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The weekly newspaper for air cargo professionals No. 1,078
27 April 2020
A road map for recovery
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INSIDE GEFCO SUPPORTS HEALTHCARE
GLOBAL logistics provider, GEFCO, has moved 30 tonnes of medical equipment for a multinational healthcare provider, including COVID-19 ... PAGE 2
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“Keep people safe”
K-based freight forwarder Zencargo and DHL have created a collaboration with doctor-founded crowdfunded campaign Masks for NHS Heroes, creating a brand new supply chain for procuring life-saving Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for frontline British National Health Service (NHS) staff. With the spread of COVID-19, the UK is suffering a critical shortage of PPE, including face masks, visors, surgical gowns and gloves. To support the British government and NHS, a Crowdfunder campaign called Masks for NHS Heroes, set up by a group of doctors, is finding alternative ways to respond to the shortage of PPE through
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suppliers in China. In just one week ‘Masks for NHS Heroes’ raised over £1.5 million. The money
secured an initial order of 100,000 medical-grade protective eye-shields from accredited manufacturers in China. The procurement of PPE became especially challenging in recent weeks with unprecedented global demand. Working directly with teams on the ground in China, including the British Consulate, Zencargo, who worked on a pro bono basis, was able to rapidly arrange key Customs clearances and quality control assurances, in addition to securing exemptions from duties, in order to ensure the fastest UK delivery possible. Due to severe shortages of airfreight capacity, the goods needed to be transported on three different flights from
China to London. DHL handled the distribution of the PPE once it landed in London to hospital managers in the capital. Zencargo CEO Alex Hersham said: “Supply chains are more important than ever, especially when it comes to those risking their health on the front line in the fight against this disease. “We’re proud to be doing our part to support our NHS, and help ‘Masks For NHS Heroes’ continue their incredible work. As we move forward, it’s incumbent on logistics and supply chain businesses to use their skills and networks to open doors for these essential goods and do what they can to keep people safe.” The gesture came from the FedEx team members at the hub, who themselves are classed as ‘key workers’ and are playing a vital part in delivering medical supplies and equipment in the fight against COVID-19 whilst still maintaining services and deliveries to keep the wheels of the economy turning.
edEx Express team members have joined in the UK’s #ClapForCarers to send a massive thank you to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) by expertly positioning trailoers and vans to spell out NHS in a car-park as seen from the air at its main hub in Atherstone, Warwickshire.
SPECIAL STEM CELL FLIGHT
AS part of the ‘Solidary Plane’ programme, for the first time in the region, LATAM Cargo has transported stem cells for a patient from Argentina ... PAGE 3 A ROLLERCOASTER YEAR
WITH their first anniversary approaching, ACW caught up with Simon Watson, co-director of CharterSync to see how the cargo chartering system ... PAGE 6
IGA FILES FOR THIRD RUNWAY
ALLOWING Turkey to reach the peak of aviation, Istanbul Airport continues its third runway preparations in full force. An official application declaring ... PAGE 7
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A A II R R
GEFCO supports major healthcare provider GLOBAL logistics provider, GEFCO, has moved 30 tonnes of medical equipment for a multinational healthcare provider, including COVID-19 testing kits, from France to destinations in Algeria, Tunisia and the Antilles to support hospitals and private laboratories with increased demand. GEFCO’s Air & Sea team has been managing the shipments on a week-by-week basis throughout the critical pandemic period. This has required a number of challenges to be navigated including the closure of Paris Orly Airport, which required the team to transfer all activity to CDG. All shipments have been completed within incredibly tight timescales to deliver the key materials securely, efficiently and meeting all compliance requirements. The customer will be using the equipment to support with screening tests for COVID-19. This project is one of several recent time-critical shipments in the pharmaceuticals space for GEFCO, including delivery of a large shipment of medical supplies on special charter flights from Shanghai to Bratislava to help PENTA tackle COVID-19 in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Paul-Henri Freret, Executive Vice President, GEFCO Air & Sea, commented: “Supporting with urgent global deliveries is in our DNA, and we have long offered time critical solutions to help those in need during unexpected events. “This crisis has seen our team reach even greater heights in their ability to adapt, collaborate and work in very close partnership with our customers to overcome all manner of challenges.” LUFTHANSA is currently operating two daily flights carrying protective equipment from China to Munich Airport with Airbus A350 long-range jetliners. The special daily cargo flights from Beijing and Shanghai are mainly loaded with masks urgently needed in the Bavarian capital. Employees of Munich Airport’s ground handling subsidiary AeroGround are unloading the arriving aircraft.
