CHAMP Cargosystems, the leading supplier of integrated IT solutions to the air cargo industry, builds on its relationship with Japan Airlines. As part of this technology partnership, CHAMP and Japan Airlines will engage in a series of projects that leverage IT to provide value to the airline’s customer base.
In 2014, Japan Airlines transformed its global cargo business activities through the introduction of CHAMP’s suite of advanced cargo applications. Since then, the relationship between Japan Airlines and CHAMP has prospered, as the companies have worked together on a number of initiatives.
Continuing in this spirit of mutual cooperation, this new partnership agreement will bear fruit to a range of innovative technology solutions designed to further transform the airline’s cargo business. As part of their customer driven strategy, Japan Airlines envisages the optimization of processes that will enable seamless and efficient engagement with its clients and industry partners.
“It is a true honor for me to have the opportunity to sign this agreement with Japan Airlines at this auspicious occasion,” said Arnaud Lambert, CEO at CHAMP Cargosystems, at the Luxembourg-Japan Business Forum celebrating 90 years of diplomatic relationship between the two countries. “I am delighted that Japan Airlines and CHAMP are extending and formalizing their excellent relationship through this partnership agreement. I am proud that Japan Airlines has again entrusted CHAMP to provide the technology to support these exciting projects that will see the airline’s cargo business processes taken to the next level.”
“Working closely with CHAMP over the last few years, Japan Airlines has benefitted from strong levels of cooperation and flexibility from our partner,” said Hiroo Iwakoshi, Executive Officer Cargo & Mail at Japan Airlines. “CHAMP’s comprehensive understanding of the air cargo industry clearly contributed to the great results we have accomplished from our business transformation project thus far. We are confident this new phase will offer the same outcomes.”
Besides the acclaimed Cargospot cargo management application that manages the airline’s day-to-day business activities, Japan Airlines also operates CHAMP’s Business Intelligence tool, the ULD Manager asset management system, and the widely used Customs Gateway reporting system.
Emirates has announced that it has used cutting-edge 3D printing technology to manufacture components for its aircraft cabins. The airline has reached a significant milestone in innovation by using Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), a new and innovative 3D printing technique to produce video monitor shrouds. One of the other recent achievements has been the 3D printing, certification and installation of aircraft cabin air vent grills for onboard trials.
Emirates has worked with 3D Systems, a US based 3D printing equipment and material manufacturer and services provider, and with UUDS, a European aviation Engineering and Certification Office and Services Provider based in France, to successfully print the first batch of 3D printed video monitor shrouds using 3D Systems’ Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology platform.
This technology uses lasers to bind together powdered plastic into the required shape defined by a 3D model and is different from the Fusion Deposition Modelling (FDM) technique normally used for printing aircraft 3D parts. The material used to print Emirates’ Video Monitor Shrouds is a new thermoplastic developed by 3D Systems – Duraform® ProX® FR1200 – with excellent flammability resistance properties and surface quality suitable for commercial aerospace business applications.
One of the major advantages of using the SLS technique is the reduced weight of printed components combined with optimisation of the strength of the parts produced. Video monitor shrouds that are 3D printed using the SLS technique can weigh between 9 and 13% lighter than components manufactured traditionally or through the FDM technique. This has the potential to lead to significant reductions in fuel emissions and costs when consolidated over the entire fleet of Emirates aircraft.
Additionally with the SLS technique it is possible to print more than one component at a time when compared with other 3D printing methods. This leads to quicker per-part production times and lesser wastage of raw materials used for production.
Emirates’ 3D printed video monitor shrouds have undergone a range of structural, durability, flammability and chemical tests and are also in the process of receiving EASA certification for airworthiness for aircraft interior cabin parts. On receiving EASA certification the video monitor shrouds will be installed on select aircraft in the Emirates fleet and will be tracked over the following months for data collection as part of tests for on board durability and wear and tear.
Emirates has also worked with UUDS to develop 3D printed aircraft cabin air vent grills that have received EASA certification and have already been installed on aircraft for onboard trials in late October 2017.
