Airbus, Delta, OneWeb, Sprint and Bharti Airtel have announced the formation of the Seamless Air Alliance – which will usher in a new era of innovation for airlines on all routes. By empowering member mobile operators to extend their services into airline cabins, the Seamless Air Alliance will allow them to continuously provide their customers – via satellite technology – with the same high speed, low latency connectivity from ground, to air and back again. It will also significantly reduce costs for everyone involved while creating a smooth, positive user experience.
The Alliance – which aims to attract additional industry operators beyond the five initial members – will eliminate the immense costs and hurdles commonly associated with acquisition, installation, and operation of data access infrastructure by streamlining system integration and certification, providing open specifications for interoperability, increasing accessibility for passengers, and enabling simple and integrated billing.
“What if the best Internet you ever experienced was in the air? Keeping this goal in mind, together, we will enable an affordable and frictionless experience for passengers everywhere,” said Greg Wyler, Founder and Executive Chairman of OneWeb. “With the launch of our first production satellites set for later this year, we’re one step closer to bridging the global digital divide on land and in the air.”
“Easy-to-use, high-speed connectivity is part of the next revolution in aerospace,” said Marc Fontaine, Airbus Digital Transformation Officer. “We’re excited to create this seamless experience for our airline customers and their passengers. As we showed with our Skywise aviation data platform, Airbus is committed to innovation that creates value across the aviation industry.”
“We know that Delta customers have an expectation that their Internet connection just works – no matter where they are in their travel journey,” said Gil West, SEVP & COO. “Delta is constantly looking at innovative ways to improve the customer experience. We are excited to be collaborating with other visionary companies, and that our existing partner Gogo will be joining the Alliance as Delta develops a system that not only benefits Delta customers, but the entire airline industry.”
“With our 5G network rolling out next year we’re investing heavily to make sure our customers have the best mobile Internet experience possible,” said Dow Draper, Chief Commercial Officer, Sprint. “As an initial member of the Seamless Alliance, we’re looking forward to enabling customers to experience Sprint’s high-speed connectivity in the air, hassle-free.”
Gopal Vittal, MD & CEO (India & South Asia), Bharti Airtel, said, “We are delighted to be an initial member of this innovative technology platform to bring seamless connectivity to customers in the true sense. Over 370 million mobile customers across Airtel’s global network will be able to enjoy uninterrupted access to high-speed data services even while they are in flight. We look forward to collaborating with all partner members to ensure this platform goes live at the earliest.” Airtel is the third-largest mobile operator in the world with operations in 16 countries across Asia and Africa.
Michael Small, CEO of Gogo added: “As the market-leader in in-flight connectivity, Gogo is excited to join the Seamless Alliance. We look forward to working with the Alliance to develop future generations of inflight connectivity, which will provide airline passengers worldwide with simple, fast and reliable connectivity.”
UTC Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp, recently announced that it has been selected by Dassault Aviation to provide an advanced nacelle system for its new Falcon 6X. Under terms of the agreement, UTC Aerospace Systems will design an integrated power plant solution including an inlet, fan cowls, thrust reverser and an engine build-up (EBU) system leveraging years of proprietary technology and industry leading manufacturing expertise. Dassault Aviation has chosen the Pratt&Whitney PurePower PW812D engine to power the new airplane.
This agreement represents the company’s return to the business and corporate jet nacelle market. This integrated system will employ lightweight composites that take full advantage of the company’s state-of-the-art design and proprietary manufacturing technologies.
Significant innovation of this design include:
These advanced technologies were designed to meet our customer’s requirements.
“This program will enable us to bring the many new nacelle system technology advancements we’ve developed and matured for large commercial aircraft over the last 15 years to the business and corporate jet market,” said Aerostructures President Marc Duvall. “We are also delighted to again be working with Dassault Aviation. We are proud of our heritage delivering nacelle systems to Dassault and excited for this new opportunity. We stand behind our reputation as an industry leader by continuing to meet changing customer demands with innovations that deliver unmatched customer value.”
Australia will be home to Boeing’s largest autonomous systems development program outside of the United States following a new partnership agreement with the Queensland Government.
Over the next three years, the rapid innovation program will see Boeing develop next-generation autonomous systems capability in Australia to increase the independent operation of air and sea vehicles.
Chris Raymond, Boeing vice president and general manager, Autonomous Systems, said the Queensland program formed part of Boeing’s global growth strategy to accelerate game-changing autonomous technology for commercial and defence systems.
“As autonomy becomes increasingly common, Boeing will continue to pioneer autonomous technologies from seabed to space – setting a new standard for safe, successful missions that amplify human capabilities,” said Raymond.
Shane Arnott, director, Boeing’s Phantom Works International business in Australia, said, “The Queensland Government’s clear vision to invest in cutting-edge industries is backed by a progressive air space regulator, the state’s innovation culture and a talented network of local suppliers – creating an outstanding environment to innovate and experiment with autonomous vehicles and the systems and sensors that drive them.”
