EUROCONTROL has released its long-term forecasts for flights and CO2 emissions, projecting significant growth in European aviation over the next 25 years. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact, flights in Europe are expected to reach 15.4 million by 2050, a 52% increase from 2023 levels and 39% more than in 2019.
The aviation sector is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, aligning with European and ICAO objectives. Key strategies include the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), advancements in fleet and technology, and modernization of airports and ATM operations. Out-of-sector measures will also be necessary to meet these goals, with financial incentives and regulatory support playing crucial roles.
Traffic Scenarios
In the most likely scenario, the European Civil Aviation Conference Area (ECAC) will see 15.4 million flights by 2050, with an average annual growth rate of 1.6% from 2023 to 2050. Major airports operating near capacity will continue to pressure the network.
Path to Net-Zero
Achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 will require significant efforts. Fleet renewal with fuel-efficient aircraft, development of electric and hydrogen-powered planes, and innovations in airport and ATM infrastructure are essential. SAFs are promising but require increased production and cost reduction. Out-of-sector measures, such as carbon offsetting and capture, will be critical to bridging the gap to net-zero.
CO2 Emissions Forecast
Without significant measures, ECAC flights could emit 271 Mt CO2 by 2050. To reach net-zero, savings are needed from:
The remaining 101 Mt (37%) must be addressed through out-of-sector measures.
Organised by Web3 and AI consulting giant VAP Group, the Global Blockchain Show, held on December 12 and 13, 2024 at the Grand Hyatt Exhibition Centre in Dubai, concluded as a landmark event for blockchain enthusiasts and industry leaders worldwide. The Ultimate Blockchain Season Finale brought together the brightest minds in blockchain technology to explore its transformative power and potential.
Powered by a leading media network Times of Blockchain, the Global Blockchain Show was co-located with the Global Games Show and the Global AI Show that saw a footfall of over 3,000 attendees. From keynote sessions, panel discussions, fireside chats, and startup pitch competitions to the War of the Robots, engaging side events, an official awards ceremony, and a lively after-party to conclude it all, the two-day show was jam-packed with thrilling activities and unforgettable moments.
Prominent themes and topics discussed during the show included building the open metaverse: winning Web3 with gamification, presented by Yat Siu, Co-Founder & Chairman, Animoca Brands; David Palmer, Chief Product Officer, Co-Founder, Vodafone’s Digital Asset Broker (DAB) Platform, Vodafone; Johnson Yeh, Founder & CEO, ROEHL/Ambrus Studio; Jonathan Bouzanquet, Chief Strategy Officer & Founder, PLAYA3ULL GAMES; and the moderator – Mia Soarez, A-List Host/Founder, Walkin.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman & CEO, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre led a visionary talk on blockchain beyond borders that explored how blockchain is reshaping global trade and innovation. A fireside chat by Murad Mahmudov, Private Investor and Mia Soarez, Founder, Walkin, dove deep into the memecoin supercycle and its prospects for 2025.
Jason Allegrante, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer, Fireblocks, presented a keynote on how U.S. policies could influence global crypto innovation, and other C-level executives and key leaders in the Web3 industry such as John Patrick Mullin, Founder and CEO, MANTRA; Patrick O’Kain, General Partner, Borderless Capital; Jeroen Gillekens, Principal, Roland Berger talked about strategic trends, the potential of Web3, navigating bull and bear markets, Web3 security and much more.
While the duct-taped banana wall and the crypto confessions wall provided attendees with thought-provoking and quirky highlights, a robot serving water to guests and another sketching personalized portraits on the show floor added a futuristic and interactive touch to the vibrant atmosphere.
A prestigious awards ceremony honored visionaries and trailblazers in Web3. Winners of the Global Blockchain Awards included Quorium, Cardano, Uniswap, Ripple, Aave, Neo, Ledger, and more, for categories such as the Next-Gen Tokenization Award, the Crypto Sustainability Award, the Best DAO Award, the Blockchain Innovator Award, the DeFi Trailblazer Award, the Best Use of Smart Contracts Award, the Excellence in Blockchain Security Award, respectively.
The Global Blockchain Show, sponsored by PLAYA3ULL GAMES, Global Market of Artification, C1, Alibaba Cloud, Dubai Blockchain Centre, among others, concluded with the ultimate VIP afterparty at the Soho Garden Meydan in Dubai.
