spans six continents.” Out of London, IAG Cargo offers capacity to six continents with over 600 weekly wide-body services. Additionally, Dublin serves as a gateway to North America, boasting over 80 weekly wide-body rotations. The business now offers over 240 weekly wide-body services connecting Madrid and Barcelona with destinations across North America, Latin America and the Caribbean.

São José dos Campos, Brazil, 10 October 2024: The E-Freighter, Embraer’s E190F has been fully certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Embraer’s passenger-to-freighter conversion and the Cargo Loading System, developed by U.S. Cargo Systems, have received the certification by FAA in September 2024. In July, the E-Freighter was certified by the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil (ANAC) and EASA certification is due later this year. The aircraft was developed to fill a gap in the air cargo market and to replace older, less efficient models. The E190F program was launched in May 2022 to meet the changing demands of e-commerce and modern trade, which require fast deliveries and decentralized operations driving the demand for faster delivery of shipments to regional markets. The E-Freighter made its debut flight in April and its first public appearance during the Farnborough Airshow in July. “FAA certification is an important milestone in our passenger-to-freighter conversion program. We are excited to enter this market, filling a gap that has evolved in the market to meet the growing demand globally for faster deliveries, not just to metro areas, but to all regions. With our E-Jet footprint across the US and worldwide, we are offering optimum cargo solutions to our customers for this connected world”, said Martyn Holmes, Chief Commercial Officer, Embraer Commercial Aviation. E-Jets converted to freighters will have over 40% more volume capacity, three times the range of large cargo turboprops, and up to 30% lower operating costs than larger narrowbodies. If combining capacity under the floor and main deck, the maximum structural payload is 13,500 kg for the E190F.

Sept 30, 2024: Oliver von Götz succeeds Dr. Jan-Wilhelm Breithaupt as of 1 September 2024. The former Head of Region Europe at Lufthansa Cargo has taken over the position of Head of Global Fulfillment Management in Frankfurt. Since the beginning of the month, he has been responsible for global warehouse handling, the further development and management of the production system as well as customer service at the cargo airline and is the contact person for the responsible authorities. With 13 years of experience in the aviation industry in the areas of network management, strategy and sales, Oliver von Götz can draw on a wealth of experience. Before joining Lufthansa Cargo, he was Head of Corporate Airline Strategy and Business Development Lufthansa Airlines within the Lufthansa Group. “We are delighted that Oliver von Götz is now leading our Global Fulfillment Management team. He has the right experience to coordinate the many interfaces within the supply chain, to establish new, more efficient solutions and ultimately to enable optimal shipment processes for our customers,” explains Dietmar Focke, Chief Operations Officer at Lufthansa Cargo. Oliver von Götz succeeds Dr. Jan-Wilhelm Breithaupt, who took over as Managing Director of jettainer, the global market leader in unit load device (ULD) management services and a wholly owned subsidiary of Lufthansa Cargo, on June 1, 2024.

Houston, Texas, 22nd August 2024: CPaT Global, the provider of distance learning for the airline and aviation industry, announced they have been awarded a contract with a new cargo operator, Euroavia Airlines. CPaT will provide Euroavia with Boeing B767 Aircraft Systems and General Subjects courses, as well as Aircraft Procedures. “CPaT Global is excited to announce our new partnership with start-up cargo operator, Euroavia Airlines,” said Capt. Greg Darrow, Vice President of Sales. “As the leading distance learning provider for cargo airlines, our highest quality training solutions will ensure their crew is equipped with the essential knowledge and skills to operate their Boeing B767 aircraft safely and efficiently.” Euroavia Airlines is based out of Cyprus.

