Every (rare) time I read a press release regarding the switch to greener plastic, I ask myself why it is taking the industry so long to make a difference? This plastic wasn’t invented just yesterday, and air cargo has a major negative impact when it comes to single-use plastics. Every step in the right direction is encouraging, but this needs to happen much faster than it is. Following an initial transition start in AUG23, Menzies Aviation announced last month, that it will now be successively switching its cargo operations to M&G Packaging’s sustainable BioNatur Plastic™. This step is part of its All In sustainability plan set up to achieve net zero in scopes 1, 2 and 3 by 2045. It will begin deploying the biodegradable cargo wrap in its cargo operations at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Miami International Airport (MIA). This first step will be the annual equivalent of five million water bottles in plastic waste savings as BioNatur Plastics are properly biodegradable in landfills, disintegrating in the space of 8-12 years as opposed to 1,000 years. They also do not result in microplastics, are both stronger, more resistant, and lighter than conventional plastic, and versatile in their use (including for food products or temperature-controlled items). Next in the roll-out schedule are all US cargo operations, followed by Europe and the UK.

Menzies Aviation’s Head of Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility, Katy Reid, commented: “Waste is a top priority for many of our stakeholders, and the introduction of BioNatur will not only help make our cargo operations more sustainable, but also ensure we’re working in partnership with our customers to meet their own ESG goals. Our cargo operations utilize various packing materials, and our priority is to continue reducing the volume of plastic use and waste, increase recycling, and source materials that minimize any impact on the environment. Adopting BioNatur represents a key milestone for our cargo operations as we continue to grow our business responsibly and sustainably.”

Beau Paine, Global Head of Cargo, Menzies Aviation, stated: “Our cargo business has expanded rapidly, growing from 49 locations in 2021 to 75 this year, and we have ambitious plans to take this even further. Our cargo operations utilize various packaging materials and replacing our cargo-use plastic products with BioNatur Plastics will not only dramatically reduce waste levels but supports our long-term sustainability targets.”

The best things come to those who wait. Slovenia-based Camex Adria Airlines was initially planned to take to the air in APR23, according to announcements made this time last year. This year, and this month in particular, should see the subsidiary of Georgia’s Camex Airlines (founded 2021) finally begin operations with its Boeing 737-800 BCF; having now received its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) from the Slovenian Civil Aviation Authority. It aims to serve destinations in Europe and the Middle East.

The joy on LinkedIn at the end of 2023, was palpable: “We are proud to share our biggest achievement yet in our journey – Today CAMEX ADRIA AIRLINES has officially obtained the European Air Operator Certificate (AOC)!,” the company page published.

“This achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication and hard work of our incredible team. With the AOC in our possession, we are ready to provide the highest standards of safety, reliability, and excellence for our customers and partners. CAMEX ADRIA AIRLINES team would like to especially express heartfelt appreciation to the CAA.si for the exceptional level of cooperation and support we have experienced in our process of obtaining AOC. Stay tuned for exciting developments as we continue to redefine the skies!”

The freshly authorized airline took delivery of its Boeing 737-800 BCF in June last year, after the 19-year-old aircraft had undergone freight conversion in London-Gatwick. It has since received Slovenian registration at Maribor Airport.

DMC at Bolloré Logistics stands for Data Management Center and refers to the company’s dedicated organization focused on digital solutions that support the collection and analysis of data. The DMC was set up in 2017, and with the growing governance requirements, directives, and policies, as well as the importance of having transparency of activity and performance in the air cargo industry’s volatile market, is more relevant than ever.

“Digital agility at the heart of digitalization and innovation,” was the title of Bolloré’s first press release of 2024, as it starts out on another challenging year for the air cargo industry – albeit one that the Head of Air Freight Procurement at Bolloré Logistics, Claude Picciotto, believes “could see a return of ‘classic seasonality’ with stability in rates and capacity.”

It recently opened a new, paperless DMC in Nanjing, China, which is tasked with data management and innovation for Bolloré Logistics Greater China. “DMC has a dedicated team set up to provide visual display of information and data-driven insight for internal performance management and supplier quality monitor. By providing a holistic view of the operation with visual dashboards, it leverages the digital assets to support strategic decisions on the development of the business,” the release explains, going on to say that

“To improve data quality, DMC works with the operations teams on actual business scenarios to establish standardized operating procedures and data supervision procedures. It ensures every facet of data within the organization; architecture, quality, analytics, and visualization, is managed with precision and efficiency.”

Those efficiencies include the complete overhaul of the event management process, which is now fully automated: data extraction, data capture, event updates, storage, analysis, and visualization are all carried out by the software, without the need for human intervention. The DMC team will continue to work on simplifying processes in order to increase operational efficiencies and, in turn, provide a better customer experience.

New year, new look. On 01JAN24, Stephanie Pope will take on a newly created position as The Boeing Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, reporting to Boeing President and Chief Executive Officer, Dave Calhoun. Pope has 29 years of Boeing experience amassed in a number of senior leadership positions at both corporate and levels for Boeing Defense, Space and Security. She is also a member of Boeing’s Executive Council, and the executive sponsor of Boeing Women Inspiring Leadership, Boeing’s business resource group committed to increasing gender diversity awareness and promoting diverse representation amongst women.

Her responsibilities as COO include overseeing the performance of Boeing’s three business units focused on driving supply chain, quality, manufacturing and engineering excellence and stability across the company, to improve its operational and financial strength. Her direct reports include the business unit Chief Executive Officers, the Boeing Chief Engineer and the President of Boeing Global. Senior corporate functional leaders will continue to report to Calhoun.

Boeing President and Chief Executive Officer, Dave Calhoun, stated: “Stephanie brings tremendous operational, financial and customer experience to this role, as well as a proven record of performance across our commercial, defense and services business units. Next year will be a significant transitional year in our performance as we continue to restore our operational and financial strength; and Stephanie will help drive the stability and predictability necessary to ensure we deliver on our customer, employee, regulatory, investor and other stakeholder commitments.”

Stephanie Pope said: “I am honored to step into this new role and look forward to working closely with Dave, our Executive Council, and all of our Boeing teammates. Together, we will continue to improve operating performance and remain committed to delivering for our customers, while ensuring the highest levels of safety, quality, and transparency in all that we do.”

Her previous position since APR22, as CEO of Boeing Global Services, which she helped to establish in 2017, will be filled by Boeing’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Chris Raymond, who will also assume his new duties on 01JAN24, reporting to Pope. She commented: “Chris brings more than 30 years of Boeing expertise in nearly every aspect of our operations, and has strong employee, customer, and supplier connections across our commercial and government markets. I’m confident he will continue the strong operational performance with our services team and remain focused on delivering on our customer commitments.”