In this latest instalment of the global wrap, we look back at week 32 as e-commerce takes the spotlight with Amazon starting operations at its newest air hub over at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). We also feature the enhanced collaboration between IATA and the UN Conference on Trade and Development who are looking to upgrade existing platforms to manage e-commerce shipments more efficiently. We roundup the wrap with other B2B updates from the likes of IAG Cargo, Skyport, Atlas Air and AEI. Go back to week 31.
Amazon starts operations at CVG air hub
Last week Amazon announced that it has started operations in its newest air hub at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). The 800,000-sqft sortation building sits on an over 600-acre campus that features seven buildings, an expansive new ramp for aircraft parking, and a multistory vehicle parking structure. The facility is equipped with robotics technology and interlinked conveyors to help move and sort packages throughout the premises. The CVG air hub, part of $1.5 billion investment in Northern Kentucky, will serve as the central hub for Amazon Air’s US cargo network, which is expected to create more jobs in the coming years.
IATA and UN extend partnership to support e-commerce
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the UN Conference on Trade and Development have extended their collaboration to help facilitate international trade and will focus on enabling the latter’s automated customs management system ASYCUDAWorld to manage e-commerce shipments more efficiently. This will include adding risk assessment for mail shipments and facilitating access to IATA’s enhanced partner identification and connectivity (EPIC) platform, which will enable customs authorities to share advance cargo/mail information requirements across airlines, freight forwarders, ground handlers and third-party messaging service providers. The collaboration will also include the potential exchange of additional operational electronic information, such as air cargo rules and flight schedules that can assist customs officials in their risk assessments
IAG Cargo delivers more than 10 million vaccines
IAG Cargo last week reached a significant milestone after having transported over 10 million vaccines in the fight against Covid-19. The cargo operator transported 4 million doses to Abuja, Nigeria in July on two British Airways B777-200 in collaboration with Unicef and its Covax initiative. It also delivered 300,000 donateddoses to Jamaica, in partnership with UK nonprofit Crown Agents. The UK government had earlier pledged to donate 100 million vaccines overseas, with at least 80 million jabs goin to Covax and the remainder sent directly to countries, including Jamaica.
Fraport cargo traffic up in July
Cargo traffic at Frankfurt comprising airfreight and airmail continued its growth momentum in July, despite ongoing shortage of belly capacity, as it jumped 30 percent year-on-year to 196,223 metric tonnes. Compared to July 2019, cargo was up 9.8 percent. Aircraft movements climbed by 79.5 percent year-on-year to 27,591 takeoffs and landings, whilst accumulated maximum takeoff weights (MTOWs) rose by 68.5 percent to under 1.7 million metric tonnes for the month.
Kerry Logistics deploys robots for F&B
Kerry Logistics Network Limited is utilising robotic arms in its F&B operations as the company looks to automate its operations amidst the need to minimise human contact in the sorting process. Dubbed ‘Koolbotic,’ these robotic arms can handle large volumes of chilled-food products in a low-temperature environment and will be installed in the regional distribution centre of one of UK’s leading retailers in Hong Kong.
Cargo volume at Brussels airport up 34 percent in July
Cargo volumes at Brussels Airport are showing further impressive growth in July, up 34 percent year on year, thanks to newly opened routes from Asia Pacific and market performance in North America and Africa. Belly cargo grew 155 percent versus the same month last year, partly due to the resumption of some regular passenger flights, although the overall picture is down by almost half if compared to 2019 levels. Brussels said flights operated by passenger aircraft used for cargo reduced ‘slightly’ from month to month, accounting for one-third of full cargo flights. The airport reported 1.2 million passengers making transit through the gateway in July, double the figure seen in June.
Atlas Air leasing unit poaches top exec from Dublin-based rival
Atlas Air subsidiary Titan Aviation Holdings has appointed Eamonn Forbes as senior vice president and chief commercial officer of Titan Asset Management Ireland Limited, effective August 23. Forbes, who will be based in Dublin, will lead all sales and marketing activities for Titan, following his previous stint as commercial chief at Irish aircraft lessor FPG Amentum.
Skyport to handle cargo for Finnair at Prague
Skyport has been selected by Finnair to provide cargo handling services at its newly upgraded 8,300-sqm airside facility at Prague Airport. The Central European cargo handler was bought earlier in April by new owner Ventus LLC who is looking to invest in air cargo and robotic industrial infrastructure in Europe and North America. Skyport will be utilizing its new barcode and QR scanner system and automatic loading systems to manage the movement of cargo as Finnair looks to focus on transporting special cargo items.
Qatar Airways joins perishables conference in September
Qatar Airways Cargo’s senior manager for climate control products, Miguel Rodríguez Moreno has now joined the Cool Chain Association’s board of directors. The former global pharma development manager at Etihad Cargo will take part in the industry group’s online perishables conference in September as it looks to deepen its ties with stakeholders in the cold supply chain. The two-hour charity event, sponsored by the South African Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB), will focus on innovation and technology, with donations going to nonprofit Every Infant Matters.
AEI receives 3 more conversion orders from Aviation Holdings
Aeronautical Engineers has received 3 more orders for its B737-800SF freighter conversions from Aviation Holdings III Investments, LLC (Aviation Holdings), following its last order in March. The first aircraft (MSN TBD) will commence modification in May of next year at its authorized service centre in Alabama, with the second following shortly in August. The third one from this order will be modified by KF Aerospace in Canada, which will be 11th B737-800SF freighter conversion in its fleet upon completion.
