In week 21’s global wrap, we feature WFS as it opened a new cargo terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. We also cover DHL Express and its plan to launch a new cargo airline based in Austria amidst a frenzied regulatory environment in Europe. We follow key appointments by Crane Worldwide, Geodis and PelicanBio, as well as the recent team up between Volga-Dnepr and Astral Aviation to boost capacity for pharma cargo, which could potentially expand to perishables between Nairobi and Liege. Here’s last last week’s wrap in case you missed it.
WFS opens cargo terminal at Atlanta airport
Worldwide Flight Services has opened a new cargo handling centre at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The ground handler won the airport’s tender for a 20-year lease to operate the modernised Cargo Building C. The 100,000-sqft warehouse is equipped with forklifts ranging from 4,000 to 30,000 lbs, three large weighing scales, including a 30,000 lb in-ground, drive-on system, as well as ground services equipment for full aircraft handling. Atlanta was handling more than 675,000 tonnes per annum, pre-pandemic.
DHL Express to launch airline in Austria
DHLExpress is planning to set up a cargo airline in Austria and will transfer 18 B757s from DHL Air UK to form its fleet. The express operator plans to start flying intra-Europe routes this year with the new airline as its UK unit shifts to flying long-haul intercontinental routes amidst new regulations in the EU. In view of e-commerce growth, DHL Air UK will increase flights between the UK, the Americas and Asia and will add more B767s from the current three and introduce new B777F aircraft as early as 2022.
Volga-Dnepr, Astral team up to carry urgent cargo
Volga Dnepr Group and its three airlines along with Astral Aviation team are making sure of uninterrupted and stable supply chains between Russia and Africa and are joining their Boeing fleets to carry out humanitarian flights, starting with the Covid-19 vaccines. The two will provide dedicated air freight transportation through scheduled services and charters not only for pharma shipments but also perishables between Nairobi and Liege in the foreseeable future.
GA Telesis, ATSG to build US-based aeroengine ‘SPAH’
GA Telesis has entered into a joint venture with aircraft lessor Air Transport Services Group to build a specialized procedures aeroengine hospital (SPAH) capable of inducting 200 engines by GE, P&W and CFM International in Central or Midwest, United States. The two are considering a centralized location in the United States with a strong interstate and airport network. GA Telesis targets to operate the US-based facility by 2022, whilst its first SPAH in Helsinki is scheduled to start on 13 June, which will feature a state-of-the-art integrated test cell capable of producing 100,000 lbs of thrust.
Dachser focuses on more truck load space
Dachser has opted exclusively for so-called ‘mega trailers’ when purchasing new semi-trailers in Germany. Because of their more generous cargo space dimensions—with otherwise the same length and width—the mega trailers achieve better fuel economy than standard semi-trailers, especially over long distances. Full conversion of the German fleet is scheduled to be completed by 2027, with some 680 new mega trailers in total. In the next few years, Dachser will also start replacing its fleets in the 24 other European countries where it is represented through its European logistics business line.
Crane Worldwide targets hi-tech and consumer goods
Crane Worldwide continues to strengthen offerings by building customised solutions for specific industries. The company has created two key positions to focus and further enhance relationships with new and existing partners in the hi-tech and fast-moving consumer goods industries. Hi-tech logistics veteran Fachtna O’Cinneide was named vice president of hi-tech solutions, whilst Ewan Alexander, former sales VP for EMEA was promoted to vice president for the fast-moving consumer goods or FMCG vertical, which it describes as ‘in flux’ due to high retail demand.
Geodis makes key appointment to automate offerings
Antoine Pretin has joined Geodis as vice president for its engineering group as the French forwarder set eyes on automatizing its service offerings. The 38-year-old engineer was the former head of distribution at Actemium Logistics, a VINCI Group company specialising in automated intralogistics solutions.
IAG Cargo delivers to India
IAG Cargo and British Airways transported further aid to Delhi this time using a B777-200 loaded with PPE and concentrators as the crisis continues to grip India. The airlifeted 18 tonnes of urgent medical aid for frontliners coming from charities. The cargo-only flight departed LHR at 5pm on Friday 21 May and landed in Delhi at 05:45 am (local time) on Saturday 22 May. IAG Cargo worked with fuel partner, BP to ensure the flight is carbon offset.
dnata partners with Global Jet Technic in Dubai
Leading air services provider dnata has partnered with Global Jet Technic (GJT) to provide best-in-class line maintenance support to airlines in Dubai. The partnership will see dnata promote GJT’s quality and reliable services, offering its 150 customers a one-stop-shop of ground handling, cargo and technical services at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC) airports.
PelicanBio promotes Hyde to VP of global services
Pelican BioThermal announced last week that Dominic Hyde is taking a new role as vice president of global services, expanding his responsibilities to include the worldwide service network and the shipper rental programs. Hyde successfully grew the company’s on-demand service, with global drop points, service centers and network stations supporting rental programs to more than 100 locations.
