Category Archives: Aviation

Amit Maheshwari, Founder and CEO, Softlink Global says, “The future of air cargo governance is taking flight with IATA ONE Record replacing Cargo-IMP and XML. This shift brings both complexity and opportunity. Expect stricter regulations: ONE Record ushers in a more rigid framework for managing carbon emissions and potentially autonomic operations. Agility is key: Businesses of all sizes must adapt to comply with evolving local and international environmental guidelines. Embrace flexibility: Solutions like Logi-Sys can help navigate this complexity, ensuring seamless integration and compliance with upcoming regulations.”

RwandAir Cargo is launching new services from its Kugali hub to Dubai and Djibouti to be operated by its Boeing 737-800 converted freighter. The new routes will increase RwandAir’s cargo network to seven destinations across Africa and the Middle East. The flight to Dubai World Central (DWC) is the carrier’s second service to the UAE as it also offers flights to Sharjah. The call at Djibouti is an addition to the Dubai-Sharjah flight and will start on June 17.

Americas GSA, a subsidiary of ECS Group announced a strategic partnership with JetBlue Cargo to enhance its services on domestic routes out of Florida. Under this new agreement, Americas GSA will leverage the capabilities of ECS Group’s Augmented GSSA to support JetBlue’s network, enhancing both its domestic and international cargo operations. This model provides a bespoke, à la carte service that includes supports, services, and solutions not typically offered by traditional GSAs. While the current focus is on traditional GSA services, this partnership paves the way for expanding JetBlue’s operations through interline agreements and the management of new commodities. “This partnership with JetBlue represents a pivotal moment for Americas GSA. By expanding our operations within the U.S. market, we are opening new avenues for growth and innovation in cargo services. JetBlue will benefit from the support of the entire ECS Group alongside Americas GSA in Florida,” said Adrien Thominet, Executive Chairman of ECS Group. Pablo Canales, CEO of Americas GSA, added, “We have built a strong relationship with JetBlue’s top management over the years, and this contract is the culmination of our collaborative efforts. We are committed to supporting JetBlue in expanding its cargo operations, both domestically and internationally, and exploring new opportunities to enhance their service offerings.”

Etihad Cargo will provide its customers and partners with increased belly hold cargo capacity across its global network starting from June 2024. The carrier’s summer schedule will introduce 23 passenger flights to new destinations and increase passenger flights to existing routes by 77 per week, totalling 100 new weekly passenger flights. Popular seasonal destinations in Europe return to the carrier’s schedule, and Etihad Cargo will offer additional belly hold cargo capacity to Spain, Greece, and France and launch a new route to Turkey. From 2 June, customers will be able to book cargo capacity on three weekly passenger flights to Malaga and two flights per week to Nice. In addition to increasing the flights to Athens to 14 per week, two flights to Greece’s capital will operate via Myknos, and two flights will operate via Santorini. The airline will also launch a new route to Antalya via three weekly flights in addition to increasing weekly flights to Istanbul from ten to 14 from 22 July. Etihad Cargo’s customers will also benefit from increased cargo capacity for Dublin, with three more flights being offered from 23 July, bringing the total number of flights to the Republic of Ireland’s capital to ten per week. Etihad Cargo’s partners and customers will have access to increased belly hold cargo capacity in the Middle East. In addition to three passenger flights to Al-Qassim in Saudi Arabia, a new destination for the carrier, the airline will also increase frequencies to Middle Eastern destinations by 32 flights per week. This includes seven additional flights to Amman, bringing the total to 14 per week, seven more flights to Kuwait, bringing the total to 28 per week, two more …

Malaysia Airports

Qatar Airways Cargo and MASkargo will share their networks and fleet capacity to increase cargo services to customers as part of a new partnership. MASkargo customers will have access to the global Qatar Airways Cargo network, while Qatar Airways Cargo customers will have further access to the growing Asia Pacific market, including new destinations and additional capacity in existing stations. The partnership is the result of a move by Qatar Airways Group and Malaysia Aviation Group to further their relationship as Oneworld alliance partners with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Qatar Airways Cargo and MASkargo – the cargo airline and subsidiary of Malaysia Aviation Group.

Samir J Shah, Partner, JBS Group of Companies says, “India is a country that has grown on the aspirations and dreams of its citizens. This approach is needed much more now than ever. There are many issues to be tackled – certification for employees; lopsided or over booked capacities; erratic charging by Custodians; the current political situations in many countries etc.” He adds, “The issues are many in number and solutions not easy. The intention of the bureaucracy and the service providers is to find a quick solution amidst an unclear road map. We also have a new minister for Civil Aviation and it is hoped he would bring a fresh new perspective to all the current issues. Air Cargo is the back bone of so many industries for both inbound and out bound. A slower execution; uncertified personnel, under capacity all add to the existing woes. We must collectively put efforts without being selfish since our survival is based on the survival of the industry.”

Jitan Ram Manjhi is the new Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Former Chief Minister of Bihar is the new MSME Minister under the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Dalit face of NDA, Manjhi, 79, and the leader of athe Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) was Bihar CM between 2014 and 2015 for a short period of 10 months.

Sarbananda Sonowal, a BJP veteran from Assam, took the oath as a Union Cabinet Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways in the Modi government for the third time. The 61-year-old’s clean image, oratorial skills and popularity among the masses in Assam ensured that he got another stint at the Centre for the third time.  Sonowal was the minister of state (independent charge) of youth affairs and sports in the first Modi government from 2014 to 2016, when he resigned to head the first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition in Assam.

Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu has assumed the position of the Civil Aviation Minister, replacing Jyotiraditya Scindia. Naidu hails from Andhra Pradesh, at 36 years of age, Naidu represents the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) as a Member of Parliament from Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam Lok Sabha constituency, he is the youngest-ever Minister in Modi.