Brussels, Belgium: From 27 October, Latin American airline LATAM Cargo will triple the number of flights to Brussels Airport, from four to 12 per week, making it the airline’s main European transport hub, officials announced.
The flights will be operated by a Boeing 767F which has a 60-ton capacity. The aircraft will mainly ship flowers from Ecuador to Europe, returning to Latin America with pharmaceuticals.
Since March 2023, LATAM Cargo, the largest cargo airline group in Latin America, has been operating at Brussels Airport again with four flights a week and will bring that to 12 weekly flights from next month.
The inbound flights will mainly ship perishable goods, such as flowers, from Ecuador to Europe. The aircraft then return towards Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile carrying pharmaceuticals, as well as other time critical cargo and automotive parts. The flights will also use Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
LATAM’s choice for Brussels Airport confirms Brussels Airport position and expertise as a preferred pharma hub and indispensable link between local pharmaceutical research and production facilities, and hospitals and patients worldwide.
For many years, the airport has been specializing in transporting time-and-temperature critical goods with the largest area of temperature-controlled warehouses in Europe and by using refrigerated containers for transport on the tarmac, ensuring the cold chain of products is not interrupted.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates:Dubai Airports has officially opened its first Assisted Travel Lounge at Terminal 2 of Dubai International (DXB), setting a new benchmark for accessible travel.
This lounge is the first of its kind, designed to comprehensively address the diverse needs of People of Determination (POD), including those with autism and hidden disabilities, offering a safe, comfortable space within the bustling airport environment.
A collaborative effort by Dubai Airports and dnata, the lounge operator, the Assisted Travel Lounge reinforces Dubai Airports’ commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. This pilot lounge is part of a multi-million-dirham programme, with future expansion plans already in place to open similar lounges in other terminals.
Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Airports, said: “This lounge reflects our dedication to ensuring that DXB is a welcoming space for People of Determination. It is a unique facility, meticulously designed to align with Dubai’s vision of being a truly inclusive city for all. It ensures that every detail, from the ambience to the furniture, contributes to a calm and accessible environment and is a major leap forward in our mission to create a seamless travel experience for all guests, regardless of their individual needs.”
The lounge’s thoughtful design, created by Dubai Airports’ design team, exemplifies key principles that align with the values and ambitions of both DXB and the city of Dubai. Prioritising user needs, the design seamlessly integrates each element within the broader context of the airport’s spaces, enhancing the overall guest experience.
The interior design reflects Dubai’s forward-thinking spirit, blending modern aesthetics with functionality. Guided by the Dubai Universal Design Code, the lounge features designated wheelchair areas, tactile surfaces for easy navigation, dedicated seating for the hearing-impaired that facilitates face-to-face communication with employees, a decompression zone for individuals with autism, and a dedicated area for unaccompanied minors. Materials, finishes, and lighting have been thoughtfully selected to create a serene atmosphere, offering travellers a peaceful retreat.
Jaffar Dawood, Senior Vice President, Airport Operations – UAE and MEA, dnata, said: “We are committed to making air travel more inclusive and accommodating for passengers with diverse needs. This unique lounge marks an important milestone in providing extra comfort and care to people of determination. Our experienced, highly trained team will make every effort to deliver an exceptional experience for all visitors. Together with Dubai Airports, we look forward to further enhancing our services for a seamless journey for everyone.”
The flagship lounge is a key element of Dubai Airports’ broader POD strategy, designed to cater to the diverse needs of all guests. This strategy encompasses a range of initiatives aimed at ensuring an inclusive and seamless travel experience, including the Sunflower Lanyard Programme, which discreetly identifies and assists POD guests, granting access to priority lanes and an autism-friendly route, prioritising check-in, passport control, security checkpoints, and boarding.
Additionally, DXB offers a bespoke hidden disability service training programme for airport employees, complimentary two-hour parking, dedicated taxis, and wheelchair services, all significant milestones in DXB’s commitment to making travel accessible to everyone.
These efforts have garnered significant recognition for Dubai Airports. In 2022, DXB received an accreditation from the Airports Council International (ACI) under its Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation Programme, a first-of-its-kind initiative that recognises global airports’ commitment to accessible travel operations.
The airport was also certified as Autism-friendly by Dubai Autism Centre (DAC) and became the first international airport to earn a certified Autism Centre (CAC) designation, awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
Munich, Germany: Long-haul non-stop flights between Munich Airport and destinations in the USA have undergone an enormous development and are continuing to grow.
