Etihad ships a landmark in COVID treatment
Sotrovimab, a landmark treatment for COVID-19, may have seemed a distant dream a year ago but last night, Abu Dhabi Department of Health, Rafed, GSK, and Etihad Cargo made this dream a reality for citizens of the UAE. This expedited landmark shipment makes the world’s newest anti-viral treatment for COVID-19, Sotrovimab, available for early treatment […]
DHL connects three continents
DHL has stepped up to meet demand in the technology, manufacturing and life science sectors as it launches a charter service from Asia Pacific to Europe and the USA. Managed by Star Broker, DHL Global Forwarding’s in-house charter team, the twice-weekly charter originates from Chongqing, China and flies to Amsterdam, Netherlands to Chicago, United States […]
FedEx Express sends a special ‘Thank You’ to the NHS
FedEx Express team members have joined in the UK’s #ClapForCarers to send a massive thank you to the NHS by expertly positioning vehicles to spell out NHS as seen from the air at its main hub in Atherstone, Warwickshire. The gesture came from the FedEx team members at the hub, who themselves are classed as […]
Dispatches from the front: LHR serves as vital airbridge for the UK amid COVID crisis
London Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye has spoken about how the gateway is supporting the wider UK’s efforts to combat the Covid-19 crisis. He said: “Heathrow continues to serve the nation by keeping vital supply lines open, and helping people get home. Now is the time to agree a common international standard for healthcare screening in […]
UPS expedites global deliveries of QIAGEN coronavirus testing kits
UPS has announced today that it is working with QIAGEN, a leading global provider of molecular diagnostics and sample preparation technologies, to deliver nucleic acid extraction kits critical to COVID-19 testing, as well as its novel QIAstat-Dx Coronavirus testing cartridges to destinations around the world. With governments and public authorities classifying UPS as an essential […]
Cuba- Miami flights suspended
Following the request to the White House and the Federal Aviation Administration from Carlos A. Giminez, Miami-Dade County Mayor, expressing concerns of COVID-19 positive passengers entering the US from Cuba, the Cuban government now has ceased all international flights from April 2. “I am pleased that the Cuban government has responded to pressure from the […]
European Airlines welcome new air cargo guidelines from the European Commission
Airlines for Europe (A4E) and European Regions Airline Associations (ERA) have welcomed the new “Facilitating Air Cargo Operations during COVID-19 outbreak” guidelines issued by the European Commission. The guidelines provide member states with clear indications on how to ensure that the air freight sector continues to operate despite the health measures in place to limit […]
MASkargo works around the clock
MASkargo has been working with Malaysia’s government authorities to ensure the country will have access much needed medical equipment and supplies. Logistics, flight plans and cargo space management of the medical supplies have been planned accordingly. The majority of the cargo is being imported from China. On March 25 alone, 300,000 disposable masks, 50,000 protection […]
BIFA: ‘Irresponsible’ to refuse a Brexit extension request
Robert Keen, director general of British International Freight Association has warned that amid coronavirus chaos and with Brexit negotiations at a standstill, not asking for an extension on Brexit will be irresponsible. He stated: “The government is still insisting it will not request an extension, saying the December 31st deadline is enshrined in law, but […]
Munich Airport opens cargo facilities to fight COVID-19
Munich Airport has stepped up to maintain the operational infrastructure for cargo warehouse handling for all airlines. Cargogate, a subsidiary of Munich Airport, reminds customers it is open and available for handling any inquiries related to cargo warehouse handling for “all-cargo flights, potential ghost flights and ad-hoc charter flights”. Passenger flights carrying belly-hold cargo will […]
First Lufthansa pax aircraft full of air cargo
In an effort to utilise resources in a time when passenger demand is at an all-time low, Lufthansa has flown its first-ever passenger aircraft full with cargo rather than passengers. The 11 hours 6 minute journey from China to Germany was completed in a Lufthansa A330. The aircraft landed in Frankfurt on March 25 at […]
COVID-19: UK airlines won’t receive extra government help
According to BBC sources, the UK chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced that airlines will have to ‘exhaust’ all other options of help before the government will consider entering into aid negotiations with individual airlines. Sunak suggested that raising money from shareholders was at this point a more realistic option. Alexandre de Juniac, CEO of IATA, […]
How UK SMEs can stay afloat amidst COVID-19 lockdown
“The government lockdown doesn’t have to spell the end for SME businesses,” says ParcelHero. The worldwide delivery company has laid out steps for SMEs to take to still be in business next year. Retain key workers, even if they are not essential right now. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) enables employers to access grants, […]
UAE brings forward flight suspensions
The United Arab Emirates’ National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority along with the General Civil Aviation Authority have made the decision to bring forward the suspension of all inbound and outbound flights. Etihad Airways will therefore suspend all departures from Abu Dhabi International Airport immediately. This will initially last 14 days but is subject […]
FAI create a safe method of Covid-19 patient transportation
FAI rent-a-jet AG, the German Air Ambulance Specialist and Special Mission Operator, has experienced unprecedented demand for their services in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic. This includes both medical evacuations of infected patients and repatriation flights of unaffected healthy individuals from all corners of the globe. The company is currently operating at maximum capacity, […]
Aeroflot update Moscow schedule
Aeroflot has drastically reduced its flight schedule in response to restrictions imposed by governments globally. However, the airlines will continue to operate flights from Moscow to Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Dublin, Geneva, London, Madrid, Paris and Rome. From March 29, Aeroflot will continue to operate flights to the US but this will only be the Moscow […]
Air Partner: emergency flights must go ahead despite travel bans
Mark Briffa, CEO of Air Partner, has warned of the problems that could be created when governments impose blanket travel bans. “Global air infrastructure has always played an important role at times of global crisis,” he explains, and the coronavirus pandemic is no different. Globally, health infrastructures and economies are relying on the airfreight industry […]
Boeing set virtual meeting
For the first time Boeing shareholders will hold a virtual annual meeting due to public health impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The meeting will be held online at 9am central time on April 27. Shareholders at the close of business on the record date, February 27, 2020, are entitled to attend the annual meeting.
