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Start-ups make Hangar 51 pitches
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total of five companies with cargo-related products and services made it through to IAG Group’s Hangar 51 ‘Pitch day’ in Madrid on 3 September. A total of 36 firms representing all aspects of the aviation business presented their ideas to the airline group. Following the pitch day, around ten of the 36 firms will be selected to co-work with the airline group for ten weeks in pilot programmes and, possibly, receive investment from the group. Head of digital Glenn Morgan added that the number of applicants for the Hangar 51 programme continued to increase year on year and that many previous Hangar 51 alumni had gone on to attract significant investment and expand their businesses. Firms presenting in Madrid on 3 September included Atheer, which said that its augmented reality headsets could be used to model processes such as cargo acceptance for training purposes. Keyo said that its security system that scans the veins in a person’s palm could be used to control access to warehouses and other cargo facilities. Navaigo said it could use predictive analysis using existing and new data to predict expected time of arrival for shipments or likely aircraft load factors when planning new airline routes. The com-
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C$50m upgrade for Mirabel
ACWBITES LEE Gainsbury left his role as ULD ops manager Europe at Unilode Aviation Solutions on Friday 6 September to pursue alternative opportunities. Stephen Gillies, head of ULD management EMEA says Jerry George, Geeta Hitchings, Sue Ridgley, Sara Bouali and Bruno Abrantes will continue to report to him.
pany was already working with German freight giant DB Schenker. Swiss-based Rigi Techologies predicts that there will soon be an upsurge in the use of drones to perform deliveries from air cargo terminals to final customers, cutting out slow and expensive road feeder services. Discoperi said its artificial intelligence and machine learning technology could be used to track logistics flows and show ‘hot’ or cold’ spots where traffic was too heavy or there was unused capacity in the system.
JOHN Slosar will retire as chairman of Cathay Pacific at the conclusion of the next board meeting on 6 November. Patrick Healy, who is managing director of Swire Coca-Cola, a director of John Swire & Son and a non-executive director of Swire Properties will take over. UK-based international project logistics specialist Trans Global Projects Group has appointed Martin Ollmann as an additional managing director for its German arms Trans Global Projects and Natco. Ollmann joins Christian Hager in managing the group’s latest acquisitions in Germany.
reight and logistics at the International Aerocity of Mirabel will receive a major upgrade after the government of Canada approved C$50 million of funding. The announcement was made by the Honourable Marc Garneau, minister of transport and work will include refurbishing and extending the main apron to a cargo apron; improving road access; increase aircraft parking capacity; and building 20,000 sq m of warehouse space. The project will support the export of Canadian goods via Montreal’s Mirabel airport, creating necessary facilities to accommodate growth in exports and imports. Garneau says: “Our government is proud to invest in this infrastructure that plays a key role for Canada’s economy. By investing in our transportation and trade corridors we are stimulating economic growth and creating quality middle-class jobs.” The government of Canada is supporting infrastructure projects, and says trade diversification is a key component of the National Trade Corridors Fund that improves the transport of goods to overseas markets and generates overseas trades.
Globe Air Cargo signs exclusive Egyptair contract
ECS Group’s Turkish subsidiary, Globe Air Cargo Turkey has signed an exclusive contract with EgyptAir Cargo to market its cargo from 1 September. The subsidiary has been EgyptAir Cargo’s preferred sales agent for three years and signed the contract to manage marketing of cargo capacity on 21 August. Based in Istanbul and founded in 2015, the seven employees aim to develop and secure freight opportunities for current and future destinations, and increase recruitment and accelerate growth. Nursel Guven, managing director of Globe Air Cargo Turkey says: “To be chosen as the GSA for EgyptAir and have the opportunity to continue serving them is very exciting – exciting to know that we can be a part of their continuous development.” Sauro Martinelli, regional manager Europe at ECS Group says: “With this partnership between EgyptAir and GAC TR, we are once more opening up a huge range of possibilities to local airlines and GSAs. It’s proof that as a member of our group, a GSA can become a significant regional player for a major airline.”
aircargoweek.com
ACW 9 SEPTEMBER 2019
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