ACW 28th February 22 by Azura International

GLOBAL A

MANAGEMENT

WORLD AIRPORTS .COM ACW Digital is sponsored by FREIGHTERS.COM

FREIGH

FRE

tabloid page sample.indd 1

26/01/2022 16:53

The weekly newspaper for air cargo professionals No. 1,169

28 FEBRUARY 2022

Mixed signals over 5G force flight cancellations ..

THE WINDY CITY TO HOST ROUTES AMERICAS 2023

Page 12

INSIDE

HOME FOR GOOD ...

ETIHAD CARGO has launched a new Forever Home policy to support not-for-profit transportation of at-risk live animals. ... PAGE 2

US HUB POISED TO OPEN ...

CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT in Louisiana, southwest US, is nearing completion of a $4 million air cargo hub. ... PAGE 3

ATLAS TO FLY KN FREIGHTERS

ATLAS AIR has entered into a long-term, dedicated charter agreement to operate two of its new Boeing 747-8 freighters globally for Kuehne + Nagel ... PAGE 4

hicago is to host the Routes Americas conference next year. The gathering, which is held in a different location each year, brings together airlines, airports and tourism authorities to discuss air service strategy and future networks. Over the past three years, Routes Americas has discussed more than 875 new air services across the region. Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), which manages the city’s two major airports – O’Hare and Midway International - will be hosting the 16th edition of the regional event serving the Americas next

year. CDA previously hosted the 2014 global version of the forum, Routes World. CDA says its commitment to welcoming back visitors and ensuring sustained future growth has been shown through the large-scale investment it is making in its airports, such as the O’Hare 21 airport development programme, which includes the expansion of Terminal 5 – the largest terminal project at O’Hare International Airport since the terminal was originally built. At Midway, a near-$400 million modernisation programme includes upgraded concessions featuring local cuisine, a recently expanded security checkpoint

and enhancements to the terminal parking garage. Speaking at this year’s Routes Americas, Steven Small, director of Routes, said: “Renowned as a destination to do business, Chicago will be the perfect location to enable the air service development community to continue conversations that will be instrumental in defining future air connectivity. Routes Americas 2023 will provide a unique opportunity for the city to showcase the significant infrastructure developments to the region’s leading aviation stakeholders.” Routes Americas will take place on March 21-23, 2023 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk.

AIR CARGO AMERICAS PREVIEW Air Cargo Americas 2022, which will take place on March 8 at Miami Airport Convention Center, will be a welcome sign that the airfreight world ... PAGE 9

aircargoweek.com

NEWS

AviaAM Leasing delivers another B737-800 to Bluebird Nordic AVIAAM Leasing is to deliver a second B737-800 Boeing converted freighter to Bluebird Nordic, an Iceland-based cargo airline, offering ACMI and full-service cargo flights. With both companies part of Avia Solutions Group, the move will allow Bluebird Nordic to continue “accomplishing ambitious expansion

plans,” they say. The B737-800BCF aircraft was converted to freighter configuration by Boeing at the Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Company facility in China. AviaAM Leasing plans to convert 25 aircraft of different types within the next four years.

Etihad Cargo launches Forever Home ETIHAD CARGO has launched a new Forever Home policy to support not-for-profit transportation of at-risk live animals. The UAE’s national carrier will consider requests from bona fide rescue and animal welfare organisations for free carriage. “Forever Home reflects Etihad Cargo’s desire to assist in the relocation of live animal rescue missions, which may involve animals which have

and reputable organisation in line with Etihad Aviation Group’s own ethics and compliance.” Forever Home expands Etihad Cargo’s existing animal welfare and conservation policy, which commits to identifying and implementing actions to help prevent the illegal wildlife trade and encourage responsible, sustainable tourism. “As one of the first airlines to sign the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce Declaration, Eti-

been abandoned, seized by authorities, or neglected, and can range from domestic animals to endangered species under CITES and the IUCN Red List– the multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals,” said Martin Drew, senior vice president sales and cargo, Etihad Aviation Group. “This policy will ensure any rescue mission is conducted by an approved

had Cargo has a strong track record in animal welfare,” said Drew. “Forever Home expands that commitment to cover all animals – whether they are pets, racehorses, or exotic species. All rescue requests will be subject to due diligence and, if approved, the rescue organisations or individuals can be assured of specialised animal transportation at the best possible rate.”

STILL reading a printed copy of Air Cargo Week?

Consider switching to the digital version.

Contact subs@azurainternational.com and say you would rather read the weekly publication online.

ACW 28 FEBRUARY 2022

NEWS

Chennault prepares for new cargo facility

CHENNAULT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT in Louisiana, south-west US, is nearing completion of a $4 million air cargo hub. The 10,000 sq ft (930 sq m) ‘pass-through’ facility is expected to be completed this summer and is anticipated to be certified for international cargo by US Customs and Border Protection.