“Boeing will work with small-to-medium sized Queensland businesses to develop transformative ‘brain-on-board’ technology. Our program will complement the work undertaken by the Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence Cooperative Research Centre, taking research outcomes and developing them into exportable commercial products for the global autonomous market.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the investment would contribute to Queensland’s long-term economic growth, global commercial opportunities and local job creation.
“There could be no more fitting way to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Boeing’s partnership with Queensland than today’s announcement,” the premier said.
“The 131 jobs that will come with this autonomous vehicles program will grow Boeing’s Queensland workforce – and these are truly jobs of the future.
“Boeing has a proven track record of working with innovative Queensland businesses, a relationship that supports the growth of highly skilled jobs under this new program.
“Partnerships like this are only possible because of my government’s determination to foster new and highly skilled industries in Queensland – it’s why we have our $513 million Advance Queensland Initiative, and why last year we launched our Drone Strategy.”
Comlux recently made an announcement that Comlux Completion, its completion and service center in Indianapolis and approved by Airbus, Boeing and Bombardier, has successfully performed its first Digital Maintenance inspection on the BBJ of Hyundai Motor Company.
The Digital Maintenance process allows that all task cards and part tracking efforts are performed electronically using wireless tablets and bar code scanners, instead of using paper task cards and boards. Documentation can now be directly entered into the system via hand-held devices rather than at an off-aircraft computer workstation thus allowing technicians to stay on task at the aircraft. The Supervisors can assign tasks electronically and have a real-time live view of work progression. On the Project Management side, the Purchase Orders for parts and services can also be viewed real time against the specific maintenance tasks that required them for instantaneous reporting. This enhances the client experience during the event, as real time digital reporting enables seamless oversight throughout the maintenance event.
Mr Choi, General Manager Flight Team Hyundai Motor company said, “Our BBJ was originally completed at Comlux Completion and since then, Comlux has provided Hyundai Motor Company with a very efficient and reliable maintenance support. Digital maintenance is a great tool which further improves their capabilities and allow my own team to track real time the work which has been performed on our aircraft”
Scott Meyer, CEO of Comlux Completion says, “We have launched the Comlux 3.0 innovation and technology program during the last quarter 2017 and I am proud that our teams have already performed their first Digital Maintenance work package for the BBJ of Hyundai Motor Company, who is a recurring customer of Comlux since 2012”. He added “Digital Maintenance is not only paperless, but a fully integrated work order management tool. It increases reliability, eliminates potential human errors and decrease redundancies. All Departments can follow instantly and seamlessly the progress of the documentation, thus bringing greater efficiency and resulting in an improved data package for our customer, not possible using traditional paper methods.”
Delta Cargo is introducing Equation Critical, a new service for international shipments. This premium GPS-enabled service for the transportation of highly time-sensitive shipments that must travel on the next available flight offers GPS tracking on deltacargo.com and moves with the highest priority across Delta’s global network. Customers will know where their shipment is, anywhere in the world, read time.
In distinctive pink packaging, our Critical service does not require pre-booking and can be tendered up to 90 minutes before a flight. This service caters to customers who are shipping time-sensitive items, such as legal documents, essential machinery parts and aircraft on the ground (AOG) components. Critical shipments come with a service-level guarantee and Delta’s Cargo Control Center proactively monitors Critical shipments throughout the journey.
“Following the successful launch and roll-out of DASH Critical in the United States, we have taken that formula to the next level and introduced our new Equation Critical service for international shipments which have the highest boarding priority in our network,” said Shawn Cole, Vice President – Delta Cargo. “With GPS tracking and 100% service level guarantee, we are introducing a service that ensures important international shipments are in the right place at the right time, throughout the shipping process – giving our customers complete confidence when shipping critical and time-sensitive shipments across our global network.”
Initially, Delta’s Equation Critical service will launch for international shipments originating in Atlanta, Savannah and London, destined for Bogota, Colombia; Johannesburg, South Africa; Quito, Ecuador; and Seoul-Incheon, South Korea. Atlanta, Savannah and London will also accept import shipments. These routes allow fully GPS-enabled shipments. Equation Critical will be progressively rolled out in other international markets across Delta’s extensive network, subject to customer demand and regulatory approvals.
Kerry Logistics has picked Birte Schulz as commercial director for Europe, managing sales activities and key account management in 10 European countries.
She will be based at Kerry’s office in Hamburg, Germany and will work closely with the European managing directors and local sales teams.
Schulz will play an instrumental role in the strategic planning of customer development in accordance with the company’s global growth strategy.
The 43-year-old, who started her role on 5 March, has more than 20 years of logistics experience having held positions as head of business development and head of key account management at Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.