LAST year, more than one million illegal wildlife products and live animals were seized from wildlife traffickers at airports with approximately one seizure recorded daily. An analysis of wildlife trafficking seizures in air transport reveals the illegal wildlife trade to be truly global in scope, encompassing additional airport locations as each year goes by. The report, Runway to Extinction: Wildlife Trafficking in the Air Transport Sector, produced by C4ADS as part of the USAID Reducing Opportunities for Unlawful Transport of Endangered Species (ROUTES) Partnership, details how traffickers operating rely on similar trafficking methods and utilise the same vulnerabilities within the air transport sector as traffickers of other illicit goods. Runway to Extinction examines the trends, transit routes and trafficking methods used by wildlife smugglers exploiting the aviation industry in six world regions: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Oceania. “This report highlights the widespread, pervasive nature of wildlife trafficking by air, with each major world region impacted. Our analysis shows that traffickers of all types exploit
the same vulnerabilities within airports, often using the same trafficking methods to circumvent law enforcement and airport authorities. “Furthermore, seizure data shows that many wildlife trafficking networks rely on the same smuggling methods over time, suggesting that a thorough understanding of airport-specific or country-specific trafficking patterns could be instrumental in reducing the air transport system’s vulnerability to trafficking,” said the report’s author Mary Utermohlen, program director at C4ADS.
Illegal wildlife trade In addition to contributing to the extinction of endangered species, threatening local livelihoods and undermining regional and global security, illegal wildlife trade is a risk factor for the spread of zoonotic diseases. According to the Center for Disease Control, three out of every four new or emerging infectious diseases originate in animals. Many of the species seized in air transport—including live birds, live reptiles and mammals—are high-risk carriers of zoonotic
BOEING has completed its first COVID19 transport mission, using a 737-700 aircraft from its corporate fleet to bring personal protective equipment (PPE) from China to the US. Working in part-
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Airfreight backs fight against wildlife traffickers
diseases and may end up in illegal or unregulated markets around the world. “Faced with the current health crisis caused by the novel Covid-19 virus, the world is unfortunately grappling with the danger and economic turmoil that zoonotic diseases can pose. “Trafficked wildlife present particular risks in this context,” said Michelle Owen, ROUTES lead. Jon Godson, assistant director of environment at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said: “Many airlines recognise the need to combat wildlife trafficking and are stepping up as leaders in this global effort.” Juliana Scavuzzi, senior manager of environment at Airports Council International (ACI) World, added: “Traffickers are increasingly abusing transport systems to move their products quickly and securely. During the journey from source to market, airports may be used in transit.” The illegal trade of wildlife is the fourth largest black market in the world and impacts more than 7,000 species of animals and plants.
Boeing activates airlift 2
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nership with FIRST Robotics Founder Dean Kamen, the company transported 540,000 medical-grade face masks that will be delivered to healthcare professionals battling COVID-19 in New
Hampshire. Kamen, who has a longstanding relationship with Boeing through FIRST Robotics, is also a founder of DEKA Research and Development Corporation. He worked with DEKA to secure the face masks from manufacturers in China and turned to Boeing to facilitate their transport. DEKA is the importer of record for the delivery and provided the masks to New Hampshire for distribution to healthcare professionals in the state. “Another life-saving delivery of PPE has arrived in New Hampshire,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “Thanks to Dean Kamen for facilitating this deal, and to Boeing for donating the cost of this mission transport. “The state will deliver these masks to the greatest areas of need across New Hampshire so those on the frontline have the necessary resources to fight COVID-19.”