With construction underway, discussions are planned with potential ground-handling partners on related issues including ramp handling, warehouse operations and securing unique ground equipment to service large aircraft. The new facility will be the centrepiece of Chennault’s efforts to

create economic diversity and ultimately new jobs at the airport, which is recognised as an emerging national aerospace hub. Construction is funded by a $3 million capital outlay from the state and $1 million from Chennault International Airport Authority funds. “The willingness to change and look for opportunities outside of the norm is critical to remaining relevant in our dynamic world today,” said Chennault executive director, Kevin Melton. “Chennault remains a game-changer for Southwest Louisiana — and we’re excited to offer this new opportunity for more development and more jobs.” Chennault has retained air cargo consultant David Whitaker of DVW Aviation, who has more than 30 years of airport and air cargo operations experience to help identify potential industry partners. He said: “Chennault is a very robust airport with enormous potential and Southwest Louisiana is a cargo-rich region of the world.” He added: “Much of the industry is already familiar with Chennault and the Lake Charles Region, given its first-class MRO tenants — including Northrop Grumman, Million Air, LandLocked Aviation Services and Citadel Completions. Chennault offers relief to airlines and freight forwarders who need space and attention.” “We believe there is value for companies to move goods through Chennault,” continued Melton. “We provide a low-cost alternative to the larger markets where expense, ground delays, and airspace delays affect the efficient flow of goods.” Denise Rau, president of the Chennault International Airport Authority’s board of commissioners, cited the airport’s legacy of public-private partnerships, saying that the gateway’s potential to become a Gulf Coast location for air cargo operations will rest on the same kind of partnerships. Chennault International Airport, based at Lake Charles, serves civilian and military aircraft from around the world offering, it says, “world-class infrastructure, state-of-the-art facilities and an array of tenant partners”. Its runway is 10,700 feet long, 200 feet wide and built with 17-inch-thick concrete, with a newly refurbished parallel taxiway that has runway capabilities as well.

Qatar Airways approves Air Cargo Belgium adopts Envirotainer’s Releye PayCargo payment platform RAP container

QATAR AIRWAYS CARGO has approved Envirotainer’s latest innovation, the Releye RAP container, which is now available to the carrier’s customers. Officially launched on February 9, and able to accommodate five pallets, Envirotainer says the Releye RAP is “the largest and most technically advanced” product in its new generation container series. Similar to the smaller three-pallet Releye RLP, the Releye RAP’s air flow technology maintains maximum temperature stability in the cargo bay. Monitoring is carried out by the Envirotainer Control Tower – a dedicated service team that monitors each Releye shipment 24/7 and is immediately on hand in the case of any deviation. The container manufacturer says that extended battery life ensures greater autonomy, while offering optimum use of cargo space. Fredrik Linnér, chief business development officer at Envirotainer said: “Qatar Airways Cargo and Envirotainer share a strong focus on inno-

vation, supreme quality, and sustainability. It not only allows Qatar Airways Cargo to offer its customers the newest, fully connected, active transport solution to protect the integrity and quality of their sensitive pharmaceutical products, but also enables complete visibility along the transport chain. We have now incorporated a control tower service as standard, which uses state-of-the-art live monitoring technology to supervise all Releye shipments around the clock.” Guillaume Halleux, chief officer cargo at Qatar Airways added: “The Releye RAP’s capability of covering transit times and delays without the need for recharging, together with the possibility to track and monitor the product condition, location, temperature, humidity, battery levels, door openings, and location of the shipment, offer a superior stability that sharply contrasts with the uncertainty that the pandemic continues to bring. With its exceptionally low CO2 footprint, the Releye RAP is fully in line with our sustainability strategy.”

AIR CARGO BELGIUM (ACB) is now using the PayCargo platform to collect membership and event delegate fees online from its 155 members. The solution will provide ACB members with cost-effective payment options, rapid movement of funds, heightened transparency, and improved security, it said. “Across the globe, take up of digitalisation is rapidly accelerating, and by supporting ACB with our tailored platform, we are helping them help their members to adopt a solution that is dynamic and can evolve with their industry demands,” said Christian Dornhaus, managing director, Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), PayCargo. As a next step, ACB members will have the option to use PayCargo for their financial transactions within the community once the planned integration to ACB’s BRUcloud BEEhive applications has been implemented. The PayCargo solution is part of the ongoing digitalisation drive at Brussels Airport, which has expanded its air cargo community capabilities and increased collaboration among industry stakeholders. “It is our duty to make business operations better for our members and the entire air cargo community across all levels, from finances to human resources, and we have found that PayCargo mirrors this ethos which is why we have developed this digital solution with them,” said David Bellon, ACB chairman. “PayCargo’s solution is fast, easy to use, and guarantees payment for the recipient, which fits the ACB strategy to offer

digital solutions to our air cargo community.” PayCargo says it has been instrumental in supporting airport systems globally and driving digitisation, including working with Kale and Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport to integrate payments in the first airport community system. Geert Keirens, director, ACB, added: “We have seen that the PayCargo payment solution and further offerings have been very successful in other parts of the world and, in view of the digital transformation we are experiencing in the industry right now, this was a perfect fit for our community.”

