National Airlines to order four Boeing 777 Freighters

Boeing and National Airlines announced this week the global carrier has committed to placing its first order for four 777 Freighters. Currently the longest-range twin-engine freighter with unrivalled payload capacity, the 777 Freighter will help maximize the airline's commercial cargo service and boost market share across its global operations.

"We are elated by this remarkable order of four Boeing 777 Freighters. This demonstrates our commitment to offering efficient, resourceful, and modern air freight services to support our global customers' increasing transportation demands," said Christopher Alf, chairman of National Airlines. "The order affirms our fleet growth plan as we enter into the next chapter of National. We sincerely appreciate the support by Boeing and all its associated teams in this journey ahead."

Once finalized, if an agreement can be reached on price and delivery date,  National Airlines' first direct purchase of Boeing aeroplanes will be posted to Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website.

Royal Air Maroc Cargo kick-starts its first digital bookings with cargo . one

Royal Air Maroc Cargo partners with cargo . one as the industry leader for equipping carriers with fully digital distribution

With cargo.one's first North African carrier, customers gain seamless and joyful digital access to Royal Air Maroc Cargo’s growing capacity around the clock

Royal Air Maroc Cargo and cargo.one unveiled a global partnership that brings the Moroccan national carrier’s cargo capacity to the leading platform for digital air cargo bookings. Providing its first digital sales channel, cargo.one now delivers its user-friendly and efficient booking platform for Royal Air Maroc Cargo offers. The airline partnered with cargo.one based on its ability to deliver a world-class digital booking experience and visibility across cargo.one’s vast global footprint of customer markets.

Freight forwarders using cargo.one now have instant digital access to valuable connectivity from Royal Air Maroc Cargo. Offering both belly and dedicated freighter capacity, Royal Air Maroc Cargo is developing fast. With a flexible fleet and its main hub in Casablanca, the carrier benefits from a geostrategic location at the crossroads of international air cargo lanes linking the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle-East. Royal Air Maroc Cargo offers a broad range of cargo services catering to many industries and sectors. 

cargo.one delivers forwarders the go-to choice for instantly scanning the global market and quoting and booking confirmed shipments at speed. The launch of Royal Air Maroc Cargo services further enriches cargo.one’s acclaimed diversity of global supply options. Subject to route availability, Royal Air Maroc Cargo customers can now book digitally for General Cargo shipments up to 1000kg (wide body) and 500kg (narrow body), and perishable shipments in the coming weeks, with all bookings benefiting from cargo.one standards for usability, control and competitive rates. 

Maersk Air Cargo takes delivery of its first of two new Boeing 777F freighters

On Friday 12 July, Maersk Air Cargo, a division of the massive A.P. Moller – Maersk logistics group took delivery of the first of two new Boeing 777F freighter jets. The newly arrived aircraft is the first Boeing 777 owned by a Danish airline. 

The company said that especially Maersk’s air freight customers in China and Europe will benefit from increased capacity and efficiency by the introduction of the two Boeing 777F. Both will be deployed on Maersk’s existing Europe-China route with initially three weekly flights, and later up to six weekly flights. Besides more capacity on direct routes the 777Fs will ensure shorter transit times as well as faster handling times and quality at origin and destination.

Maersk ordered the two 777Fs in November 2021 as part of the modernization of its fleet. The delivery of the second aircraft is scheduled for later in Q3. Maersk Air Cargo’s owned controlled fleet will then comprise of two Boeing 777F and 20 Boeing 767F.

Lars Jordahn, Head of Maersk Air Cargo said "We are delighted to take this important delivery and upgrade our fleet with two of the largest and most reliable freighters available on the market. With this step we are entering the premier league of cargo aviation. The B777F can transport more than double of payload on each flight compared to our 767Fs, and it is the most fuel-efficient aircraft in the world with the GE90 engines."