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Special stem cell CSafe Global goes to the ends of the Earth flight in a time of COVID-19
AS part of the ‘Solidary Plane’ programme, for the first time in the region, LATAM Cargo has transported stem cells for a patient from Argentina. With closed-border policies worldwide and a low flight demand caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, LATAM Cargo has become an ally to support organ, tissue and stem cell transportation. LATAM Cargo’s crew played a crucial role in successfully accomplishing this trip, which required the pilots to guard the cells in an unprecedented process during the flight from Viracopos (Campinas, Brazil) to Ezeiza (Buenos Aires). On Friday, April 17, at 20:58 local time, the crew of a Boeing 767 started an exceptional LATAM Cargo flight from Viracopos International Airport (Brazil) to Ministro Pistarini International Airport (Buenos Aires). This flight had a special mission: to transport stem-cells in the aircraft’s cabin. The aircraft arrived at Ezeiza at 23:44 local time with the cells guarded by part of the crew team and the hope of saving the life of a patient suffering from myelodysplastic syndrome.
CSAFE Global, the leader in temperature-controlled container solutions, has gone to the ends of the Earth to ensure the samples gathered by the United States Antarctic Program (USAP) are protected on their journey from Antarctica to the United States. The USAP is managed by the National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs (OPP), with logistical and operational support provided by Antarctic Support Contract prime contractor Leidos. OPP supports world-class Arctic and Antarctic science through researchers across the US. Scientists collect samples to be shipped back to their home institutions for further analysis. The types of sam-
ples range from ocean floor sediment cores to fish larvae to midges - a small wingless fly. The cost of conducting research in
Antarctica is sizeable, making the value of each sample being transported equally significant.
Each sample requires precise temperature control from the moment it is extracted until it is safely in a lab in the US with the necessary environmental conditions for analysis. And depending on the type of material in each sample, some must be maintained at refrigerated or sub-zero temperatures. “This is a new and unique use of our CSafe Parcel line and we are proud to be involved in these important scientific endeavors,” noted Emilio Frattaruolo, CSafe Global VP of innovation, passive systems. “We hope the USAP research will help drive global sustainability efforts and preserve our planet for generations to come.”
Virgin Atlantic resumes LHR-PVG cargo services
VIRGIN Atlantic Cargo has become the first British airline to resume scheduled services to China, operating three flights a week from Heathrow Airport to Shanghai. The cargo capacity on two of the three times weekly Boeing 787-9 flights from China will be used exclusively by the UK Department of Health and Social Care to increase deliveries of Personal Protective Equipment and medical supplies for frontline British National HealthjService (NHS) staff. Virgin Atlantic has so far completed five flights from Shanghai for the NHS, with its Boeing 787-9 services having already delivered 80 tonnes of cargo consisting of 3.5 million items of personal protective equipment, including 50 ventilators, 1.8 million face masks, 600,000 face shields and visors, one million disposable gloves, 38,000 items for eye protection and 75,000 protective coveralls and isolation gowns. The airline has been given permission to carry cargo on the aircraft’s passenger seats and in overhead lockers as well as the cargo hold to maximise the payload of each flight. Dominic Kennedy, managing director of Virgin Atlantic Cargo, praised the “herculean effort” of everyone involved in the resumption of the airline’s scheduled services to China. He added: “These are unprecedented times and we all want to play a part in supporting the NHS. We are proud to be part of the mission to get crucial medical supplies to the UK as fast as possible, which is the result of a fantastic team effort between the authorities and our colleagues right across the airline.”
