In this week’s global wrap, we look back at B2B updates from week 26, including more recent commitments to adopt SAF and recent developments in unmanned air cargo delivery, with Dronamics and Hellmann announcing drone transport services as early as next year and DB Schenker and Volocopter conducting a joint static proof of concept for VoloDrone. Of course, we have the latest industry updates from the world’s top airlines, airports, cargo handlers, forwarders and express operators, as well as well-known aircraft lessors and MRO specialists. Here’s the B2B updates from week 25.
Korean Air partners with Hyundai Oilbank to adopt SAF
Korean Air and petroleum, refinery company Hyundai Oilbank have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) which will see both companies work to develop a foundation for biofuel manufacturing and its usage, including exploring opportunities for market usage; raising awareness and proposing relevant policies on SAF.
Bolloré Logistics launches ‘AIRSAF’ offering
Bolloré Logistics is reinforcing its commitment to providing sustainable supply chain solutions with the launch of its green fuel offering ‘AIRSAF.’ The solution, offered at cost price, relates to one-off or regular shipments made by airline companies on all geographical routes and incorporates an end-to-end approach, with environmentally responsible pre-carriage and post-carriage procedures, as well as management of reusable packaging for transportation.
IAG Cargo completes 16 charter flights on SAF
IAG Cargo completed its first charter chain powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with the last of 16 flights carrying 45 tonnes of automotive spares and other industrial goods. A British Airways B787-900 departed Stuggart on 26 June bound for Atlanta. Working with Kuehne+Nagel, IAG Cargo sourced 1.2 million litres of SAF from Neste. The British cargo carrier said the collaboration marks the first time ever that passenger-freighter charter flights were operated with net-zero carbon emissions. K+N has a total commitment of 12.7 million litres of SAF to offer its customers globally.
Gerry’s dnata achieves GDP pharma certification in Pakistan
Ground services provider Gerry’s dnata has been awarded the Good Distribution Practice (GDP) certification for safe and reliable pharmaceutical handling at its ultramodern cargo facility in Karachi. The company dnata handles temperature-sensitive goods at Jinnah International Airport (KHI), facilitating the independent adjustment of the temperature in each holding room to suit the needs of the product.
Fraport gets €160 million for operating FRA amidst pandemic
Fraport, owner and operator of Frankfurt Airport (FRA), is receiving a total of €160 million from the German and State of Hesse governments as compensation for the incurred costs, not previously covered – to maintain airport operations during the first coronavirus lockdown in 2020. Fraport says the compensation in its full amount will have a positive impact on the group’s operating result and strengthen its equity position.
Aero Africa opens ‘control tower’ in Morocco
Hong Kong-based neutral air cargo solutions group Aero Africa has opened a new regional office in Casablanca, Morocco. The company says the new office will act as a control tower and centralized service center in North Africa for its overseas partners and clients. The new team will focus in promoting Aero Africa’s digital airfreight portal, developing BSA scheduled consolidations from Asia to North Africa.
DB Schenker, Volocopter test ground operations of VoloDrone
Urban air mobility pioneer Volocopter and international logistics player DB Schenker have successfully conducted a joint static proof of concept (PoC) at Messe Stuttgart for VoloDrone ground operations in logistic centers. The partners are creating the first blueprint for electric cargo drone ground operations with the support of Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics. The blueprint derived from these results will serve as basis for integrating VoloDrone operations in logistics networks across the globe.
FIATA rolls out new PayCargo payment platform
PayCargo has developed a tailored solution that will allow members of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) to instantly make and receive payments between themselves, whilst benefitting from reduced transaction costs and heightened security features. FIATA members can register on the Freight-Pay platform free of charge to make and receive payments globally.
DHL, CEVA named leaders in Gartner’s 3PL Magic Quadrant
DHL Supply Chain and CEVA Logistics last week was recognised by research and advisory company Gartner as part of the Leaders in the June 2021 Magic Quadrant for global third-party logistics. The Magic Quadrant evaluates 3PLs on their “completeness of vision and ability to execute,” positioning them in one of four quadrants: leaders, visionaries, challengers or niche players. This marks the first time CEVA was recognised as a leader, after 8 years in the Challenger quadrant.
AEI gets 7 more orders for the B737-800SF from ACS
Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) last week announced the company will provide Austin-based aircraft lessor Aero Capital Solutions (ACS) with seven more B737-800SF freighter conversions, following the 10 additional orders announced in January. ACS’ total orders for the AEI B737-800SF currently stands at 21, with the first aircraf tto commence modification in January 2022 at Commercial Jet in Miami, Florida.
SAF now available at Cologne Bonn airport
Cologne Bonn Airport is working with Neste to provide enough SAF supply for airlines. The availability of SAF will allow global shippers to cut the greenhouse gas emissions caused by their airfreight. The first flight powered by Neste MY SAF, which departed from Cologne, was operated by ASL Airlines on behalf of Amazon, which took place in early June.
Dronamics, Hellmann to launch drone transport service by next year
Cargo drone developer and operator Dronamics and Hellmann Worldwide Logistics have teamed up to develop and offer a same-day drone cargo service for the cross-border transportation of time-critical goods in Europe where the regulatory environment permits operations across the European Union. Dronamics will provide equipment and expertise to operate the unmanned drone flights, with first commercial flight scheduled to start in 2022
GA Telesis opens expanded Helsinki aeroengine SPAH
Engine heavy maintenance unit GA Telesis Engine Services announced the opening of its expanded special procedures aeroengine hospital (SPAH) shop in Helsinki, which will work on specialised aircraft engine repair requiring limited or targeted maintenance. The company said the shop will support a mobile response team, concentrating on engine field maintenance and on-wing support, which will be an independent business unit of the GATES facility in Finland’s capital.
Medexi to open pharma service center at Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport is further strengthening its logistics zone Brucargo with a newly renovated warehouse, which will serve as a dedicated pharma service centre for pharma logistics joint venture Medexi. The joint venture, which includes dangerous goods transport specialist Hazgo, Izemar, and medical supply company Medista, will take care of the packaging, storage, trans-shipment and delivery of medical products in the 4,000-sqm facility at BRU.
Kalitta signs up for two more ‘Big Twins’ with GECAS
GECAS last week announced the exercise of three options to firm orders with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), to convert three more of its 777-300ER passenger planes to freighters, bringing the total commitment with IAI to 18 firm (including the prototype aircraft from GECAS’ owned portfolio) and 12 remaining options. Meanwhile, charter operator Kalitta Air, who will be the launch partner of the Big Twin, has contracted to lease two additional 777-300ERSF from GECAS.
Qatar Airways rolls out WebCargo across Europe
Qatar Airways Cargo will further introduce WebCargo by Freightos across the European region starting 30 June, bringing the total number of countries in its network on the platform to 32. Forwarders will be able to conduct ebookings with access to live rates and available capacity on the platform. Since the introduction of WebCargo on 7 February in France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, South Africa and Spain, Qatar Airways Cargo has been receiving high volumes of digital cargo bookings via the platform.
