Cargo

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.

Mumbai, 29th April 2024: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) recently declared its stats for cargo operations during FY 2023-2024. With a connection to over 700 cargo destinations this fiscal, CSMIA witnessed 6% year-on-year increase in the overall cargo volumes, marking a significant stride in economic recovery post the COVID-19 pandemic. This boost was predominantly driven by a remarkable 10% surge in international cargo volumes. Notably, these volumes managed to attain an impressive 93% recovery comparing to their pre-COVID levels, indicating a robust resurgence in global trade and logistics activities. This fiscal year saw a 20% increase in the total number of Cargo Air Traffic Movements (ATMs). This achievement showcases the airport’s dedication to efficiently and flexibly managing the rapidly rising cargo volumes. CSMIA’s cargo facility manages a diverse array of goods, with pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, and automobiles being among the primary categories. On the international scale, the top three categories transported are automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural cargo. Meanwhile, domestically, the leading cargo categories include General cargo, engineering goods, and post office (PO) mail. These categories underscore the airport’s proficiency in handling a wide variety of goods. The surge in e-commerce significantly impacted cargo operations at CSMIA. The festive season of Diwali noticed a notable 87% year-on-year growth in e-commerce shipments. The demand for perishable items also experienced a noteworthy increase. Mango exports were particularly prominent during the months of April to July 2023, accompanied by the export of seasonal cut flowers and chocolates during the Valentine’s Day period. Additionally, in a groundbreaking achievement, CSMIA successfully handled its inaugural shipment of frozen ready-to-serve food products, such as Idli and Vada, using specialized va-Q-tec containers bound for Amsterdam. CSMIA’s international cargo volumes comprised 56% exports and 44% imports. London, Frankfurt, Dubai, Chicago, and Amsterdam were the top global destinations for outgoing cargo, while Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad led domestically. Top International carriers handling cargo volumes from CSMIA included Emirates, Qatar, and Cathay Pacific, along with Indigo, Vistara and Akasa Air as top domestic carriers. This further reinforces the airport’s strategic position as a key facilitator in both international and domestic airfreight operations. To enhance the infrastructure and facilitate the adoption of advanced technology, MIAL is in process of building PEB (Pre-Engineered Building Structure) to enhance its cargo handling capacity in imports. In addition to these efforts, CSMIA has pioneered innovations in cargo operations, notably introducing the Air Cargo Community System, Adani MIAL Air Exchange (AMAX), the first of its kind in India. This system revolutionizes processes through SOPs, integrated systems, and digitization. Mobile apps like AMAX and Turant enable transparent, paperless, and digital operations, eliminating physical documentation for export consignments. Integrated processes like E-Airwaybill, e-carting order, e-CSD, e-delivery orders, and e-gate passes ensure efficiency. Additionally, CSMIA spearheaded the Air Cargo Community portal in India, enhancing operational efficiency and supply chain planning. The introduction of Digital Docket Delivery (D-Cube) for import gate pass system further streamlines online processing, reducing paper usage and cargo dwell time. With sustainability being an integral part of CSMIA’s operations, the airport has implemented various environmental sustainability initiatives such as LED lights, battery-operated cargo handling equipment, electric vehicles for staff movement, and solar panel installation to reduce electricity dependency, CSMIA has also prioritized the replacement of air conditioning units with lower GWP refrigerants. Furthermore, recent trends in the industry indicate a notable rise in air cargo volumes, largely attributed to challenges in container movement in the Red Sea. In Q4 of FY 2024, international cargo surged by approximately 22% compared to the previous year, showcasing air cargo’s adaptability in addressing supply chain disruptions and meeting market demands.