As the event drew to a close, participants departed with fresh perspectives, invaluable connections, and a shared commitment to shaping the future of blockchain. Plans for the 2025 edition are already underway, promising an even more impactful gathering for the Web3 community.
Avianca Cargo (Avianca) has become a certified Cargo iQ member after just over a year of membership.
Avianca’s history with Cargo iQ began in 2014 when they became an associate member of the organisation. They left Cargo iQ in 2020 to rejoin in July 2023 this time as Full Members with a commitment to implementing Cargo iQ’s quality standards and with the aim of obtaining their membership certification.
The Avianca Transformation team were assigned the task of enhancing their Quality Management System to achieve certification and, following a meticulous audit process, Avianca achieved their Cargo iQ certification.
They were also recognised for their commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and Innovative Spirit, both of which form part of the Cargo iQ Classification program.
“We are glad to see that the Cargo iQ methodology is enabling Avianca to deliver reliable service quality within air cargo and now the company has the certification to show it,” said Laura Rodriguez, Manager Implementation & Quality Assurance, Cargo iQ.
“The Quality Journey doesn’t stop here and we at Cargo iQ are committed to accompany Avianca Cargo and the team on the next steps.”
Cargo iQs audit included an offline review of documentation and an online call with an external auditor.
Avianca has committed to continuously improving their air cargo processes and service offerings by implementing Cargo iQs quality standards and will undertake semi-annual reviews, in collaboration with the operations team, to ensure that the GHA station performance is being reflected properly in the shipment planning parameters.
“With over 50 years of experience, our company embraces the challenges of the future by leveraging our strengths and commitment to innovation. We are committed to high quality operational standards and utilise the latest advancements in quality through Cargo iQ, to shape the future of air cargo” affirmed Eduardo Arenas, Director of Alliances, strategy and Transformation at Avianca Cargo.
Avianca hosted the Cargo iQ working group in Bogotá in October last year. This is a Cargo iQ bi-annual event that brings together experts within the membership who work to develop the different work packages in the pipeline. The Bogotá Working Group made important progress on Scorecards and the MOP redesign.
The second edition of the Global AI Show, organized by Web3 and AI consulting giant VAP Group and powered by a leading media network Times of AI, wrapped up on a high note at the Grand Hyatt Exhibition Centre, Dubai on December 12 and 13, 2024.
Held under the official support of the United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Office and with the Cyber Security Council as its strategic partner, the event was a resounding success, bringing together over 3,000 in-person attendees and about 110,000 online participants from across the globe.
With the theme, ‘AI 2057: Accelerating Intelligent Futures,’ the show witnessed thought-provoking discussions and groundbreaking announcements from C-suite executives, government leaders, and industry pioneers. These luminaries shared their insights on how AI is shaping industries and revolutionizing economies worldwide.
A keynote session by Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman & CEO, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre highlighted how AI and virtual economies are shaping commerce in the Metaverse, while Pujya Brahmavihari Swami, Spiritual leader, BAPS led the headliner on sacred intelligence and aligning AI with universal values for the greater good.
The headliner panel discussion on ‘Your new Chief AI Officer’ was a special feature at the Global AI Show, consisting of prominent industry experts such as H. E. Mubaraka Ibrahim, CEO-AI, Emirates Health Services; Lt. Col. Dr. Essa Al Mutawa, Chief AI Officer, Dubai Civil Defence H.Q.; Dr. Marwan Alzarouni, CEO – AI, Dubai Economy and Tourism; Abdullah Al Jaziri, Chief AI Officer, DEWA; and Awadh Almur, Chief AI Officer, Federal Authority of Nuclear Regulation, along with the moderator Loubo Siois, Executive Producer & Host, The Dubai Talk Show.
Other government officials and C-level executives that were present at the event and provided in-depth insights included H.E Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security, United Arab Emirates Government, UAE; Honorable Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation, Government of Alberta, Canada; Ilaria Buonpane, Director of Customer Experience, Talabat; Dr. Hakim Hacid, Executive Director & Chief Researcher, TII – Technology Innovation Institute; Kevin Ferguson, Senior Systems Technical Advisor, Center of Excellence & Development (CoE), UAE Armed Forces; Dr. Noah Rafford, Futurist-in-Chief, Dubai Future Foundation; and many more.
