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August 2016

Greener environment at John Glenn Columbus

John Glenn Columbus International airport is benefitting from a program that eliminates the need for fuel-powered equipment at its gates.

Thanks to a US$2.7m VALE grant from the Federal Aviation Administration, delivered late last year, the Columbus Regional Airport Authority has installed pre-conditioned air units at 11 airbridges, in addition to upgrading 13 existing ground power units. Whilst a number of gates had incorporated emissions reduction technology prior to the VALE program, currently all the gates are so equipped.

The change has meant the removal of heating and cooling generators on the ground that burned fuel to keep aircraft systems operational while the aircraft was parked. Work on the project commenced in November 2015 and was completed this month. In all, the new units should result in a total emissions reduction of some 207 tonnes of carbon monoxide over a period of 20 years.

August 2016

M60 IV Aircraft Cargo Tractors

US cargo tractors destined for Africa

Swahili Aviation Aerospace, acting on behalf of NMC Wollard, recently completed the sale of four model 60 cargo tractors of 3,000-6,000 pounds drawbar pull to McEnso in Accra, Ghana. The actual contract was with the Defence Force of Ghana.

August 2016

Record Cargo from Heathrow for American Airlines

American Airlines Cargo carried over 260,000 kilograms of freight and mail from London Heathrow in a single day, setting a new daily record for the station.

The previous record for the London team, set in October 2015, stood at 256,668 kilograms from the facility. On the same day, American also achieved a 99% passenger load factor.

Major destinations from LHR include Chicago O’Hare, New York JFK, Miami International, Dallas-Fort Worth and Los Angeles – all major transit hubs. An impressive 88.2% of all available cargo positions were loaded.

“There was high demand for space from all the origins which support our LHR flights, as well as general cargo from across the UK,” said American’s Managing Director of Cargo Sales – Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Tristan Koch. “Our Operations teams did an exemplary job in rising to the challenge, highlighting the great collaboration between the ramp and Cargo departments.”

All shipments were moved successfully from London’s Heathrow airport and the high demand continues.

August 2016

UPS expands to 64 destinations worldwide

UPS Worldwide Express Freight is expanding its service to nine new countries: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Kuwait, Malta, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Sri Lanka and Tunisia.

Over the last year, UPS also added eight other countries, taking its global footprint to a total of 64 destination and 66 origin countries.

“Companies in the healthcare, retail and automotive industries have grown their international volume, 18, 11 and five times more, respectively, using UPS Worldwide Express Freight service than their peers over the last three years,” said Bill Seward, president of US International Exports for UPS.

UPS’ shopping data demonstrated a growth in Mexico-to-US trade, from the fifth-most used lane in 2013 to the second most used lane in 2015. First place was taken by the China-to-US lane. The carrier noted that, “this progression is likely due to a growth in manufacturing in Mexico, increases in e-commerce and the rise in intermodal cross-border shipments between the countries.”

Earlier this year, UPS remarked that it had strengthened its US-Mexico cross-border trade services to support the growth observed within that trade lane.

July 2016

Lost bags? The good news 

It’s a staggering statistic, and an indication of the mechanics of the aviation industry, but US airlines collected in excess of US$900m in baggage fees during the first quarter of 2016. This is according to the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Of the carriers listed, American Airlines came out on top, having collected the most baggage fees, with some US$262.5m accrued during the quarter.

That profitability is soon to be eroded, though, as newly-introduced measures will oblige carriers to refund passengers in full for any baggage fees charged in the event of mislaid luggage. Specifically, this payment will be triggered automatically where a domestic bag is delayed 12 hours or more; on international flights, that delay period rises to 15 hours. All the passenger has to do is notify the airline in question.

July 2016

Death of driver sparks fleet changes

Following an incident at Lester Pearson International airport last April, when a baggage tractor driver was killed after his vehicle tipped over, Air Canada has been ordered to attach seatbelts to several hundred vehicles at airports across the country.