When the airport opened in 1992, there were 39 departures to five destinations each week. Today, there are 140 departures to 14 different airports. On 26 August 2024, the airport recorded the 50-millionth passenger to travel on the non-stop service to the United States since the airport was established.
Lufthansa, American Airlines, Delta Airlines
and United currently offer non-stop flights to and from Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, New York-JFK, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington-Dulles. Lufthansa operates four daily flights to Boston, Los Angeles, New York and Washington with the Airbus A380.
Seven destinations are served several times a day from Munich: Chicago up to three times and twice a day to Charlotte, Denver, Newark, San Francisco and Washington-Dulles. New York-JFK is also served twice, three days a week.
44,000 seats are available per week and per direction, and the seat occupancy rate is currently more than 90 percent. In 2023, the threshold of three million passengers per year in non-stop traffic with the USA was exceeded for the first time, while since June 2022, the monthly number of passengers has been higher than in the pre-pandemic year of 2019. In July 2024, more than 355,000 passengers flew to and from destinations in the USA.
Baghdad, Iraq: Iraqi Airways has renewed its partnership agreement with SITA, the leading provider of information technology services in the air transport sector, to maintain its track record of continuous innovation in passenger and baggage management systems, boosting the travel experience on board the Green Bird and its partner airlines.
Key in upgrading the travel experience will be the implementation of SITA’s Flex Hybrid system which will speed up passenger processing at Baghdad and Basra airports, providing staff quick and secure access to airline systems and applications through cloud infrastructure with high flexibility and scalability to meet fluctuating demand.
Iraqi Airways will also boost its baggage management capabilities with SITA Bag Manager Online, which offers advanced visibility of each bag’s journey. The solution tracks every bag that is loaded onto a plane, a ULD, or a cart, matching each bag with departing passengers, tracking them in real time throughout the airport, and ensuring they are loaded onto the correct plane, offering passengers peace of mind and allowing staff to focus on more complex tasks.
Finally, SITA’s Information Display System will revamp the airline’s flight display systems, with a sleek interface that keeps travelers fully informed with down-to-the-minute automatic updates on changing flight departure or arrival times.
Munaf Abdulmunem Ajel, Chief Executive Officer at Iraqi Airways, said: “Iraqi Airways is committed to implementing advanced solutions that enhance its daily operations by providing more efficient, reliable, and secure services. This commitment guarantees our global leadership in the aviation sector.”
Hani El Asaad, President, Middle East & Africa, SITA, commented: “We are delighted to collaborate with Iraqi Airways, an industry leader renowned for its commitment to innovation and excellence. Data and connectivity remain the backbone of our industry, and ensuring fast, secure, and reliable connections is crucial for optimizing airline operations and improving the passenger experience. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the evolution of air travel technology in the Middle Eastern region, exemplifying our dedication to transforming travel and transport through cutting-edge solutions.”
Liege, Belgium: Liege Airport recently welcomed Fly Khiva Group on its airfield to serve thrice a week destinations in Europe, China, Southeast Asia, the CIS, the Middle East and Africa.
The cargo airline kicked off its inaugural flight in Liege on 06 August with a Boeing 767-300 BCF aircraft
Fly Khiva Group was founded in the city of Khiva, Uzbekistan with the aim of developing passenger, cargo, and business aviation, as well as operating domestic and international flights. Early last year, its management decided to establish a cargo airline, which resulted in the signing of a leasing agreement for a Boeing 767-300BCF cargo aircraft in December 2023 and the start of the certification process as an airline.
After obtaining the Operator’s Certificate, “Fly Khiva Group” started operating as an airline on February 23, 2024.
For Farkhad Mukhutdinov, Commercial Director of Fly Khiva Group, it’s a great day and the beginning of greater things to come.
“We are pleased to announce Fly Khiva Group’s inaugural flight to Liege Airport (LGG), marking an important step in our journey to expand our air cargo operations. Fly Khiva Group has been steadily growing to meet the increasing demands of the e-commerce sector. As part of our development plans, we are expanding our fleet with the addition of Boeing 767-300 freighters, the first of which we expect to receive in the coming months,” he said.