“The Global AI Show 2024 brought together an unparalleled gathering of minds to address the opportunities and challenges of an AI-powered future. It was a privilege to witness ideas that will shape the next decades unfold on our stage,” said Vishal Parmar, Founder and CEO of VAP Group, reflecting on the event’s impact.
Over 20 side events were a part of Dubai AI Week, such as EmpowHER: Women in AI and AI Capital Connect, that brought together distinguished experts and leading professionals from the AI industry, fostering meaningful discussions and knowledge exchange.
PulseAI, by the Global AI Show, focused on the transformative power of AI in healthcare, where C-suite stakeholders in healthcare, including Saqr Alhemeiri, Chief Innovation Officer, Ministry of Health and Prevention – UAE, and Veneeth Purushothaman, Group Chief Information Officer, Aster DM Healthcare, discussed powerful use cases from around the globe on the safe, effective and democratic adoption of AI.
While SurgeXL enabled startups to connect with the top 1% of VCs, angel investors, and sovereign wealth funds through exhilarating pitch competitions and AI-driven matchmaking, an official awards ceremony took place on December 13 to honor the visionaries and trailblazers in AI.
The Global AI Show, sponsored by Airia, Salesforce, Wand, Saal, Seez, Multiverse Computing, Exotel, among others, concluded with an afterparty at the Soho Garden Meydan in Dubai.
For those who couldn’t attend, highlights are available at www.globalaishow.com. Stay tuned for announcements on the next edition!
Swissport and Lufthansa teamed up for the Cargo iQ Q-rally and won the event with their Implementation of Freight into warehouse (FIW) at all Swissport and Lufthansa stations.
The goal was to level up the accuracy of Service Level Agreement (SLA) measurements, between the aircraft and drop off and the Warehouse processes.
Swissport’s Priscilla Marques, Manager Global Operations Cargo, applied continuous improvement throughout the whole project. Swissport initially began the implementation of FIW by manually logging the movements of shipments.
They then analysed their findings, improved the system requirements, measured again, and went back to fix the remaining discoveries.
At the Q-rally the team presented and shared their learnings. They presented different business scenarios through so called Ramp delivery profiles and observed higher workflow efficiency through their system upgrade, which also lead to greater accountability from all parties.
Jussi Lemola, Vice-President Global Operations, shared that a station-by-station approach is required to do this right, and that the newly implemented milestone helps detecting bottlenecks.
Swissport used preexisting resources to implement FIW and provide input to the Cargo iQ Membership to further develop the initiative.
“The Q rally is designed to push continuous improvement and encourage Cargo iQ stakeholders to challenge each other and work together, share learnings, and make their efforts and results visible. Swissport and Lufthansa showcased it wonderfully. ” said Marie Seco-Köppen, Executive Director, Cargo iQ.
“Obviously Swissport and Lufthansa’s win goes beyond the Q-rally. The implementation of FIW being a key example of how value is created among partners.
“It also reflects, how milestone implementations have a ripple effect on the airport processes as a whole.”
Cargo iQ’s Q-rally is a bi-annual event that brings together various Cargo iQ stakeholders to present projects that focus on continuously improving the air cargo industry.
With the recent handover of the first MAN eTruck to the Duvenbeck Group in Munich, MAN Truck & Bus is setting another milestone in the electrification of freight transport. The Ultra Low Liner eTGX semitrailer tractor, specially developed for the loading volume requirements of automotive logistics, is set to make Volkswagen plant logistics particularly climate-friendly in the future. In accordance with the LOI signed by both parties, Duvenbeck intends to put up to 120 units of the MAN eTGX into service by 2026. Duvenbeck will deploy the MAN eTruck in various areas of the Rhine-Ruhr and Benelux freight forwarding region as part of VW’s plant logistics.
“With the Ultra Low Liner eTruck, MAN has developed a solution that is per-fectly tailored to the requirements of the automotive industry. No other series-produced electric semitrailer tractor can pull trailers with an interior height of three meters. This makes it the ideal choice for transports with high volume requirements,” explains Friedrich Baumann, Chief Sales & Customer Solutions Officer at MAN Truck & Bus. “We are delighted to have two strong partners at our side, Duvenbeck and Volkswagen, to bring this innovation to the road.”
