Virgin Hyperloop and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) have signed a first-of-its-kind Memorandum of Understanding to conduct a feasibility study for a proposed Hyperloop corridor from BLR Airport.
BIAL aims to make BLR Airport a transportation hub that connects people and places through various modes of transport. In addition to its current road network, BLR Airport will soon be connected with the sub-urban railway in few weeks and have Metro connectivity in four years.
“The Government of Karnataka has implemented several measures to improve the transport infrastructure of the State. The commissioning of a feasibility study for hyperloop connectivity from BLR Airport is another major step towards building the infrastructure required to define mobility for the future, enabling the efficient movement of people,” said TM Vijay Bhaskar, Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka and Chairman of the Board of Directors, BIAL.
The pre-feasibility study – focused on technical, economic and route feasibility, is expected to be completed in two phases of six months each. With speeds of up to 1,080km/h, Hyperloop could transport thousands of passengers per hour from BLR Airport to the city center in under 10 minutes.
“At BIAL, our vision is to make BLR Airport the new gateway to India by transforming it as a transportation hub. We are excited to take this landmark step which can catalyse the economic growth of the state of Karnataka and the region. Technological innovation is key to building and sustaining a world-class transportation hub and this study is an important step forward. This mode of transportation offers enormous economic potential, connecting passengers at unprecedented speeds, with zero emissions,” said Hari Marar, MD and CEO, BIAL.
Jay Walder, CEO of Virgin Hyperloop, commented: “As India’s hub for technology and innovation, Karnataka is embracing Hyperloop as a way to keep pace, support clean growth and open new opportunities for the city. A Hyperloop-enabled airport would not only allow for faster travel times, it would create a 21st century passenger experience and expand airport capacity.”
Air Cargo Belgium has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CHAMP Cargosystems on the future testing of technology.
The cargo organization said that the purpose of the MoU is to develop an innovation roadmap of the air cargo industry, with CHAMP the preferred partner in the roll-out and testing of any new technologies and innovations.
“CHAMP is thrilled to support Air Cargo Belgium’s Innovation & Sustainability Steering group,” said outgoing CHAMP chief executive Arnaud Lambert.
“The technologies and innovations born of this partnership will not only benefit our two organizations – but also, the Belgian air cargo community and the industry as a whole.”
“We look forward to the positive cooperation with CHAMP in developing new innovations in the industry,” added Geert Keirens, director at Air Cargo Belgium. “In addition, the company will become a driving force in our Innovation & Sustainability Steering group.”
CHAMP has been a member of Air Cargo Belgium since 2018.
Delta Cargo has launched its new, free application progam interface (API) that enables its cargo customers to connect their own operating platforms to book and track shipments.
With the Delta Cargo API, customers can view available capacity and rates, create and manage bookings 24/7, and receive real-time updates on active shipments including GPS tracking and DASH door-to-door shipment details.
Shawn Cole, vice president of Delta Cargo, commented: “API is all about real-time connectivity so externalizing our shopping, booking and tracking APIs for customers is just another way that we are making it easier to do business with us.
“We realized that some customers prefer to use their own systems and don’t want to log into a separate website to get rates and availability. Now they have fast, direct access to the information they need when shipping with Delta Cargo.”
STARLUX Airlines, Taiwan’s luxury carrier, has deployed IBS Software’s iCargo platform to manage business and operational functions for its entire cargo business. The iCargo management platform was implemented ahead of STARLUX Airlines’ launch in January 2020, which saw maiden flights to Macau, Penang and Da Nang with three A321neo aircraft. Although COVID-19 has significantly impacted flights, STARLUX’s cargo operations have been ramping up quickly during this difficult time.
“We chose the industry-leading iCargo management platform to achieve our goal of providing the best and seamless cargo service to our customers,” said Glenn Chai, CEO, STARLUX Airlines. “So far, iCargo has proved itself to be well worth the investment. It is an advanced digital solution featuring advanced and user-friendly functions. STARLUX is very glad to have made the right choice.”
After a rigorous evaluation process, STARLUX Airlines chose IBS Software’s iCargo SaaS-based cargo platform to provide a single, unified platform for all critical functions. iCargo now manages all aspects of STARLUX’s cargo business, including sales, airline operations, US customs, mail, Unit Load Device, cashiering, claims, cargo and mail revenue accounting, portal services, data warehousing and business intelligence modules.
“We were proud to have been selected as a launch partner for STARLUX Airlines, our first iCargo customer in Taiwan. As a start up airline, STARLUX had strict timelines for implementation and regulatory requirements, and extremely high expectations for the technology and its support of their business model. In IBS Software they found a partner with deep expertise, total commitment to driving business value, and a strong delivery track record. We’re thrilled to welcome STARLUX to the iCargo family and to continue our partnership as the airline continues to thrive,” Ashok Rajan, Head of Cargo & Logistics Solutions, IBS Software commented.