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Siginon Aviation ramps up operations in JKIA after multi-million dollar investments SIGINON Aviation, a ground handler based in Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Nairobi and Eldoret International Airport in Kenya, is to revamp its ramp handling services with a multi-million-dollar investment on new ramp equipment. The ramp equipment comprises 20-tonne main deck high loaders, 7-tonne lower deck high loaders, pallet transporters, ground power units, pushback, passenger super steps, tow tractors and conveyor belts. Jared Oswago, acting general manager adds: “Our goal is to provide customers with a ramp service that provides safe, secure and excellent turnaround services. Our assurance to our customers is to continuously set high service standards and sustainable growth.” Siginon Aviation, which is IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operators (ISAGO) certified, is currently serving contracts with various regional and international freighters. “The new ramp equipment has led to an enhancement on the operations team with engagement of additional job roles created to effectively match the tasks and ensure effective service delivery,” he said.
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I belong to Glasgow, dear old Glasgow town
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lasgow Prestwick Airport welcomed a freighter from China, carrying vital personal protective equipment (PPE) destined for healthcare workers in Scotland on April 18, 2020. The airport was selected to handle the crucial flights thanks to its superior freight handling facilities. AirBridgeCargo, one of the world’s leading all-cargo airlines, operated this flight in conjunction with freight forwarders JAG-UFS Group. Glasgow Prestwick Airport has vast experience handling specialist, largescale, high-volume and quick turnaround airfreight and Saturday’s flight was offloaded and on its way to healthcare workers within a few hours of the aircraft touching down. Stewart Adams, chief executive at Glasgow Prestwick Airport, said: “While the Coronavirus pandemic has meant the vast majority of commercial aircraft has been grounded, we’re continuing to operate our specialist freight-handling services in order to play an important part in supporting Scotland’s key workers during this difficult time. “The PPE which we are receiving from China will be processed quickly so that this vital delivery can make its way to those who need it most, as soon as possible.”
Davies Turner offers airfreight pricing option for railfreight service DAVIES Turner has added an airfreight pricing mechanism for its direct, fixed-day, weekly Express China Rail service from Xi’an to the UK, such is the growing interest in the service from importers and shippers that have traditionally used airfreight. Tony Cole, head of supply chain services at the UK’s leading independent freight and logistics company says: “Since we launched the service in 2016, we have used the standard overland freight industry pricing technique, which is USD per cubic metre. “To make pricing more comprehensible for the airfreight sector, we are now additionally quoting per kilo rates, which is the language that airfreight importers are more used to dealing with. It makes a comparison between the relative costs
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of the intermodal rail service and airfreight more immediately obvious. “At the current rate of just $0.24 per kilo or 2,000 cu cm (with a minimum cost of $120), it is no surprise that our direct Express China Rail service is becoming of great interest to the airfreight sector, which is facing sky high airfreight rates out of China, with costs of $10 to $15 per kilo now being seen. “Importers that traditionally move freight by air only need to factor in the slightly longer leadtimes for delivery by rail, to see what a massive cost saving they can benefit from by using our direct rail alternative. Importers that are able to remodel their supply chains to use the railfreight option may do so on a permanent basis.” Davies Turner says that to date the railfreight service from China to Europe has been around 70% cheaper than airfreight. However that price differential has rocketed as airfreight rates reach record levels.
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Australian post facing severe disruption Down Under THE Australian parcel delivery specialist ParcelHero warns that the grounding of Australian passenger aircraft is having a significant impact on some services shipping mail Down Under. Sending to Australia, even during the current coronavirus epidemic, remains straightforward, says the Australian parcel delivery specialist ParcelHero. However, it cautions there are serious delays to some traditional postal services in Australia and a number of international couriers have had to axe economy services to Australia as costs mount. ParcelHero’s head of consumer research, David Jinks MILT, explains: “The choice of UK parcel courier pick-up services to Australia remains reassuringly wide; but some traditional low-cost international mail services to Australia have upped their prices, and those using Australia Post for final delivery face significant delays. “In addition, a number of global couriers have temporarily axed their economy services, until at least May 3. This is because the limited capacity of flights inside Australia has meant that costs have risen.” Australia Post is tied to the country’s national airline, Qantas, under a new A$1bn seven-year deal and the majority of Qantas’ passenger services have been grounded. Qantas Freight continues to operate a number of aircraft for Australia Post, but that reportedly still left a shortfall of 100 tonnes a day. Due to
Dimerco achieves recognition of AEO accreditation across China TAIWANESE freight forwarding and logistics specialist Dimerco has achieved recognition of its AEO (Authorised Economic Operator) accreditation across the whole of China. A spokesman for the company commented: “While our AEO-certified status was already recognised in many of the major Chinese hubs, we’re delighted that now the independent AEO assurance of Dimerco’s guaranteed quality and security has been extended across the entire country. “Whatever the location, customers moving goods in or out of China will now enjoy the range of benefits that dealing with an AEO accredited operator confers.”