Kerry Logistics managing director of Europe, Thomas Blank says: “Birte’s priority will be to enhance the regional and global collaboration in our extensive network. Having such an experienced logistics and business development expert for the position of Commercial Director is a great gain for our Kerry Logistics team in Europe.”
CEVA Logistics has opened a multi-user facility in Penang, Malaysia, located close to Penang International Airport.
The 70,000 square foot facility is situated within the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone Phase IV and is 10 minutes away from Penang International Airport and 10 minutes away from the Penang Bridge, connecting the island to mainland Malaysia.
The supply chain management company says the multi-user warehouse delivers cost efficiency and flexibility through an optimised layout design and improved infrastructure.
It includes a combination of temperature-controlled and ambient storage space, conducive and modern office space, advanced materials handling equipment, advanced RF warehouse management system and Customs stationed on-site to facilitate on-time clearance.
The integrated hub will house CEVA’s contract logistics and freight management teams under one roof as well as its global supply chain solutions control tower teams to support its largest customers.
CEVA Logistics executive vice president for South East Asia, Elaine Low says: “CEVA continues to invest in its customer needs in Malaysia, this new facility which has doubled our footprint in Penang will continue to support our growth needs and positions us for future expansion in the market.
“With its strategic location in the northern part of Malaysia, coupled with the air cargo hub at Bayan Lepas airport, it aims to cater to a wide range of logistics and warehousing services and offer even greater value and benefits to our customers.”
DHL has purchased 60,000 square metres of land at Vienna Airport to act as a freighter hub for Eastern Europe and open up the region to all modes of transport.
DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Freight signed the contract, and starting in the summer of 2018, the DHL Campus Vienna Airport will be developed in the Fischamend district.
The company says that by establishing a joint site, synergies between land, air and ocean transport will be exploited more effectively.
DHL Freight chief executive officer (CEO), Uwe Binks says, “The site is in proximity to Vienna airport and as such strategically well-located, providing us with low-threshold access to Eastern European markets and Germany. Through this project, we will establish an important new logistics hub together, creating a gateway into and out of the east and enabling us to further grow our volumes.”
Both divisions will each build a warehouse including office buildings on the new site, connecting them to the airport and linking them to its infrastructure, with the three present DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Freight locations being merged on the new campus.
The new site, which will border the A4 motorway that connects the airport with Vienna city centre, will have a higher number of docks and will also have cross-docks for the first time.
DHL Global Forwarding managing director for Austria, Christoph Wahl says: “Located directly at Vienna airport, Fischamend perfectly meets our requirements for the DHL Campus, through which we intend to bundle our expertise, improve our service, and consequently further strengthen our market position in Austria.”
DHL Global Forwarding CEO for Eastern Europe, Hermann Filz adds: “Good connections to Eastern Europe are particularly crucial for us. Thanks to our shared base with DHL Freight and the proximity to the airport, we will be able to serve this market even more effectively.”
The warehouses and office buildings will not only meet the highest security standards but also comply with environmental protection requirements, and the sustainable design and use of renewable energies will contribute to DHL’s goal of reducing logistics related emissions to zero by 2050.
The Poseidon pharma ocean freight program with its radical ‘one team culture’ went live at the IQPC Temperature Controlled Logistics Conference in London on 1st February 2018.
Speaking at the launch of the exciting Poseidon integrated ocean freight program at the IQPC Temperature Controlled Logistics Conference in London, Alan Kennedy one of the architects of the new model had this to say: “This is a completely new approach to pharma-logistics fulfilment which harnesses the collective knowledge and power of the entire supply chain to drive innovation, realise efficiencies, improve safety and, ultimately, save money. It’s the difference between an outdated logistics chain that pillages profit and a new one that creates competitive advantage and adds value.”
Kennedy pointed out that although the Poseidon partnering model is unique in pharma-logistics it is an approach that has been employed with great success in other industries: “The barriers to adopting this ‘one-team’ approach are all in the minds of those who fail to see, or refuse to see, the clear benefits,” he explained. “Integrated supply chains are increasingly the norm in those industries that need better supply chain efficiency and agility in order to adapt to an environment of constant change, whether driven by competition, product life cycles, technical innovations, or disruptive forces.“
Poseidon takes the form of a strategic supply network comprising all the principal actors involved in transporting a pharma product by sea. Designed from the ground-up, it involves shippers, logistics companies and suppliers all being seated around the same table as equal partners. This up-front involvement of all the stakeholders helps create a sense of empowerment and a teamwork culture.
Poseidon’s Mark Edwards, responsible for operational aspects of the program, clarified the market that Poseidon is targeting: “Poseidon is aimed at any shipper of pharmaceuticals that wants to enter, or increase its presence in the ocean freight market. By coming into the Poseidon program a pharma company will get immediate access to the combined expertise and experience of some of the industry’s leading ocean freight practitioners. Add to this the fact that they will be proactively involved in the forward design and continuous improvement of the program and it becomes a unique opportunity”.