Using 3D printing will also deliver a number of other benefits for Emirates including more efficient inventory management for thousands of aircraft cabin interior components. With the airline being able to print components on demand within a smaller timeframe, it will no longer have to hold a large inventory of spare components or have to go through long wait times for replacement components.
Emirates will evaluate the performance and durability of the 3D printed air vent grills and video monitor shrouds before further roll out across its fleet. The airline will also continue to pursue other opportunities for introducing 3D printed components across its operations.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Cargo-XML messaging standard has been fully integrated into the World Customs Organization (WCO) Cargo Targeting System (CTS) risk assessment tool.
The integration of Cargo-XML in the WCO CTS enables electronic communication between airlines and customs authorities using the IATA Cargo-XML standards format.
This will make communication simpler and more effective, and facilitate more accurate risk assessments by customs authorities using the WCO CTS application to capture advance electronic cargo manifest information.
IATA director general and chief executive officer, Alexandre de Juniac says, “Simplifying processes, enhancing efficiency; and maximizing safety and security are in everybody’s interest–shippers, border authorities and airlines. Collaboration is critical. And the integration of Cargo-XML into WCO CTS is the latest example of the positive results that can be achieved.”
“About a third of the value of goods traded across borders is transported by air. We look forward to the further expansion of our vital work with the WCO in support of efficient world trade.”
WCO secretary general, Kunio Mikuriya adds, “Effective electronic data exchange is integral for Customs authorities to build accurate risk assessments of cargo shipments. Integrating Cargo-XML into the WCO CTS will allow customs authorities using this tool to easily access detailed information about shipments, profile these shipments and identify those presenting a high-risk.”
“Using standardised and quality information is key to enhancing security, expedite customs clearance, optimise customs resources and facilitate global trade.”
IATA’s Cargo-XML eliminates the constraints posed by the traditional Cargo Interchange Message Procedures standard and is designed to promote broader and seamless data interfaces.
Dnata, Emirates Innovation Lab, flydubai Cargo and IBM have completed a proof of concept (PoC) using blockchain technology for air cargo in Dubai.
They says this has added value by eliminating redundant data and improve visibility and transparency and as a result, processes can been more streamlined and simplified right from the origin to the final destination.
Dnata’s UAE cargo operations vice president commercial and business development, Kevin Ennis says, “dnata has always been at the forefront of innovation, and the success of our study to use blockchain technology in our operations means greater security, efficiency and cost savings to our customers.
“We are on the cusp of revolutionizing the way we operate, and the success of this initiative with our partners will give the industry a real boost towards seamless service delivery. ”
Blockchain technology is a secure, public electronic ledger and peer-to-peer network that can be managed autonomously to exchange information between different parties.
In cargo much of the processes are traditionally paper based, which requires multiple sign-offs by inspectors and receivers before goods can be delivered. Even when the system is electronic, it still requires multiple parties to sign off on cargo shipments, creating a lengthy administrative process.
Flydubai Cargo and dnata, in collaboration with Emirates Innovation Lab and IBM jointly developed a logistics platform in which blockchain infrastructure was implemented for supply chain transactions from a purchase order from the origin to delivery to the Consignee warehouse at its destination.
All the partners were able to identify issues from various perspectives such as technology, security, operation, legal perspectives, to develop new supply chain services including digitalisation of documents.
Emirates Group senior vice president for IT strategic services, Neetan Chopra says, “Blockchain technology has great potential to exponentially improve efficiency and transparency of business networks, especially in Cargo & Logistic flows. However neither the technology nor the potential is easy to understand or appreciate.
“Hence it is imperative to carry out such business experiments and trials so that participants can experience the benefits of breakthrough technologies in a live environment.”
Data says blockchain technology for its cargo operations is a very secure way to share information between parties. It creates a permanent, digital public ledger of transactions, which can be shared amongst a distributed network of computers.
The sharing possibilities of this technology create endless opportunities for logistics/supply chain applications. These include improvements of transparency and data sharing across the supply chain, better tracking of orders, reducing errors and better fraud detection.
Flydubai Cargo vice president, Mohamed Hassan says: “Blockchain technology is able to transform sectors far beyond financial services. It improves the way we work together in providing reliable and convenient airfreight as it provides end-to-end services.”
