In week 16 of PLA’s global wrap, we feature Lufthansa Cargo after it recently signed a contract to modernise its cargo operations at Frankfurt airport. We also have the latest on ACL Airshop as the ULD solutions company positions itself for growth, as well as B2B news from Consol Alliance, Geodis, Worldwide Flight Services, Antonov and more to round up the updates from last week.
Lufthansa eyes cargo hub modernisation
Lufthansa Cargo is pushing ahead with the modernisation of its logistics hub at Frankfurt airport after it signed a contract with Bleichert Automation GmbH & Co. KG for the construction of a central high-rack warehouse including material handling technology. The facility will house a high-rack storage system and a multievel distribution axis, which will form the centerpiece of its cargo handling operations at the Frankfurt hub. Construction and commissioning will take place in several stages, with realization of the high-rack storage system and the first part of the material distribution axis expected between 2022 and 2025.
Alinda Partner buyout to drive ACL Airshop growth
ULD solutions provider ACL Airshop announced last week the closing of its acquisition by infrastructure fund manager Alinda Capital Partner, as the company looks to further grow the business. The transaction successfully concluded in April, with details not disclosed. ACL chief Steve Townes said current management and operations team will continue to lead the organisation under new ownership as it continues to expand its ULD fleet and network of airport locations and adopt new technologies.
Delta orders 25 Airbus A321neos
Delta Air Lines has placed a firm order for 25 A321neo aircraft, powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM engines. The new order adds to Delta’s previous order of 100 A321neo aircraft. This latest order from Delta Air Lines brings the A321neo’s total order since its 2017 introduction to nearly 3,500, with more than 500 aircraft already in fleets around the world. Delta also said it has accelerated delivery of two A350-900s and two A330-900neo aircraft.
e-Commerce spurs Consol Alliance to up capacity
Consol Alliance has increased its UK-Australia services for parcels and general cargo, amidst a boom in e-commerce and cargo traffic. The airfreight consolidator now serves Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane 20 times a week, offering door-door and airport-airport options. Consol says it can accomodate outsize or project shipments on a back-to-back (separate AWB) basis. It is also attracting dense cargo by offering discounts and open to quote for inbound shipments to the UK, where it partnered with independent agent Davies Turner.
Geodis launches internship programme
Geodis has established a new internship program for direct families of its employees. The company is now offering end-of-study internships in Europe, Asia and America, across freight forwarding, distribution & express, road transport and supply chain optimization. Applications are open for children and siblings of employees who are looking for an internship or work-study program lasting at least three months to complete their current year of higher education.
WFS stations in Spain get GDP certification
Worldwide Flight Services has secured Good Distribution Practice (GDP) certifications for its stations in Madrid and Barcelona. The two facilities have approximately 640 sqm and 450 sqm of landside and airside acceptance areas, respectively, with warehouse management technology, real-time temperature monitoring, shipment tracking and security systems. Both stations also hold CEIV Pharma accreditation and currently handle over 8,600 tonnes of pharma shipments each year for six airlines.
Biocontrol company joins AFKLMP’s SAF programme
Dutch biocontrol company Koppert Biological Systems and AFKLMP Cargo have entered into a partnership within the framework of the airline’s sustainable aviation fuel programme. Under the partnership, the cargo carrier will use SAF on selected international flights carrying Koppert’s agricultural and horticultural products for biological pest control. The company ships live cargo of beneficial insects, fungi and other microbiological substances and is the first freight shipper partner to join AFKLMP’s SAF programme.
Antonov moves drilling machines across Africa
Antonov Airlines transported fourteen pieces of mining equipment, weighing 216 tonnes in total, on two An-124-100 charter flights from Istanbul, Turkey to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and Monrovia, Liberia. The airline made a single technical stop in Algiers, Algeria for the 103-tonne cargo bound for Burkina Faso and two stops in Casablanca, Morocco, and Diass-Thies, Senegal for the journey to Liberia with 113 tonnes of cargo to refuel and provide crew rests.
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise orders 15 B737 MAX jets
Aircraft lessor Dubai Aerospace Enterprise is growing its 737 MAX fleet with its first direct order for 15 737-8 jets from Boeing. The new purchase is DAE’s second investment in the 737 MAX in the past year. In the third quarter of last year, the lessor signed an agreement with American Airlines to purchase and lease back 18 new 737-8 planes, of which 17 have been delivered. DAE previously completed a similar purchase-leaseback deal with Brazilian carrier GOL for five 737-8s.
German cargo handler opens testing centre at FRA
LUG aircargo handling opened a Covid-19 testing centre for antigen rapid and PCR tests in Frankfurt Airport’s CargoCity South on 17 April. The testing centre, operated by InVitaGO GmbH, provides a professional ‘drive-in’ solution for cars and a walk-in alternative, and will be open to the public.
