JUNE 2013 GROUND HANDLING INTERNATIONAL
LuxairCargo expands its storage capabilities
As a sign of confidence and within the framework of a long-term relationship, LuxairCargo has awarded CTI Systems the modernisation programme for its CargoCentre at Luxembourg airport by integrating new temperature-controlled storage facilities for the Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals Centre that was due to go into operation this spring. The 3,000 square metre facility offers two temperature-controlled zones with permanent temperature monitoring and fulfils all WHO and IATA requirements, as well as GDP compliance, which deals with guidelines for the proper distribution of medical products for human use. With six dedicated temperature-controlled truck docks, the layout of the infrastructure guarantees very short transit times from aircraft to truck and vice versa. CTI Systems’ rôle is that of replacing existing traditional storage places with temperature-controlled places inside the stacker systems. The new cooling cells are equipped with insulated sectional doors and the new conveyor equipment will be supplied with galvanised surfaces. The cooling cells will be integrated with a fully automatic loading and offloading process to and from airside, which is operated by automated elevating transfer vehicles.
net post-tax profit of US$10.6bn. Both these figures are higher than previous projections. “Industry profits are taking a small step in the right direction,” declared Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO. “Against a backdrop of improved optimism for global economic prospects, passenger demand has been strong and cargo markets are starting to grow again. The economic optimism is also pushing fuel prices higher. We are seeing a US$12bn improvement in revenue, and a US$9-10bn increase in costs, most of which is related to fuel.” Asian-Pacific airlines are expected to deliver the largest contribution to industry performance with a US$4.2bn net profit expected for 2013. Currently, Asian carriers comprise about 40% of the air cargo market and will be the biggest beneficiaries of the predicted upturn in cargo demand. North American, European, Middle
Eastern and African airlines will also see improvement, according to IATA, whereas Latin American airlines will see a decline. IATA notes that considerable risks could still derail recovery, though. Growing business confidence could be impacted by the financial situation in Cyprus, which is clear evidence that the Eurozone crisis is not yet over. Equally, fuel costs are increasing, but it is anticipated that they will account for 33% of airline costs, the same figure as in 2012.
Cargo gets a boost from new African joint venture
Outlook positive for 2013
The International Air Transport Association has expressed optimism in its cargo forecast for the coming 12 months.
In 2013, IATA expects cargo demand
to grow by 2.7% but cargo yields to be flat, although this represents an improvement over the last two years, which has seen cargo demand and yields decline.
The organisation announced a modest
improvement in its forecast for the 2013 financial performance of the global airline industry. Stronger revenues, including those from cargo, are behind the improved outlook. IATA expects airlines to produce a combined net post-tax profit margin of 1.6%, with a
Emirates SkyCargo has become the launch customer in Johannesburg and Cape Town of Africa Flight Services, a new joint venture partnership between the world’s largest provider of cargo handling services, Worldwide Flight Services, and the South African airline, SA Airlink.
AFS (South Africa) has opened a 3,000 square metre cargo handling warehouse facility at OR Tambo International in Johannesburg, along with a 2,340 square metre freight centre at Cape Town International. AFS currently employs 64 fully trained cargo handling staff in Johannesburg and has a further 42 employees in Cape Town. To oversee developments, Malcolm
Tonkin has been appointed General Manager of the new joint venture company. He joins AFS from Bidvest Panalpina Logistics and previously held the post of General Manager – Cargo (South Africa) with Menzies Aviation. During his 21 year career, he has also worked for Airline Cargo Resources,
CARGO NEWS 7
International Cargo Gateway, Grindrod Perishable Cargo Agents, Air France Cargo and UTA French Airlines. Both airport facilities have been fully
refurbished and are equipped with new pallet handling systems with integral weigh beds, a fleet of new forklift trucks, a pallet master and new, dual view X-ray screening machines. Barry Nassberg, Group Chief Operating Officer of Worldwide Flight Services, said: “Africa Flight Services is a new brand for our expansion plans in Africa. This is an important and growing market for us and we want to give it a dedicated focus but with the ability to draw on all the expertise and resources of the WFS global network. AFS will enable us to enter into local partnerships and joint ventures, and to customise services and tailor resources to the needs of customers in this dynamic and rapidly growing market. “We are proud to announce Emirates SkyCargo as our launch customer in Johannesburg and Cape Town and we are extremely appreciative of the airline’s support of our new partnership with SA Airlink. AFS is the start of an exciting new venture that will see us open additional stations in South Africa and southern Africa as well as expanding into other areas of activity.”
COSAC-Plus wins award for Hactl
Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals has won the Gold Award of the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2013: Best Business (Application) Award. The Hong Kong ICT Awards, now in its seventh year, recognise creative ICT solutions that contribute to the development of information technology in Hong Kong. The awards are organised by Hong Kong Computer Society and steered by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region. Hactl’s COSAC-Plus is a sophisticated air cargo management system that has a capability of processing more than 1m daily data transactions for a
Hactl’s General Manager - Information Services Cindy Ng (right) and Professor John Leong, SBS, JP, Chairperson, Panel of Judges, at the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2013
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