Qatar Airways Cargo, the Animal Care and Inspection Center (ACIC), Nippon Express, and United Airlines Cargo each took home a Brussels Airport Award 2023 at the 17th edition of the event, for their contribution to the cargo business. The cargo zone will also more than double its share of green power generation.
Qatar Airways Cargo beat Air Belgium, Ethiopian Airlines Cargo, Sichuan Airlines and Singapore Airlines Cargo in the category Cargo Airline Performance Award. The motivation behind this decision was that the airline is deeply committed to Brussels Airport, thanks to its worldwide network.
ACIC was given the BRUcargo Award, honoring stakeholders and partners in the cargo sector, and recognizing innovation, growth and partnership. “This is a recognition of the work we have done over the past three years,” said Supervisor Animal Care & Inspection Center, Ann Goovaerts. ACIC’s competitors were Aviapartner Cargo, Belgian Customs, and Hazgo.
Transition pays off for Nippon Express
Nippon Express came out as the winner of the Logistic Service Provider Award. The other hopefuls were Deny Cargo, Expeditors International, as well as Herfurth and Kuehne+Nagel. Nippon Express won for its ongoing cooperation and shared vision of future Japanese connectivity, as well as for its active participation in pharma.aero and Air Cargo Belgium.
According to Managing Director, Michael Kamm, Nippon Express has gone through an enormous transition these past five years. “In Belgium, we increased our staff from 70 to 240, especially in healthcare. This is the result of a change in strategy, from a Japan-steered to a more local approach. This has led to a better focus on growth.”
Overall joy as well at United Airlines Cargo, which got the Cargo Airline Award, recognizing airlines that started new routes or achieved significant growth in volumes. Also in the running were Air Belgium, Qatar Airways Cargo, Sichuan Airlines and Singapore Airlines Cargo.
United was said to have been instrumental in establishing a gateway for pharma products in the U.S. by promoting Brussels Airport among pharma shippers at every opportunity on the strength of its three daily passenger flights.
Manu Jacobs, Global Director Specialty Products commented: “Ever since Covid, we have indeed set up an airbridge between Europe and America for valuable products, notably supporting the Brussels pharma gateway. These efforts have now paid off.”
Additional solar panels
The Brussels cargo zone not only brings a major contribution to the airport’s business strategy, it also plays a role in its 2030 CO²-elimination goal. Currently, the newest buildings erected at the Brucargo zone, are being fitted with some 65,000 m² in solar panels, accounting for a total of 7,300 megawatt/hours in green power.
The additional panels will increase their current 4% share of power production at the airport to 9%.Half of what is generated will be used by Brussels Airport, the other half will be made available to the operator’s cargo partners.