AEO advantages Advantages of being certified include priority at Customs clearance, simplified Customs processes and fewer security and safety related controls, so that using an AEO-certified provider means customers can expect fewer inspections and delays in dispatch, resulting in faster cross-border shipping, with increased transport security. VIETNAM has relaxed its previous ban on the export of face masks and has started to export them again. The country is aiming to send at least 200 million monthly to users in Japan, United States and EU. The move is consdered a great opportunity for the garment industry.
support from the Australian government, domestic flights were increased from a skeleton service of 105 to 164 a week. “These flights will also provide critical freight capacity, which has fallen significantly as commercial air networks have shrunk. Much of the bellyspace on these flights will be used for mail and other urgent shipments, including medical equipment,” says Qantas.
Difficulties There are other difficulties that may also impact on Australian shipments. Deliveries to some Australian postcodes were suspended by a number of international carriers for a while as the country dealt with localised outbreaks of the virus, but all areas are currently being served by at least one operator currently. Australia Post says it expects delays to the UK of up to two weeks using its services, due to flight cancellations and government restrictions because of COVID-19, and it warns that Express items will be given priority over Standard items during this time. There are also significant new restrictions on a number of coronavirus-related items being exported from Australia. Under a new law, Australia has banned the export of disposable face masks, gloves, gowns, alcohol wipes, hand sanitizers and protective eye wear such as goggles, glasses or visors.
One for the diary - transport logistic Americas and air cargo forum Miami in November FLEXIBLE and innovative solutions are key factors for success. Transport and logistics provides these solutions, even in times like these by keeping the supply chain running. For industry professionals, transport logistic Americas and air cargo forum Miami powered by TIACA is the must-attend event in 2020. The only North America multimodal event, it will take place November 10 – 12, 2020 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Organisers say: “Strengthen your brand and increase your profits by engaging with key buyers from the US as well as North and South America. Take advantage of our early bird pricing up to May 15th and save up to
$800!” Companies with an office in Germany as well as subsidiaries of German companies abroad benefit from special conditions within the official German joint participation of the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. “For just €2,925 you will receive a 9 sq m (100 sq ft) all-inclusive stand package. Begin generating new contacts and business. You can profit from our digital solutions immediately. Our exhibitor directory is already online so that shippers and cargo owners can get in direct contact with you today,” the organisers say.
Changi releases March operating indicators
IN March, Singapore Changi Airport saw aircraft movements decline by 49.9% to 16,200 landings and takeoffs, while airfreight throughput dropped 19.1% to 149,000 tonnes for the month. Air travel demand remained significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. For the last seven days of the month, passenger movements at Changi Airport were 98% lower than they were a year ago. Flight movements similarly declined sharply during the same period, by 87% year-on-year. The fall in airfreight throughput during the month was impacted by the decrease in bellyhold capacity on passenger flights. Both import and export flows have also seen contraction.
Airfreight throughput For the first quarter of the year, airfreight throughput fell 8% to 453,000 tonnes. Kalitta Air launched a 4x weekly freighter service to Changi Airport on April 2, connecting to Anchorage, Cincinnati, Hong Kong, Los Angeles and Sydney. On April 12, Sichuan Airlines commenced new freighter operations at Changi with a weekly freighter service connecting Singapore to Chongqinq and Nantong.
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CHARTER BROKERS
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With their first anniversary approaching, ACW caught up with Simon Watson, co-director of CharterSync, to see how the cargo chartering system has been received in its first months.