Duvenbeck: Partner for Green Logistics
Sustainability has been a central element of Duvenbeck’s corporate strategy for years. With the “Green Logistics” initiative, the company focuses on low-emission and resource-saving transport solutions. “The MAN eTruck is an important step towards emission-free logistics. It helps us to meet our customers’ requirements and protect the environment at the same time. Sustainability is part of our everyday practice,” emphasizes Bernd Reining, Senior Director Procurement, Duvenbeck.
Duvenbeck continuously implements measures to optimize energy efficiency and conserve resources. These include the use of alternative drive systems, the reduction of empty runs and innovative charging concepts. The use of the MAN eTruck marks a further contribution to minimizing CO₂ emissions in the supply chain.
Climate-friendly logistics for Volkswagen Logistics
Duvenbeck will be using the MAN eTruck to supply Volkswagen production in future. Simon Motter, Head of Volkswagen Group Logistics, underlines the importance of the project: “Our partner Duvenbeck is taking a bold step forward: MAN eTrucks are being used for the first time at the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg. This means that the technology’s suitability for everyday use and cost-effectiveness can now be proven. The use of MAN eTrucks is part of the goTOzero impact logistics program, with which Volkswagen has embarked on the path to consistently climate-friendly logistics. In the long term, the use of electric trucks is the most important lever for reducing CO2 emissions in road transportation. Where the strategically prioritized use of rail with green electricity is not possible, for example due to a lack of rail connections, BEV trucks with green electricity are favored. In the cross-modal concept, they are used according to their strengths: Rail on long-distance routes, emission-friendly trucks on pre-carriage and onward carriage as well as on short and medium-distance routes.
Technological innovation as the key
The Ultra Low Liner eTruck MAN eTGX is a pioneer in its class: with a semitrailer height of just 950 mm, a very short wheelbase of 3.75 meters and yet maximum battery capacity, it offers a range of around 500 kilometres. This makes it perfect for use in automotive logistics, where maximum load volume up to three meters in interior height is more important than high load weights. Thanks to its modular battery concept with a choice of four, five or six battery packs and power levels of 449 and 544 hp, it can be op-timely adapted to any transport task. In addition to the standard CCS charging technology (up to 375 kW), it can also be ordered with the new MCS standard with up to one megawatt charging power, which enables even faster intermediate charging during the driver’s break from driving.
Transport companies also benefit from MAN’s 360-degree eMobility Consulting when switching to electromobility: the advice on switching to electromobility includes customer-specific analyses of vehicle deployment and charging infrastructure requirements. MAN’s range of services also includes the provision of charging infrastructure itself through partnerships with charging infrastructure suppliers. In addition, as with conventionally powered trucks, service contracts and financing solutions specially tailored to electric mobility as well as numerous digital services are available for the use of the new electric lions. These include the MAN eReadyCheck, which customers can use to check how their delivery routes can be driven purely electrically, as well as the MAN Charge & Go charging service including charging card, which enables simple, consolidated charging planning and billing for international routes.
TIP Group: Flexibility through rental
The MAN eTGX is being deployed at Duvenbeck by the TIP Group, one of the leading manufacturer-independent commercial vehicle rental companies and service providers for the transport and logistics industry. By providing the MAN eTruck, TIP enables companies like Duvenbeck to react flexibly and quickly to the growing demands of sustainable logistics.
“Our aim is to equip our customers with modern, environmentally friendly vehicles and to support them on their way to greater sustainability,” explains Oliver Bange, Vice President Central Europe Region of the TIP Group.
The TIP Group is actively committed to a more sustainable future in the logistics industry. With its focus on zero-emission vehicle rental, TIP is making an important contribution to the introduction of zero-emission solutions. This innovative approach not only supports the decarbonization of the industry, but also consistently drives the transformation towards more climate-friendly logistics.
Deutsche Post AG announced that Katrin Suder will succeed Nikolaus von Bomhard as Chairwoman of its Supervisory Board. The appointment is set to take effect following the Annual General Meeting on May 2, 2025.
Suder, 53, currently serves as a Supervisory Board member and advisory council member focusing on digital transformation and sustainable technologies. She was elected to the Supervisory Board on May 4, 2023. With a background in physics and expertise in artificial intelligence, Suder has worked as a management consultant at McKinsey and served as State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry of Defense. Additionally, she chaired the Digital Council of the German Federal Government.