There is always room for further improvement of air traffic’s ecological footprint, according to Jettainer, the leading international service partner for outsourced ULDs. With the UN Climate Summit in the German city of Bonn well underway, the company calls for ongoing innovation in hardware and software as well as handling processes. Jettainer has been developing lighter Unit Load Devices (ULDs) for years in close cooperation with customers and all major manufacturers – as well as innovative software based on artificial intelligence.
“In the future we want to make ULD management even more efficient and eco-friendly and therefore want to boost our contribution to protecting our environment,” says Carsten Hernig, Managing Director of Jettainer GmbH. “Using innovative materials and designs, it has been possible to reduce the weight of ULDs by as much as 40% during the past few years since the introduction of the first lightweight units.” Jettainer operates the largest ULD fleet in the world with approx. 90,000 pallets and containers that are made available to 26 customers at the moment. “Each gram of weight saved helps to reduce kerosene consumption every year,” says Hernig, “and that means an improved eco-footprint for us and our airline customers.”
Jettainer has been successively continuing to develop the eco-friendly, but robust lightweight containers in conjunction with all leading manufacturers. The units are usually made of carbon fibres and partly from recycled materials. This improves the loading weight and creates savings in fuel, too. The units help to reduce carbon dioxide emissions for the airline industry. In addition to improving the hardware, Jettainer’s own software (JettWare) is increasingly playing a role in ensuring even more effective management processes for ULDs. An expert system developed in conjunction with the University of Cologne enables the company to manage customers’ ULDs even more precisely and efficiently with the aid of artificial intelligence. If customers use JettWare with JettAPP locally, the software enables them to constantly optimise their ULD fleet. “We’re continuing to expand JettWare and are working to make use of artificial intelligence to manage the ULD fleets even more efficiently,” adds Martin Kraemer, Head of Marketing at Jettainer.
Fleet sizes, empty container miles, return trips and backup stocks are already being reduced continuously. This not only pays off in terms of climate protection, but also for customers’ balance sheets: the innovative hardware and software solutions for ULD management enable cost savings of up to 25 percent.
Jettainer also has environmental certification and continually involves all its employees in environmental activities. The internal “Be a Role Model” project visualises the environmental activities that each individual employee can implement directly in their daily work.
Gulf Air, the Kingdom of Bahrain’s national carrier, today announced the appointment of Mr. Krešimir Kučko as the Chief Executive Officer of the airline, effective 12th November 2017.
Mr. Kučko brings a wealth of international aviation experience to his new position at Gulf Air, having held roles in the airline industry for the past 25 years. He joins the airline’s recently appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Captain Waleed Abdulhameed Al Alawi, at a significant time in the airline’s history as it prepares to receive a new fleet consisting of 39 new Boeing and Airbus aircraft due for delivery commencing in early 2018. The modern fleet will herald a new era for Gulf Air as it continues to enhance its product and service offering.
Mr. Kučko previously served as Croatia Airlines President and Chief Executive Officer. He is a member of several highly ranked associations; such as the Croatian-Swiss Chamber of Commerce, as well as SKAL Club Zurich, BAR Swiss and Benelux, Star Alliance, CSC in Belgium and CSC in the Netherlands, where he was voted Vice-Chairman in 2012 and appointed Chairman for 2013.
Mubadala, the Abu Dhabi strategic investment fund, recently announced that Mansoor Janahi has been appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer of its wholly-owned business, Turbine Services & Solutions Group (TS&S), a specialized solutions, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider for aircraft and industrial engines.
The new Deputy CEO will work closely with the TS&S executive team to ensure the Abu Dhabi-based aerospace business remains at the forefront of offering integrated solutions to an international network of industry partners while supporting the emirate’s vision to become an established global aerospace hub.
The appointment came on the sidelines of Dubai Airshow, where Mubadala’s Aerospace division recently announced partnerships with Honeywell and IBM to collaborate on maintenance, repair and overhaul of aerospace products across the Middle East. Mansoor will be taking forward the agreements that include the regional Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Centre of Excellence and predictive technology that is set to transform MRO servicing, as we know it. In addition, the Deputy CEO will have access to Mubadala’s renewed research and development (R&D) investment fund of AED 82.5 million announced only recently, to accelerate business growth through innovation for TS&S.
