Brussels, Belgium: Over the next two months, a total of more than 5 million passengers will travel from and to Brussels Airport to one of the 200 direct destinations in its summer scheduling and the airport assured passengers it’s all set to welcome and accommodate them.
The airport and its partners said they have been working hard to ensure that all passengers can enjoy a comfortable travel experience. The Brussels Airport App has been renewed making it easier to look up all flight information, and additional e-gates are being added at border control over the summer.
School holidays start this Friday in Dutch-speaking schools, marking the start of the summer holidays. Nearly 83,000 passengers are expected at Brussels Airport on that first day of the holiday, and the weekend also promises to be busy with 75,000 and 79,000 passengers on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
In the French-speaking school system, this year’s holiday starts a week later than in its Dutch-speaking counterpart. The first Friday of July will also be busy, with 79,000 passengers expected on 5 July. All in all, Brussels Airport expects more 5 million passengers over the summer holidays. That is 6% more than last year.
A stronger network with a wide range of holiday options
With in total 200 direct destinations offered by 80 airlines (passengers and cargo) Brussels Airport has a strong offer this summer. Classic summer destinations such as Spain, the Canary Islands, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Morocco, Italy and Egypt remain the most popular.
New airlines this summer include Amélia (Brive), Juneyao Airlines (Shanghai), Singapore Airlines (Singapore), Wideroe (Bergen) and Wizz Air (Budapest). Newly added destinations include Bari (Transavia), Gazipasa (Corendon), Krakow and Nairobi (both Brussels Airlines).
Starting this summer, Transavia is basing a third aircraft at Brussels Airport, to boost the airline’s offering to a total of 12 destinations. Brussels Airlines is strengthening its fleet with a tenth long-haul aircraft and now offers a total of 18 sub-Saharan destinations.
And Hainan Airlines is adding Shanghai as a third destination, in addition to its existing Beijing and Shenzhen services. United Airlines is increasing the frequency of its services to Newark, with a second daily flight. While Air Arabia Maroc now flies to seven destinations (new are Rabat and Tetouan).
Similarly, Vueling is increasing the frequency of its flights to a total of six destinations in Spain. And Qatar Airways now operates a total of 12 flights a week to Doha.
All the partners at Brussels Airport have been preparing to ensure the summer holiday season runs smoothly and safely. Additional staff will be deployed to inform and assist passengers in the terminal, and new automated gates will be installed at border control during the summer vacation.
There will be three additional e-gates at arrivals, six e-gates for gates T and six e-gates at transfer as well. This will increase capacity and through-flow at these border posts, which will be staffed by the Federal Police. The e-gates can be used by anyone over 12 years of age who holds a European, British, American or Canadian passport.
The Brussels Airport App has been redesigned and is the ideal travel companion for every passenger! With the convenient travel planner, you can prepare for your trip step by step – from packing your carry-on luggage to getting advice on the best time to get to the airport. You can also turn on real-time notifications to receive all the information about your flight – from your check-in desk to your gate number. The app puts all the information you need about the airport’s stores and restaurants at your fingertips, too.
Passengers are advised to reserve a parking space if coming to the airport by car, or to use public transportation. Reviewing the carry-on baggage rules is also recommended to ensure a quick and easy security screening.
The terminal is once again styled with a summer theme, featuring lots of fun photo backdrops to get the holiday vibe started as soon as you arrive at the airport. New to the line-up is the Pop Up Café Artois, located in the departure hall. For the little ones, there is a new play area in Pier A and throughout July there will also be a Kids Corner in Pier B where children can play for a bit before departure.
You will also be able to follow this summer’s sporting events: both the European Football Championship and the Olympic Games will be broadcast at the gates, at various bars and restaurants. Finally, as in previous years, Brussels Airport, in collaboration with the Tomorrowland festival, will be hosting a variety of DJ sets at the airport. On July 22 and 29, several DJs will be playing a set in the terminal, between the Connector and Pier A, to create a summer party atmosphere!
Neu-Isenburg, Germany: time:matters GmbH has opened its new Courier Terminal at Shanghai Pudong Airport for handling courier and express air freight shipments.