The Boeing 777F can fly up to 9,200 kilometres (4,970 nautical miles) and carry a maximum payload of 102,000 kilograms. The main deck fits pallets up to 3 metres high, and all cargo decks are temperature-controlled. The Onboard Network System allows connected cargo in the future. Maersk chose GE90 engines for its 777F which are the world's most powerful and reliable commercial jet engines.

Narin Phol, Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer (CPO) for Logistics and Services at Maersk commented:  "From a commercial perspective the two Boeing 777Fs are a giant leap in terms of what we can offer our air freight customers going forward. Besides enabling a much more efficient route structuring our 777Fs will improve the availability of space for our customers as we see a growing demand for integrated supply chain solutions which include air. Due to the disruptive environment in logistics, a rising number of cargo owners are choosing to reduce the number of service providers in their supply chain. Increased visibility across fewer providers enables the cargo owners to react more swiftly and much better informed in case of disruption. Availability of air freight capacity and full asset control are important aspects here. Both increase the levels of resilience, visibility and flexibility which are essential in these disruptive times."

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A.P. Moller - Maersk is an integrated logistics company working to connect and simplify its customers’ supply chains. As a global leader in logistics services, the company operates in more than 130 countries and employs around 100,000 people. Maersk is aiming to reach net zero emissions by 2040 across the entire business with new technologies, new vessels, and green fuels.
Maersk Air Cargo A/S is a global cargo airline with our own fleet of aircraft, specialising in providing highly reliable cargo capacity. The company was previously under the name Star Air A/S, was founded in 1987.  It operates regular scheduled flights from hubs in Cologne and Leipzig in Germany, catering for global customers within the parcel and express delivery segment. Flights are also operated out of Denmark’s second-largest airport in Billund, serving Maersk customers as part of integrated end-to-end supply chain solutions.

Current routes operated by Maersk’s own controlled network

Maersk Air Freight | Maersk


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WestJet Cargo launches Campus'Air

Affordable shipping solutions for Canadian students and university staff

WestJet Cargo has launched its new Campus'Air service, designed to provide students and university staff with cost-effective shipping solutions for their personal effects. This initiative broadens WestJet Cargo's portfolio of services by specifically catering to the unique needs of the academic community, further enhancing its comprehensive shipping solutions.

Campus'Air is part of WestJet Cargo's ongoing commitment to investing in the community and paving a brighter future for Canada. Under the Campus'Air program, students and employees of select Canadian universities will receive a 50 per cent discount on published freight rates applicable to domestic shipments of personal effects. This significant discount ensures that the service remains accessible and economical, helping students and faculty staff manage their shipping needs with ease. 

ATSG signed lease deal for Two 767-300 Freighter aircraft to My Freighter

Air Transport Services Group, Inc. announced that its subsidiary Airborne Global Leasing has signed leased agreements for two additional Boeing 767-300 converted freighter aircraft to My Freighter Cargo Airlines of Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The addition of these two aircraft will expand the airline's ATSG-leased fleet to five 767-300 freighters.

“ATSG continues to expand its international leasing network,” said Mike Berger, chief executive officer of ATSG. “This commitment for additional capacity increases the global reach of our fleet, serving emerging e-commerce markets. Tashkent, Uzbekistan is a great location to meet the growing need for geographical capacity. This is another example of how ATSG partners with great companies like My Freighter to facilitate trade across the globe.”

My Freighter provides cargo air charter services in Uzbekistan and the Central Asian region focusing on delivering seamless and efficient logistics solutions that link major trade hubs, thereby contributing to economic growth throughout that region.

Condor prioritizes digital cargo growth, partnering with cargo . one

Condor, Germany’s most popular leisure airline, has entered a new expanded partnership with cargo.one to make its entire global network available on the market leading digital procurement platform. The airline is now working closely with cargo . one to target thousands of freight forwarders across cargo . one’s vast footprint of markets. Condor will work with cargo.one experts to bolster digital sales efforts in key forwarding markets such as Europe and USA.  