Delhi, 10th July 2024: Effective 15 July, Anand Kulkarni will assume the newly created position of Head of Global Markets at Lufthansa Cargo. In this role, he will lead and manage the sales regions and the Digital Sales department of Lufthansa Cargo. This includes the regions Germany, Austria & Switzerland, Europe, Middle East, Africa, South Asia & CIS, Americas and Asia Pacific. In his role, Kulkarni will report to Ashwin Bhat, CEO Lufthansa Cargo. With 25 years of experience in the logistics industry, Anand Kulkarni brings a truly global leadership perspective to the role of Head of Global Markets at Lufthansa Cargo. Prior to joining Lufthansa Cargo, Kulkarni was Head of Global Expansion at General Logistics Systems (GLS Group), where he developed and implemented the global growth strategy. Prior to that, he spent 15 years with DHL in various management positions in Asia Pacific and EMEA. His responsibilities included leading regional Pricing & Profitability and global Sales Steering & Performance Management for DHL’s top 100 strategic customers. He was also part of DHL’s Global Aviation Strategy project which led to the creation of AeroLogic. He also worked in the US for a management consulting firm specializing in aviation strategy and finance. During his career, he has worked with the full spectrum of the aviation value chain – airframe manufacturers, leasing companies, airlines, financial and legal firms, and regulatory authorities. Anand Kulkarni holds a Master’s degree in Finance from the London Business School, UK, and a Master’s degree in Transportation Engineering from the University of Connecticut, USA.

New Delhi, 5th July2024: The Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI) held their Annual Conclave themed “Unlocking Potential Paving Way for a Developed India” in New Delhi. The event aimed to foster collaborative brainstorming sessions to unlock the potential of international and domestic freight movements. Mohan Yadav,Chief Minister – Madhya Pradesh was the Special Guest at the event along with other dignitaries, including Dr. Surendra Ahirwar, Joint Secretary (Logistics and Trade), DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry), Piyush Srivastava, Senior Economic Advisor, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Jivisha Joshi Gangopadhyay, Deputy Secreetary, DPIIT Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. At the ACFI Annual Conclave 2024, the air cargo community was invigorated as all relevant stakeholders came together, including airports, GSAs, carrier partners, shippers, regulators, policymakers, and government authorities. The event aimed to collectively shape a vision spanning from shippers to buyers and other stakeholders in the supply chain ecosystem.The conclave brought together the entire Governing Board of ACFI, past presidents of the forum, and various stakeholders in the air cargo logistics and supply chain trade. This included senior government dignitaries, airlines, airport operators, cargo terminal operators, freight forwarders, sales agents, other trade associations, and express industry professionals. Sharing his views, Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister – Madhya Pradesh said, “In this globally connected world, there is a crucial need for fast and efficient delivery, especially after COVID-19 which has taught us how unpredictable the future can be. Being the nation’s heart, Madhya Pradesh has been at the forefront of the logistics sector. Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, we have undertaken several projects in roadways, expressways, and Vande metro. Earlier, it used to take months to travel abroad, but today with the help of air cargo we are able to deliver goods to the farthest corner of the world, benefiting businesses and society simultaneously. I hope Madhya Pradesh will soon have an Air Cargo like Delhi and we have initiated work in this regard with several industries. I extend my best wishes for the conclave and hope Madhya Pradesh will be able to contribute to bringing together the air cargo industry as a cohesive force.” Speaking at the event,Shri Piyush Srivasata, Sr. Economic Advisor, Ministry of Civil Aviation said,“Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI) is dedicated to building a world-class environmentally friendly air logistics industry that facilitates business and supports the aspirations of the new and advanced Viksit Bharat. Going forward, e-commerce and express delivery cargo will drive the future, making it crucial to maintain an airline clientele that is both high-value and low-volume. Additionally, stakeholders must remain cognizant and aware of optimizing processes and reducing turnaround times. Regulatory improvements have increased the ease of doing business and I strongly believe that the government will do what needs to be done to maintain this upward trajectory. As we leapfrog to achieve a $ 5 trillion economy by 2024-25, we need to adopt the best practices as per our need for rapid and sustainable growth of the Indian Economy.” The conclave covered three business sessions, capturing the possibilities, opportunities, challenges, and strategies within the air cargo sector to catapult India to become a developed nation.The sessions emphasized key topics–”Soaring Ambitions: Building India’s Air Cargo Capacity, paving way for a Developed India”, “Collaborative Horizons: Unlocking Customer Expectations” and “Future Skies: Transforming Air Cargo Through Technology, Innovation and Sustainability.”These were moderated by keyACFI Governing Board Members Mr. Sanjiv Edward, Mr. Satish Lakkaraju,andMr. Keku Bomi Gazder. Yashpal Sharma – President ACFI said, “A developed India requires significant advancement from our current state of growth. However, it is important to remember that this growth must be unanimous, driven by elevating skill sets, job opportunities, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks. The Indian aviation sector is poised to witness a 3X growth, leveraging the robust supply chain we have established. To fully capitalize on this opportunity, we must continuously innovate in our businesses and upskill our workforce. I truly believe that Air Cargo has the right potential and scope for empowering businesses worldwide. I am certain that this holistic approach will not only strengthens the industry’s current capabilities but also lay a strong foundation for future growth and success.” The ACFI Annual Conclave 2024 also featured a strong line-up of eminent speakers, including Peter Penseel, President, Delta Air Lines, Manoj Singh, Chief Cargo Officer, Adani Airport Holdings Ltd., Capt. Nikhil B. Ved, Managing Director, Blue Dart Aviation Ltd., Vishal Bhatnagar, Managing Director, Global Cargo Operations, Delta Air Lines, Camilo Garcia Cervera, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, IAG Cargo, Vaibhav Vohra, Managing Director, Continental Carriers Pvt. Ltd., Dr. Ajay Sahai, DG & CEO, Federation of Indian Export Organisations, Tia Bhaduri Mohan, Director – Ocean & Air Transport Planning, Electrolux,Alok Kumar Singh, Director – Global Logistics & Warehouse, VVDN Technologies,Aram Lee, Country Head, Samsung SDS, Ramesh Mamidala, Head Cargo Commercial, Air India Limited, Mark Sutch, Chief Commercial Officer Cargo, Indigo, Yashpal Sharma, Managing Director, Skyways Group, A-lAnood Al-Suwaidi, SVP Cargo for Middle East, Africa and Asia Region, Menzies Aviation, Dr. Jivisha Joshi Gangopadhyay, Deputy Secretary, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Halit Tuncer, Cargo Director South Asia, Turkish Airlines, Soham Chokshi, Chief Executive Officer, Shipsy, Mr. Zvi Schreiber, Founder and CEO, Freightos Group, as well as Kamesh Peri, Chief Executive Officer, Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Private Limited. The ACFI Conclave focused on leveraging innovative technologies, integrating processes, adopting best global practices and accelerating the pace of change, and its business sessions will deliberate various opportunities, possibilities, challenges & action items for the Indian Air Cargo industry to get 10 Million MT by 2030-31. “The ACFI Annual Conclave 2024 served as a prestigious gathering of the most brilliant minds in India’s air cargo sector, offering a platform for addressing the industry’s most pressing challenges and exploring its most promising opportunities. This distinguished event showcased ACFI’s commitment to elevating the air freight industry by harnessing its inherent strengths, navigating the complexities of international