Adding, “These new aircraft will enhance our capacity and efficiency, enabling us to provide reliable delivery solutions. We chose Liege Airport as our European gateway due to its strategic location and suitability for cargo operations. This partnership with Liege Airport will help Fly Khiva Group improve our logistics operations and service to clients across Europe. We look forward to supporting the region’s economic growth and connecting businesses around the world.”
Alexis Lapot, Cargo Manager of Liege Airport, said Fly Khiva’s entry to Liege marks a further step in the
development of the network.
“We couldn’t be happier. This strategic agreement represents a significant step forward in our efforts to broaden our global presence. Fly Khiva’s three weekly flights connecting Asia and Europe via their Uzbekistan hub represent the aerial rebirth of the historic Silk Road. This new Air Silk Road will ease
trade and transit between the two continents, increasing efficiency between Hong Kong International Airport, the world’s biggest cargo airport, and Liege Airport, Europe’s busiest freighter hub.”
Munich, Germany: Romanian airline FlyLili has launched its first flight from Brasov to Munich on June 28, 2024, signaling the three days flights between Germany and Romania’s edge of the Carpathian Mountains.
FlyLili was founded by a German-Romanian entrepreneur who operates the new flights every Monday, Wednesday and Friday with an Airbus A319 or A320 in a three-class configuration.
In addition to Bucharest and Sibiu, the city of Brasov in Transylvania, which also has a population of almost 400,000, offers a mixture of tradition and modernity and the nearby “Dracula Castle”, which is popular with international visitors, is also easier to reach with the new connection.
Los Angeles, California: The Los Angeles International Airport’s train is expected to be fully operation by January 2026 carrying as much as 30 million passengers a year, resulting in an estimated 42 million fewer vehicle miles annually. It will be available to ticketed passengers, their guests and airport employees for free.
This came after the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners approved in mid-July an agreement that sets a construction completion date of December 8, 2025, for Los Angeles International Airport’s (LAX) Automated People Mover (APM) train.
“This project is going to reduce traffic on our freeways and our local streets while bringing good paying union jobs to Los Angeles,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “This train will make a direct connection to the Metro system to ensure LAX welcomes Angelenos and visitors from across the globe in a truly world-class way.”
“Constituents who drive, live and work around LAX are eager for the train to start taking cars off the road,” said Councilwoman Traci Park. “I am hopeful this project will reduce congestion on our local streets; give people time back in their lives; and improve mobility for residents, travelers, and patrons of our local businesses.”
Board of Airport Commissioners President Karim Webb said: “This will be a game changer for LAX’s millions of travelers and for the residents and businesses in our surrounding neighborhoods. We have been working hard to ensure Angelenos benefit during the construction of this project by awarding more than $1.02 billion in contracts to local, diverse, small and veteran-owned businesses. More than 85 local businesses have been working to build this train.”
John Ackerman, CEO of Los Angeles World Airports, commented, “LAX’s train will make life better for millions of people year after year. This is a critical step in our transformation of LAX to make it more welcoming, convenient and sustainable, and to enhance the airport as an economic engine for our region. Completing this program with certainty is a top priority of LAX leadership, and this agreement does just that. The train will also make it easier for Angelenos to work at LAX, easing commutes and stress.”
LAX’s train will operate 24/7, with trains arriving at stations every 2 minutes during peak hours (from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.). Running on 2.25 miles of elevated guideway, it will connect to six stations: three inside the Central Terminal Area, one at LAX’s Economy Parking facility, one connecting to Metro’s LAX/Metro Transit Center station (with transfers to the C and K lines) and one at LAX’s Consolidated Rent-A-Car facility. Total end-to-end travel time will be 10 minutes with a top speed of 47 miles per hour.
The construction completion date is part of an agreement with the train’s developer, LAX Integrated Express Solutions (LINXS). The Board and LINXS also agreed that LINXS will be paid an additional $550 million, largely to cover already completed extra work dating back to August 2018 and a longer than anticipated construction timeline. The agreement also appropriates an additional $50 million for contingencies. The construction of LAX’s train has created nearly 10,000 jobs to date.
Singapore: Singapore Changi Airport handled 16.5 million passenger movements from April to June 2024, an increase of 13.4% compared to a year ago.
This was 98.2% of passenger movements for the same period in 2019. Aircraft movements, including landings and take-offs, totalled 89,300 for the quarter, up 9.7% year-on-year, and was 94.5% compared to the second quarter of 2019.