DAVID BELLON

ACW 28 FEBRUARY 2022

NEWS

Atlas Air strengthens Hong Kong cargo down 4.7% in January partnerships HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (HKIA) handled 391,000 tonnes of cargo and 71,000 passengers in January 2022, a year-on-year decreases of 4.7% and 0.1%, respectively, said Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) in a statement released on 21 February. Flight movements saw year-on-year growth of 5.5% to 12,010, with freighter movements increasing by 14.1% to 7,165 from the 6,278 recorded in the same month last year. Cargo throughput declined due to flight re-

ductions amid the worldwide emergence of the Omicron variant of Covid-19. Transshipments were affected most, declining by double digits year-on-year, although exports saw 4.2% growth compared to January 2021. Overall cargo to and from North America experienced the most significant decrease during the month. The airport reported that passenger volume remained significantly lower than the pre-pandemic level recorded in 2019.

ATLAS AIR has entered into a long-term, dedicated charter agreement to operate two of its new Boeing 747-8 freighters globally for forwarder, Kuehne+Nagel. The aircraft are anticipated to go into service following their delivery from Boeing, expected in the third and fourth quarters of 2022. Atlas Air Worldwide president and chief executive officer John Dietrich said: “We look forward

new Boeing 747-8 freighter under a long-term agreement to increase capacity between China and the Americas. The new aircraft will enter service for Cainiao in the second quarter of 2022, linking China with the US, Brazil and Chile. “We are very pleased to extend our strong partnership with Cainiao with the placement of one of our new 747-8Fs, the best performing

to taking delivery of these two 747s and operating them for Kuehne+Nagel to support their network for years to come.” Yngve Ruud, member of the management board of Kuehne+Nagel, responsible for Air Logistics, commented: “We are proud to partner with Atlas Air and include these two new Boeing 747-8Fs in our already extensive global capacity offering.”

widebody freighter in the industry with unique nose-loading capability,” said Atlas Air Worldwide president and chief executive officer John Dietrich. “Through our successful partnership, Cainiao has been able to offer our customers across the Americas faster and more eco-friendly deliveries provided by Atlas’ global operating capabilities. We are excited to add the new Boeing freighter to our expanding partnership in response to the growing demand for e-commerce and greener logistics across the world,” said William Xiong, Cainiao’s chief strategist and general manager for export logistics.

Cainiao partnership Atlas Air also announced that it would expand its strategic partnership with Cainiao Network, the logistics arm of Alibaba Group, by adding a

DHL implements fully automated Autostore logistics system DHL Supply Chain has now implemented Europe’s first fully automated Autostore logistics system in Braunschweig, Germany for the omnichannel auction platform 1-2-3.tv, which consistently relies on the digitalisation of its supply chains and warehouse logistics. This compact storage and retrieval system enables optimised space-saving storage of small parts and fully automatic picking of up to 18 million items per year. Working alongside with the employees on site, the system increases the processing speed of each individual order, optimises processes for employees and improves operational efficiency. “Our company has already invested heavily in lean processes and sustainable automation in the past. With the introduction of the flexible and modular robotic solution from Autostore, we are building on the strong growth realised in recent years, optimising our logistics processes sustainably, and are therefore ideally equipped for future growth,” explains Eberhard Kuom, executive vice president finance and operations at

ACW 28 FEBRUARY 2022

1-2-3.tv. In this way, the wide variety of offers can be represented more effectively, while maximising capacity utilisation at the storage location. The Autostore solution supplied by Element Logic consists of an aluminium frame in which the current inventory is stacked and stored over 16 levels in more than 40,000 plastic containers. The top floor serves as a route for the robots, 26 of which are deployed in the 1-2-3. tv warehouse in Braunschweig alone, where they automatically pick the ordered goods and group them for further processing by the employees. The goods are placed in the respective package for the customer order on a despatch and transport system, automatically sealed and then despatched. Following 1-2-3.tv’s recent investment in order acceptance processes and the digitalisation of its entire supply chain, this solution represents the company’s third optimisation step along its process chain.

NEWS

Quito air cargo off to a flying Singapore Airlines Cargo chooses cargo.one start in 2022

QUITO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT reports that the year got off to a flying start with a strong Valentine’s season. Valentine’s Day is the first of the major export seasons for one of Ecuador’s main air cargo exports, flowers. In total, 20,112 tonnes of flowers were exported in the 23 days of this year’s season. Airport concessionaire Quiport said it demonstrated the strong performance of the entire logistics chain at the airport: cargo consolidation in the Tabacarcen logistics centre, palletising in the export cargo terminal and loading on board aircraft. “This achievement is all the more commendable because we were still in the midst of a battle with the Omicron variant and, despite all the adversities that this strain brought, we achieved this great milestone,” said Ramón Miró, president and CEO of Corporación Quiport. This season’s exports are the highest achieved at Quito airport since its opening in February 2013,

exceeding the 19,177 tonnes reached in 2020, the second-best year for Valentine’s Day exports. The overall Ecuadorian air cargo market is also performing well. In 2021, annual transported volume of 272,000 tonnes at Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport exceeded the historic record, including exports, imports and domestic cargo. Cargo performance in 2021 exceeded the record for 2019, the second-best year, by 15.8%; in that year the total volume was 235,500 tonnes. Ramón Miró added: “I want to congratulate and thank Tabacarcen, cargo agencies, palletisers, airlines, ground service companies and all the operators that provide services associated with cargo at Quito airport. A very successful season has been managed despite all the difficulties, guaranteeing proper management of the cold chain, and preserving the quality of our export flowers so that they can reach their destination in optimal conditions.”