With almost 70 years of air cargo experience and a world-famous bold livery, Condor is a key carrier in the DACH aviation sector. Utilizing belly capacity from a fleet of more than 50 aircraft and ground facilities in Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and Zurich, Condor offers capacity to over 100 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Indian Ocean, North America and the Caribbean. Condor’s cargo operations benefit from its growing fleet of ultra modern and fuel efficient Airbus A330neo wide body aircraft. 

Partnership means Condor’s entire global network will be available for instant digital booking on cargo.one

Condor and cargo.one teams closely collaborate to enrich offer quality and boost digital adoption rates

cargo.one will help Condor to maximize belly capacity digital sales for its super-efficient Airbus long-haul fleet 

                         

Strong Air Cargo Demand Continues in May

IATA released data for May 2024 global air cargo markets showing continuing strong annual growth in demand.

•    Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), rose by 14.7% compared to May 2023 levels (15.5% for international operations). This is the sixth consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year growth. 

•    Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), increased by 6.7% compared to May 2023 (10.2% for international operations). 

"Air cargo demand moved sharply upwards in May across all regions. The sector benefitted from trade growth, booming e-commerce and capacity constraints on maritime shipping. The outlook remains largely positive with purchasing managers showing expectations for future growth. Some dampening, however, could come as the US imposes stricter conditions on e-commerce deliveries from China. Increased costs and transit times for shipments under $800 may deter US consumers and pose significant challenges for growth on the Asia-North America trade lane—the world’s biggest,” said Willie Walsh, IATA Director General."

Several factors in the operating environment should be noted:

•    In May the Purchasing Managers Index (PMIs) for global manufacturing output and new export orders indicated expansion (52.6 and 50.4 respectively). 

•    Industrial production and global cross-border trade increased month-on-month in April (0.5% and 1.5% respectively).

•    Inflation saw a mixed picture in May. In the EU and Japan, inflation rates fell to 2.7% and 2.8% respectively, while rising in the US to 3.3%. In contrast, China’s inflation rate remained near zero (0.3%) reflecting weak domestic demand due to high unemployment, slow income growth, and a crisis in the real estate sector, a trend that has persisted since 2023.

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Air cargo market in detail - May 2024

May 2024 (% year-on-year) World share1 CTK ACTK CLF (%-pt) CLF (level) Total Market 100% 14.7% 6.7% 3.1% 44.6% Africa 2.0% 18.4% 21.4% -1.1% 43.8% Asia Pacific 33.3% 17.8% 8.4% 3.6% 45.3% Europe 21.4% 17.2% 11.9% 2.3% 51.8% Latin America 2.8% 12.7% 8.0% 1.5% 36.2% Middle East 13.5% 15.3% 2.7% 5.0% 46.1% North America 26.9% 8.7% 2.5% 2.3% 39.7%

1% of industry CTKs in 2023

May Regional Performance

Asia-Pacific airlines saw 17.8% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in May. Demand on the Africa-Asia trade lane grew by 40.6% year-on-year, while the Europe-Asia, Within Asia and Middle East-Asia trade lanes rose by 20.4%, 19.2% and 18.6% respectively. Capacity increased by 8.4% year-on-year.
North American carriers saw 8.7% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in May —the weakest among all regions. Demand on the Asia-North America trade lane grew by 12.0% year-on-year, while the North America-Europe route saw an increase of 8.9%, marking the largest demand growth for this route since mid-2022. May capacity increased by 2.5% year-on-year.
European carriers saw 17.2% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in May. Intra-European air cargo rose by 25.6% compared to May 2023, the fifth month in a row of double-digit annual growth. Europe–Middle East routes saw demand increase by 33.8%.  May capacity increased 11.9% year-on-year.
Middle Eastern carriers saw 15.3% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in May. As mentioned above, the Middle East–Europe market performed particularly well with 33.8% annual growth, ahead of Middle East-Asia which grew by 18.6% year-on-year. May capacity increased 2.7% year-on-year.
Latin American carriers saw 12.7% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in May. Capacity increased 8.0% year-on-year.
African airlines saw 18.4% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in May – the strongest of all regions. Demand on the Africa–Asia market increased by 40.6% compared to May 2023, the strongest performance of all trade lanes. May capacity increased by 21.4% year-on-year.  

