Virgin Atlantic Cargo is to start using lightweight air cargo nets with Dyneema, as part of its ongoing contribution towards the airline’s target of reducing aircraft CO2 emissions by 30 per cent by 2020. The airline has initially ordered 600 of the nets, which at nine kg each represent a four kg saving on the weight of a traditional cargo net used to secure shipments on pallets. Th e nets are also designed to be highly durable and have a five-year operating life compared to an average 2-3 … [Read more...] about Virgin invests in lightweight cargo nets
Gateways
Saudia appoints new GSA in South Africa
Saudia Cargo has appointed ACP Worldwide as its Cargo GSA across South Africa. Saudia Cargo operates a three times weekly B747 freighter flight from Johannesburg to Jeddah and Amsterdam, with shared frequencies to Nairobi. In addition ACP will also be able to sell belly space on the carrier’s thriceweekly B777-200 wide-body flights between Johannesburg and Jeddah, off ering total 50 tonnes of lower deck cargo capacity a week. “Following a competitive tender process, we were delighted to win … [Read more...] about Saudia appoints new GSA in South Africa
Aeroscraft cargo airship development progresses
Development of the world’s first Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) capable heavy-lift cargo airship is progressing with the project entering the design freeze phase, according to the Aeroscraft Corporation (Aeros). Th e ML866 (60-tonne) Aeroscraft cargo airship, which features independence from external ballast, has completed the engineering scale down prototype ‘Dragon Dream’ phase with Aeros currently developing main component and test articles for the patented buoyancy management system … [Read more...] about Aeroscraft cargo airship development progresses
Atlas Air to operate two more B767Fs for DHL Exp
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings says its Atlas Air unit will operate two B767 aircraft leased to DHL Express by the company’s dry leasing entity, Titan Aviation. Atlas Air will operate the aircraft through its sister company, Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, linking the flights with Polar’s existing services for DHL and other customers. The new operation represents a continued expansion of Atlas Air’s CMI (Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) service and is expected to begin in late 2015 and early 2016 … [Read more...] about Atlas Air to operate two more B767Fs for DHL Exp
Finnair adds capacity to Helsinki-London route
Finnair will add belly cargo capacity to its route between Helsinki, Finland and London Heathrow from the beginning of winter season starting on 25 October 2015, and will operate three weekly frequencies on the route with a wide-body aircraft, to facilitate increased cargo demand on the route. Finnair has recently established its third cargo hub in London to better connect the United Kingdom with its extensive Asian network, and to off er improved connections for Finnair customers to North … [Read more...] about Finnair adds capacity to Helsinki-London route
Airbus begins A330neo production
Airbus’ fi rst A330neo is coming to life one year after the programme was launched, with the fi rst ‘cutting of metal’ underway at its production facilities in Toulouse and Nantes. Machining of the first engine pylon started during the summer at Airbus’ facility in Saint-Eloi (Toulouse), while Airbus’ Plant in Nantes began production of the fi rst A330neo centre wing box. Th e fi rst A330neo Centre Wing Box rib 1 produced in Nantes uses an innovative Isogrid design with 330 triangular … [Read more...] about Airbus begins A330neo production