SINGAPORE AIRLINES CARGO and cargo.one have signed a global partnership to bring the airline’s cargo services to the real-time digital booking platform. Under the agreement, Singapore Airlines Cargo gains access to cargo.one’s global user base. Freight forwarders using the platform can search, book, amend and track Singapore Airlines Cargo bookings in real time, and collaborate with colleagues on bookings. Chin Yau Seng, senior vice president cargo, Singapore Airlines, commented: “At Singapore

of many steps that we are taking to provide a more seamless experience for our cargo customers.” Moritz Claussen, founder and co-CEO of cargo.one, added: “We are proud to partner with Singapore Airlines Cargo globally and bring its excellent cargo services to cargo.one users. Both companies share a strong motivation to continually raise standards and efficiencies in all aspects of cargo booking. Among many aspects, Singapore Airlines Cargo brings to the table invaluable Asia market insights.”

Airlines, we are committed to the continued digitalisation of all areas of our business. Through our partnership with cargo.one, we have the ability to offer our customers an enhanced online booking experience with greater speed, flexibility, and convenience. This is one

In the first phase, from July 2022 freight forwarders will have access to Singapore Airlines Cargo’s capacity using the cargo.one marketplace. The partnership provides cargo.one users with additional access to destinations such as Singapore, Bangkok, Shanghai, and Manila.

ACW 28 FEBRUARY 2022

NEWS

This is the year for businesses to establish a greener supply chain ROB WRIGHT, executive director at SCALA Consulting, provider of management services for the supply chain and logistics sector. The recent growth of e-commerce, triggered largely by nationwide lockdowns throughout the pandemic, has caused the sector’s supply chains to impact the environment with a renewed force. Larger fleets, longer journeys, and shrinking warehouse space are delivering a collective blow to sustainability endeavours that cannot continue. Though some businesses are demonstrating awareness of this recent impact, around a third (32%) have no measures in place to monitor their carbon footprint. This suggests that either businesses are ill-equipped to monitor it, or they are failing to understand the true impact of their emissions. While greener initiatives are now appearing on corporate agendas, fuelled in part by COP26 and the revived focus on sustainability, businesses are also facing growing pressures from the consumers they serve. In a 2021 survey, a third of consumers claimed to have stopped purchasing from certain brands because of ethical and sustainability concerns. Against this backdrop, we look at how establishing greener supply chains must become a core business objective for 2022 and beyond, and how businesses that fail to implement change risk reputational damage and increasingly difficult trading futures.

Fleets go green The transport sector alone accounts for 27% of the UK’s national carbon emissions and is under government pressure to make reductions. As newer hybrid and electric vehicles become more available, businesses must radically alter their approach to fleets. Businesses need to shift their approach from viewing transport as a commodity to be acquired at the lowest price to a more strategic approach. This might take the form of developing relationships with ‘green-first’ third-party providers or investing in their own e-fleets. Either way, government and local authority ‘go green’ initiatives will see a rise in both support for and expectation on businesses to move away from fossil fuels.

ACW 28 FEBRUARY 2022

Warehousing logistics will change

New challenges await

During the various lockdowns, online shopping and expectation for next-day deliveries intensified and turned attention towards the need for better warehouse logistics. UK warehouses risk running out of space as contingency stocking increases and global supply chains are accordingly disrupted. One way to mitigate this disruption while preserving sustainability goals will be for businesses to look at inventory as more of an asset and less as a waste. Proximity to customers will take on renewed importance and a migration to smaller warehouses, close to urban areas, will likely follow. To support this migration, businesses will also look towards decentralising logistics networks, shortening their supply chains, and implementing deeper automation in core processes. Together, these steps should lead to more agile operations and smaller carbon footprints.

Developing greener supply chains will not be without fresh challenges as we dive deeper into 2022. Among the most taxing of these will be inflation, which is set to rise. This will be a new reality for many businesses, and how costs are managed and passed along supply chains will require careful thought. Inflation will also continue to impact wages as staff shortages, most notably among HGV drivers, propel salaries upwards. The threat of new Covid variants also remains and another one could stall economic recovery again with potential lockdown measures and hobble supply chains as infected workers isolate and recover at home. These challenges notwithstanding, the move to greener supply chains must gather pace. Though it may require a level of upfront investment that causes a degree of discomfort, it is dwarfed by that caused by damaged reputations and loss of custom.

