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.”

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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.”

IAG Cargo restarts services between London and Abu Dhabi as part of its 2024 summer schedule

IAG Cargo kicks off the start of its summer schedule which will see an increase in services between its core hubs in London, Madrid, Barcelona and Dublin to key destinations across the world.

The cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG) advises that as part of the new schedule, services between London Heathrow (LHR) and Abu Dhabi (AUH) will return on the 20th of April following a four-year hiatus. This route will benefit from the use of a Boeing 787-9 widebody aircraft and forms part of a 19% increase in weekly rotations to Africa and the Middle East. 

IAG Cargo restarts services between London and Abu Dhabi for the first time in four years

 

IAG Cargo increases services to the Middle East and Latin America as part of the new summer schedule

Key transatlantic routes will also see a boost in capacity, with a 9% increase in services to Latin America and the Caribbean. This includes an additional three services per week to Buenos Aires (EZE) and up to four services per week to Sao Paulo (GRU) out of Madrid. Furthermore, there will be a doubling of weekly services between London Heathrow and San Diego (SAN), and an extra seven flights per week to Chicago (ORD). IAG Cargo has also launched a new service between Barcelona and Miami (MIA). 

Camilo Garcia Cervera, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at IAG Cargo, said: “The new summer schedule will offer enhanced capacity and greater flexibility for our customers. We are particularly pleased to expand our offering in Africa and the Middle East, including the resumption of operations in Abu Dhabi after a four-year absence from our schedule. Abu Dhabi International Airport is emerging as an increasingly important regional logistics hub with state-of-the-art facilities and we are excited to contribute towards its further growth.” 

Out of London, IAG Cargo offers capacity to six continents with over 600 weekly wide-body services. Additionally, Dublin serves as a gateway to North America, boasting over 80 weekly wide-body rotations. The business now offers over 240 weekly wide-body services connecting Madrid and Barcelona with destinations across North America, Latin America and the Caribbean.

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Air Cargo Demand Maintains Double-Digit Growth in February

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

•    Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), rose by 11.9% compared to February 2023 levels (12.4% for international operations). This is the third consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year demand growth. 

•    Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), increased by 13.4% compared to February 2023 (16.0% for international operations). This was largely related to the increase in international belly capacity accompanying growth in passenger markets (29.5% year-on-year increase), which far exceeded international capacity on freighters (3.2% year-on-year increase).

"February’s demand growth of 11.9% far outpaced the 0.9% expansion in cross-border trade. This strong start for 2024 could see demand surpass the exceptionally high levels of early 2022. It also shows air cargo’s strong resilience in the face of continuing political and economic uncertainties,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Several factors in the operating environment should be noted:

•    Global cross-border trade increased by 0.9% in January. 

•    In February, the manufacturing output Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) climbed to 51.2, indicating expansion. The new export orders PMI also rose to 49.4, remaining slightly below the 50 threshold that would indicate growth.

•    February year-on-year inflation dropped to 2.8% in the EU while rising to 2.8% and 3.2% in Japan and the US respectively.  After four months of deflation, China reported a 0.7% increase in inflation year-on-year—a positive development amid concerns over China's economic slowdown.

My Freighter leases third 767 from ATSG

Air Transport Services Group, Inc confirmed this week that it has delivered a newly converted Boeing 767-300 freighter to My Freighter Cargo Airlines of Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

This delivery marks ATSG’s fourth newly converted Boeing 767-300 dry-lease delivery this year, as outlined in its fourth-quarter investor release on February 26, 2024.

ATSG's subsidiary, Airborne Global Leasing, executed this delivery in alignment with ATSG's Lease+Plus strategy, which provides freighter capacity and associated aviation services to meet demand within established and emerging global freight markets.

“Our expanding relationship with My Freighter exemplifies the tangible value of our Lease+Plus strategy,” said Paul Chase, chief commercial officer of ATSG. “The Boeing 767-300 continues to be the freighter of choice among e-commerce integrators and express carriers as it provides the operational flexibility and efficiency to build those networks.”

ATSG continues to focus on global market opportunities in Central and Southeast Asia to enhance its global leasing network. ATSG's freighter offering, including the Airbus A321 and A330 freighters, is poised to meet increased capacity growth demands in these growing global markets.

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IAG Cargo looks to double its IT and digital team

IAG Cargo will expand its IT and digital team with more than 60 roles

The team will focus on enhancing systems and improving customer access to IAG Cargo’s extensive global network

 

IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG), is growing its IT and digital team with more than 60 roles, more than doubling the size of its global team. People can find out more information on available roles at www.iagcargo.com/en/careers, where applications are now open.

