PLA Global Wrap: Week 27

by Payload Asia

Antonov Airlines created a solution within a week to get the trucks to Central Asia after a change in circumstances meant short-notice airfreight was the only way to deliver the cargo safely and on time.

In the week 27 instalment of PLA’s Global Wrap, we look at Antonov’s on-time efforts to deliver fire trucks from the Middle East to Central Asia at short notice. We also feature acquisitions from forwarders Geodis and Hellmann as they make strategic strides in expanding their markets in US and Europe. Of course we have the latest B2B updates from our favourite cargo handlers, industry groups and MRO service providers. Here’s PLA Global Wrap: week 26

Antonov delivers fire trucks to Central Asia
Antonov Airlines has safely transported three Rosenbauer Panther 6×6 fire trucks on a single flight from the Middle East to Central Asia at short notice. Antonov Airlines flew an AN-124-100M-150 aircraft from its home airport in Kyiv to the Middle East, where the aircraft was loaded en route to Central Asia. The fire trucks weighed 21 tonnes each with total payload of 63 tonnes, measuring 12 metres in length each, totaling 36 metres for a full AN-124, the airline noted.

American Airlines donates cargo flight with vaccines to Guatemala
As part of the White House initiative to share at least 80 million vaccine doses globally this summer, American Airlines flew 1.5 million vaccine jabs from its hub at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City on a nonstop donated flight using its Boeing 777-200 aircraft. The cargo team worked with pharmaceutical partners and trucking logistics specialists to move the shipment from a distribution site in Kentucky to American’s cargo terminal at ORD.

Geodis acquires US freight brokerage Velocity Transport
Geodis in a statement said it has reached an agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of Velocity Freight Transport, a leading freight brokerage company based in Plano, Texas. The added capacity comes at a critical time with ongoing driver and truck shortages in North America. Velocity provides brokerage services, which include refrigerated and temperature-controlled freight, flatbed and less-than-load (LTL) trucking, intermodal, van, and specialty options. Geodis operates more than 150 warehouse facilities with over 47 million square feet of warehousing space in the US and more than 15,000 employees across North America.

Hellmann acquires overnight express service Innight Express
Full-service provider Hellmann Worldwide Logistics is acquiring overnight express provider Innight Express based in Hungary and Romania, as it aims to expand in Central and East Europe and tap into the overnight express services segment. The overnight express specialist caters to the automotive and agricultural industries and is by its subsidiary Innight Romania Express in Ciorogârla.

IAI to build Europe site for B737 BDSF conversions
Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) Aviation Group has agreed to establish a passenger to freighter conversion site for the Boeing 737-700/800 together with MRO company Atitech in Naples, Italy. IAI says the move follows the rise in demand for cargo aircraft of this model. The cargo conversion site in Italy will join two existing cargo conversion sites in China.

Cool Chain Association’s new technical committee, members
The Cool Chain Association (CCA) has launched a new technical committee as it welcomed five new members, including Qatar Cargo, 7P Solutions, FreshBizDev, SmartCAE, and AirCargo Consultancy Global. The group is planning its perishables conference in partnership to be held virtually in September. CCA says the new technical committee is open only to members, but it welcomes any project suggestions fto reduce waste and loss and improve quality, efficiency, and value of the cool supply chain

Bollore names new Qatar country manager, secures GDP
Bollore Logistics has named Rashika Vijayakumar as country manager for Qatar, replacing Ken Hacquoil-Smith. She joined the company in 2019 as head of operations in Qatar, with previous roles at GWC, Panalpina and GAC. The forwarder has been present in the company for 8 years and has developed solid expertise in the oil & gas and aeronautic sectors. In related news, the Bollore Logistics also secured the GDP certification across 63 sites, ensuring conformity in the safe transport of pharma and healthcare products by air.

Qatar Airways joins Pharma.Aero
With a common goal of achieving excellence in the end-to-end air transport for pharma shippers, Qatar Airways Cargo last week became an official member of Brussels-based nonprofit industry group Pharma.Aero effective 5 July. Through the membership, the airline will participate in board meetings and focus groups of Pharma.Aero to ensure an efficient air cargo supply chain for the pharma industry.

GA Telesis signs repair management deal with Air Astana
GA Telesis last week announced the signing of a repair management agreement with Kazakhstan’s flag carrier Air Astana. The agreement covers repair services for spare parts, components, and tooling in support of the Air Astana fleet, which encompasses Boeing 767, Airbus A320/A321, and Embraer EMB190 aircraft types.

CHAMP teams up with CargoSoft and Central Global Cargo
CHAMP Cargosystems has partnered with e-logistics solutions provider CargoSoft and time-critical logistics company Central Global Cargo (CGC) to co-create first/last mile tracking to support forwarders better manage their operations. The services work in tandem with Traxon Premium Tracking and Shipply.Truck, which will provide contactless QR codes to collect time, date, geolocation and images of an event, which can then feed back to the freight forwarder’s transport management system via an API.

APOC buys Boeing 737 airframes from US legacy carrier
APOC has purchased four Boeing 737 airframes for teardown from a large US-based legacy carrier. Built in 2008/9 the airframes have single operator traceability and were fully active until COVID-19. The aircraft are currently being parted-out in Marana, Arizona. It is anticipated that the first serviceable parts, including landing gear, will become available this Summer. The company is looking to secure young vintage frames of the A320 and 737 family for its growing parts inventory, which will be located at its stock hubs in The Netherlands, Singapore and Miami.

Aramex signs MoU to help Indian exporters
Aramex India has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO) to support micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) exporters in India. The forwarder will provide members with preferential pricing and online services for express cross-border shipments. Companies can access these services including creating pickup requests, preparing shipments, and making online payments through a dedicated Aramex banner on the FIEO website.

Swissport expands into Austin
Starting this July, Swissport will be offering airport ground services at Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). The leading provider for airport ground services and air cargo handling is now present at 44 airports across 25 states in the US. The company says Austin is the first opening of a new US location in six years, with the handling of Aeromexico flight AM 2686 from Mexico City (MEX) last Thursday marking the official start of operations at AUS.