Chennault International Airport is the ideal site for locating air cargo operations. Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles, Louisiana, is an emerging national aerospace hub that has kept military, corporate and personal aircraft in tip-top condition for more than three decades. Much of the industry is already familiar with Chennault and the Lake Charles region because of its first-class tenant partners — including Northrop Grumman, Million Air, LandLocked Aviation Services and Citadel Completions. Chennault serves the needs of business, civilian and military aircraft from around the world with world-class infrastructure, state-of-the-art facilities and an array of tenant partners. It is also home to non-aerospace manufacturing and service businesses. Chennault has a 10,701-foot-long runway, the longest at any airport between Houston, Texas, and Cape Canaveral, Florida. It’s capable of handling all aircraft flying today. There’s ample adjacent ramp space.

Chennault is served by an accredited air traffic control tower. FBO services are provided by Million Air. Even with all the development at Chennault, there’s still room to grow. There are more than a dozen tracts of land totaling nearly 1,000 acres available for development. WHY CHENNAULT? Chennault’s attractive competitive advantages include: • Uncongested airspace. • Landing fee incentives / waived landing fees. • A new 10,000-square-foot air cargo facility, with room to expand. • Significant ramp space with room for oversized cargo, equipment staging, and trucks. • Connected to deepwater port by adjacent rail service. • Adjacent interstate .• South-central location. • Experience in hosting air cargo operations. That’s just the top of the list! The proof of Chennault’s power is best seen by its tenant partners and visitors — from Northrop Grumman to Landlocked Aviation … from Citadel Completions to regular Air Force One arrivals … and from FBO Million Air to ongoing military training exercises.

YOUR NEW FACILITY Construction will be completed this summer on the $4 million air cargo passthrough facility, the newest component in Chennault’s emergence as an aerospace center. Upon its completion, the facility can be certified for international cargo by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “The willingness to change and look for opportunities outside of the norm is critical to remaining relevant in our dynamic world today,” says Chennault Executive Director Kevin Melton. National consultant David Whitaker, who has more than 30 years of airport and air cargo operations experience, is part of the effort. “Chennault is a very robust airport with enormous potential, and Southwest Louisiana is a cargo-rich region of the world,” he says. TOP HONORS Chennault is Louisiana’s reigning Airport of the Year as judged by the state Department of Transportation and Development. It also earned the designation as the 2021 Southwest Region leader in Louisiana Economic Development’s ranking of top achievements statewide. “The willingness to change and look for opportunities outside of the norm is critical to remaining relevant in our dynamic world today,” said Chennault Executive Director Kevin Melton. “Chennault remains a game-changer — we continue to work toward new tenant partners, more development and more jobs.” THE BOTTOM LINE • Chennault offers relief to airlines and freight forwarders who need space and attention. • Chennault offers value for companies to move goods through a brand-new facility built specifically for air cargo. • Chennault provides a low-cost alternative to the larger markets — where expense, ground delays, and airspace delays limit the efficient flow of goods. • Chennault offers capability, capacity and value. LET’S TALK Contact Chennault International Airport’s economic development team at ciaa@chennault.org or 1-800-272-2422.

Connect with us at: www.afklcargo.com

chennault.org

Advertorial

NEW CONSTRUCTION, AMPLE ACREAGE, RAMP SPACE ALL MAKE CHENNAULT IDEAL FOR AIR CARGO OPERATIONS

Transatlantic Airways aims to expand after 30 Year Anniversary

Untitled-2.indd 1

23/02/2022 10:51

AIR CARGO AMERICAS PREVIEW

FEATURE

AIR CARGO AMERICAS PREVIEW SCHEDULE TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022 7:30 a.m. Americas Networking Breakfast 8:45 a.m. Welcome Remarks & Conference Opening Ivan Barrios, president & CEO, World Trade Centre Miami Virginia Sanchez, chairman, World Trade Centre Miami Ralph Cutié, director and chief executive officer, Miami-Dade Aviation Department 9:00 a.m. Call to Order Christine Richard, senior director of marketing, Amerijet International Airlines, programme co-chair 9:00 a.m. Trade Trends in the Americas (East Hall) Panellists will present their views on current trends in trade, especially the effects of e-commerce on the supply chain and transportation, as well as, their visions, strategies and forecasts for the growth of air cargo and supply chain logistics in the Western Hemisphere for the next two years. The panellists will provide forecasts on several trade markets. MODERATOR: Diego Rodriguez, director, logistics and industry, Americas Market Intelligence (AMI) SPEAKERS: Jonathan Mellink, commercial manager, Seabury Cargo Tim Strauss, CEO, Amerijet International Jon Olin, EVP & chief operating officer, Polar Air Cargo Worldwide