Kennedy reinforced these benefits saying that, for pharma shippers, Poseidon “should be a no-brainer.” He went on to say that shippers will gain enormously by moving from increasingly dysfunctional, transaction-oriented, supplier scenarios to ones in which seamless, high-performance teams work in unison towards win-win strategic goals. “Shippers that get directly involved in Poseidon will not only benefit from a best-value door-to-door ocean-freight service, they will get priceless exposure to contemporary best supply-chain practice.”
And, according to Edwards, Poseidon will ‘demystify’ sea freight and bring it within reach of pharma shippers of all sizes. “Poseidon will be offering a series of off-the-shelf, GDP-compliant, fully-insured, door-to-door sea freight solutions with both full-load and part-load options,” he said. “By essentially providing a one-stop-shop it allows shippers to focus their energies on working as part of the Poseidon team to continuously refine and streamline the service.”
The choice of Logistics and Supply Partners for the Poseidon program has been the most challenging part of setting up the program with each candidate party being subject to a rigorous pre-qualification and selection process. “Poseidon Partner organisations must not only be of the highest technical competence but must be committed to working in a collaborative environment, must be adaptable to change, and must be prepared to continuously challenge the status quo,” said Kennedy. “All network participants are aware of their interdependency and accept the fact that a failure of one is a failure of all.”
A Poseidon Partner Agreement governs the relationships between the parties and this allows them to work together as a single team with common rules, common goals and common standards. At the heart of the program is the Poseidon Management Group (PMG), a democratic body comprised of senior representatives from each of the participant organisations. This group is responsible for the strategic direction of the program. Alongside the PMG is a neutral company that manages the day-to-day and operational side of the initiative and provides a ‘filter & sanitise’ function to facilitate the sharing of data, the consolidation of shipping loads and the sharing of assets. The Poseidon network is diverse and far flung. To accommodate this, it has introduced a cloud-based Collaboration Hub in order to facilitate long-distance communications, exchange ideas and information, share up-to-date documentation and manage projects.
The creation of Poseidon has required a degree of belief and faith amongst its ‘founding partners’. Summing up Kennedy had this to say: “The Poseidon model is a ‘first’ for the pharma-logistics industry and, of course, it tis a direction that is much easier to dream about, and aspire to, than to actually achieve. For this reason I would like to go on public record conveying my respect, admiration and appreciation for all those parties, shippers, suppliers and others, that have supported this potentially far-reaching initiative from its seed-bed beginnings to this important day and, I’m sure, for many more days to come. Poseidon is not necessarily the most obvious route forward and it’s certainly not the easiest. But it’s definitely the best simply because at a stroke it has the potential to eliminate many of the issues that persistently bedevil pharmaceutical logistics.”
SEKO Logistics is continuing its global expansion with the opening of its second largest operation in Europe at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Logistics Park.
The new 80,000 facility doubles the size of SEKO’s previous locations in Amsterdam and brings its entire service offering under one roof for customers using SEKO’s cross-border eCommerce, Omni-Channel and international transportation and fulfilment solutions. The Amsterdam operation provides a further distribution channel into Europe for U.S. retailers and will help to spearhead the development of the company’s Final Mile and White Glove services across the continent.
This investment increases SEKO’s ability to handle fulfillment for multiple wholesale, retail and eCommerce channels, including reverse logistics and returns. It will satisfy growing demand for the company’s value-added services, which include quality control checking, labelling, re-packing, adding and removing price tags, kitting and light assembly. SEKO also operates cross-dock operations for various customers in Amsterdam.
The bigger location will also support SEKO’s growth across its core industry verticals; aerospace, automotive, energy, government, industrial, medical, retail, technology, and tradeshows and events.
Equipped with eight dock doors and two regular doors for collections and deliveries, the building has a capacity of 5,500 pallet positions and provides over 6,500 storage locations for individual stock units. It also incorporates a 10,000 sq ft high value storage cage and a segregated area for dangerous good shipments.
Strategically-located in the heart of Amsterdam’s logistics community, SEKO’s new facility is also a BREAAM certified building, complying with the world’s leading sustainability assessment method.
Bob van der Putten, Managing Director of SEKO Logistics, Benelux & Germany, said, “We needed this expansion to keep pace with our growth in the Netherlands, which is being driven by demand for our eCommerce fulfillment, Omni-Channel and cross-border expertise. Given Amsterdam’s importance at one of world’s leading logistics gateways, it is also the right location to lead the planned development of our Final Mile and White Glove services in Europe, using the experience we have already gained in the U.S, market. This expansion puts us on track to achieve record growth in the Netherlands in 2018.”
Technology has made the world smaller and faster.Real time communication with people from all over the world at different time zones through phones and gadgets
