In PLA’s week 23 global wrap, we feature DB Schenker’s investment in robotics and AI startup Gideon Brothers, as well as the latest numbers from IATA for the month of April. We also feature orders and deliveries for Boeing and Airbus, along with the latest industry and B2B updates from carriers, forwarders as well as MRO and leasing service providers. Click here for week 22.
DB Schenker bets on autonomous mobile robots
DB Schenker is set to invest in Croatian robotics and AI company Gideon Brothers as the startup raised US$31 million in a series A round to accelerate development and commercialization of its autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). DB Schenker’s board member for contract logistics Xavier Garijo will become a member in Gideon’s board. The forwarder has already introduced autonomous robots at its location in Leipzig in Germany to performing non-value-added tasks, such as transporting, picking up, and dropping off products.
American brings back cargo flights to Athens
American Airlines Cargo is looking to add more capacity into Europe with the reintroduction of service to Athens. The new seasonal service started in the week of June 7, including a B787-8 aircraft flying the ATH and ORD route, as well as a B777-200 from ATH to New York (JFK). The airline previously served the city with smaller aircraft, with perishables making up a significant part of the cargo traffic. It also recently launched transatlantic services connecting JFK and MIA to TLV.
Boeing tops Airbus orders in May
Data reveal recent orders for aircraft from Boeing and Airbus for the month of May, with the former logging 73, including six 777 freighters from unnamed buyers, and the latter a meager 7 secured bids. Airbus delivered 50 jets, including four A220s, 41 A320s, one A330neo, three A350s and an A380. Boeing meanwhile delivered 17, including 767-3F and 777 freighters to FedEx and a 747-8F to UPS.
Lufthansa operates 50th ‘preighter’ flight for EgeTrans
Lufthansa Cargo recently operated its 50th preighter connection from Frankfurt to Chicago for forwarder EgeTrans Internationale Spedition based in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The airline has been transporting spare and production parts, particularly for the agricultural and utility vehicle industry, using its A340 and A350 aircraft, demonstrating the importance of fast and reliable transports by air.
GA Telesis signs deal with ATSG cargo subsidiary
GA Telesis has announced an agreement with Air Transport Services Group subsidiary Cargo Aircraft Management to provide repair, disassembly, and inventory management services for the latter’s CF6-80A/A2 engines. This agreement will be managed by GAT’s Flight Solutions Group (FSG), with the engines scheduled for disassembly starting in June.
TrueNoord leases ATR72-600 to Silver Airways
Aircraft lessor TrueNoord has signed a long-term operating lease with Florida-based regional carrier Silver Airways for an ATR72-600. The turboprop entered the fleet at the end of May and is flying in Silver’s network within the southeast United States and the Bahamas. The aircraft (MSN1038) was previously leased by TrueNoord to Estonian carrier Nordica and had to be reconfigured to US specifications at ATR Francazal near Toulouse prior to the ferry flight to Florida.
Geodis looks for its next great manager
Geodis is launching a training programme to support its 8,000 managers around the world. The 14-week programme includes six training modules, including group sessions, combined with online resources and personal assignments. The forwarder says the platform aims to ensure that leaders have the attributes to support their employees and encourage them to remain agile.
Aviacargo books record tonnage on BOH-JFK flights
New York-headquartered general sales and service agency Aviacargo has celebrated a series of ‘record-breaking’ flights between Bournemouth in the UK (BOH) and New York (JFK), as loss of transatlantic capacity saw an urgent requirement for a reliable service between Europe and the US. The company booked 55 tonnes loaded on the belly space of European Cargo’s A340-600 freighters at the end of May and the start of June.
IATA: Air cargo up 12 percent in April
Global air cargo demand was up 12 percent in April compared to the same period in 2019 and up 7.8 percent compared to March 2021, according to the latest data from IATA. strong performance was led by North American carriers, with airlines from Latin America as the exception. The trade association says capacity is now down less than 10 percent (9.7 percent) compared to April 2019 as airlines continue to use dedicated freighters, with international capacity up 26.2 percent.
IAG Cargo restarts key Latin American routes
IAG Cargo has increased frequency to Sao Paolo and Mexico City with plans to restart San Juan in Puerto Rico and now services over 150 flights a week between Europe, the UK and Latin America. It also launched a new route to Guayaquil in Ecuador last May, with three weekly flights using an A330-200. IAG says the direct flight is an important link for the perishables sector since The Netherlands and Spain are key markets for Ecuador’s flowers.
Qatar Airways signs deals at Russian economic forum
The state of Qatar recently hosted the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum as flag carrier Qatar Airways signed several agreements with key Russian companies to expand bilateral relations in tourism and air transport. As part of its commitment to the Russian market, the airline signed several MOU agreements with Volga-Dnepr and Pulkovo Airport.
