Who would have thought it? Until a couple of weeks ago, no Koala had ever set foot on Dutch soil… And now, three Koalas are settling down in their new habitat at the Ouwehands Zoo in Rhenen, preparing to delight zoo visitors from 25APR24, onwards. A special, custom-built enclosure called ‘Koalia’ has been erected there, and the Koalas are part of an international program dedicated to protecting their species. Over the past few years, Koala numbers have rapidly declined (particularly following the devastating fires of 2019/2020), leading to the Australian government classifying them as ‘endangered’. They are otherwise listed as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List and are the only ones of their species with an estimated 300,000 mature animals in the wild.

As with every animal transport, a great deal of preparation goes into ensuring that their journey is smooth and with minimum stress to the animals. Air France KLM Martinair Cargo is well-acquainted with animal-friendly transportation and boasts the KLM Animal Hotel at its Schiphol hub, complete with trained animal stewards who look after the animals before, throughout and after their journey. This was not the first collaboration with Ouwehands Zoo in the Netherlands. Back in 2017, KLM Cargo carried giant pandas all the way from China to the zoo in the Netherlands.

This time, in addition to the airline’s own expert staff, it was an animal caretaker from Ouwehands Zoo who left for the Californian San Diego Zoo on 04APR24, to collect the koalas. She spent a number of days there, training with their caregivers, before bringing the three koalas back with her on a KLM aircraft, from Los Angeles. That flight landed at 08:45 on 19APR24, and the Koalas were immediately taken from the aircraft cargo hold to the KLM Animal Hotel. Here, they were seen by a vet and customs cleared before carrying on to the final leg of their journey – from Amsterdam to their new home at the Ouwehands Zoo in Rhenen.

Meanwhile, over at Lufthansa Cargo last week, it was a couple of pygmy hippos who were the special guests on board of an A321F freighter, flying from Madrid (Seville Zoo) to Frankfurt and on to Mumbai, India. Whoever claimed that cargo is boring?

The only way to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, is by taking definite steps towards the goal. WestJet has just demonstrated its commitment by acquiring the first Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to be supplied in Canada. Shell Aviation is the supplier. Not only is Shell Aviation paving the way to cleaner aviation with its SAF production, but it is also making use of the latest technologies in its purchasing and distribution processes: “To supply WestJet with SAF, Shell Aviation uses a program called Avelia, one of the world’s first blockchain-powered digital SAF book-and-claim solutions for air travel. Avelia uses blockchain to provide clear and transparent tracking of the environmental attributes of SAF delivered into the aviation fueling network. Environmental attributes can be allocated to both airlines and business customers, while avoiding issues such as double counting. This means corporations can confidently view verified lifecycle emissions reductions from SAF today, while working to establish sufficient SAF to meet their future net zero or science-based targets,” the release explains.

As is well-known, SAF is up to 80% cleaner than standard aviation fuel, however, supply is still far beyond demand and the industry needs more investment as well as movement on common regulations and standards. In the right environment, SAF is one of the industry’s highest hopes for reduced emissions to meet the 2050 target. Airlines such as WestJet, dedicated to more sustainable aviation, work together with their respective government and industry partners in creating the conditions required for a sustainable, long-term commercial framework for SAF. “SAF acquired from Shell Aviation is blended with conventional jet fuel to meet all certification and safety requirements, while requiring no new investments in aircraft engines, fuel infrastructure or distribution processes,” the release assures.

Angela Avery, WestJet Group Executive Vice President and Chief People, Corporate and Sustainability Officer, stated: “WestJet is committed to enhancing our position as a first mover in sustainability technologies. Just as we pioneered advancements in Winglets and drag reduction, WestJet proudly stands as the first airline to acquire SAF by Shell in Canada. Thanks to Shell’s world-class fuel supply chain and WestJet’s proven track record in sustainability, this first step sets the stage for future collaboration and innovation to encourage investments in this important lever for decarbonization.”

Christine Bassitt, General Manager, Shell Aviation, Americas, said: “We are delighted to supply WestJet with SAF, as we continue to support our customers on their decarbonization journeys, while simultaneously building out the supply chain in Canada to enable more customers to access SAF.”

When Hermes Logistics Technologies (HLT) talks about clouds on the horizon, it is a positive thing. Why? Because HLT is focusing on “maximizing software automation in the cloud” as well as “driving rapid application development” of cloud-native software as a service, according to its press release this week. And it has appointed a responsible in the form of a Chief Technology Officer (CTO), to ensure that these aims are reached. Andrew Knott was announced as CTO on 16APR24, and will lead HLT’s tech development.