Seoul, 13th Sept, 2023: Korean Air will begin its full-scale digital transition to electronic air waybill (e-AWB) to replace conventional paper air cargo transport documents. The full transition will first apply to documents for general cargo departing from Korea bound for North America, Europe, Japan and other select markets. e-AWB is a digital replacement for traditional paper air waybills. Whereas paper air waybills require in-person visits for documentation, printing, and submission, the digital transition will streamline the entire process from reservations to final delivery. The transition will also enhance data quality and accuracy to allow the airline to share essential information more transparently. Simplifying processes and eliminating costs will also increase efficiency in the AWB framework. By going paperless, the airline will also be able to practice its ESG initiatives to make a sustainable impact. To minimize operational disruptions, Korean Air held consultations and completed trial operations with all stakeholders, cargo clients and forwarders. The airline will mandate e-AWB for Korea-outbound cargo starting from January 2024, and plans to expand the digital transition for all Korean Air Cargo departing from all global stations in due course. “Taking this digital step forward will bring an innovative paradigm to logistics, and we stand behind IATA’s effort to phase in e-AWB for air cargo digital transformation, ” said a Korean Air official. “We believe that Korean Air’s commitment to international industry initiatives will help raise Korea’s air cargo industry competitiveness.”

Jakarta, 5th Sept.2023: BBN Airlines Indonesia, a subsidiary of Avia Solutions Group, that specialises in the provision of ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance & Insurance), air charter, and air freight services is the latest addition to Indonesia’s aviation industry. ACMI is considered relatively new in Indonesia, and there are very few service providers. With this expertise in hand, BBN Airlines Indonesia is expected to give an extra boost to support the ever-growing aviation needs in Indonesia. For the three services above, BBN Airlines Indonesia was awarded an Airline Operator Certificate issued by the Directorate of Airworthiness and Aircraft Operations of the Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia on August 31st, 2023. The AOC was issued to BBN Airlines Indonesia upon successfully completing five stages of Pre-Application, Formal Application, Document Compliance, Demonstration and Inspection, and Certification; all of which complied with ICAO regulations and applicable aviation laws in Indonesia. By completing all certification stages, BBN Airlines Indonesia was declared qualified after having fully met all technical and safety requirements to be granted an AOC, and therefore can immediately conduct commercial flights. “The AOC is a testament to our serious commitment and readiness to support Indonesia’s aviation needs, in all sectors from airlines, tour operators, and cargo, to logistics. We have witnessed a high demand for aircraft provision, especially during high seasons such as Umrah, Haj, Eid, and other special holidays that result in a large surge in goods distribution, and we have conducted thorough research on that. This is why we are confident that this is an excellent opportunity for us to be able to give much-needed support to the airline, logistics, and tour operator companies so that, in return, they can give customers a fast, reliable, safe, and comfortable service,” says Martynas Grigas, Chairman of BBN Airlines Indonesia. Immediately following the issuance of its AOC, BBN Airlines Indonesia will operate a fleet consisting of two Boeing 737-800F specializing in air freight services. By the end of 2023, BBN Airlines Indonesia has set a target to operate a fleet of nine aircraft for air freight and passenger purposes. The commitment to get the aircraft fleet ready has been an important part that makes BBN Airlines Indonesia stand out among the other competitors in the ACMI field. “ACMI providers are still a rarity, especially in Asia. We are offering wet lease as well as mixed-crews or damp lease that can be custom tailored to the client’s specific needs. While the lessee gets an additional aircraft or more, the lessor gives a full guarantee on the airworthiness of the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and aircraft insurance. On the other hand, the lessee will be responsible for the other operational aspects such as fuel, and ground handling services,” says Mr. Grigas. The ACMI services provided by BBN Airlines Indonesia offer a full solution to the needs of Indonesian airline companies. Focusing on flexibility, reliability, and safety, BBN Airlines Indonesia offers a wide range of options from experienced crew, clockwork-like maintenance, and comprehensive insurance coverage needed by a partner company to run a safe and efficient operation. The second service offered by BBN Airlines Indonesia is air charter flights. This service directly answers the growing needs of travellers in Indonesia who have unique needs and requirements. In this case, BBN Airlines Indonesia will provide a service that can be custom-tailored according to the traveller’s need for a personalized trip purpose. Finally, air freight service is the third service offered by BBN Airlines Indonesia, which provides for the increasing volumes of e-commerce, in Indonesia and globally. The need for reliable delivery which covers a large area that spans from Sabang to Merauke requires quick and safe cargo aircraft. BBN Airlines Indonesia offers several route options and flexible schedules for business with competent and experienced third-party logistic companies ensuring fast and safe delivery.