Michael Zahra, president & CEO, Drone Delivery Canada Ed de Reyes, CEO, Sabrewing Aircraft Company Olivier Houri, executive vice president & CRO, SmartKargo 10:15 a.m. Coffee Break 10:30 a.m. Sustainability of the Supply Chain: Global Best Practices (East Hall) In supply chain, logistics and transportation, ‘going green’ has become a major topic, including the innovations, technologies and solutions that many companies are implementing in their operations to not just reduce but establish goals for accomplishing zero carbon footprint in all modes of transportation. MODERATOR: Dr. Michael Tari, partner and senior developer, Sustainability Partners SPEAKERS: Celine Hourcade, founder and managing director, Change Horizon Jorge Carbajal, general manager, Jet Pro, Inc. Fred Werginz, head commercial operations-Americas, CHAMP Cargosystems 12:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall Opens 7:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall Closes THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2022 8:00 a.m. Americas Networking Breakfast

10:15 a.m. Coffee Break 10:30 a.m. The Complexities Behind COVID19 Vaccine Distribution - How The Pandemic Placed Logistics On The World Stage (East Hall) Industry experts will share their views on how business and operational practices have changed in the short and long term, and how logistics is really everyone’s business. MODERATOR: Leandro Moreira, SVP, corporate development, Yourway Biopharma Services and chairman, health technologies distribution alliance SPEAKERS: Eric J. Wilson, chief commercial officer, Amerijet International Airlines Barry Conlon, founder and CEO, Overhaul Group Nathan de Valck, head, cargo product and network development, Brussels Airport and chairman, Pharma Aero Roger Samways, VP, American Airlines Cargo Dr. Nicolette Louissaint, senior VP of Policy and strategic planning, Healthcare Distribution Alliance

9:00 a.m. Call to Order Chris Mangos, chairman, Supply Chain Americas and Air Cargo Americas & director, marketing division, Miami International Airport 9:00 a.m. The Last Mile: With e-commerce Rapid Growth Fuelled by the Pandemic – What are Leading Companies Doing to Keep Up And Also Develop Sustainable Platforms (East Hall) While customers want shipping that’s free, fast and reliable, it also happens to be the most expensive and time-consuming part of the entire end-to-end delivery process. In this panel we will explore the various ways in which companies are dealing with this phenomenon. MODERATOR: Francisco X. Santeiro, executive director, CLADEC SPEAKERS: Mirja Nissen, director of e-commerce solutions, International Bonded Couriers Cathy Roberson, president, Logistics Trends and Insights (inv) Nabil Malouli, VP global e-commerce lead, DHL Supply Chain Jaime Basagoitia, general manager, Trans Express, Inc.

12:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall Opens 10:15 a.m. Coffee Break 5:30 p.m. Reception On Show Floor 7:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall Closes WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2022 8:00 a.m. Americas Networking Beakfast 9:00 a.m. Call to Order Christine Richard, senior director of marketing, Amerijet International Airlines, programme co-chair 9:00 a.m. Supply Chain Logistics: Trends to Watch (East Hall) Innovations, technology and solutions in the supply chain. MODERATOR: Emir Pineda, section chief, passenger, trade & logistics development, marketing division, Miami International Airport SPEAKERS: Amar More, CEO, Kale Logistics

10:30 a.m. The Past, Present & Future of Trade Policy - Is the Pendulum Shifting? Different administrations typically mean changes in trade policy, but with issues such as trade remedies/China, forced labour, e-commerce, health/ safety and facilitation remaining at the forefront, the shift actually may be more subtle than suspected. MODERATOR: Lenny Feldman, senior member, Sandler Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. SPEAKERS: The Hon. Kevin McAleenan, former DHS secretary & CEO, Pangiam Peter Cerdá, regional vice president, the Americas, IATA Maria Luisa Boyce, vice President, Global Public Affairs, UPS The Hon. Leonel Fernández, former president, D.R., and president, World Federation of UN Associations (WFUNA) (inv) 12:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall Opens 5:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall Closes

ACW 28 FEBRUARY 2022

AIR CARGO AMERICAS PREVIEW

FEATURE

WELCOME TO MIAMI

Ivan Barrios, president and CEO of the World Trade Centre Miami, where Air Cargo Americas will be held, says: “We are looking forward to welcoming the return of our exhibitors and delegates to the show and conference after a four-month delay due to the pandemic. Our three-day conference programme will include panels on global supply chain issues and feature leading executives in the transportation and logistics industry. Our exhibition will have over 100 companies showcasing their products and services. “Delegates can expect a revamped show floor and conference programme. Our exhibition has been designed for more visibility for our exhibitors and more space for delegates to walk safely through the

“

Air Cargo Americas 2022, which will take place on March 8 at Miami Airport Convention Center, will be a welcome sign that the airfreight world is at last getting back to normal, says Miami-Dade Aviation Department marketing section chief, Jimmy Nares. He comments: “It will be a ‘live’ show and we’re hoping to see many of our partners who we’ve not seen in a year or two. There’s no substitute for meeting people in person.” He points out that Air Cargo Americas will be one of the first industry events to go back to a face-to-face format. It was due to go ahead in October 2021 but the Omicron variant put paid to that plan.