Read the latest Cargo Market Analysis (iata.org)

Air India Selects IBS Software's iCargo platform

Air India has selected IBS Software, a worldwide leader in SaaS solutions for the travel industry to digitally transform its expanding air cargo operations.  

Air India has chosen IBS Software's iCargo solution to support its growth plan and commitment to the airline's ongoing digital transformation. IBS Software's fully integrated iCargo solution will enable Air India to digitise end-to-end cargo management, allowing seamless integration of numerous cargo operations, from sales to billing within a single, integrated platform. This will empower Air India to streamline processes and enhance decision-making capabilities.

This partnership comes at a time when Air India has embarked on a significant digital transformation of its core businesses across passenger services, fleet, and cargo operations.

Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial and Transformation Officer at Air India, said: "Air India is on a transformation journey to not only reaffirm its position as a global leader in aviation, but to also establish foundations for future growth. Air cargo is one of the key drivers of our roadmap for future growth, and technology will be at the core of it."

Turkish Airlines orders four more Boeing 777 Freighters

Turkish Airlines has confirmed an order for four more Boeing  777 Freighters to further strengthen its global reach in the cargo market.  According to Boeing,  with this latest order, Turkish Airlines will operate 12 of the 777 Freighters. The price of the jets has not been released, however, the carrier previously obtained a 49.9% discount from the US manufacturer on other aircraft orders. 

"This new investment in expanding our cargo fleet underscores our commitment to meeting the growing global demand for air freight services," said Turkish Airlines Chief Cargo Officer Ali Türk. "The addition of these Boeing 777 Freighters will not only enhance our operational capabilities, but also serve as another step in our strategic vision to reach the top of air cargo sector worldwide while maintaining our leading position with our unparalleled service and efficiency for our customers across the globe."

"We are proud to continue our long-standing partnership with Turkish Airlines and support its expansion of cargo operations with the addition of Boeing 777 Freighters," said Paul Righi, vice president of Boeing Commercial Sales for Eurasia.

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WestJet Cargo joins cargo.one to launch fully digital Canadian spirit to thousands more freight forwarders

 

                              WestJet Cargo, the cargo division of Canada’s second largest carrier, and cargo . one have launched the airline’s capacity on the market-leading air freight platform. For the first time, the global freight forwarding community gains instant and fully digital access to book WestJet Cargo’s services around the clock. WestJet Cargo has turned to the industry-leader to supercharge its digital distribution, rapidly gaining digital best practices and valuable new visibility in all its relevant markets worldwide.    

WestJet Cargo is renowned for fulfilling the diverse needs of the Canadian air cargo market with its unrivaled local expertise and an impressive network of 45 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. The airline offers freight forwarders great flexibility across its 180 aircraft fleet, including its modern Boeing 737-800 BCF freighters, and substantial belly capacity within wide body long haul and narrow body passenger aircraft. 

Customers gain instant booking for WestJet Cargo’s impressive Canadian connectivity and extensive capacities throughout the Americas, Caribbean, Europe and Asia

Canada’s second largest carrier partners with category-leader cargo.one to boost its global reach, lower cost per sale, and guarantee a world-class digital experience 

Freight forwarders globally now enjoy seamless, user-friendly and 24/7 access to WestJet Cargo offers, with instant confirmation. Within a few clicks, forwarders can now discover, book, amend and track bookings, including import bookings, for general cargo and perishable shipments. cargo.one’s joyful booking process and WestJet Cargo’s famous Canadian care-driven approach combine to ensure that every customer receives an exceptional experience from end to end. 

Kirsten de Bruijn, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Cargo, comments, “This strategic partnership is a logical step in our digital transformation, accelerating our growth in digital bookings. Partnering with cargo.one aligns perfectly with our vision of delivering exceptional customer experiences.” 