CharterSync’s rollercoaster year ACW: So, CharterSync turns one soon, how has the first year treated you? THE last year has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions for myself, and Ed Gillett. On reflection, we launched our business in what has been a very quiet market as a result of both Brexit and current global trade tensions. We have been met by strong headwinds from “traditional” competitors employing at times interesting and somewhat amusing tactics to try and slow our progress. Despite everything that has stood in front of us our company has grown at an incredible rate, with traction building from both new customers and airlines. Keen to focus on the small cargo charter market within Europe initially, we now have every key airline within Europe using our system and available to our customers for charter below 20 tonnes payload. We have a number of global top ten forwarders using our system, providing them with the most innovative technology at their fingertips. We went live 9 months ago and we can’t wait to see what the next 9 months will bring. ACW: How have you and Ed found the first year personally, stressful? Sleepless? Rewarding? IT has been an incredibly rewarding experience so far, bringing much needed transparency and innovation to an industry that hasn’t moved on much in the last 20 years from emails and fax machines. Allowing customers to break free from inefficient and archaic processes and see first-hand the effect it has on the end customer has been a great experience. We have only just started our journey and we have a long way to go but I can’t wait to see what the future holds for CharterSync as we bring the cargo charter industry into the 21st century. ACW: And how has it been juggling managing the business
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and still piloting? WE only fly on a very infrequent basis but getting up in the air allows us to occasionally break out of the office environment and stay up to date with any changes in the aviation sector. ACW: What about the COVID-19 pandemic, how has this affected business? COVID-19 has had a mixed impact on cargo charters around the world. Whilst the traditional automotive manufacturers supply chains slow down due to plant closures, we have seen an incredible increase in demand for humanitarian, medical and aid relief flights, which we are currently performing on behalf of a number of governments around the world.
As automotive manufacturers brought forward plant closures, urgent Go-Now flights ramped up whilst simultaneously the scheduled freighter capacity reduced on key airfreight routes from China which resulted in our busiest day of trading since launch. ACW: Have there been any unexpected problems with the sudden increase in demand? FOR intra-European flights our charter platform comes into its own when the market becomes busy. With the price procurement process taking place automatically the system does the hard work, allowing the team to provide options to clients quickly. ACW: How are you keeping an edge on the competition? Being a tech disruptor with an innovative platform we are in the fortunate position where we don’t have any direct competition in the marketplace. Our system isn’t just a “database of aircraft” or a “job-listing site”, both the commercial and operations team of
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each airline are fully trained to use our system.
The combination of an easy-to-use interface and process flow allows our system to retrieve options in as little as one minute. Our fast response time and end-to-end management of each charter provides our customers with an unparalleled service driven by leading technology and supported with a knowledgeable team. ACW: Have you any strategic plans for developments to the platform? FROM going live in July last year we spent eight months analysing customer, airline and marketplace behaviour. When you bring a product to market like ours, it is crucial to understand what your customers want, what their problems are and how they are interacting with the product.
From there we look at how we solve those problems and how we can add value to both our suppliers and customers, making their lives easier and increasing their own productivity internally. We are only at the start of our journey and we will be releasing some large changes to our system over the coming year that will enhance our customers’ experience when chartering an aircraft with us. ACW: What about the future, is the business scalable? RECENTLY on a single day one member of our operations team managed over 30 open charter requests from a number of different customers over a 60 minute period, the majority of which went on to confirm. The 30:1 ratio has demonstrated to us that we are proving a scalable business model for the future, operating at levels that traditional methods would struggle to achieve.