Bombardier Aviation announced recently key leadership appointments at its Tucson and Fort Lauderdale service facilities. The appointments are effective immediately.
Marc Beaudette, who previously led the Bombardier Tucson Service Center, has been appointed General Manager of the Fort Lauderdale facility and will continue in his success to further elevate the customer experience and drive the company’s customer-centric culture. With 30 years of experience at Bombardier, Marc has extensive knowledge of both production and maintenance operations and a vast understanding of interiors and completions. He will lead the eventual move from our Fort Lauderdale Service Center to our new state-of-the-art facility at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport.
“Marc is an accomplished Bombardier veteran and has made significant improvements at our Tucson Service Center in the last three years, notably the positive impact on the customer experience,” said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Vice President and General Manager, Customer Experience, Bombardier Aviation. “I know he will be influential in leading the evolution of our new service facility in Miami-Dade County.”
Appointed to the role of General Manager of the Tucson Service Center is Michel (Mike) Menard. With nearly 30 years of experience in the aviation industry, Mike began his career as an Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force. For the last 12 years, Mike was Vice President and General Manager for StandardAero and Dassault Aircraft Services in the United States and abroad, making him ideally suited to take the helm in Tucson.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mike to the Bombardier family – his appointment is a testament to his deep knowledge of the aviation industry and his solid leadership skills,” said Gallagher. “Mike’s strong background in business aircraft support will be an asset to the team as he works to maintain overall customer satisfaction in Tucson and ensure this key service center continues to be a top choice for our customers.”
The Tucson and Fort Lauderdale Service Centers are among nine world-class service facilities in the Bombardier Aviation support network. Trained technicians deliver a range of aircraft maintenance services, modifications, inspections, refurbishment, fly-in repairs and aircraft-on-ground (AOG) service on Bombardier’s leading families of Learjet, Challenger and Global business jets.
As a significant gateway to the Americas, the Fort Lauderdale Service Center serves as an important hub for business aircraft operating in the Latin American market. The facility in Florida has completed more than 160 modifications, including avionics and ADS-B Out upgrades.
Established in 1976, the Tucson facility boasts 1 million square feet (92,900 square meters) of total hangar space and is the largest of Bombardier’s support facilities. In the last two years, the facility has completed more than 135 major inspections, including eight 120-month inspections on Global aircraft in the last 12 months.
This announcement reflects Bombardier’s ongoing commitment to providing customers with an outstanding service experience that they demand and expect. Bombardier’s worldwide support network, including service centers, Mobile Response Teams (MRT), and Customer Response Center provide customers with efficient, flexible and creative aftermarket solutions to keep their aircraft ready and available.
Boeing recently named B. Marc Allen as Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development, reporting to President and CEO David Calhoun. The company also announced Christopher Raymond as company’s Chief Sustainability Officer, a newly created position reporting to Executive Vice President, Enterprise Operations and Chief Financial Officer Greg Smith. The appointments are effective Oct. 1.
Allen, first appointed to the company’s Executive Council in 2014 as President of Boeing International, will now take on responsibility for the enterprise’s overarching strategy, including long-term planning; global business and corporate development; and strategic investments, acquisitions and divestitures. He most recently served as President of Embraer Partnership and Group Operations, leading the associated business and integration teams, before terminating the partnership in April 2020. Before joining the Executive Council, Allen served in leadership positions across the enterprise as President of Boeing Capital Corporation, President of Boeing China, Vice President for Global Law Affairs and General Counsel to Boeing International.
“Marc is a creative, inclusive and forward-thinking leader whose strategic vision will help Boeing navigate the challenges facing the global aerospace market and position us for long-term success in the future,” Calhoun said. “With a demonstrated history of global business leadership and a track record of smart growth and partnership decisions, I’m confident in Marc’s ability to help us get right the key decisions in front of us during this unique time. He will further build on the great work by Greg Smith, who has led the function and set a lasting foundation for the benefit of our employees and stakeholders.”
As Boeing’s first Chief Sustainability Officer, Raymond will be responsible for further advancing Boeing’s approach to sustainability that is focused on environmental, social and governance priorities, stakeholder-oriented reporting and company performance. Operating within the Enterprise Operations, Finance and Sustainability organisation, Raymond will lead a team that collaborates across Boeing’s commercial, defence and services businesses and its enterprise functions in support of the company’s commitment to responsible and inclusive business practices and positive global impact.
“Despite our current headwinds, we remain focused on innovating and operating to help make the world a better place for future generations,” Smith said. “Chris will partner with Dave, myself and the entire Executive Council to bring together our efforts toward environmental stewardship, social progress and values-driven governance from across the enterprise and deliver a truly integrated focus on sustainability. Appointing a chief sustainability officer is an important next step as we continue to elevate and sharpen our focus on sustainability in partnership with our customers as well as across Boeing’s operations, throughout our supply chain and in our communities. Chris is the right person for the job.”