Changi Airport’s top five markets for the second quarter of 2024 were Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Australia and India. China saw the highest growth among Changi’s top markets, with traffic doubling compared to the same period last year, and surpassing pre-Covid numbers. For the period, North Asia was the fastest growing region, registering a 40.8% increase year-on-year, and also exceeding pre-Covid levels.
From April to June 2024, Changi Airport registered 486,000 tonnes of airfreight throughput, surpassing the same period last year by 16%. Growth was registered across all cargo flows – exports, imports and transhipments, led by strong cargo flows between Singapore and China, as well as the United States of America. For this period, Changi’s top five air cargo markets were Australia, China, Hong Kong, India and United States of America.
Lim Ching Kiat, Changi Airport Group’s Executive Vice President for Air Hub and Cargo Development, said, “Changi Airport continues to expand its global network, having added more flights in the second quarter. Travellers can now explore more destinations with Changi’s connectivity to cities such as Broome, Brussels, Quanzhou and Vancouver, and enjoy more options to evergreen favourites like Tokyo and London. Together with our airline partners, we are striving towards full travel recovery by the end of this year.”
As at 1 July, 94 airlines operate over 6,900 weekly scheduled flights at Changi Airport, connecting Singapore to 158 cities in 50 countries and territories worldwide.
Other highlights at Changi
New and reinstated services – Changi Airport welcomed Shandong Airlines, which started 3x weekly services between Jinan and Singapore on 19 April, and Air Japan which commenced 5x weekly services between Tokyo Narita Airport and Singapore on 26 April.
On 1 May, Emirates extended one of its four daily Dubai-Singapore service to Phnom Penh. Scoot’s new Embraer E190-E2 made its inaugural flight from Changi to Krabi and Hat Yai on 7 May, and will offer passengers more options within Southeast Asia including new-to-airline city links Koh Samui and Sibu.
For longer-haul markets, Singapore Airlines launched non-stop services between London Gatwick and Singapore on 22 June, adding 5x weekly flights to the existing 49 weekly services between Singapore and London Heathrow. Jetstar began 2x weekly seasonal flights to Broome in Western Australia on 25 June, enhancing Changi Airport’s position as the most connected international gateway to Australia.
Changi also resumed its link to Jieyang Chaoshan (China), with the launch of Spring Airlines’ 4x weekly services from 31 March, as well as to Quanzhou (China), with the launch of Xiamen Airlines’ 4x weekly services from 24 June.
New restaurants & stores – The second quarter saw more than 20 new stores and F&B outlets open or refurbished at Changi’s four terminals.
In the public areas, new-to-Changi brands have been introduced, like Chopstix & Rice at Terminal 2 (T2), known for its Indonesian Nasi Padang (rice with various dishes), and Taiwan Culture (T2), providing a variety of well-loved Formosa delights to diners. Ritazza at Terminal 3 (T3), a cafe which made its comeback to Changi, offers a range of coffee, pastries, and other quick bites. Popular Asian eateries such as Papparich and GO Noodle House have opened at T4 as well. Among these, Papparich is a halal restaurant while Chopstix & Rice and Taiwan Culture are pending their halal certifications. Together, they add more halal options to Changi Airport’s landside offerings.
In the transit areas, Kering Eyewear, a luxury eyewear retailer, carrying eyewear from brands such as Gucci, Cartier and Saint Laurent, and luxury fashion brand Marc Jacobs have opened their first Changi boutique at T2. Pop-ups of two popular brands have also been set up at T3: sporting goods giant – Decathlon and homegrown confectionary-maker, Mr. Bucket Chocolaterie, each with its own Changi-exclusive goods. Decathlon features hiking backpacks, t-shirts and more, while Mr. Bucket boasts locally-inspired chocolate flavours like Kaya (coconut jam) Toast, Salted Egg Potato Chip, amongst others.
At Jewel Changi Airport, 15 new shops and restaurants were added to its line-up. For discerning palates, the recent months have brought a wave of new culinary experiences. This includes first-in-Singapore outlets like Ipoh Town, serving authentic Ipoh cuisine, Royal Host, a beloved Japanese chain restaurant offering Japanese-Western dishes, as well as Naixue, which specialises in premium tea beverages. Diners can also satisfy their sweet cravings with Cinnabon’s delectable cinnamon and Chow Zan Dessert’s comforting traditional desserts, or savour made-to-order grilled toasts and sliders at Twenty Loaf Toasties.
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.
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