“WestJet Cargo stands out as having a particularly strong alignment with cargo.one’s agility and mindset for prioritizing the customer experience. Our teams are together applying cargo.one technology and best practices to fully maximize WestJet Cargo’s digital sales journey”, adds Moritz Claussen, Founder & Co-CEO of cargo.one.  

IAG Cargo launches Constant Climate in Strasbourg

IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG), is announcing Strasbourg as its latest station in Europe to be approved to transport time and temperature-sensitive healthcare products. This station brings the total number of approved Constant Climate stations for temperature-sensitive transport in Europe to 29, with over 100 globally. Recent station openings include Cincinnati and Cape Town as IAG Cargo continues to expand its global offering.

IAG Cargo has expanded its Constant Climate global network that serves the pharmaceutical, bioscience and healthcare industry adding Strasbourg as an approved station
 
IAG Cargo has over 100 approved stations across six continents
 
Strasbourg is IAG Cargo’s 29th Constant Climate station in Europe

This newly established station will facilitate the transportation of pharmaceuticals requiring precise time and temperature control from Strasbourg to IAG Cargo’s hubs in Madrid and London for further distribution. It will leverage IAG Cargo’s extensive network, which links six continents, to transport critical cargo such as vaccines, medicinal drugs and clinical trial medication worldwide. This service will be particularly beneficial for pharmaceutical customers in France whose pharmaceuticals frequently transit through London-Heathrow or Madrid to reach their final destinations. 

Jordan Kohlbeck, Head of Pharmaceutical at IAG Cargo, added: “We are thrilled to announce the opening of another Constant Climate station, this time in Strasbourg, France. As France’s pharmaceutical sector continues to expand, this station comes at an ideal time to support our customers in delivering life-saving medicines and vaccines efficiently. I’m really looking forward to working with our partners and customers in the region to ensure seamless temperature-controlled air cargo services for their critical shipments.” 

With an 18% increase in tonnage in 2023 compared to 2022, IAG Cargo's Constant Climate product is a key focus area. It is a cutting edge cold chain solution designed specifically for the transportation of pharmaceuticals, such as vaccines, biotech products, diagnostics samples, or any other temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical material.

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Air Cargo Demand Continues Strong Growth into Q2

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for April 2024 global air cargo markets showing strong annual growth in demand into the second quarter (Q2). 

•    Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), rose by 11.1% compared to April 2023 levels (11.6% for international operations). This is the fifth consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year growth. 

•    Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), increased by 7.1% compared to April 2023 (10.2% for international operations). 

"Air cargo demand started Q2 with a solid 11.1% increase. While many economic uncertainties remain, it appears that the roots of air cargo’s strong performance are deepening. In recent months, air cargo demand grew even when the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) was indicating the potential for contraction. With the PMI now indicating growth, the prospects for continued strong demand are even more robust,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Air cargo market in detail - April 2024

April 2024 (% year-on-year) World share1 CTK ACTK CLF (%-pt) CLF (level) Total Market 100% 11.1% 7.1% 1.6% 43.9% Africa 2.0% 10.6% 18.7% -3.1% 42.9% Asia Pacific 33.3% 14.0% 7.8% 2.4% 44.5% Europe 21.4% 12.7% 10.3% 1.1% 51.5% Latin America 2.8% 11.7% 9.8% 0.6% 38.7% Middle East 13.5% 9.4% 5.7% 1.5% 44.7% North America 26.9% 7.0% 4.0% 1.1% 38.7%

1% of industry CTKs in 2023

Several factors in the operating environment should be noted:

AG Cargo opens Dublin - Denver route

IAG Cargo has announced a new route between Dublin and Denver for the first time in its history.  From 17th May 2024, IAG Cargo customers will have the opportunity to transport goods directly between Dublin and Denver with a frequency of four times per week, utilising an Airbus 330-200 aircraft.