Raymond first gained responsibility for Boeing’s sustainability strategy in April 2020 when his role leading strategy was expanded to integrate corporate development and deepen the company’s focus on environmental and social considerations. Previously, he led integration efforts for the potential strategic partnership between Boeing and Embraer, served as Vice President and General Manager of Autonomous Systems within Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) and other defense business segments, and led BDS business development and strategy. He has held leadership assignments in engineering, supply chain management, program management and operations.
Qatar Airways Cargo is delighted to announce that Kirsten de Bruijn has joined the Airline in the capacity of Senior Vice President, Cargo Sales and Network Planning.
An Air Cargo veteran with 13 years of experience in management in the air cargo industry, she shares Qatar Airways belief that the pace of change brought about by recent global events demands value-centered leadership around revenue and margin management: “The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the need for flexibility and agility. It has also a fast-tracked demand for digitalization. Optimizing the utilization of freighters, the network, pricing and processes will mean embracing digital as the central vector of change. Qatar Airways is a world leader in this space and our ability to constantly adapt and adjust will continue to be part of the fundamental premise of our air cargo strategy,” said Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer Cargo at Qatar Airways.
According to Guillaume Halleux, Kirsten was the obvious choice: “We share the same vision of the industry and Kirsten perfectly understands the sector’s demands – as well as its volatility and its extremely competitive nature. She is able to challenge existing processes thanks to her customer-focused vision and extremely high standards. She is a major asset to the Airline.”
According to Kirsten, “Air cargo is probably one of the most competitive industries out there. It means you have to find ways to avoid being commoditized and you have to think globally – to constantly be aware of the speed with which technology is changing how we do business. Qatar Airways Cargo represents the cutting edge of change in the global air cargo market. I want to be a part of that movement. Part of my role is to build a sense of team spirit and collective purpose. I like to hire people that are better at what they do than I am, so I can create the best team possible.”
With Kirsten on board, Qatar Airways Cargo is well positioned to capitalize on its ambitious growth strategy as it strives to expand its leadership in the global airfreight market.
Freight forwarder PML continues to buck the national trend for downsizing and is upweighting its senior management team with the promotion of Ryan Parr to the position of operations director.
Parr joined the business in 2013 at the age of 18 and during his seven-year tenure, he has worked across many areas of the company to gain a strong understanding of the global logistics sector. At 25, Parr will be the youngest director in the company’s 17-year history with direct responsibility for the day to day running of PML’s operations, exports, warehouse, transport and sea freight.
Mike Honious will be promoted from COO to President and CEO of GEODIS Americas, effective 3rd October. He will be responsible for freight forwarding, transportation management, business development, strategic management office, legal, accounting & finance, human resources, engineering & technology, ProVenture, shared service center and IT.
“After 15 years with the company, I’m excited to build on the tremendous work of Randy Tucker and honored to serve as President & CEO of GEODIS in Americas,” Honious commented. “While these are uncertain times, we’re energized about the future. We have assembled a top-tier leadership team, and we have aggressive growth plans with our sights set on becoming a top-three logistics provider in the industry. I’m confident we’re on the track to achieve this for a number of reasons—starting with our unwavering commitment to our clients and followed by the fact that we are incredibly strong in many areas, such as e-Logistics, that are helping our clients succeed now and ultimately shaping the future of logistics.”
GEODIS CEO, Marie-Christine Lombard added, “Mike has the ideal blend of deep industry experience and strong leadership abilities needed to succeed as CEO for GEODIS in Americas. Under Mike’s leadership, I am confident GEODIS in the Americas will continue to thrive as one of our key regions and see great success into 2021 and beyond.”
Dachser’s Rheine logistics center is creating more space for storage and value-added services. Construction is underway close to the company’s site on a new distribution center, which will go into operation in October 2020. The heart of the facility on Sandkampstrasse is a 20,800 m2 logistics terminal with 26 loading gates for trucks and up to 36,800 pallet spaces. Additionally, there is 1,200 sq m of office space.
Dachser Rheine will use this modern new facility to consolidate existing warehouse locations in the surrounding area while ensuring additional capacity for future growth. This enables the logistics provider to optimize transport flows and operating conditions. The new distribution center will be operated for customers in various sectors, including the manufacturing industry, healthcare, DIY, and the textile trade. In addition to warehousing, picking, and shipping goods, the employees will provide additional services such as display building, repackaging, special labelling, assembly work, and returns handling, depending on customer requirements.
“In the warehousing segment, we’re seeing continued growth and increasing demand in the region,” says Markus Dodt, general manager of Dachser’s Rheine logistics center. “A strong local economy, good availability of qualified workers, and favorable transport connections make Rheine and the Münsterland region an ideal location for integrated logistics services.”
Dachser has been present in Rheine since 1990 and currently employs 390 people there. Of these, 60 employees will be transferred to the new location, and a further 60 jobs will be created there in the medium term.
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