In PLA’s week 20 global wrap, we go to Brazil to cover LATAM’s planned cargo fleet expansion with more 767-300ERsset for freighter conversion. We then fly to Paris where Geodis has opened a new cargo facility to ease the flow of exports and imports it handles over at CDG. We also have the latest on Lufthansa, Qatar, SmartKargo and FedEx to roundup the B2B industry updates in the week of 16-22 May.
LATAM targets cargo fleet expansion by 2023
LATAM Group plans to add 10 B767-300BCFs (Boeing converted freighters) over the next three years with the first one to start in December this year. The airline will use some 767-300ERs awaiting conversion in the short term, with seats removed from three planes to have a payload of up to 46 tonnes per flight. With four previous orders, four exercised options, and two additional B767-300ER orders, Latam’s freighter fleet targets 21 aircraft by the end of 2023. The airline is ‘optimising commonality’ across its fleet of 767-300 production and converted freighters to maximize capacity, including the ability to transport delicate goods.
Lufthansa’s D-ALFG gets ‘inked’ with DB Schenker logo
Last week the Lufthansa Cargo freighter with registration D-ALFG took off with special livery to highlight the joint mission of the German airline and forwarder DB Schenker. Printed on the side of the aircraft showed “Flying 100% CO2 neutral powered by DB Schenker” and an illustration of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The two have been offering ‘carbon-neutral’ cargo rotations between Frankfurt and Shanghai each week since April. Deutsche Bahn and DB Schenker says this is only the third time that the company logo has appeared on an aircraft.
Qatar chief named chairman of oneworld’s governing board
oneworld’s governing board has appointed Qatar Airways Group chief Akbar Al Baker to serve as chairman, succeeding Qantas chief Alan Joyce. His excellency will oversee the alliance’s governance, chair oneworld’s governing board meetings and work closely with oneworld CEO Rob Gurney and the alliance’s management team.
US airlines carried 9 percent more cargo in March
US airlines carried 9 percent more cargo by weight year on year in March, fueled by gains of nearly 4 percent in domestic cargo and 24 percent in international cargo, according to data by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the 12 leading US cargo airlines. Total tonnage climbed 8.7 percent at around 1.6 million tonnes, with domestic up 3.8 percent and international up 24 percent.
Geodis opens airside cargo station at CDG
Geodis has opened a new 6,000-sqm site within the cargo area of Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport to provide certified services, such as CEIV and TAPA Level A, for customers in the pharma and luxury goods sectors. The new complex will have immediate airside access, located near Air France’s main warehouse (G1XL) and other main service providers at the airport, to accelerate the processing times for the flow of goods, both for export and import.
CargoAir becomes first European operator of AEI’s B737-800SF
Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) last week successfully redelivered CargoAir’s first B737-800SF freighter. The aircraft (MSN 30664) represents the first B737-800SF conversion to be operated in Europe after AEI received EASA approval on 7 May. The Bulgarian cargo airline signed up for two orders last year, with the second modification to start in June at AEI’s convestion centre Commercial Jet in Miami, Florida.
Swissport nabs easyJet ground service contract at BER airport
Swissport and easyJet have signed a new 5-year contract covering airport ground services for 30 daily flights at easyJet’s hub at Berlin Brandenburg International Airport. The British carrier also renewed its contracts with Swissport in Basel and Geneva until 2025. Last year both companies worked together at some 20 airports across Europe. The ground and cargo handler currently serves 17 airlines at Berlin Airport with around 200 employees.
Antonov moves 70 tonnes of oxygen devices to India
Antonov Airlines safely transported 70 tonnes of oxygen concentrators from Tel Aviv to Delhi for general sales agent Flywell Aviation and supply chain services provider Delhivery. Some 2,500 concentrators made the trip aboard Antonov’s AN-124-100, which made a technical stop in Dubai for refuelling.
Norwegian airline deploys SmartKargo
Norway-based Widerøe Airlines is stepping into the e-commerce delivery arena with the recent implementation of SmartKargo. With a network across 42 destinations in Norway and seven abroad, the airline can now deliver e-commerce shipments using the cloud-based solution, which connects to airline interline and ground delivery partners as well as major e-commerce retail sites.
FedEx donates second charter flight to India
FedEx Express last week deployed a second charter flight carrying critical medical aid to support India’s fight against the recent surge in coronavirus cases. The supplies, provided by Direct Relief, included more than 780 oxygen concentrators, over 1.8 million KN95 masks, and medicines and pharmaceutical supplies. The express operator used its B777F for the said charter from Newark to New Delhi.