NEWS
IGA files for third runway
TRADEFINDER Freight Forwarders Hong Kong
Freight Forwarders USA
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llowing Turkey to reach the peak of aviation, Istanbul Airport continues its third runway preparations in full force. An official application declaring the airport’s third independent runway to be ready for flight operations by June 18 has been filed with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Istanbul Airport, which has already proven itself as a global hub in its first year of operation on account of its unique architecture, strong infrastructure, superior technologies, and the outstanding travel experience offered to its passengers, is nearing the end of its 3rd runway preparations. When completed, the airport’s third independent runway will make Istanbul Airport Turkey’s first, and Europe’s second, airport capable to operate such number of runways in parallel, after Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.
is very heavy will also be put into service together with the new runway. Thus, any restrictions to aircraft ground handling will be prevented at Istanbul Airport capable to carry out simultaneous landing and takeoff operations. Once the third runway, which will serve as CAT III (category three) just like the other two independent runways, is put into operation, the number of fully operational runways at Istanbul Airport will rise to five, comprising three independent and two standby runways. The new runway will increase the airport’s air traffic capacity from currently 80 landings-takeoffs per hour to a minimum of 120, and also improve the slot flexibility of airline companies. The new runway will allow the airport to reach a capacity capable to host an average of over 2.800 landing-takeoff operations daily.
Industry Events
Difficult year for aviation Our new runway will be immensely helpful
Kadri Samsunlu
Once in operation, the latest runway located east of Istanbul Airport Terminal will reduce the current domestic taxi times by approximately 50%. Simulations have shown that average landing time will decrease from 15 to 11 minutes, while average takeoff time will decrease from 22 to 15 minutes. The second “End-Around Taxiway” aiming at mitigating congestions at airports where air traffic
Providing information on the works being performed, CEO and general manager of İGA Airport Operation, Kadri Samsunlu said: “This has been a difficult year for the aviation industry, but we see this compulsory break as an opportunity to maximise the passengers’ travel experience at Istanbul Airport. We expect the stagnation we have been experiencing for the last couple of months to resolve very soon. “Our new runway will be immensely helpful in that sense. We have filed an application with the General Directorate of Civil Aviation, declaring that our third independent runway will be ready for flight operations by 18 June 2020. We are profoundly proud to get this phase completed in timely manner, just as has been the case for all stages of construction. “I would like to emphasise once again that Istanbul Airport is the largest infrastructure investment ever put into practice in the history of Turkey and the most significant economic asset of our nation. Hence, Istanbul Airport will be a locomotive force in the future development of our country.”
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HE KNOWS BETTER DAYS WILL COME
ACI World’s COVID-19 recovery road map
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irports Council International (ACI) World has published a policy brief outlining a road map for the airport industry’s recovery in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Policy Brief – COVID19: Relief Measures to Ensure the Survival of the Airport Industry – outlines exceptional measures to provide policy-makers with a comprehensive toolkit of solutions to ensure that the airport industry can be sustained through the crisis and lay the foundation for recovery. The impact of COVID-19 on the airport sector has been profound. Revenue is expected to contract by $77 billion in 2020. In order to alleviate this unprecedented impact, ACI World has issued the following six focused policy responses that should be implemented: 1.
Protection of airport charges and revenues: as
airports will need to ensure the continuity of basic services, alleviating the collection of airport charges through suspension or blanket discounts is an ill-advised response. 2. Tax relief: urgent tax relief will provide much-needed financial oxygen to airports to ensure continuity of operations and safeguard airport jobs. 3. Concession fee waiver: airport rents and concession fees should be waived or postponed in the form of a one-time measure for a defined period. 4. Temporary suspension of slot usage requirements: airport slot usage requirements should be suspended, at global level, until 30 June 2020 with a reassessment of the situation based on data-driven evidence to follow. 5. Continuity of air cargo operations: airports should continue levying charges on air cargo operations to maintain essential airside and cargo facilities.
6. Comprehensive financial relief: this should include wage subsidy schemes to allow continued operations and a rapid return to full operations. Grants and subsidies, secured financing, loans at preferential rates, and bank guarantees should be made available. Financial relief should be non-discriminatory and not benefit one actor at the expense of others in the aviation ecosystem. “Airports are important engines of economic growth, wealth creation and employment, and the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on the industry and broader economy has halted the airport industry at global level,” ACI World director general Angela Gittens said. “Many airports are open for some scheduled operations, humanitarian and repatriation flights, and cargo operations and these activities continue to induce costs for airports.
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