Additionally, services between Dublin and Toronto will also see a boost in capacity due to a wide body Airbus 330-200 now being used four times a week on the service.

This new service and additional capacity further support IAG Cargo’s Dublin hub as a gateway to North America, boasting over 80 weekly wide-body rotations - the additional services are essential to facilitating the movement of pharmaceutical products. This is incredibly important for Ireland as the Central Statistics Office revealed that medical and pharmaceutical items are the largest export for the country and have increased by €2,908 million (+48%) to €8,993 million in January 2024 compared with January 2023.[1]

Camilo Garcia Cervera, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at the cargo division of International Airlines Group said: “We are really pleased to be introducing additional direct routes for our customers, connecting Ireland and the US. Ireland’s strategic location and business friendly environment have established it as a key hub for the pharmaceutical industry. The additional capacity adds to our strong network offering in North America, giving local businesses a vital connection to global markets.”

. Special discount for a limited time! Save up to 30% now. 
 

Air Cargo continues growth run in March

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for March 2024 global air cargo markets showing continuing strong annual growth in demand. 

•    Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), rose by 10.3% compared to March 2023 levels (11.4% for international operations). This is the fourth consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year growth. 

•    Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), increased by 7.3% compared to March 2023 (10.5% for international operations). 

"Air cargo demand grew by 10.3% over the previous March. This contributed to a strong first quarter performance which slightly exceeded even the exceptionally strong 2021 first quarter performance during the COVID crisis. With global cross-border trade and industrial production continuing to show a moderate upward trend, 2024 is shaping up to be a solid year for air cargo," said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Several factors in the operating environment should be noted:

•    Global cross-border trade and industrial production increased by 1.2% and 1.6% respectively in February. 

•    In March, the manufacturing output Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) climbed to 51.9, indicating expansion. The new export orders PMI also rose to 49.5, remaining slightly below the 50 threshold that would indicate growth expectations. 

•    Inflation saw a mixed picture in March. In the EU and Japan, inflation rates fell to 2.6% and 2.7% respectively, while rising in the US to 3.5%. In contrast, China experienced a slight deflation of -0.01%. This latest figure marks a return to deflation after February's brief period of inflation. 

March Regional Performance

Asia-Pacific airlines saw 14.3% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in March. Demand on the Asia-Europe route grew by 2.7 ppt to 17.0% and the within Asia market grew by 6.7 ppt to 11.8%. Capacity increased by 14.3% year-on-year.

North American carriers saw 0.9% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in March —the weakest among all regions. Demand on the North America–Europe trade lane grew by 2.9% year-on-year while Asia–North America grew by 4.7% year-on-year.  March capacity decreased by -1.9% year-on-year.

European carriers saw 10.0% year-on-year demand growth for air cargo in March. Intra-European air cargo rose by 24.7% year-on-year. Europe–Middle East routes saw demand grow by 38.3% year-on-year, while Europe–North America expanded by 2.9% year-on-year.  March capacity increased 8.0% year-on-year.

Singapore Airlines picks WebCargo by Freightos to expand booking options in Asia-Pacific's busiest hubs

WebCargo by Freightos, a leading vendor-neutral booking and payment platform for the international freight industry, is excited to announce that Singapore Airlines' cargo capacity is now being offered on WebCargo's platform. This relationship with Singapore Airlines underscores WebCargo's position as the leading digital platform for the air freight industry, offering its users an end-to-end booking experience while expanding its reach in the Asia-Pacific region. Digital bookings for shipments from Asia origins on WebCargo more than doubled between Q4 2022 and Q4 2023, showing strong appetite for digitalization in Asia, a trend that will likely be accelerated with Singapore's national carrier on the platform.

With a fleet of seven Boeing 747-400F freighters and over 190 Singapore Airlines and Scoot passenger aircraft serving more than 120 destinations, Singapore Airlines brings expanded reach to the thousands of freight forwarders that use WebCargo's platform for real-time air cargo pricing and booking starting this week. The partnership provides WebCargo's users with additional access to sought-after Asia-Pacific destinations, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. Coverage on the platform is slated to increase over the course of the year.