The launch coincides with the start of transport logistic China on June 25, 2024, and represents a further expansion of the company’s service capacity for handling courier and express air shipments in the Asia-Pacific region.
The time:matters Courier Terminal (tmCT) is being constructed in collaboration with the terminal operator PACTL (Shanghai Pudong Int’l Airport Cargo Terminal Co. Ltd.).
“When it comes to the transportation of time-critical, sensitive, and high-value goods, speed and security are essential. With the new terminal in Shanghai, we can significantly improve both for imports and exports,” said Constance Wu, Managing Director of time:matters (Shanghai) International Freight Forwarding Ltd.
time:matters has had a subsidiary in Shanghai for five years. Since that time, the company has established itself as a strong partner for fast and reliable logistics solutions, even under challenging conditions such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
Courier Terminal increases efficiency and control of shipments
The tmCT has been designed to optimize both the monitoring and the handling speed for time-critical and sensitive goods. In doing so, time:matters is building on its many years of expertise gained at the Courier Terminals for example in Frankfurt and Munich since 2004 and 2019, respectively.
For the first time at the tmCT in Shanghai, time:matters offers the possibility to physically monitor shipments on the apron until loading or departure using direct apron access. This guarantees maximum control over all shipments as well as a customized service, reliability, and flexibility for customers.
A hub monitoring system also enables real-time monitoring and informs the customer proactively in the event of irregularities. A designated dock for receiving shipments, an X-ray system, and a dedicated counter for receiving export and import documents further improve the quality of service.
To enhance flexibility and speed of shipments and ensure optimal delivery and onward transportation, time:matters relies on fast truck access, its own delivery and pick-up ramp, and its own truck delivery to the recipient.
Depending on the utilization of the waiting areas, this option saves additional hours in the drop-off and pick-up areas. Handling times will be reduced from approximately four hours for exports and six hours for imports to 120 minutes and 150 minutes, respectively. The terminal is open 24/7, 365 days a year.
The importance of resilient supply chains
In the global supply network of time:matters, the tmCT is an ideal complement to master the complex challenges of modern logistics. “Given the volatile global economy and the current geopolitical situation, the importance of resilient supply chains to maintain operational stability and protect companies from disruptions has increased tremendously,” said Bernhard zur Strassen, CEO of time:matters.
“Our high-performance transportation solutions help companies around the world ensure this resilience on an ad hoc basis or as a regular backup solution. We focus on solutions that we can offer our customers individually and in the shortest possible time. At the same time, the development at Shanghai Pudong Airport is a consistent contribution to our company’s growth strategy.”
Based on the respective transport requirements, time:matters offers fast, efficient, customer-centric, and reliable end-to-end transport solutions worldwide. The company’s focus industries include automotive, industrial machinery and equipment, aviation and aerospace, high-tech and semicon, medical technology as well as cell and gene therapy. Use cases include the delivery of highly urgent spare parts, missing production equipment, medical samples, hazardous goods, or important documents.
Munich/Manama: With a water baptism, a traditional ribbon-cutting, and gingerbread hearts, Munich Airport welcomed on 01 July 2024 the Bahrain-based airline Gulf Air, which will be flying regularly to the Bavarian aviation hub from now on.
The long-established national airline of the Kingdom of Bahrain, founded in 1950, will run flights from Bahrain to Munich four times a week – Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays – on a modern Airbus A321neo. Landing in Munich is at 6:35 a.m., while the take-off time for Bahrain is 12:20 p.m.
As a vacation destination or as a stopover on a long-distance trip, the island state of Bahrain in the Arabian Gulf offers a mixture of tradition and modernity. The island state also has a direct road link via the King Fahd Causeway, a 25-km long bridge that connects Bahrain with Saudi Arabia.
For onward travelers, the international hub boasts a variety of connections to fascinating destinations, including India, Singapore, Thailand, the Maldives, and China.
The new connection to Bahrain expands the wide range of flights between Munich and the Gulf States, which is also hugely important to tourism in Bavaria. In 2023, the state capital alone recorded around 400,000 overnight stays by guests from this region, up five percent on the previous year.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services and Liege Airport, Ethiopian’s cargo hub in Europe, marked their 17 years of successful partnership with a commitment to further boost their strategic alliance connecting Africa to Europe and beyond.