Nikolaus von Bomhard, who has been a member of the Supervisory Board since 2016 and served as Chairman since 2018, will not seek re-election after two terms. During his tenure, von Bomhard also chaired the Executive Committee, Strategy and Sustainability Committee, Nomination Committee, and Mediation Committee, and was a member of the Staff Committee. He played a pivotal role in developing and implementing DHL Group’s strategy, enhancing the company’s global market position and profitability.
The Supervisory Board also endorsed the re-election of Ingrid Deltenre and Lawrence Rosen. Deltenre, 64, has been on the Supervisory Board since 2016 and is a member of the Executive Committee, Staff Committee, and Nomination Committee. Rosen, 66, has served on the Finance and Audit Committee since 2020. They will be proposed for continued terms at the Annual General Meeting.
Lord Deighton, Chairman of Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd., expressed support for the leadership transition, highlighting the importance of strong governance in driving Deutsche Post’s future growth and sustainability initiatives.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Rachel Reeves, also remarked on the significance of the appointment, stating, “This leadership change underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and sustainable growth within key industries in the UK.”
The Annual General Meeting on May 2, 2025, will formally elect Katrin Suder as the new Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board, Ingrid Deltenre for a three-year term, and Lawrence Rosen for an additional four-year term.
Boeing forecasts a robust future for the air cargo industry, predicting an average annual growth of 4% in air cargo traffic through 2043. The projections are outlined in the company’s 2024 World Air Cargo Forecast (WACF), a comprehensive biennial report providing an outlook for the global air cargo market.
“As the quickest and most reliable way to move goods, air cargo’s sustained growth has returned the industry to its long-term trend,” said Darren Hulst, Boeing vice president of Commercial Marketing. “There will be many drivers for continued freighter demand over the next 20 years, including expansion of emerging markets and global growth in manufacturing and e-commerce.”
Key highlights from the 2024 WACF include:
“By adopting smart airside solutions, the industry can reduce turnaround times, improve reliability, and significantly lower its environmental footprint,” Hulst added. “These are all key priorities for aviation executives around the world.”
The forecast also highlights significant increases in freighter deliveries, with 1,005 production and 1,840 conversions expected between 2024 and 2043. Delivery types will include 1,250 standard-body, 785 medium widebody, and 810 large widebody freighters.
Boeing emphasizes the importance of innovation and sustainability in meeting the growing demands of the air cargo sector. The complete 2024 World Air Cargo Forecast is available at www.boeing.com/wacf.
Aurrigo International plc, a leading provider of smart airside solutions, concluded a successful year with a £5.25 million share placing raise. The funding will be used to scale production of the company’s Auto-DollyTug® and expand its innovative ground support technologies.
Over the past twelve months, Aurrigo expanded its presence into multiple countries, launched a U.S. office, and secured a second-phase deal with Changi International. The capital injection will enable the company to deploy 22 Auto-DollyTug® units by 2025, accelerate commercial sales, and launch Auto-Cargo® in partnership with UPS. Additionally, Aurrigo will implement four live Auto-Sim® contracts at international airports, allowing clients to build digital twins of their operations for enhanced performance optimization.
“This is a fantastic raise to finish the year and gives us the perfect platform to roll out our iGSE (intelligent Ground Support Equipment) concept to the aviation world,” said David Keene, CEO of Aurrigo International. “We have early-stage engagement with 34 airports and 19 airlines, with eight customers now agreeing to use Auto-Sim®. The investment will ensure we can scale our production capabilities and teams to meet the growing demand for technology that we are now proving in the real world.”
Keene emphasized the company’s commitment to delivering tangible advancements in airside operations. “Unlike a lot of companies who just talk about the impact of their tech, we are actually delivering and will now need more engineering, software, manufacturing, and supply chain staff, not to mention an increase in the number of specialists in our deployment teams.”
Professor David Keene highlighted the importance of transitioning to intelligent Ground Support Equipment. “By adopting smart airside solutions, the industry can reduce turnaround times, improve reliability, and significantly lower its environmental footprint. These are all key priorities for aviation executives around the world,” he stated. “Today’s aviation landscape demands that we step up our game. As we move into a new era of airside operations, it is imperative that we harness advanced technologies to improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability.”
Aurrigo’s initiatives align with global sustainability goals, aiming to enhance operational performance and streamline airside activities through automation, data analytics, and eco-friendly practices. The company’s innovative solutions are set to transform baggage and cargo handling, contributing to safer, more efficient, and environmentally responsible airport operations.
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