Badr Al-Olama, Director of Mubadala’s Aerospace Division stated, “The UAE’s aerospace industry is poised to reach new heights through emerging transformative solutions, and I am positive Mansoor will propel our business into new strategic directions. Mansoor joins a distinguished cadre of top Emirati talent that leads many of Mubadala’s key businesses. His appointment reflects Mubadala’s commitment to providing top-tier career opportunities for UAE nationals across the aerospace sector.”
During his tenure with Mubadala as Vice President, Janahi has spearheaded business development and asset management activities for several leading aerospace initiatives, including, most recently, the Strata-Solvay Joint Venture. He sits on the Senior Management Board of the Aerospace Research and Innovation Center at Khalifa University.
TS&S CEO Abdul Khaliq Saeed will work closely with Janahi over the coming months as the former completes his transition to the CEO role of Etihad Airways Engineering.
Virgin Atlantic Cargo has named Paul Fallon as Director Commercial & Business Development and Tania Wilson as Director Operations.
The changes follow Dominic Kennedy’s promotion to Managing Director of Virgin Atlantic Cargo in August.
Paul began his career in Virgin’s Commercial team in 2003 and later spent over five years as Head of Business Development before taking the post of Director Cargo Operations & Business Development in August 2015.
Tania, who will take up her new post in January 2018, is currently Head of Safety at Virgin Atlantic, responsible for flight safety, ground operations safety, engineering safety, cabin safety and occupational health & safety. Tania joined Virgin Atlantic from Airbus UK in 2001 as a Development Engineer and took up her existing role in 2013.
In their new roles, Paul and Tania will be based at Virgin’s VHQ headquarters near London Gatwick Airport.
Chris Cargill has joined SEKO Logistics in the UK as Group Director to support the company’s global network expansion and air and sea freight product development strategies.
Chris is one of the UK logistics industry’s most respected and successful executives having spent over 40 years with Allport. He joined the company in 1970, becoming a main Board member in 1978 and a shareholder in 1984. Between 1987 and 2009, he was Managing Director (Air Freight) before assuming responsibility for global network development and strategy – setting up joint ventures and partnerships in more than 30 countries- and, ultimately, taking the post of Managing Director of Allport Group in 2010.
In March 2014, he joined Ligentia as a Group Director and shareholder, developing its airfreight strategy and growing its presence in Asia and the Indian Subcontinent.
At SEKO Logistics Chris is working closely with the UK Executive Board to support the next stage of the company’s growth and its strategic goal to grow to a £200 million business in the UK over the coming years.
Airports Company South Africa chief executive Bongani Maseko has been appointed to a two-year term as chair of the world governing board of Airports Council International (ACI), the trade representative of the world’s airports.
ACI serves 623 members operating 1940 airports in 176 countries. It is a non-profit organization whose prime purpose is to advance the interests of airports and to promote professional excellence in airport management and operations around the world.
Maseko took up the position after being formally voted in by members at the recent ACI Africa / World General Assembly held in Mauritius.
Maseko says he is honored to take on the role of chair for ACI World. “The confidence that the ACI Assembly has placed in me speaks to the role of African airports in ensuring that they are competing with the best in the world in terms of best practice on airport development, management and operations.
“Aviation in Africa is slowly becoming a strong contributor to global economic growth as the tourism industry grows. The next 20 years will see the most growth in passenger numbers coming from Africa,” says Maseko.
Maseko, 49, has 24 years of experience in airport management having first joined the industry at San Francisco Airport. He has a degree in Aviation Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Airport Systems Planning and Design and Airport Ground Transportation Planning from the University of California.
He joined Airports Company South Africa in April 1999 and was Acting Managing Director from October 2011 until his appointment as Chief Executive Officer in 2013. Prior to that, he was Group Executive of Airport Operations from September 2004. His earlier positions included three-and-a-half years leading O.R. Tambo International Airport as its General Manager.
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