ACW 28 FEBRUARY 2022

show. Delegates can enjoy the World Trade Centre Miami lounge, a mobile phone charging station sponsored by Turkish Cargo, and a Welcome Reception on March 8 sponsored by SmartKargo. “Outside of the conference be sure to checkout the many restaurants, bars and clubs in Miami’s South Beach. I recommend Joe’s Stone Crabs, the Matador Room, Casa Tua and Lolo’s Surf Cantina. Delegates can visit Little Havana where there are many Cuban and Latin restaurants. My favourite is La Trova and Versailles Cuban Restaurants. I also recommend taking a hop-on and hop-off tour of Miami which visits the many landmarks and attractions and explores all the must-see neighbourhoods, from Little Havana, Coral Gables, South Beach, Wynwood Walls and Downtown.”

Inevitably, because of the need to increase the amount of space between stands, registered numbers are somewhat lower than pre-pandemic events but it’s encouraging that as early as January, the organiser reported that there were only eight vacant booths left, with two months still to go. And if delegates have any time to spare from meeting and greeting partners and colleagues, Jimmy Nares thoroughly recommends a visit to world-famous Miami Beach. “I think a lot of us have been getting Cabin Fever, so it’s important to take time to walk and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air – and to embrace getting back to normal.”

WORLD AIRLINES

FEATURE

THE YEAR AHEAD

uillaume Halleux Qatar Airways chief cargo officer shares his market outlook for 2022. “e-commerce movements increased tremendously since the onset of the pandemic and with buying trends continuing to be online, we will be seeing e-commerce soar in 2022 and the next years too. Due to this, there will be more demand and we have the right fleet for this purpose. “Considering this, we will be the 777-8 Freighter launch customer with a firm order for 34 jets and options for 16 more. The 777-8 Freighter will be world’s largest twin-engine cargo jet with the most payload capacity and a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency, emissions and operating costs. With global supply chains under pressure and high demand for e-commerce, the performance and capabilities of the fleet is more important than ever and that is why 90% of the global dedicated

freighter fleet is made up of Boeing aeroplanes enabling us to cater to the increased demand for airfreight. “Airlines must continue to be agile and adapt their business to the needs of the customers, mostly around quality of service, agility, flexibility, innovation and sustainability and to deal with unprecedented situations. Sustainability is another hot topic for us and we see it as our duty and responsibility to drive sustainability and encourage stakeholders to do so. There are several opportunities for us to contribute towards sustainability in multiple areas such as climate and energy, weight and waste management and water usage reduction. “Despite the rise in technology and web meetings, the face-to-face meetings still hold value. This year, we will be attending Air Cargo India 2022, which is set to take place in May and we look forward to meeting many of our customers there.”

Environmentally sustainable airlines: Is it possible?

he air cargo industry plays a vital part in our day-to-day lives. Life-saving medicines, flowers and fresh food, the technology we rely on and the vaccines that will pull us out of the pandemic, are all brought close to our lives, thanks to the wonders of air cargo. But, now, more than ever, an issue that is larger than us, and our lives, is threatening the planet: climate change. Airlines may be vital for world trade but according to the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) in 2019, flights produced 915 million of the 43 billion tonnes of human-produced CO2. Then came the pandemic, which grounded flights and gave the world time to breathe. Could now be the perfect opportunity for the aviation industry to ramp up its sustainable revolution? Last October, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) 77th Annual General Meeting approved a resolution for the global air transport industry to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This commitment aligns with the Paris Agreement goal for global warming not to exceed 1.5°C and was signed by member airlines. Is the net zero target optimistic? Air Canada’s Environmental Affairs department says it is not without its challenges. “There is optimism to get there given the efforts and commitment that the world’s airlines, aviation industry and government have demonstrated to reach this net-zero emissions target. “Governments are already taking steps to provide a framework to stabilise emissions, such as International Civil Aviation Organizations’ ICAO Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) while the aviation industry, airlines and corporate stakeholders are developing more efficient aircraft technologies, exploring the purchase of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and looking into bringing cost competitive SAF to market,” says a spokesperson for the department. “Most importantly there is an industry plan with targets to achieve this goal. While other transport sectors may have proven

technology to decarbonise much quicker, it will take a collaborative effort of all aviation industry partners, other corporate stakeholders and governments to get us where we need to be. “In March of 2021 Air Canada released its own Climate Action Plan to achieve a long-term goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. This target is aligned with the climate science (1.5°C scenario), the Government of Canada’s commitment to the Paris Agreement, and aligns with IATA’s net-zero goal by 2050. “In defining this pathway, and to ensure meaningful progress, Air Canada also set 2030 absolute midterm targets: • 20% GHG reduction from our air operations by 2030 compared to our 2019 baseline. • 30 % GHG reduction from our ground operations by 2030 compared to our 2019 baseline • A $50 million investment in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and carbon reductions and removals” The carrier believes SAF will also play “a major role” in reducing aviation emissions. SAF is traditionally made from waste or renewable feedstocks and can reduce overall emissions by as much as 80% over its lifecycle compared to regular jet fuel. Air Canada’s Environmental Affairs department notes: “The key to successful emission reductions will, for most part, be the ability to access, on a large scale, cost-competitive sustainable aviation fuels. More efficient aircraft, as well as new propulsion technologies and decarbonisation technologies will support emissions reductions. “Air Canada has committed to a $50 million investment in SAF and carbon reductions and removals to advance the development of these technologies. Although the majority of our emissions come from our aircraft, our Climate Action Plan considers the full impact of our operations. Air Canada will continue the electrification of its ground fleet and will evaluate the practical applications of renewable energy sources such as biogas and renewable electricity, and energy transition measures.”

