The JFK Air Cargo Association announced the JFK Air Cargo EXPO 2019 at Russo’s on the Bay. The theme of this year’s event is thus aptly named: JFK EXPO 2019: “E-commerce, E-partnerships, and E-volving Roles”. JFK EXPO 2019 will feature an Expert-Moderated Panel Session, an Exhibition Hall, and a Luncheon Keynote Speaker.
Virgin & Delta move
Partner airlines Virgin Atlantic Cargo and Delta Cargo will move their handling operations at London Heathrow to the new purpose-built dnata City East.The move to the new facility is scheduled for the second half of 2019 and will double the size of Virgin and Delta’s cargo operation at Heathrow to 335,000 sq ft. Customers will benefit from “greater automation and faster truck and cargo handling times”, the airlines said. It would also support their “growing cargo businesses, enhances their trans-Atlantic partnership for customers, and future-proofs the joint venture’s position in the UK market”.
Boeing autonomous
A prototype passenger autonomous air vehicle (PAV), developed by Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences under the leadership of the Boeing NeXt division, successfully completed its first test flight in Virginia this week. Although the PAV is designed for passenger transport, the technology presents major opportunities for the future of autonomous and remote pilot cargo operations.
Boeing eyes growth
Boeing projects that air cargo operators will need more than 2,600 new or converted freighters over the next two decades to keep up with increasing global freight traffic, which is expected to double with 4.2% growth annually.
Some of the factors driving the growth in air cargo include a growing express market in China and the global rise of e-commerce, which is forecast to increase 20% annually according to Boeing’s analysis.
Atlas ANA deal
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings announced that its Atlas Air, Inc. unit has expanded its strategic agreement with Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) to add three NCA-owned Boeing 747-400 Freighters to the existing operation, bringing the total number of 747-400Fs operated on behalf of NCA to five.The incremental aircraft will be operated on key routes across the fast-growing transpacific market, and are scheduled to enter service in April, July and September 2019.
Lufthansa adds 777s
Lufthansa Cargo will lease an additional 777F from Boeing, to be operated by AeroLogic, a 50/50 joint venture between DHL Express and Lufthansa Cargo, later this fall ahead of the 2019 peak season, the carrier announced
Air cargo outlook
Airports Council International (ACI) has warned of an uncertain outlook for cargo volumes during the coming year.
ACI pointed to “significant” volatility in cargo volumes between August and November, with year-on-year growth figures ranging from 3.7% growth in October to a 0.3% decline in November.
The gains produced by the industry in the first half of 2018 have been moderating since, with year-to-date growth reaching 3.6% in November.
ACI director general Angela Gittens said: “Volatility in the market between August and November shows that the trade war between the world’s two largest economies has certainly tested the industry this year and the final impact on global supply chains remaining uncertain.Asia Pacific Airlines reported record encouraging growth in 2018 saying prospects remain positive, but some uncertainties could affect future growth.
Menzies ruling
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) made a final decision to allow Menzies Aviation’s takeover of part of Airline Services’ business after an investigation of concerns on competition.
CMA worried about Menzies’ acquisition of ASIG. Both firms supply airlines in the UK with support services including the de-icing of aircraft and ground handling.An initial Phase 1 probe raised concerns that the merger could result in less choice and higher prices or a reduction in quality for these services for airlines at a number of key airports in England and Scotland.
These concerns led to the merger being referred to a Group of independent CMA Panel members for an in-depth Phase 2 investigation.