In 2023, Ethiopian hauled approximately 160,000 tons of cargo from Liege, facilitating efficient and reliable transportation of goods between Europe, Africa, and the rest of the world.
“This partnership has been instrumental in Ethiopian Cargo’s success as one of a global leader in the air cargo industry. Liege Airport provides us with a strategic location and world-class infrastructure, enabling us to offer our customers seamless and efficient cargo solutions. We are grateful to the management of Liege airport and our stakeholders for the unwavering support we have been receiving for the 17 years,” said Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew.
Laurent Jossart, CEO Liege Airport, commented: “We are delighted with our long-term partnership with Ethiopian Cargo. Ethiopian is a magnificent success story and continues to grow here. The company links different continents (Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, Middle East) with a fleet of state-of-the-art aircraft.”
“Their Boeing 777s have an average age of 7 years and are among the most efficient aircraft in terms of noise and environmental performance. We are honored by Ethiopian’s confidence in Liege Airport, and we will always be at their side to help them in their development,” he added.
The partnership between Ethiopian Cargo and Liege Airport has been mutually beneficial, contributing to the growth and development of both organizations. Ethiopian Cargo’s extensive network and operational capabilities, combined with Liege Airport’s modern infrastructure and efficient processes, have resulted in a highly effective and reliable cargo hub.
Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services has proudly operated cargo flights to and from Liege Airport since 2007. With a vigorous schedule, Ethiopian operates approximately six freighter flights each day to Liege from its hub Addis Ababa and other origins operating with B777-200F and B767-300F.
Ethiopian Cargo’s extensive network spans over 135 international destinations across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The company’s commitment to expansion continues. As of May 2024, Ethiopian Cargo added Hyderabad and Ahmedabad from India to its fast-growing cargo network, bringing its total dedicated freighter destinations to 70.
Furthermore, Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services envisions operating 90 dedicated freighter destinations by 2035, supported by a fleet of 37 dedicated freighters, solidifying its position as one of a global leader in the air cargo industry.
Dubai, UAE: Emirates SkyCargo is celebrating a decade of dual airport operations, made possible by the airline’s robust trucking fleet and bonded corridor. With 77 kilometres between Dubai World Central (DWC) and Dubai International Airport (DXB), Emirates SkyCargo established the bonded trucking corridor, to seamlessly integrate the airports and offer customers a five-hour air-to-air transfer service.
Comprised of over 60 trucks and operating 24/7, the fleet serves as a rolling conveyor between the dedicated freighter operations at DWC and bellyhold operations at DXB.
Since May 2014, Emirates SkyCargo trucks have transferred more than 2.16 million tonnes of cargo between the airports in 640,000+ trips, facilitating trade to over 150 destinations on the airline’s vast global network.
Robert Fordree, Senior Vice President of Cargo Operations Worldwide, Emirates SkyCargo, said: “Establishing a reliable and effective trucking service has been essential to the success of our dual airport hub, enabling us to move our customers’ shipments without compromise. Over the last decade, we have reinforced the service, offering one of the most competitive air-to-air transfer times of 5 hours, coupled with fit-for-purpose solutions to keep goods flowing quickly and reliably around the world. We will continue to develop our multi-modal offering and integrate Dubai’s world-class infrastructure into our operations, strengthening the city’s position as a leading logistics hub.”
Offering customers more choice and flexibility with their international shipping, Emirates SkyCargo’s truck fleet includes flat-beds, temperature-controlled refrigerated units, dry box roller beds and reefers to provide fit-for-purpose attention for goods in transit.
Maintained and operated by Allied Transport Company, the fleet has travelled over 62 million miles in the last decade, which is the equivalent distance of 81 trips to the moon and back.
In addition to shuttling cargo between the two airports, Emirates SkyCargo introduced a road feeder service, extending connectivity for regional airports via land. Since 2020, the airline has seen significant transit traffic from GCC markets such as in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain for oversized and heavy cargo, including machinery, engines, automotive and oil field equipment, among others.