5th June 2024; New Delhi: SriLankan Cargo, the air cargo division of SriLankan Airlines, recently unveiled its reinvented service delivery framework and website, with a strong focus on customer experience. The new service model of SriLankan Cargo classifies service delivery under Freshness Class, Wellness Class, Precious Class and Guardian Class to ensure consistent and premium care for customers and their consignments. It also includes a 24/7 service hotline and a redesigned website for a better user experience. “We are excited to present our latest innovation – product verticals – that is the culmination of our collective focus, dedication and creativity in the pursuit of excellence in airfreight services. SriLankan Cargo is passionate about serving its customers even better by setting new standards, which when coupled with the innate warmth and friendliness of our people, create a service that rivals the best in class,” stated Chaminda Perera, Head of Cargo of SriLankan Airlines. The four classes of service emphasize precision in activities throughout the airfreight logistics process. Freshness Class and Wellness Class focus on priority service, rapid connections and advanced cold chain management to conserve the freshness of perishable cargo and potency of medicine, respectively. Precious Class pledges to offer the highest degree of security for valuable and vulnerable cargo, and Guardian Class aims to provide all the comfort and care that pets and other animals need during air transportation. Customers can now reach out to the SriLankan Cargo team at any time of the day through the new 24/7 service hotline at +94197 33 3344, an integral feature of the new service framework. SriLankan Cargo will further provide regular tracking updates on shipments to customers. The redesigned website, another important element of the framework, aims to supply customers with all the information that they require for shipping decisions. From discovering the perfect flight schedule to easily calculating the chargeable weight by entering the dimensions of the consignment or making a request for air cargo charter services, the site promises to be the quickest information source for SriLankan Cargo products. “It is great to see the national carrier aggressively forging ahead with the introduction of these value-added products amid all the challenges that they are facing. I take this opportunity to wish SriLankan Cargo every success as they take off into the future,” expressed Ruwan Waidyaratne, Managing Director of Hayleys Advantis.