This expansion is part of IAG Cargo’s commitment to be an agile, innovative and customer-centric business, increasing efficiency and embracing new technologies that will enable the company to adapt in an ever-changing landscape. 

IAG Cargo already utilises various digital technologies and tools to streamline operations. For example, its new cargo handling facility at London Heathrow saw bespoke IT system upgrades and integrations that optimise how freight is moved and allocated within the facility, this state-of-the-art technology helps make IAG Cargo smarter and faster, enabling the company to provide the best customer service. 

ATSG delivers additional Boeing 767 Freighter to DHL

Air Transport Services Group, announced this week that it has commenced a new lease agreement with DHL Network Operations (USA), Inc. under which ATSG’s Cargo Aircraft Management (CAM) has leased a 767-300 freighter aircraft to DHL to operate within DHL’s global network.

“As one of our longest leasing relationships, we take pride in identifying opportunities to enhance capacity within the DHL network,” said Paul Chase, chief commercial officer of ATSG. “The Boeing 767 remains unrivalled in the medium-widebody freighter market, serving as the backbone for lessees by offering payload capacity and range capabilities to optimize express delivery operations.”

The agreement will increase the total CAM-leased 767 fleet at DHL to fourteen.

“Leasing customers recognize our Lease+Plus strategy as an opportunity to increase capacity and meet market demand,” stated Chase. “No other company in the world can compete with our bundle of services for midsize freighters, including leasing, air express operations, heavy maintenance, freighter conversions, and logistics services.”

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IAG Cargo launches new service between Barcelona and Miami

IAG Cargo announces a new service between Barcelona and Miami with flights operating up to three times a week from 31st March

Miami is IAG Cargo’s fifth connection between Barcelona and the U.S. 

IAG Cargo also restarts services between Barcelona and San Francisco from 31st March

 

IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG), has announced a new service between Barcelona and Miami. The route will run three times a week to Miami International Airport from 31st March 2024, increasing to four services from June to September. 

Barcelona is one of IAG Cargo’s four hubs, alongside London Heathrow, Madrid, and Dublin, and is home to two of the IAG Group’s airlines, LEVEL and Vueling. Miami will mark IAG Cargo’s fifth direct connection to the United States from Barcelona, which already encompasses Boston, Los Angeles, New York’s JFK and San Francisco. This new route adds to almost 200 weekly connections between Spain and the United States. Barcelona is well positioned to connect the United States and the rest of Europe, with an extensive trucking network into nearby countries. 

Miami is the world’s largest gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean and offers two-way cargo traffic, linking the Americas with Europe. It is renowned as a hub for the distribution of perishable products, hi-tech commodities, telecommunications equipment, textiles, pharmaceuticals and industrial machinery. The introduction of this service is being made possible by adding a sixth aircraft to LEVEL’s fleet. 

Camilo Garcia Cervera, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at IAG Cargo said: “The transatlantic corridor is an important part of our network and supports so many of our customers. Miami is a thriving logistics hub, strategic for air freight. With our already well-established network connecting major cities in the United States with Europe, this new route will enhance our connectivity even more.” 

IAG Cargo also restarts services between Barcelona and San Francisco from 31st March, with four weekly frequencies. In 2023 IAG Cargo had a commercial revenue of €1,156 million. It has a combined workforce of more than 2,250 people. Its parent company, International Airlines Group, is one of the world's largest airline groups with 582 aircraft at 31st December 2023.

 

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Cathay Cargo Terminal first air cargo terminal in Hong Kong to enable ePayments...........Providing seamless payment for cargo collection

Cathay Cargo Terminal has become the first air cargo terminal in Hong Kong to introduce a business-to-business (B2B) ePayment solution, partnering with leading global cargo payment platform PayCargo to offer a secure, user-friendly, and efficient digital payment method for import cargo collection.

Cathay Cargo Terminal Chief Operating Officer Mark Watts said: “We are delighted to have selected PayCargo as our ePayment solution, providing more choice and convenience for freight forwarders and their trucking agents. This marks yet another milestone in our digital journey after enabling eAWBs (electronic airwaybills) and introducing eSRF (electronic Shipment Release Forms) at our terminal, reaffirming our commitment to digital leadership.”

Benefits to freight forwarders include the convenience of settling transactions anytime anywhere, eliminating queuing for cash payments, enhanced security, and expediting the entire cargo release process. This initiative has also been welcomed by the terminal’s customer airlines, who value the ease with which their customers will be able to settle payments in future.

Emirates SkyCargo is now live on cargo.one

The new channel cements Emirates SkyCargo’s presence on three of the biggest digital marketplaces, providing more choice and flexibility for global customers.