Located in the center of the world with advantageous connectivity for air, land and sea, Dubai is a major trade gateway, serving as a bridge between East and West.
Building on this, Emirates SkyCargo’s hub is the world’s largest and most technologically advanced cargo handling facility in the world, offering 185,000m2 dedicated cargo area and a capacity of 2.3 million tonnes per annum across both operations.
Guided by Dubai’s Economic Agenda, D33 which defines the city’s vision of becoming a prominent economic hub, Emirates SkyCargo works to improve trade flows and generate new, reciprocal business opportunities that help strengthen global economies.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi Airports, the operator of the Emirate’s five airports, has released its exceptional passenger traffic results for the first quarter of 2024. The travels of more than 6.9 million passengers were facilitated through the Abu Dhabi Airports’ network from January to March 2024, marking a robust surge of 35.6% compared to the same period in 2023, when figures reached 5.1 million.
Buoyed by strong global demand for passenger and commercial services, the first quarter of 2024 witnessed a positive upswing in flight movements, with 61,737 movements recorded, representing an 11.4% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
During this period, Zayed International Airport alone welcomed over 6.8 million passengers, who experienced the outstanding facilities and services offered at the newly launched terminal. These further cements its position as a leading hub, evidenced by significant jumps of 26.6% in movements and 36.0% in passenger traffic.
Notably, in Q1 2024, Zayed International Airport expanded its airline database with the return of Turkmenistan Airlines and the launch of Hainan Airlines operating to Haikou, China, bringing the total number of regular scheduled operators to 29 airlines.
London maintained its status as the top destination city with nearly 290,000 passengers travelling to and from the English capital, whilst the top five destinations also included Mumbai, Kochi, Delhi, and Doha. These figures reflect Zayed International Airport’s standing as the preferred choice for passengers travelling to and from regional and international destinations, serving both tourism and business needs.
Shenzhen, China: Saudia Cargo, a leading provider of air cargo services, has expanded into Shenzhen, China, with the introduction of two weekly flights on March 15 at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, the country’s third largest airport.
As a key player in the global logistics industry, Saudia Cargo says it recognizes the significance of China as a crucial market for its operations. The expansion into Shenzhen is a testament to the Company’s dedication to meeting the growing demand for air cargo services in the region.
The two weekly flights will operate every Monday and Friday, offering consistent and reliable service to meet the needs of customers in Shenzhen and beyond. This expansion enables Saudia Cargo to facilitate the seamless transportation of goods between Shenzhen and Riyadh, with Riyadh being identified as the most lucrative international market for Chinese businesses.
“We are excited to announce the expansion of our operations in Shenzhen, China, with the introduction of two weekly flights. This expansion underscores our commitment to providing reliable and efficient air cargo services to our customers in China. With Shenzhen being a key hub for e-commerce, we see tremendous potential for growth and are dedicated to serving the needs of our customers in this dynamic market,” said Teddy Zebitz, CEO of Saudia Cargo.
“The introduction of regular flights to Riyadh presents significant opportunities for Chinese businesses, particularly in the e-commerce sector. Shenzhen is widely recognized as a hub for e-commerce, hosting major players such as Alibaba, Temu, and TikTok. By better servicing key clients, Saudia Cargo aims to cater to the increasing demand for air cargo services, especially for e-commerce,” he added.
Saudia Cargo’s commitment to serving the booming e-commerce domain is exemplified by the company’s strategic collaboration with major Chinese players, including Cainiao, the logistics arm of Alibaba. As Cainiao’s largest partner in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Saudia Cargo plays a vital role in supplying both domestic and global e-commerce markets.
Saudia Cargo’s expansion into Shenzhen represents a strategic move to continue meeting the growing demand in e-commerce and capitalize on the Far East’s unprecedented network growth. With China firmly established as one of Saudi Arabia’s primary trading partners, the operations in Shenzhen will further strengthen trade ties between the two nations.
With a focus on speed, reliability, and customer-centricity, Saudia Cargo is poised to reshape regional supply chains and establish itself as a dominant force across the e-commerce landscape.