However, investigators have not actually revealed what they believe to have caused the accident. The reaction has also involved Air Canada checking its fleet of GSE for any faults or defects: the carrier has until November to comply with the order, which will involve upwards of 950 vehicles in all.

The fitting of seatbelts to GSE remains something of a controversial topic, however, with parties both for and against the procedure. Certainly, their fitting will prevent the ejection of an operator in the event of an overturn but by the same token, seatbelts also inhibit egress in the case of an emergency.

 

July 2016

United comes out on top

United has been named as one of the “Best Places to Work” for 2016 by the American Association of People with Disabilities and the US Business Leadership Network.

United Airlines achieved the top scJuly 2016 uploadore of 100% on the 2016 Disability Equality Index, a prominent benchmarking metric that rates US companies on their disability inclusion policies and practices. This designation also earns United a place on DEI’s 2016 “Best Places to Work” list.

The DEI, a joint initiative by the American Association of People with Disabilities and the US Business Leadership Network, evaluates companies based on four categories: culture and leadership, enterprise-wide access, employment practices and community engagement and support services.

“This recognition is the result of the dedication from our employees all around the world that help ease travel for our customers, and build a culture that embraces our employees with disabilities,” commented Mike Bonds, United’s Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Labour Relations. “We continue to invest in technology and training programmes that improve accessibility, and remain committed to promoting an inclusive work environment.”

July 2016

Wichita Eisenhower gains cargo service

Southwest Airlines is to commence its Southwest Cargo service at Wichita EisenhREN southwestower National airport.

The service, which begins on Thursday July 14, will be launched in partnership with Leadfoot Express, an indirect air cargo carrier: this latter will collect and drop off shipments for customers. Southwest Cargo, though, isn’t the first at the station for FedEx, DHL, UPS and UPS Supply Chain Solutions are already established there.

Southwest has said that it will make use of its fleet of Next Generation Boeing 737 passenger jets for the service. In Wichita, the cargo will be shipped on one of Southwest’s four daily flights to St Louis, Phoenix and Las Vegas. An international option is not on the cards at present, however.

June 2016

Spirit and ground handlers edge towards agreement

It is understood that Spirit Airlines and its ramp service team members (located at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport) have ratified a tentative agreement, completing the negotiation of their first collective bargaining agreement.

According to a Spirit spokesperson, the team members ratified an interim agreement in June that covers wages, job security, union security and benefits.

This agreement also addresses job scope, workers’ hours of service and overtime, seniority and uniform as well as health and safety issues.

 

June 2016

American Airlines Cargo launches operations in New Zealand

American Airlines Cargo today launched a daily nonstop service between its Los Angeles hub and Auckland, New Zealand.

The new route will connect traffic through Los Angeles to over 200 destinations in North and Latin America. Thanks to the fuel-efficiency of the Boeing 787 aircraft, AA Cargo will be able to reach this new international location directly. The Auckland route is part of the company’s efforts to expand operations in the Pacific, including other new routes to Haneda and Sydney.

Managing Director, Cargo Sales – West, Joe Goode, commented positively on the development, saying: “Our teams at LAX and in the Pacific have been especially excited for the launch of the new 787 service to New Zealand. We look forward to a strong demand on the cargo front between AKL and LAX, and anticipate additional demand beyond New Zealand into Australia using our interline partners.”

On its debut journey out of Los Angeles, America’s freighter aircraft is carrying a variety of perishables and other consolidated freight, and will return from Auckland carrying medical supplies and mining machinery. Reportedly, some of the most common commodities shipped into and out of the region include e-commerce goods, perishables, horticulture products and chilled fish and meats.

Complementing the company’s existing role for the carrier, American Airlines has appointed GSA Cargo Service as its sales agent in Auckland. Menzies Aviation will provide ground handling services for the carrier, with freight reception through its cargo central facility.

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