Kale Logistics Solutions (Kale) has signed a contract to extend its partnership with longstanding customer CHI Aviation Handling (CHI) by a further five years. With Kale as CHI’s strategic tech partner, the Frankfurt-based air cargo services provider has boosted the efficiency and productivity of its ground handling operations using Kale’s cargo management system, GALAXY, to digitalize cargo handling. “We have chosen to continue partnering with Kale to help support our vision digital transformation; we need a reliable IT system that can be easily implemented at every airport station where we are operating and Kale’s GALAXY is the best fit solution,” said Dominik Misskampf, MD, CHI Aviation Handling. “We share a common desire with Kale to create digital channels that make a difference in serving all our customers, both businesses and consumers, by increasing accessibility to our service and improving our response times,” he added.

Turkish Airlines and Vietnam Airlines have signed a MoU to strengthen bilateral cooperation, focusing on cargo. This will open up new opportunities to develop business among Turkey, Vietnam, Europe, and Middle East in transporting cargo and passengers. “Under the agreement, the two carriers will cooperate more closely on cargo operations with a view to initially implementing a codeshare in 2023,” said an official statement. Levent Konukcu, Chief Investment and Technology Officer, Turkish Airlines said, “Recovering from the crisis the pandemic brought to aviation sector, we all became aware of the crucial need of cooperation. We attach importance to expanding our co-operation with Vietnam Airlines both in passenger and cargo.”

UPS has announced the expansion of its global smart logistics network with a new airport gateway facility in India at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR). With this added capacity, a new Boeing 747-8 flight will now be able to further connect our customers in India with more international trade opportunities in Asia, Europe and the Americas. “Customers are at the core of our strategy and we’re on a mission to deliver what matters for them,” said Deepak Shrivastava, UPS Managing Director for Indian Subcontinent. This is UPS’s second dedicated airport gateway facility in India after opening its Delhi airport gateway in 2020 and another example of how UPS is empowering local businesses to grow, expand to new markets and compete globally. The Bengaluru facility will provide in-house customs clearance and serve as a cross-border trade link for southern India, giving customers an extended pick-up time of up to two hours, while strengthening supply chains for cross-border trade.

To cater to the future requirement of the hinterland and further benefit the downstream industries around the Gujarat and allied states, Deendayal Port Authority, Kutch, Gujarat is set to develop two Mega Cargo Handling Terminals on a BOT basis under PPP Mode at an estimated cost of Rs. 5963 crores. The Authority has decided to develop a Container Terminal and a Multipurpose Cargo Berth at Tuna-Tekra in the Kutch District. The Container terminal plans to handle next-generation vessels/deeper draught vessels up to 6000 TEUs to 21000 TEUs with a draught of 14m to 18m, respectively. The Estimated Cost & Optimal handling Capacity of the Terminal is Rs. 4243.64 Crores and 2.19 million TEU, respectively. Once operational, the terminal will be well equipped to tap into the container market growth in the region with better infrastructure and a state-of-art world-class container facility. The proposed facility shall be used for handling multipurpose cargo, viz., food grains, fertilizers, coal, ores and minerals, steel cargo etc. Once fully operational, the port is envisaged to shift the existing handling of Coal from Kandla to Tuna Tekra and cater to the future growth in multipurpose cargo (other than container/liquid) traffic.

The Indian Institute of Freight Forwarders (IIFF), part of the Federation of Freight Forwarder’s Associations in India (FFFAI) launched its third online diploma in Shipping, Logistics and Freight Forwarding on 2 July 2022 for the aspiring logistics aspirants. The program will take place over 300 hours on weekdays from 7pm to 9pm. Chief Guest FFFAI Chairman, Shankar Shinde focused on the importance of training and skill development for enhancing domain knowledge concerning the logistics industry. He also encouraged the students to be updated with shipping news as currently there are numerous changes that the industry is going through. President of IIFF, Tej Contractor welcomed all dignitaries, faculties and participants who were present for the inauguration, followed by a speech from Secretary of IIFF Nirav Thakker who shared a background of the IIFF and its parent organization, FFFAI.

Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) has confirmed its order for 20 Boeing 737 MAX-8s. The deal was sealed during a signing ceremony at the Farnborough Airshow, and will make ANA the first Boeing 737 MAX customer in Japan. The deal also includes options for 10 further 737 MAXs, and in addition, ANA converted two previous orders for the Boeing 777-9 passenger aircraft to the Boeing 777-8F cargo aircraft. As a result, ANA will become the first carrier in Asia to fly the Boeing 777-8F. President and CEO of ANA Holdings, Koji Shibata, recognized ANA’s long relationship with Boeing, reminiscing on 2012, when the airline was the launch customer of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The carrier now has a total of 61 aircraft on order from Boeing, including the Boeing 737 MAX, Boeing 787, and Boeing 777X aircraft.

According to Boeing’s 2022 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) report, there will be continued robust demand for dedicated freighters to support global supply chains and growing express networks. “Carriers will need 2,800 additional freighters overall, including 940 new widebody models in addition to converted narrow-body and widebody freighters over the forecast period, “ the report stated. The insights are a part of Boeing’s2022 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) report which showcases the company’s annual long-term forecast. The company also projected demand for more than 41,000 new airplanes through 2041, underscoring aviation industry resilience two years after the pandemic began. The CMO forecasts a market value of $7.2 trillion for new airplane deliveries, with the global fleet increasing by 80% through 2041 compared to 2019 pre-pandemic levels. In addition, Boeing Global Services forecasts $3.6 trillion in demand in its market segments over the same time period, including strong demand for maintenance and modifications such as converted freighters; digital solutions that increase efficiency and reduce cost; and effective training to enable the supply of pilots and technicians, says reports.

Bolloré Logistics and Air France KLM Martinair Cargo sign sustainability partnership agreement which covers Air France KLM Martinair routes and will help Bolloré Logistics curb Scope 3 GHG emissions, stated a release. The joint effort includes an extension of Bolloré’s participation in AFKLMP Cargo’s SAF programme, which kick-started in January 2021 for cargo flights between Charles de Gaulle and New York John F. Kennedy airports. “This new pact between the two partners covers all routes operated by Air France KLM Martinair Cargo in all geographical areas and will enable Bolloré Logistics to reduce its Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by at least 75 per cent throughout the year, translating to a minimum of 4,400 tonnes of CO2. The continuation of this partnership is testament to the ambition of both companies to pursue their commitments to contribute sustainably to the decarbonisation of airfreight transport,” added release.

The Hirasar Airport, also known as Rajkot Greenfield International Airport, is likely to be operational from August this year, said an official. The airport, which is 30 km from Rajkot, an industrial city, is being constructed on an area spanning 1,032 h.a. in four phases. There will be a total of 14 parking spaces, and the passenger terminal will be 23,000 sq. metres in size. “The construction work is progressing quite well, and this airport should be operational by August or September. Even the runway’s construction is 85 per cent complete. The logistics of various enterprises in the Saurashtra region, Gujarat will benefit time and cost-related solutions provided by the airport on the Rajkot-Ahmedabad route. The foundation stone for this project, which cost Rs 1,405 crore was approved by the Modi administration in 2018, was laid in October 2017.

Taxiway ‘Bravo’ at Chennai International Airport finally opened on Friday to ease the congestion and promote the speed during the peak hours. The capacity of the current primary runway will be increased as a result of the operation of Bravo, the principal taxiway (B-TWY), Chennai airport officials said. B-TWY parallel the main runway, which handles 90 per cent of domestic, international, and cargo movements. According to the statement, “before, the B-TWY had a curve at the Guindy end that led in various constraints resulting to aircraft holding, therefore using extra time and fuel for departing flights taxiing from terminal to primary runway for take-off.” The straightened taxiway “will ease the situation and promote speedier passage of flights and cargo by eliminating delays while taxiing, specifically during peak hour traffic.”