Cementing its presence on three of the biggest digital marketplaces for air freight logistics, Emirates SkyCargo is now live on cargo.one. The partnership underscores Emirates SkyCargo’s long standing commitment to implementing digital solutions that streamline operations, drive efficiencies and unlock value for its global customer base. Bolstering its advanced and customer-centric digital distribution strategy, partnering with cargo.one ensures that Emirates SkyCargo offers are present where its customers wish to book. 

Through cargo.one, customers will be able to access Emirates SkyCargo schedules, tariff and contract rates, along with real-time access to available capacity, empowering freight forwarders to make immediate bookings at any time. During the initial launch phase, the partnership will roll out in select countries in Europe before expanding across the Americas, Africa, the Far East and Australasia. cargo.one now contributes to Emirates SkyCargo’s digital status in the market, with its seamless booking experience and reach to 15,000 freight forwarders in every corner of the world. 

Jeffrey van Haeften, Senior Vice President Cargo Commercial Worldwide, Emirates SkyCargo, said: “Digitalisation is a key way that we help the world work better, providing flexible and convenient options for freight forwarders to seamlessly access Emirates SkyCargo’s world-class product and services. In turn, by streamlining our quotations and bookings, we enable our teams to focus on providing outstanding customer service, which is the cornerstone of our brand. We will continue to invest in digital solutions and partnerships such as cargo.one to enhance the experience for our customers and expedite the movement of goods all over the world.”

Emirates SkyCargo’s four core products are listed on cargo.one, including Emirates Fresh and Emirates Fresh Breathe, an integrated and responsive cool chain purpose-built for perishables; Emirates Airfreight Priority for urgent shipments that require speed and reliability; and Emirates Airfreight for the quick and careful transport of general cargo.

Airbus establishes an OpenCargoLab with leading airfreight industry partners

Airbus has launched the OpenCargoLab, a collaborative initiative with leading partners from the airline, logistics and handling sectors, focusing on the entire airfreight ecosystem. The collaboration involves a team of experts from CHAMP Cargosystems, Fraport, KLM Cargo, Kuehne+Nagel and Swissport. Together, the partners will work to drive digital, resource-saving concepts, contributing to more resilient and efficient airfreight processes.

Announced at the IATA World Cargo Symposium in Hong Kong taking place from 12 to 14 March, the OpenCargoLab supports Airbus’ forecast, which expects the global freight market to grow by 50% by 2042. Specifically for Asia-Pacific, the region’s continued rapid economic growth means this market remains highly promising for modern airfreight business with digital-savvy hubs. Airbus anticipates demand for around 400 widebody freighters, including new builds and conversions, in Asia-Pacific over the next 20 years. This represents more than 25% of global demand for 1,490 cargo aircraft in the above 40 tonne segment.

As part of the OpenCargoLab initiative, Airbus will also evaluate digital solutions such as augmented reality and robotics in order to optimise data connectivity in general and, for example, the transport of dangerous goods in particular.

"With the OpenCargoLab, we benefit from a holistic think tank for the dynamically growing cargo market and thus an agile environment for developing innovations connecting the airfreight market of today and tomorrow,” says Marvin Ehrmann, Head of Airbus’ OpenCargoLab. “We are very excited to have established a thought leadership platform where experienced partners can drive the airfreight sector to become even more efficient, sustainable and connected.”

In addition, the OpenCargoLab will contribute to the A350F’s further design and application development. Just two-and-a-half years after launch, the order book for this all-new, next-generation freighter stands at 50 firm orders from nine customers as Airbus steadily expands its market share in this highly competitive segment.

In order to test the findings developed at the OpenCargoLab, an innovative test field for validating these new technology concepts is currently established at Airbus’ Cargo competence site in Bremen, Germany, e.g. known for the development of the cargo loading systems or the cargo door actuation systems.  Among others, a replica of the A350F fuselage with the large cargo door included will be installed at the sites’ new Cargo Test Center by the end of 2024.

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Emirates SkyCargo is now live on cargo.one

The new channel cements Emirates SkyCargo’s presence on three of the biggest digital marketplaces, providing more choice and flexibility for global customers.

Cementing its presence on three of the biggest digital marketplaces for air freight logistics, Emirates SkyCargo is now live on cargo.one. The partnership underscores Emirates SkyCargo’s long standing commitment to implementing digital solutions that streamline operations, drive efficiencies and unlock value for its global customer base. Bolstering its advanced and customer-centric digital distribution strategy, partnering with cargo.one ensures that Emirates SkyCargo offers are present where its customers wish to book. 