IAG Cargo invests 1.5 million Euros in perishables facility at Madrid hub

IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG), has recently invested €1.5 million into the expansion of its temperature-controlled perishables facility in Madrid. This forms part of a total €12 million invested in the business’ Spanish hub over the last 6 years.

As the first point of entry into the EU for perishables, IAG Cargo boasts an extensive network of connections from Latin America, with Madrid serving as a vital centre for distribution of produce across the region. This investment will increase the total capacity of the facility by 45% and will home 1,340 square metres of dedicated temperature-controlled space for perishable goods, offering customers the largest cooling chambers at Madrid airport. These chambers bring improved reliability and efficiency to IAG Cargo’s cold chain operations in Europe and are monitored 24/7 to ensure temperature sensitive goods are held in the correct conditions.

This forms part of IAG Cargo’s wider 12 million Euro investment into its Madrid hub over the last 6 years to enhance services for customers

The expansion of the facility will provide more capacity for the transportation of fruit, vegetables, meat, and fish between Latin America and Europe

The new facility features state-of-the-art cooling chambers to maintain the integrity of perishable goods

Fernando Terol Armas, Director of Spanish Hub and Operations at IAG Cargo said: “We are thrilled to announce this latest investment in our Madrid facility, which further demonstrates our commitment to providing the highest quality service to our customers.

With the expansion of our temperature-controlled space and state-of-the-art cooling chambers, we can now offer even greater capacity for perishable goods, ensuring their integrity is maintained throughout the supply chain. This investment will enable us to continue to serve as a vital link between Latin America and Europe, and we look forward to supporting our customers' growth in this region.”

Ramon Rey, International Director of Eurobanan that houses tropical fruit brand Isla Bonita added, “We are delighted by the additional capacity IAG Cargo has created at their perishables facility in Madrid. This development will allow us to continue delivering premium quality fruits and vegetables to consumers across Spain year-round. With enhanced logistics, IAG Cargo enables us to ensure that freshness is never compromised.”

The expansion of this facility will benefit customers importing fruit and vegetables, including asparagus from Peru and Los Angeles, papayas from Brazil, and mangos from Dominican Republic, as well as meat from Argentina and Uruguay, and fish, such as hake and salmon, from Chile.

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Air cargo growth at East Midlands Airport could lead to more than 12,000 new jobs.......

East Midlands Airport is poised to bolster its pivotal role in powering UK trade, with tens of thousands of jobs and billions in economic value set to be unlocked by growth in its cargo operation.

A new study has shown EMA has a unique combination of strengths that make it perfectly placed to support increased demand for air freight in the years ahead.

These include its central location and close proximity to major road and rail networks, and the fact that 80% of all large-scale warehouse sites are within 125 miles of EMA.

It also specialises in the handling of express air freight - carried in dedicated aircraft, not in the "belly" of passenger planes. It is this fastest-growing type of air cargo that is tipped to account for an ever-increasing share of all goods shipped around the world in the years to come.

And EMA has the capacity to accommodate an increase in cargo flights as the economy grows, while other key airports in the market face constraints.

These factors combine to place EMA in a strong position to build on its status as the UK's most important express air freight hub. A recent example of this growth in action was the move by British cargo airline One Air from Heathrow to East Midlands Airport.

The study - carried out by specialist air travel consultants York Aviation - says that air cargo growth at EMA will support between £687m and £1.8bn in additional GVA and between 2,700 and 12,600 extra jobs by 2030.

Green credentials on show....IAG Cargo transitions 160-truck fleet at London Heathrow to run on hydrotreated vegetable oil

IAG Cargo is putting green credentials on show by transitioning from Diesel to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil for its 160-strong ground vehicle fleet at London Heathrow.  HVO is a drop-in replacement for White Diesel, made from plant waste and fully renewable materials, meaning that it has a significant impact on net carbon emissions.

For IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group says the transition to HVO will reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% and significantly reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM). These reductions will reduce IAG Cargo’s overall Scope 1 emissions by approximately 50%, contributing to the company’s sustainability targets.

David Rose, Director of London Operations at IAG Cargo said: “Transitioning our fleet of ground vehicles from diesel to HVO showcases our commitment to sustainable operations. This move to HVO for our large fleet at London Heathrow is just one of the actions we are taking to reach our goal of net-zero by 2050 and will pave the way for a more sustainable future at IAG Cargo.” 

In addition to transitioning to HVO, IAG Cargo is looking for further ways to reduce the carbon impact of its global fleet. This includes measures such as additional electric vehicles (EVs), and a concerted effort to streamline the total vehicles in operation, with its fleet at its Dublin hub already powered by electric or HVO vehicles. 

The fleet consists of a range of vehicles from small vans to large tugs which can tow trailers holding several tonnes of cargo. The transition to HVO was completed in March 2024. Since then, the benefits have been continuously measured, which will continue into the coming months.

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Congratulating Hong Kong Int Airport.......

Celebrating the city's achievement and reaffirming its commitment to contributing to its home hub’s continued success.

Cathay Cargo congratulates Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for once again being named the world's busiest cargo airport in 2023, according to the latest data from Airports Council International (ACI). As the city's home carrier for 77 years and the largest cargo operator at HKIA, Cathay Cargo is proud to be part of this success story.

Cathay’s Director Cargo Tom Owen said: “Hong Kong once again being named number one in the world for air cargo is a testament to the resilience, innovation and collaboration of the Hong Kong air cargo community. With its world-leading infrastructure, expertise and capabilities, supported by the increased development of intermodal connectivity within the Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong continues to be at the forefront of the global air cargo industry.

“Cathay’s ongoing investments in our passenger and freighter fleets, our extensive cargo network, cargo facilities, and our digital and sustainability capabilities to meet the evolving needs of cargo customers, are a reflection of our deep confidence in the long-term future of the Hong Kong air cargo logistics hub. We certainly don’t take Hong Kong’s air cargo success for granted, and remain committed to continuing to work together with the Transport and Logistics Bureau, Civil Aviation Department, Airport Authority Hong Kong, all sectors in the air cargo industry, and countless other important stakeholders to continue to grow Hong Kong further as the world’s leading air cargo hub, and the premier air cargo gateway connecting the Chinese Mainland with the rest of the world.”

Cathay Cargo congratulates Hong Kong International Airport on being named world’s busiest cargo airport for the 13th time in 14 years

Celebrating the city's achievement and reaffirming its commitment to contributing to its home hub’s continued success.

Cathay Cargo congratulates Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for once again being named the world's busiest cargo airport in 2023, according to the latest data from Airports Council International (ACI). As the city's home carrier for 77 years and the largest cargo operator at HKIA, Cathay Cargo is proud to be part of this success story.

Cathay’s Director Cargo Tom Owen said: “Hong Kong once again being named number one in the world for air cargo is a testament to the resilience, innovation and collaboration of the Hong Kong air cargo community. With its world-leading infrastructure, expertise and capabilities, supported by the increased development of intermodal connectivity within the Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong continues to be at the forefront of the global air cargo industry.

“Cathay’s ongoing investments in our passenger and freighter fleets, our extensive cargo network, cargo facilities, and our digital and sustainability capabilities to meet the evolving needs of cargo customers, are a reflection of our deep confidence in the long-term future of the Hong Kong air cargo logistics hub. We certainly don’t take Hong Kong’s air cargo success for granted, and remain committed to continuing to work together with the Transport and Logistics Bureau, Civil Aviation Department, Airport Authority Hong Kong, all sectors in the air cargo industry, and countless other important stakeholders to continue to grow Hong Kong further as the world’s leading air cargo hub, and the premier air cargo gateway connecting the Chinese Mainland with the rest of the world.”