Swiss WorldCargo launches charter flights
Swiss WorldCargo, the air cargo division of SWISS, will operate cargo-only flights on some aircraft beginning this week. The airline will fly twice between Zurich and Hong Kong, the first of several planned charter flights. The route will be serviced by the Airbus A340-300 and additional destinations and aircraft may be selected based on customer […]
GMB: Stop sackings at airports
GMB London, the union for airport workers, is calling for urgent action from governments to stop aviation employers and their insurance companies from deeming the current crisis in the air passenger industry as arising from “an act of God” that enables them to trigger clauses providing for the forced ending of employment contracts. GMB has stated […]
IATA thanks regulators for their flexibility
The International Air Transport Associations (IATA) welcomed decisions taken by aviation regulators to provide flexibility to airlines and flight crew during the Covid-19 crisis. “Safety is the industry’s top priority. Countries have a well-established licensing system to ensure this. Airlines and their employees are facing an unprecedented challenge in coping with the business and operational […]
Hariri: Cargo operations will continue
Saudi Airlines Cargo Company CEO, Omar bin Talal Hariri says the airline is endeavouring to ensure the continuity of all cargo and supply operations and the arrival of necessary goods and products including medical equipment, medicine and foodstuffs. The steps come in line with the official decisions, which excluded all cargo operations from suspension imposed […]
United Cargo steps up
United Cargo is using their network and capabilities to keep supply chains moving. The cargo airline has announced that they have begun to fly a portion of their Boeing 777 and 787 fleet as dedicated cargo charter aircraft to transfer freight between the US and key international business locations. The first of these freight-only flights […]
Oman Air suspends Turkish flights
Oman Air will suspend all flight operations between Muscat and Istanbul, Turkey between March 25 and March 31. The suspension comes in reaction to new travel restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of Covid-19. The move will especially affect belly cargo travelling between the two countries.
WFS expedite medical supplies in Italy
Worldwide Flight Services’ (WFS) team at Milan Malpensa Airport are expediting the handling of time-sensitive materials that are destined for hospitals and medical centres in Italy. The fast tracking of medical supplies will support the fight against coronavirus in one of the worst effected areas in the world. Supplies have been processed immediately and dispatched […]
Air Malta suspends all commercial flights
In an effort to contain coronavirus, Malta is banning all commercial travel to country as of Saturday March 21. The ban does not apply to ferry, cargo and humanitarian and repatriation of special flights and Air Malta shall conduct these flights in line with the island government’s orders.
Delta hits the ‘pause button’
In a memo to all Delta employees on Wednesday, March 18 CEO Ed Bastian outlined additional steps the company is taking to endure the COVID-19 crisis. He wrote: “First and foremost, I want to remind everyone of the importance of your health and safety. Following the national emergency that was declared by the US president, […]
Turkish Cargo increases freighter flights
Turkish Cargo is increasing the frequencies of its freighter flights for the purpose of avoiding any loss of capacity resulting from the contingency bringing about the effects that are experienced intensely on global basis (COVID-19), The carrier will start to make use of the aircraft available in its fleet, in addition to its current cargo […]
Airports urge governments to rethink flight bans
The Airport Council International (ACI) has voiced concerns over the effectiveness of imposing travel bans. “While the EU balks at the imposition of a transatlantic travel ban by the US, an increasing number of EU countries are imposing their own unilateral restrictions to air connectivity within Europe. Besides further damaging European aviation and worsening the economic […]
CACC Cargolinx’ Egyptian operations as normal
Despite Egyptian Airports halting air traffic until March 31, all CACC Cargolinx’ terminals will be operating and all services and activities will be carried out normally. Cargo freighters will not be affected by the travel restrictions.