Through cargo.one, customers will be able to access Emirates SkyCargo schedules, tariff and contract rates, along with real-time access to available capacity, empowering freight forwarders to make immediate bookings at any time. During the initial launch phase, the partnership will roll out in select countries in Europe before expanding across the Americas, Africa, the Far East and Australasia. cargo.one now contributes to Emirates SkyCargo’s digital status in the market, with its seamless booking experience and reach to 15,000 freight forwarders in every corner of the world. 

Jeffrey van Haeften, Senior Vice President Cargo Commercial Worldwide, Emirates SkyCargo, said: “Digitalisation is a key way that we help the world work better, providing flexible and convenient options for freight forwarders to seamlessly access Emirates SkyCargo’s world-class product and services. In turn, by streamlining our quotations and bookings, we enable our teams to focus on providing outstanding customer service, which is the cornerstone of our brand. We will continue to invest in digital solutions and partnerships such as cargo.one to enhance the experience for our customers and expedite the movement of goods all over the world.”

Emirates SkyCargo’s four core products are listed on cargo.one, including Emirates Fresh and Emirates Fresh Breathe, an integrated and responsive cool chain purpose-built for perishables; Emirates Airfreight Priority for urgent shipments that require speed and reliability; and Emirates Airfreight for the quick and careful transport of general cargo.

Sustainability, digitalization and safety in air cargo

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reviewed progress in digitalization, safety and sustainability at the opening of the IATA World Cargo Symposium with the aim of accelerating progress on these critical priorities.  “Air cargo volumes are now firmly back to pre-pandemic levels. The challenge now is to ensure that air cargo growth is efficient, safe and aligned with achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Through the hard work of the air cargo industry, the building blocks are in place to significantly accelerate progress in all these areas,” said Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo at the World Cargo Symposium (WCS), which opened in Hong Kong, today.  Digitalization  “The biggest opportunity for the air cargo industry is digitalization. This has not happened as fast as any of us would have liked. But progress is real. Inefficient paper-based, manual processes are being replaced with digital solutions in all aspects of cargo operations from tracking to customs clearance. That’s a fact. And it’s making international trade more efficient. Our call to action is clear: Governments must consistently implement global standards, supply chain partners need to collaborate to overcome shared challenges, and the entire industry must align to ensure a unified and effective approach to digitalization,” said Sullivan.  Three areas were highlighted to illustrate progress: •    Seamless sharing of digital information: The adoption of the ONE Record standard is enabling efficient data exchange throughout the supply chain. The aim is for all IATA members to achieve ONE Record capability by January 2026. Cathay Cargo and Lufthansa Cargo have already met this target. And all major airline IT platform providers have pledged to attain ONE Record capability to support this transition.  •    Digitalization of customs and trade facilitation processes: Among countries already implementing, Brazil's use of IATA's digital standards has cut cargo release times from 5 days to just 5 hours, potentially reducing manual processing by up to 90%. And the EU, UAE and Canada recognized the value of accurate data sharing across the air cargo supply chain and will adopt pre-loading advance cargo information systems by the end of 2024. The US was the early-adopter of this in 2019.  •    Shipment tracking: The updated IATA Interactive Cargo Guidance offers a unified framework, enabling tracking devices to ensure the quality and accuracy of conditions for time and temperature-sensitive goods. This is critical to facilitate growing demands for real-time shipment tracking by e-commerce and pharmaceutical trade.

Ethiopian inaugurates the first of its kind e-commerce logistics facility at Bole International Airport

The facility positions Addis Ababa to be the cross-border e-commerce logistics hub for Africa and beyond

Ethiopian Airlines Group, the largest airline group in Africa and one of the fastest-growing airline brands globally, proudly announced the launching of its state-of-the-art e-commerce logistics facility in a grand event recently. The Ethiopian e-commerce facility is located inside the Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics premises.

The newly built facility, which is dedicated to e-commerce, mail and courier logistics services is aimed at bridging logistical gaps and positioning Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as the cross-border e-commerce logistics hub for Africa and beyond. Marking the unveiling of the new facility, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew said: "The inauguration of this cutting-edge e-commerce logistics facility is a significant breakthrough for Ethiopian Airlines Group and the entire African economy. We have implemented high-end technologies in the infrastructure that revolutionize the way goods are transported and delivered in the e-commerce industry in Africa. Through this facility, Ethiopian Airlines paves the way for the development of e-commerce services in Ethiopia and the African continent. Built on 15,000 square meters of area, the facility boasts a capacity to handle 150,000 tons annually. We are glad to witness that our investment of 55 million USD has indeed pay off and enabled us to set the e-commerce industry in the continent to follow the global trend.”

This e-commerce Logistics Facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and meticulously implemented systems; as a result, the facility will offer a range of services including consolidation, deconsolidation, sortation, repacking, labelling and more.