“The 777-8 Freighter will be the world’s largest twin engine cargo jet with the most payload capacity and a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency, emissions and operating costs.”

It’s a first for the Americas!

he first A330-200P2F of the Americas has been delivered to Aerotransportes Mas de Carga (mas) on lease from Altavair. mas is the first airline from North and South America to fly the A330-200P2F.

The A330-200P2F (passenger-to-freighter) is a member of the A330 aircraft family. The freighter can carry up to 61 tonnes and a range of up to 4,200 nautical miles, which will greatly enhance the cargo carrier’s expansion plans into new markets, including China, where it obtained certification to fly last year.

ACW 28 FEBRUARY 2022

VIEW FROM THE MAINDECK MIXED SIGNALS OVER 5G FORCE CARRIERS TO CANCEL US FLIGHTS

he airline industry, as if it didn’t have enough problems, was plunged into further chaos in January and February over fears that new 5G mobile phone systems could interfere with aircraft systems, prompting many carriers to cancel flights or replace aircraft. The problems began when the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) in the US updated its guidance to airlines, saying that 5G networks could interfere with radio altimeters on certain aircraft. The telecoms industry sees 5G as an essential step forward. It would make it possible, for instance to download a full-length HD movie to your phone in seconds and making possible technology like connected vehicles, Augmented Reality and enhanced video and gaming. All that means more bandwidth and more powerful transmitters, which could potentially bring it in conflict with the aviation industry. However, so far at least, the interference problem has only affected the US where the radio frequency band allocated to 5G is closer to the bandwidth used in avionics than in other parts of the world. Some commentators have blamed the previous Trump administration for its lack of a clear policy on the issue. Radio altimeters measure the distance between the aircraft and the ground directly beneath it, unlike ‘analogue’ altimeters that measure barometric pressure to measure the plane’s height above sea level. They are crucial in guiding aircraft safely to land in foggy conditions. When the issues first emerged in mid-January, the FAA issued a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) warning that there was an issue with certain models of radio altimeters at some US airports warning them not to fly there in poor visibility. The directive would affect 336 aircraft in the US and 1,714 worldwide, it added. This in turn led to a flurry of flight cancellations or aircraft substitutions in January. Of the affected aircraft, the Boeing 777, the workhorse of the airfreight industry due to its capacious bellyhold capacity, was particularly badly missed by the cargo community. Both Boeing and Airbus aircraft could be affected, as many different makes and models of radio altimeters are fitted to aircraft around the world. Carriers including Lufthansa, IAG, Cathay Pacific and Korean Air, Delta and United rejigged their schedules to avoid flying the affected aircraft into US airports. However, by early February a degree of normality had returned to schedules, at least for the time being. Emirates, for example, said that it had moved quickly to resume services to Chicago, Dallas Fort Worth, Miami, Newark, Orlando and Seattle from 21 January. (Los Angeles, New York JFK, and Washington DC had been unaffected). Flights to Boston, Houston and San Francisco that had been temporarily switched to A380 aircraft also returned to 777 operations. However, the carrier’s president, Sir Tim Clark, while welcoming the moves by the telecoms firms that had enabled it to resume essential cargo and passenger flights to the US added: “However, we are also very aware that this is a temporary reprieve, and a long-term resolution will be required. Emirates will continue to work closely with the aircraft manufacturers and relevant regulators to ensure the safety and continuity of our services.” A Lufthansa spokesperson said: “At the moment we are not facing any disruption. We continue to fly as planned.” Certainly, the issue now appears to have been fixed, at least for the time being, after telecom operators including AT&T and Verizon voluntarily agreed to pause the rollout of 5G near runways at major US airports. The FAA is also carrying out tests to ascertain which models of radio altimeter are affected at which airports and has also progressively devised workarounds using alternative aircraft instrumentation where an issue exists. Major carriers are again able to operate into main US airports without problems, although some smaller regional airports and light aircraft may still be affected. Airlines for America stated: “We are continuing to work with the FAA and all stakeholders to minimise impacts while prioritising safety. While there is much work still to be done, the ongoing collaboration between the FAA, the aviation industry and the telecom companies is helping to safely reduce shipping and air travel disruptions as additional 5G towers are activated. We look forward to achieving a more efficient permanent solution that will allow the US to continue leading the world in aviation safety while also expanding our nation’s 5G network.”

aircargoweek.com