Category Archives: Aviation

Global air freight rates were slightly changed in the week to April 22, according to the latest data from TAC Index, the leading price reporting agency on air freight markets. The overall Baltic Air Freight Index calculated by TAC was up a tad (+0.1 percent), leaving it at -8.2 percent over 12 months – a second successive week of little change after a series of rises over the previous six weeks. There was little evidence of any immediate impact on prices caused by severe rain in the Middle East and disruption in major hubs like Dubai, the update added. “Rates on the big lanes out of China continued to edge upwards, buoyed by the continuing rise of e-commerce. The index of outbound routes from Hong Kong gained another 1.4 percent WoW to put it ahead by 11.8 percent YoY. Outbound Shanghai gained 2.4 percent WoW to put it up 12 percent YoY. Rates out of Vietnam fell back a bit after recent strong gains, and rates out of India were fairly flat overall after an even stronger surge in recent months.” Out of Europe, the market continued to be weak, and the index of outbound routes from Frankfurt declined 3.7 percent WoW with declining rates on most major lanes pulling it down to -38.3 percent YoY. Outbound London dropped 7.9 percent WoW. From the Americas, rates from outbound Chicago were also softer, down 2.5 percent WoW to leave the index at -31.3 percent YoY. Overall rates from the U.S. were falling again to China but rising both to Europe and to South America, the update added.

DHL Group has taken a proactive step by expanding its GoHelp programme to the continent. The programme will utilise DHL’s logistical expertise and global network to aid disaster-affected communities. DHL has partnered with the United Nations since 2005 to volunteer its logistics proficiency and international network for global relief efforts. DHL is conducting its first training session for the Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) in Europe at Istanbul International Airport from April 19-21. Attended by 50 employees, this training marks a pivotal step in enhancing regional disaster preparedness and response efforts. “Europe has been facing an increasing number of climate-related crises, like the floods in Germany and Belgium in 2021. On top of this, we witnessed terrible earthquakes in Turkey and Morocco last year,” noted Christoph Selig, Vice President, Sustainability Communications and Programmes at DHL Group. “Recognising this, we’re extending GoHelp’s reach and impact to Europe after a successful implementation over the past 15 years in Latin America, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa region,” added Selig.

Air cargo software firm Nallian has integrated payment platform PayCargo into its cargo slot management system to help speed up the process of picking up cargo from airports. The partnership means that freight forwarders and trucking firms can book a pick-up slot from handlers using the Nallian Truck Visit Management System and the PayCargo system will manage all payments and transactions related to the import cargo. The companies said this means that upon arrival, drivers no longer have to wait to make payments and can immediately proceed to the dock door assigned to them. “This integrated approach enhances operational efficiency, enables faster cargo release, and reduces paperwork and administration,” the companies claimed. Eduardo Del Riego, chief executive of PayCargo, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Nallian to offer an integrated solution that addresses the evolving needs of the air cargo industry. By combining our expertise, we enable our customers to streamline truck visits, accelerate payments, and achieve greater success.” Nallian chief executive Jean Verheyen added: “We are committed to driving innovation and delivering value to our customers. Our collaboration with PayCargo represents a strategic alignment of our shared vision to raise the bar for efficient, paperless freight management. “It will allow our customers to better coordinate activities so they increase efficiency and reduce their environmental impact.” The use of slot booking systems has been on the rise in recent years as companies look to reduce waiting times by spreading cargo pick-ups more evenly throughout the week and by giving the handler more information to prepare cargo.

Alaska Air Cargo is looking ahead to improvements in its cargo booking system, an expanded freighter fleet and reinforced infrastructure in the coming months this year. “We launched the first phase of our new end-to-end cargo management system in October, and we converted two passenger 737-800 aircraft to dedicated freighters,” Adam Drouhard, Managing Director, Alaska Air Cargo said in his latest update. “We invested in infrastructure and equipment at stations across the state of Alaska.” The changes, Drouhard added, brought disruptions to operations along with January’s temporary grounding of the 737-9 MAX aircraft and winter weather challenges. A door plug of Alaska Airlines’ flight 1282, a Boeing 737 Max 9 plane, blew out mid-air on January 5, 2024. While some were injured, all the 177 passengers and crew survived the accident on the flight from Portland, Oregon to Ontario, California. Listing out the action plan for 2024, Drouhard says: “Improvements to cargo bookings: Throughout the year, we will roll out updates to our online system to make it more efficient and streamlined for customers and our employees. *Expanded and reliable freighter fleet: We are working closely with Boeing to ensure that our new 737-800BCF freighters will perform at the level required to serve our customers.  We expect both freighters to enter service over the next few weeks. *Reinforced infrastructure: The plane is only part of the equation for the communities we serve. Our investments in infrastructure and equipment like new cargo loaders will enable our services to be more robust and reliable at every station.” Both the converted 737-800BCFs are likely to be deployed later this spring, he added, “allowing us to better serve our customers in 20 communities across …

