To end the ghost month, we compiled what’s left of the month-old inbox from August to see what we missed, marketing releases included, along with global news from our much-respected peers. This month’s recap comes with a post-event update on Chinese aviation related events.

Who doesn’t want to clean the slate before taking on a new month? Let’s hope sweeping up the vault would help get rid of the bad juju as we head into the peak season.

Several regions experience air cargo lull ahead of peak season
FreightWaves reported a rate pause for airfreight right at the tail end of August, which is spreading beyond the China market, but airfreight users report strong demand and rates in other parts of Asia outside of China, as well as for intra-Asia shipping.

Hong Kong’s adherence to strict Covid-19 testing and quarantine protocols for air crews continues to suppress activity there by some airlines, limiting available space for shippers.

In Europe, the market is experiencing decreased demand for the holiday season, with the trans-Atlantic westbound market stable and decent capacity availability in and out of Asia.

Air cargo operators are bullish about the remainder of 2020 thanks to increased manufacturing worldwide and strong online shopping demand. With retailers building up inventory for the holidays and tech giants poised for major product launches this fall, industry experts expect spot rates to rise again in September as the peak shipping season kicks into high gear.

Read more here.

Cash-strapped airlines cancel and announce cuts as payroll aid ending looms
Not a month after announcing its 5,000th cargo flight, United Airlines cancelled more than 600 flights on 26 and 27 of August, pausing flights and cargo operations at Houston Intercontinental Airport as Hurricane Laura made its way through the Texas Coast, which led to power outage for much of Louisiana.

In related news, American Airlines said it will cut 19,000 jobs by October as Delta Air Lines decides to let go of nearly 2,000 pilots, with United estimating around 3,000, unless the US congress would allow for more relief.

American Airlines earlier adjusted its October schedule to remove service to 15 smaller cities amidst low demand and the expiration of the air service requirements associated with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which prohibits US carriers from furloughing staff until after 30 September.

Chinese aeronautics and avionics players gather in Shanghai for congress and forum
The 9th Civil Avionics International Forum 2020 was successfully held in Shanghai from 12 to 13 August, with the theme “Safety, Reliability, Innovation, Development,” a press release confirmed.

Hosted by the Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics, organised by the China Aeronautical Radio Electronics Research Institute and supported by the Shanghai Society of Aeronautics, CAIF 2020 was attended by 350 leading experts who discussed the airworthiness requirements of civil aircraft avionics systems, the developing trends and market demand, avionics system simulation and testing, data security and protection, big data analysis, as well as avionics system maintenance and support.

With the increasing demand for short distance or urban air transport, one of the promising new trends discussed was eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing). Larry Yust, product management leader-integrated systems at Aviage Systems, shed light on the future of avionics systems, the type of advanced technology needed, as well as issues in security and airworthiness certification.

Meanwhile, the 2nd Connected Aircraft China Congress 2020, hosted in Shanghai from 13 to 14 August, attracted nearly 200 delegates and hosted 19 domestic and foreign speakers.

The Shanghai Society of Aeronautics hosted the forum, supported by the Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airport Group and organized by Galleon (Shanghai) Consulting.

Some of the noticeable interactions include that of Sun Lu, Head of Airbus China Innovation Center, and Thorsten Robrecht, SkyFive’s CEO, who signed an agreement to jointly explore 5G ground-to-ground interconnection solutions, as well as Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services who the discussed maintenance base with Shanghai Hongqiao Linkong Economic Demonstration Zone.

More than 90 leading industrial companies from airlines, OEMs, system integrators, satellite communications, network security and avionics systems were invited to attend the 2nd Connected Aircraft China Congress 2020.