Doha, Qatar: Hamad International Airport (DOH) continues to elevate its travel experience with the introduction of dedicated screening lanes for families with younger children transferring through the airport.
The dedicated family lanes will reduce wait times at security checkpoints and provide staff assistance to help families with their personal belongings, minimizing stress and wait times. Following a successful testing phase in the transfer screening area, it will be expanded to other security checkpoints, ensuring families enjoy a smooth journey throughout the airport.
To further enhance this experience and ensure it is tailored to meet travelers’ needs, Hamad International Airport says it will gather feedback and suggestions for improvement from passengers utilizing these dedicated lanes.
Hamad International Airport says it is continuing to set new standards in modern air travel, prioritizing passenger experience and safety at every step. Over the years, Hamad International Airport has significantly reduced passenger wait times at security checkpoints to industry-leading levels, ensuring well over 95% of passengers wait for less than five minutes to go through the security process, whilst at the same time enhancing the airport’s security levels.
Passengers transferring through the airport can conveniently keep their electronic devices and liquid containers in their hand luggage at checkpoints, streamlining the security process, and resulting in overwhelmingly positive customer feedback, with a 97.2% passenger satisfaction rate.
Renowned for its family-friendly amenities, Hamad International Airport offers a range of facilities tailored to accommodate travelers with children. From baby changing rooms to family toilets designed to accommodate children, the airport prioritizes convenience, privacy and comfort for families. Young travelers can enjoy play areas, while those seeking relaxation can retreat to one of the 17 quiet rooms featuring comfortable recliner seats and subdued lighting.
Abu Dhabi, UAE: In a landmark achievement for air travel technology, Zayed International Airport has successfully processed over one million passengers through Abu Dhabi’s new terminal since its inauguration on 15 November 2023, marking a significant milestone in harnessing the power of cutting-edge biometric technology.
Building on a long-term commitment to advancing airport capabilities, IDEMIA has been at the forefront of innovation in the UAE since 2011. The deployment of a comprehensive border management solution at Abu Dhabi Airport, featuring the world’s first multi-biometric entry/exit system, has significantly bolstered border security while simultaneously enhancing the passenger experience and throughput.
The success of this groundbreaking project has led to its extension to the country’s four other international airports.
The Single Token Journey (STJ) solution, a highlight of this collaboration, employs advanced facial recognition technology to streamline the passenger experience. By assigning a unique digital identifier to every traveler, the STJ solution eliminates the need for multiple documents, enabling passengers to move from curb to gate, including the border clearance step, in a record time of just 12 minutes.
Elena Sorlini, MD and CEO, Zayed International Airport, commented: “The initial rollout of cutting-edge biometrics at Zayed International Airport underscores our dedication to enhancing airport experiences through innovation and technology, ensuring efficiency, convenience, and superior service. Once fully implemented, Abu Dhabi will pioneer as the world’s first airport with biometrics integrated at every stage, ensuring travelers enjoy a seamless, safe, and secure journey.”
Osama Al Makhamreh, Vice President, Sales – Middle East & Africa, IDEMIA Public Security, noted Zayed International Airport’s achievement has set a new global standard for passenger facilitation.
“The processing of over one million passengers since November is a significant achievement for us, and it underscores the scalability, security, and efficiency of the STJ solution. Together, we are setting a new global standard for passenger facilitation,” he said.
The initiative aligns with Zayed International Airport’s commitment to adopting cutting-edge technologies that streamline the travel process, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a leading hub for technological advancement and superior passenger facilitation.
Munich, Germany: Munich Airport and South Korea’s Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) are embarking on an intensive cooperation in the field of aviation training. Hag Jae Lee, CEO of IIAC, and Jost Lammers, CEO of Munich Airport, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Munich Airport’s “Airport Academy”.
This partnership will focus on joint initiatives to develop and implement innovative training programs that address the changing needs and requirements of the aviation industry.
Regular meetings between the two academies are intended to encourage continuous communication and the exchange of modern training methods. The agreement also allows for the exchange of training courses and instructors to provide a varied and comprehensive learning experience.
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