In this week’s global wrap, we look back at the latest industry news and updates from week 25, including the end of Austrian Airlines’ ‘prachter’ flights. We also cover the FAA’s US$8 billion in grants to support the recovery of airports, as well as Korean Air’s recent participation in the country’s ‘Space Pioneer’ project. We round up the wrap with B2B updates from forwarders Geodis, CEVA and Bollore, as well as Safran, Brussels Airport, Qatar Airways, CHAMP and more. See the week 24 Global Wrap here.
Austrian Airlines ends prachter flights, logs 4,500 tonnes
Austrian Airlines is ending cargo-only flights on its two Boeing 777s registered OE-LPA and OE-LPC as the carrier looks to bring back the removed seats of the long-haul jets and focus on passenger traffic. After 15 months, the airline has logged 159 ‘prachter’ flights carrying 4,500 tonnes of relief supplies to Europe, including Austria, Germany and Italy.
US sets aside US$8 billion rescue fund for airports
The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award US$8 billion in grants to keep airport workers employed, construction projects going and help US airports recover from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. The funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 signed into law on 11 March. The funding requires that airports continue to employ at least 90 percent of their pre-pandemic employees, particularly those that cover a majority of the traveling public. Anchorage airport will be receiving US$44.4 million as part of the plan.
Geodis APAC achieves ‘Investors in People’ accreditation
Geodis has received its ‘Investors in People’ accreditation, an international standard for people management, in 12 locations in Asia Pacific. The freight forwarder has achieved certifications in Australia, Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
Safran, Brussels Airport sign long-term partnership
Safran Aircraft Engine Services Brussels and Brussels Airport have signed a long-term partnership agreement for the construction of a new generation building at Brucargo North, enabling the aircraft engine manufacturer to develop its new maintenance activities. Safran has been based at BRU for 23 years, supporting the maintenance and repair of CFM56 engines and will now specialise in the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B common in A320 and A321 jets.
Bollore Logistics unveils its Chile distribution centre
Bollore Logistics last week revealed its new logistics distribution centre, inaugurated in January, at the ‘Bodenox Flex Center’ in Santiago, Chile. Located in the Enea Industrial Park, 5 kilometres from Santiago airport (SCL), the 8,000 sqm facility will specialise in high-value cargo from the telecoms and high-tech industries, with a dedicated area for e-commerce logistics solutions.
LATAM reaches 50 million in doses delivered free of charge
The LATAM Group has delivered over 50 million vaccines free of charge in South America within the framework of its ‘solidarity plane’ program. This logistical milestone occurs after the commitment made with the governments of countries where the group has a domestic operation. The carrier has distributed more than 50 million doses in Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Peru, which is 40 percent of the doses administered in the region and 2 percent worldwide.
Korean Air to participate in ‘Space Pioneer’ project
With a budget of KRW 32 billion, Korean Air has formed an industry and economic consortium with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, NDT Engineering & Aerospace and Korea Aerospace University to develop common bulkhead propellant tanks for small satellite launch vehicles as part of the Ministry of Science ICT’s ‘Space Pioneer’ project, which aims to strengthen the global competitiveness of Korea’s domestic aerospace industry by reducing dependence on overseas products.
CEVA Logistics wins 2020 GM Overdrive Award
CEVA Logistics has received General Motors’ Overdrive Award for delivering responsive logistics solutions to the automotive manufacturer during the 2020 global coronavirus pandemic. Twenty-six winners were chosen based on product purchasing, global purchasing and manufacturing services, customer care and aftersales, and logistics. The CEVA team was commended for its dedicated support and pro-active solutions to secure critical capacity through a multimodal strategy to minimise supply chain disruptions.
Qatar Airways to launch new African routes
Qatar Airways is adding Zambia and Zimbabwe to its African network starting August. The new service will fly to Lusaka and onwards to Harare with round trips flights every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. It will be operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with 30 tonnes of capacity for key exports in the region.
David Shepherd returns to IAG Cargo as managing director
IAG Cargo has appointed David Shepherd as managing director, rejoining the team from Aer Lingus, where he held the chief commercial officer role. Shepherd previously held a variety of leadership roles at IAG Cargo including commercial director and director of digital ventures. He will report to David Podolsky who continues his role as chief executive after assumming the interim role in April.
Topcast to offer test kits to prevent ‘jet fuel fungus’
Topcast Aviation Supplies or Topcast has been approved as business and general aviation distributor of Conidia Bioscience’s FUELSTAT Resinae Plus, which is rapid test kit to detec t microbial contimation in the fuel. The partnership will cover Asia Pacific and the Americas and will further strengthen the company’s consumables and chemicals portfolio.
Azores-based carrier signs up to CHAMP’s cargo suite
Long-time CHAMP customer SATA Air Açores has signed to join the Traxon cargoHUB community, the largest air cargo community service, in addition to signing up for Cargospot Mobile, CHAMP’s warehouse handling mobile application, to streamline its handling and warehouse operations.
Airone Aviation strengthens pilot training services
London-based cargo sales agent Airone Aviation Limited is expanding its portfolio with the acquisition of pilot training business Quadrant Systems Limited, which includes the training organisation, Quadrant Pilot, and full flight simulators. The investment follows the acquisition of Sharjah-based flight simulator centre Pier Seven Aviation FZC, enabling Air One Aviation to offer flight training courses for the 737NG, 737CL, 747-400, 757-200 and A320.
Thailand orders another Airbus C295
Thailand’s Ministry of Defence has placed a repeat order for an additional Airbus C295 airlifter, bringing the total number of the country’s C295 fleet to three. The aircraft will be configured for utility transport and delivered in 2023 for the Royal Thai Army, with missions ranging from cargo transport to medical evacuation and paratrooping deployment.
