CARGO AIRPORTS\\\ >> 22


vaccines. As an airport


owned and operated by Miami- Dade County government, Miami International does not get involved in the actual handling of the cargo, Pineda continues: “We act more as a facilitator, providing guidance


to our cargo community. As an example, we formed a task force that is working on getting our cargo community prepared for the challenge of the vaccine distribution. We have held several meetings with airport staff and our major stakeholders to map out our infrastructure,


Seats out, cargo in at Singapore hub


Singapore’s Changi Airport, like most airports, has over the past 12 months witnessed a massive grounding of passenger flights and a reduction in belly-hold cargo capacity, says managing director, air hub development at Changi Airport Group, Lim Ching Kiat. But Changi has worked closely with its airline partners to minimise disruption to supply chains. “Our airline partners were quick to respond by increasing utilisation of their freighter aircraſt or repurposing their passenger aircraſt for cargo conveyance, or both.” Between March and


December 2020, more than 60 carriers launched cargo-only passenger flights into Singapore, transporting freight on over 90 city links. Singapore’s home- grown airline Scoot was one of the first to do so in August, removing seats from its A320ceo aircraſt to double cargo capacity. More recently in November, Singapore Airlines announced that it had converted two of its B777-300ER aircraſt for pure cargo conveyance, also by removing seats. During this period, Changi


also welcomed five new scheduled freighter operators – Kalitta Air, Sichuan Airlines


Cargo, SF Airlines, Turkish Cargo and YTO Cargo Airlines. As of 1 December 2020,


weekly cargo flights at Changi Airport, including cargo-only passenger flights, had tripled compared to the same month the year before. Organisations including


IATA have made forecasts of the airfreight volume to be generated from the global distribution of Covid-19 vaccines but it should be put into context. Generally, it is expected to be only a fraction of the annual global volume, says Lim Ching Kiat. But he adds: “Notwithstanding this, vaccine shipments are considered one of the most critical cargo to be airfreighted during our time. The effective distribution of Covid-19


vaccines plays an


essential role in saving lives, restarting economies and reinstating international travel confidence.” He says that, as a key


pharmaceutical and cargo hub in Asia Pacific, Changi’s air cargo community recognises the importance of delivering these vaccines into Singapore and the region with the highest standards of security, transparency, agility and


Issue 1 2021 - Freight Business Journal


such as pharma cooler space, identified


additional freighter


aircraſt parking space, located truck parking and staging areas to potentially accommodate large numbers of trucks transporting vaccines, have communicated the challenge our community may face with dry-ice and


reliability. In recent months, the airport


and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore have established a joint public-private taskforce comprising government agencies, forwarders, airline partners and cargo handlers to enhance the preparedness of the air cargo industry in transporting and handling the Covid-19 vaccines. The taskforce has three workgroups focused on mapping cool chain capabilities, processes and data visibility. The Taskforce has sought


to identify and address the potential challenges associated with air transportation of COVID-19 vaccines such as mapping infrastructure and equipment, data visibility, and processes - to ensure that the COVID-19 vaccines can be safely, reliably and efficiently handled through the Changi air cargo hub for distribution into Singapore and the wider region. Cargo handlers - dnata and


SATS - have enhanced their cool chain infrastructure and equipment to support the growing demands for transporting temperature- controlled cargo and have tempera ture-c o ntro lled warehouses with adjustable temperature ranges between -25°C and +25and round-the- clock shipment monitoring. In addition, both handlers’ facilities are equipped with


Chris Harcombe takes the reins at Doncaster Sheffield Airport


Doncaster Sheffield Airport’s current aviation development director, Chris Harcombe, has been promoted to managing director. He has successfully led


the development of aviation activity at the Peel Group- owned freight-friendly airport over many years, including passenger, cargo and general and business aviation activities. He


will be responsible for


strengthening the airport’s performance and will continue


to lead on developing cargo and general business aviation. Kate Stow will assume


leadership of passenger aviation development, adding to her existing remit as marketing and corporate affairs director by taking on the new role of director of aviation development and corporate affairs. Chairman of Peel Airports


Group, Robert Hough, said: “Chris and Kate both joined Doncaster Sheffield Airport in junior roles in 2006 shortly aſter its opening.


Rooted in the local community, they share a passion for the economic


opportunities that


the development of the airport offers the region. I am immensely pleased to have witnessed their progress over the last 15 years into these key leadership positions. They are completely committed to the future success of Doncaster Sheffield Airport and their endeavours have been instrumental in its growth to become the UK’s favourite regional airport.”


First Canadian Airport to Achieve IATA CEIV Pharma Certification


Ensuring the highest global standard for safety, security, temperature control and transparency for your pharmaceutical supply chain.


are working with the Florida Custom Brokers & Forwarders Association and the Food and Drug Administration to promote additional training in the proper clearance of vaccine shipments.” Prior to Covid-19, Miami


International’s capital improvement program included


surveillance systems to ensure security. Handling vaccines that must


be stored in a frozen or deep- frozen state may require dry ice. Changi’s cargo handlers have ready access to dry ice to cater to such shipments along with trained personnel to handle them.


Lim Ching Kiat says:


“Since the formation of the taskforce, we have increased the transparency of Changi’s vaccine cool chain handling capabilities and introduced enhanced standard operating procedures to expedite the processing of vaccine shipments and mitigate


a large cargo programme with new and renovated facilities along with land acquisition to the west for expansion, but currently most projects have been put on hold until the situation improves. The airport is also analysing


the implementation of a Cargo Community System,


exposure to temperature deviations.” He is also optimistic about


future prospects. According to the World Trade Organisation, global merchandise trade bounced back in the third quarter from a deep second quarter


slump, although a


year-on-year contraction is still expected. The recent upward trends in the Global Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index continue to signal near-term improvements in world trade. Coupled with the start of global distribution of Covid-19 vaccines, there is reason to believe in a gradual easing of border restrictions


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a neutral and open digital platform enabling information exchange between public and private stakeholders to improve efficiency. Pineda states: “With innovation and technology we believe we can increase business and be more sustainable in the future.”


that will see resumption of passenger flight movements, leading to a recovery in air cargo capacity, and an expansionary of economic activities. Lim Ching Kiat adds: “Special cargo segments such as pharmaceuticals and e-commerce will continue to be resilient. The growth of B2C e-commerce is likely to be accelerated due to the structural change in consumer purchasing behaviour, such as a higher reliance on online shopping. In addition, global


demand


for pharmaceuticals will be boosted with the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines over the next one to two years.”


YEG Carg Care


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