Average global air cargo rates held steady in the second week of April, equaling their level in the equivalent week the previous year for the first time since mid-2022 despite a drop in tonnages partly linked to Eid. Average global rates remained flat in week 15 (April 8-14) at $2.52 per kilo, following consecutive weekly WoW rises of between two-three percent in the previous six weeks, according to the latest weekly figures and analysis from WorldACD Market Data. “Total worldwide tonnages fell by three percent in week 15 with particularly big WoW declines from Pakistan, Bangladesh and the UAE.” Eid effects on tonnagesAir export tonnages from South Asian countries including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh remain high compared with their normal levels for this time of year, especially to European destinations, linked to strong demand developments combined with supply issues caused by disruptions to ocean shipping. “A drop in bookings during the Eid holidays at the end of Ramadan led to some steep WoW falls in tonnages in week 15 ex-Pakistan (-41 percent), Bangladesh (-14 percent) and the UAE (-29 percent) to worldwide destinations along with other countries such as India (-18 percent worldwide, and -16 percent to Europe destinations).” Tonnages from the Middle East & South Asia (MESA) region overall to Europe also dropped by 18 percent WoW, although they remain up by 17 percent compared with the same week last year. Despite the WoW drop, India-Europe tonnages remain up nine percent YoY. Despite a 21 percent WoW drop, Dubai-Europe tonnages remained at more than twice their level this time last year, up 153 percent, in the week prior to flooding there, impacting the emirate’s air operations, the update added.

Qatar Cargo has put into operation another Boeing 777-200 freighter – Boeing’s second 777 cargo aircraft delivery in April after a slow start to the year. The latest freighter (A7-BTB) travelled from Boeing’s production site in Everett on April 14 and began commercial operations on April 16. So far, the aircraft has been utilised on services to India and Europe, with flights to Mumbai, Delhi and Amsterdam under its belt. The airline has been expanding its 777-200F fleet over recent years and now operates 28 of the model, with the latest 777-200F understood to be the last the carrier had on order from Boeing. However, the carrier has also placed an order for 34 of Boeing’s new 777-8F, with options on 16 more. The delivery comes after Boeing was unable to deliver any 777 freighters in the first quarter of the year, although 11 of the aircraft were reported to have been built and were awaiting engines. The airframer also failed to deliver any passenger 777s during the first three months of 2024.

Emirates SkyCargo joined the Pharma.Aero global community with their wealth of expertise and commitment to excellence in pharmaceutical logistics. “Emirates SkyCargo’s decision to join Pharma.Aero underscores our shared commitment to excellence in pharmaceutical logistics,” says Trevor Caswell, Chairman, Pharma.Aero. “Together, we will leverage our collective strengths to ensure the safe, secure and efficient transportation of critical medical supplies, furthering our mission to serve patients worldwide.” Julian Sutch, Global Head, Pharma Sales, Emirates SkyCargo adds: “Through this partnership with Pharma.Aero, we are committed to lending our insight and capabilities to solve the industry’s biggest challenges and working collaboratively with other stakeholders to achieve a truly unbroken supply chain.” Emirates SkyCargo joins a group of industry leaders within the Pharma.Aero alliance, marking a significant step forward in the efforts to drive innovation and best practices in healthcare product transportation.

CMA CGM Air Cargo will begin operating a transpacific route connecting Asia to North America in summer 2024. “To ensure service to new destinations, CMA CGM Air Cargo will take possession of two Boeing B777-200F aircraft this year. The first aircraft, scheduled for delivery in June, will enable operations to begin on the transpacific route during the summer in anticipation of peak season. The second aircraft will be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2024 and will also be deployed on the transpacific route,” says an official release. The first B777-200F will serve airports in Hong Kong, Chicago and Seoul, the release added. “The second will connect mainland China to North America. Flights will be operated by Atlas Air.” CMA CGM Air Cargo will take delivery of the third B777-200F in the first quarter of 2025. “In 2026, the delivery of eight Airbus A350F aircraft will enable CMA CGM Air Cargo to operate a global network, meeting the global logistics needs of air freight customers.” “As the launch customer for the cargo version of the A350, CMA CGM Air Cargo has opted for the most environmentally efficient aircraft on the market, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainable transport. The A350F model stands out for a 20 percent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to its direct competitors. The A350F will also be the only large freighter capable of meeting the CO2 standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which will come into effect from 2028.”

Boeing is buying 9.4 million gallons (35.6 million litres) of blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to support its 2024 U.S. commercial operations, reducing its carbon emissions and working to help grow the supply of the fuel globally. This is the company’s largest annual SAF purchase, more than 60 percent higher than its purchase in 2023, says an official release. “The blended fuel – 30 percent SAF made from waste by-products such as fats, oils, and greases and 70 percent conventional jet fuel – will support the Boeing ecoDemonstrator program and Boeing U.S. commercial operational flights.” Ryan Faucett, Vice President, Environmental Sustainability, Boein says: “As our focus remains on safety and quality, sustainability continues to be a priority. Sustainable aviation fuel is essential to decarbonise aviation. About 20 percent of our fuel usage is a SAF blend, and we continue to increase our use of this fuel to encourage growth in the SAF industry. We are also working to make SAF more available and affordable to our commercial airline customers through collaboration, investment, research and policy development.”

DB Schenker has continued to build API connections with airlines to speed up the cargo booking process, this time connecting with Emirates SkyCargo. The host-to-host connection with DB Schenker’s internal booking platform provides agents with direct access to Emirates SkyCargo’s schedules, standard and contract tariff rates and available capacity, as well as the airline’s network of over 140 destinations across six continents. The connection will launch first in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and then globally. “Initially, the service will enable agents to book general cargo, with the possibility of adding other products from Emirates SkyCargo’s multi-vertical, industry-leading portfolio in the near future,” the carrier said in a press release. DB Schenker has been ramping up its digital connections with airlines over the past 12 months.