IN BRIEF - THE LATEST AIR CARGO INDUSTRY NEWS
AF-KL-MP Cargo launch Real-Time eBooking
WebCargo and AF-KL-MP Cargo have teamed up to offer what they term as ‘instant pricing, capacity and booking’ for 1,400+ forwarders. The first of its kind in air cargo history, the carrier
states. In their release they claim that the new digital connectivity which has been introduced collectively by the three airlines enables forwarders on the world’s largest air freight platform,
WebCargo, to instantly view live rates, assess available capacity, and secure cargo bookings in real-time for specific flights. They further claim that on top of improving capacity utilization,
this new process will cut down transit times and ensure noticeable cost savings for shippers, forwarders and airlines.
A pilot project which was run during March between Panalpina, WebCargo and Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, was successful and led to the decision to introduce the Real Time Air Cargo e-Booking
Dynamic Pricing programme this month.
New Board for ACB Forwarders cluster
The freight forwarders cluster within the umbrella organisation Air Cargo Belgium has elected a new board. DHL Global Forwarding’s David Bellon has succeeded Geert Torfs as president. Koen Somers
(CEVA) is the new vice president. Both will represent the forwarders interests within the ACB Board.
Mr Torfs was the last president of the former Belgian Airfreight Institute. Following the foundation of ACB the juridical entities for the representation of the different stakeholders in the air
cargo community at Brussels Airport were dissolved. The air cargo forwarders are also engaged in talks with the Antwerp-based sea freight forwarders organisation VEA and the national Belgian
forwarders organisation on a way to integrate the air cargo agents interests in the set-up of a new nationwide Belgian umbrella organisation under the name ‘Forward Belgium.’ Also involved in the
talks are the forwarders at Liege Airport.
Southwest introduces perishable product
Dallas-based Southwest Airlines started non-stop operations in April from Oakland, California to the Hawaiian island of Maui.
The Oakland - Honolulu service is operated twice daily by the airline, using Boeing 737-800 equipment and the carrier has now introduced their ‘Fresh Fast’ product for the transport of
perishables on the route. Southwest gives shippers a guaranteed delivery (door-door) time of 24 hours. If this time-frame is not met then a 50% price reduction comes into place. Southwest’s cargo
department also offers shippers their ‘Next Flight Guaranteed’ service with what they state is a 100% guarantee for the shippers’ cargo to be on the next available flight.
CHAMP up front at ChinaAir Logistics Conference
Champ Cargosystems, the Luxembourg-based provider of integrated IT solutions and distribution services, was one of the lead presenters at this year’s 4th China Air Logistics Conference which was
held in Guangzhou.
CHAMP’s Head of Commercial Operations, Zeta Loo, gave a presentation in Mandarin to a packed audience at the event. The main theme given by Ms Loo was CHAMP’s approach to innovation in the IT
sector with regards to the future development of the air cargo industry. She highlighted the fact that CHAMP is also geared towards offering the fast-expanding logistics market in China the
necessary innovative tools and services which the country will need in the future.
time:matters reports good 2018
Neu-Isenburg, near Frankfurt-based time:matters who are specialists in arranging the transport of urgent shipments around the globe, have reported strong financial results for 2018.
Total revenues reached €121.5 million, this is a 12.5% increase over the previous year’s results. The main drivers for the continued growth at time:matters was the support from the
high-tech&semicon, life&health, medtech, aviation&aerospace, logistics and automotive sectors. In the meantime, time:matters can now offer their clients a fully automated tracking and
information update, as well as automated invoicing. Alexander Kohnen, time:matters CEO stated that “we have again succeeded in achieving record revenue, due in no small part to constant
innovations around our core competencies.”
Rhenus acquires Freight Logistics Group
German forwarder Rhenus SE & Co KG has announced that they have acquired the Miami-based Freight Logistics Group. The 2001 established agent Freight Logistics also has offices in Brazil,
Argentina and Chile. Freight Logistics is specialised in offering supply-chain solutions, customs brokerage, warehousing & distribution on an international scale.
The move is seen as also being important for Rhenus’ activities in South America. The company recently made other acquisitions in this field in Brazil as well as in Canada.
Rhenus have also announced the start of what they say is the world’s first air freight carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction programme. Titled RHEGREEN, the service offers customers the opportunity to
choose greener aircraft for the shipment of air freight. The company quotes the example that “if an Airbus A350 or a Boeing 787 aircraft is chosen for carrying a 1,000kg shipment from Amsterdam
to Shanghai, then the customer would save one ton of CO2 in comparison to the average CO2 emissions on that route.” It remains to be seen as to whether this service will find supporters in the
future.
Doha reports Q1 drop in volumes
Doha International Airport reports that it handled 505,581 tonnes of cargo during the first quarter of this year. This represents an almost 2% decline compared to Q1 2018. January and February
were seen as particularly weak months. January volumes fell by 4.7% and in February by 4.1%, although it is reported that March showed an increase of +3.1% compared to the previous year.
Aircraft movements at the airport rose by 8.3% compared to the first quarter of 2018. The airport hopes to make up for lost volumes during the rest of this year. In 2018 Doha Airport was ranked
as the world’s 12th airport in the top 25 cargo airports listing.
John Mc Donagh / Marcel Schoeters