In this week’s PLA Global Wrap, we feature P&W and Air New Zealand’s MRO joint venture as it celebrated its 20-year anniversary. We also have the latest on DB Schenker’s new fleet of electric vehicles, Bolloré Logistics’ planned construction of its largest pharma hub in Europe, and other industry updates from Cargolux, Dachser, and American Airlines for week 17’s B2B recap .

Oslo/Frankfurt: DB Schenker to deliver carbon-free in Norway
DB Schenker announced an ambitious goal of zero-emission deliveries in all major Norwegian cities by the end of 2021. The company has invested in 25 additional electric trucks and vans throughout the country this spring, bringing it s all-electric fleet to a total of 42 electric trucks and five electric bicycles. This will contribute to significant carbon emissions reduction of 1,500 tonnes per year in Norway.

Bonn: Rolls-Royce, DHL Express sign MRO deal for A330 engines
Rolls-Royce and DHL Express have signed a TotalCare® agreement for the Trent 700 engines that currently power the express operator’s eight A330 freighters. The engine has accumulated 62 million flying hours over more than 25 years of operations, and the agreement will provide the express operator with secured operating and maintenance costs through a dollar-per-flying-hour payment mechanism and will ensure the continuity of aftermarket support at the lowest possible maintenance cost for the express operator.

New Zealand: Christchurch Engine Centre celebrates 20 years
Last week, Christchurch Engine Centre, a joint venture between Pratt & Whitney and Air New Zealand, celebrates 20 years with afternoon tea. With 350 people, it is one of the world’s best centres performing maintenance, repair and overhaul work for the V2500 engine, which powers the operation of A320ceo passenger and cargo airlines around the world, including Air New Zealand. P&W says the V2500 and its GTF engines are leading the recovery in passenger services in Asia Pacific thanks to their lower fuel burn and trip costs.

Fort Worth, TX: American expands cold chain capabilities
American Airlines Cargo is expanding its solution for transporting temperature-controlled shipments to its entire mainline fleet, following tests and trials conducted with CSafe Global and CargoSense. The successful trials will allow the airline to nearly double its handling capacity for temperature-sensitive cargo and extend its cold-chain network to 30 new stations, including Cincinnati, Memphis and Pittsburgh.

Strasbourg: Bolloré to build its largest pharma hub in Europe
Bolloré Logistics and Strasbourg Airport last week announced the construction of a logistics centre dedicated to the pharma industry on Strasbourg Airport’s business park Skyparc. The 10,000-sqm warehouse, operated under the Bolloré Logistics name, will start operating in January 2022 and will house two cells for the +2°/+8°C and +15°/+25°C temperature range. The logistics player will assign two pharmacists on site to ensure public health code and GDP compliance.

Luxembourg: Cargolux achieves record results
Celebrating its 50th year, Cargolux Group earned a net profit after tax of US$768.7 million with an EBIT margin of 31.3 percent, further strengthening the airline’s balance sheet. The airline saw unprecedented demand for the transport of PPE supplies and other products and earned revenue in the process, filling the void left with grounded passenger aircraft. The airline said it honoured all blocked space agreements concluded in 2019, and as at end of December 2020, its total fleet of stood at 30 747s, comprising 16 B747-400 freighters (10 -400Fs and 6 -400ERFs) and 14 B747-8 freighters.

Dubai: Emirates moved 5 percent of world’s Covid-19 jabs
Emirates SkyCargo has been leading the air cargo industry in the transport of Covid-19 vaccines and other essential medical and food supplies during the pandemic. The air cargo carrier has moved six different types, amounting to around 59 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, or 1 out of every 20 jabs administered throughout the world. It has been estimated that more than 1 billion doses of the life-saving vaccines have been administered globally.

Montreal: WFS, Air Canada deliver vital shipment for vaccine doses
Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) and Air Canada are working closely with the Canadian government to transport vial caps for vaccine doses to support the country’s immunisation programme. WFS’ team of pharma specialists in Paris use temperature-controlled pallets, containers, dollies and trailers to prepare the shipments and load them onboard Air Canada flights to Montreal. Once in Canada, the all-plastic push-fit caps are retrieved by the Public Health Agency of Canada, based in Ottawa, where they are being used in the manufacture and capping of vaccines for the local population.

Kempten/Memmingen: Dachser builds new warehouse
Dachser is is investing some 25 million euros to expand its Allgäu logistics centre with a high-bay storage facility for non-chilled food and food packaging due to open in summer 2022. Covering 7,500 sqm at 32 meters tall, the facility will provide space for 52,000 pallets, with installed conveyor system to automate loading and unloading. Above the loading area, 2,300 sqm will be available for manual picking and finishing operations.

Amsterdam: PayCargo tailor-fits platform for Dutch freight group
PayCargo has teamed up with Air Cargo Netherlands (ACN) to help simplify the payment and collection of the association’s membership and delegate transactions. ACN is the only air freight industry association in the Netherlands. With more than 300 members, it aims to develop the Dutch air cargo industry through educational projects, digital innovation, and increased transparency and connection between supply chain members.