Knott joins HLT from Atmosphere 9 Ltd, where he was involved in aviation, aerospace and travel software over the past 7 years, and looks back on a quarter of a century worth of tech and software development – mainly in travel, aviation (including private aviation charter business) and hospitality. 15 of those years have been at CTO level. He is no stranger to leading large teams in complex IT projects, covering everything from SaaS through to machine learning, AI, and large language model (LLM)-based products in technical support applications. Now, at HLT, he will be responsible for implementing the company’s strategy with regard to developing the Hermes Ecosystem and increasing digitalization in the air cargo industry through API integration. The focus is on rolling out fast, resilient, and secure implementation and upgrades to the latest Hermes cargo management system (CMS), using automation, and ensuring that HLT’s products support the cargo handling industry in cost-effectively becoming more efficient and modern in their operations.

Yuval Baruch, Chief Executive Officer, Hermes Logistics Technologies, said: “Andrew is a seasoned CTO and brings a wealth of experience to our team, particularly in leveraging the latest cloud-based technologies for the benefit of our customers. He has built SaaS products from scratch and has been delivering complex software products as native cloud solutions for ten years, so he is well placed to drive the continuous development of our cloud-based SaaS solutions at Hermes.”

Andrew Knott, CTO, Hermes Logistics Technologies, stated: “The Hermes core application is impressive, quickly adaptable, feature-rich and able to fit the many different and complex requirements of customers around the world, putting Hermes in a strong position for growth. The Hermes SaaS product represents a huge opportunity to drive digitalization in the air cargo industry, and when we combine that with the flexibility and efficiency of cloud hosting, the potential gains for customers are vast.”

And no, it is not Simon Watson himself, given that he already founded CharterSync which became a CargoTech member last summer. It is, however, his latest company, Aerios, fresh out of the company box this month. “Aerios transforms the air cargo charter industry by connecting carriers with air cargo charter professionals and brokers into a single digital solution,” the press release promises, and Simon Watson elaborates: “We created Aerios to fill a glaring gap in the air cargo charter industry. Our software does more than just digitalize existing operations; it transforms them, giving access to operational data and market intelligence in real-time. This means fewer errors, faster and more informed decisions, allowing our clients to scale their operation in a cost-efficient manner, whilst driving for increased revenue.” The aim is a single digital workflow enabling air cargo charter professionals and carriers to connect with each other. Aerios is the first software solution to combine communications and air cargo charter operations into a single tool, and uses the potential of AI-driven data to enhance operations and maximize revenue in the air cargo charter industry. It removes the need for repetitive, manual input processes, and does away with stand-alone tools, creating a single digital ecosystem instead, which gives companies the freedom to focus on the human aspect of their business.

Aerios was founded as a separate company, independent of CharterSync and is also a member of the CargoTech group. It is the first of its kind to centralize communication and air cargo charter operations into a single tool. “With Aerios, air cargo charter professionals now have a powerful tool to navigate an ever-evolving market, strengthening their ability to efficiently meet demands and explore new business opportunities. By embracing the innovation that Aerios represents, the air cargo charter industry can expect a significant transformation of its operations, marking the beginning of a new era of productivity, transparency, and profitability. Aerios does not just offer a software solution; it presents a new way of thinking and acting in the air cargo charter world,” the release declares.

TIACA reported on the official launch workshop for its first, global TIACA BlueSky Airport Community Program, on 15APR24. Jointly held by TIACA and Air Cargo Belgium, and sponsored by Brussels Airport, the workshop brought together six ‘pioneering companies’: Aviapartner, dnata, EFL Global, Ninatrans, Swissport and WFS, a member of the SATS Group. Under the guidance of Change Horizon, participants were taken through the benefits and principles of BlueSky, learned about sustainability factors, and were instructed on how to prepare for the BlueSky assessment and verification process. The assessment process for 15 community members will be sponsored by Air Cargo Belgium and Brussels Airport Company, who have pledged to co-share the fees and formally establish the first BlueSky community, following the launch of TIACA’s BlueSky program back in 2022. It is the only program in the air cargo and logistics industry that currently offers a verified independent assessment of a company’s sustainability credentials based on 8 critical points: Decarbonization, Elimination of waste, Protection of biodiversity, Support for local economies and communities, Improvement of lives and social well-being, Efficiencies and profitability, Attraction, retention, and development of employees, and Building and nurturing of partnerships.

Steven Polmans, TIACA Chair, said: “One of TIACA’s main focuses is to collaborate and unite the industry. The holding of this workshop and launching the first BlueSky Community shows how much we can get done if we work together for a common front. This initiative is focused on creating a sustainable future by assessing and tracking where an airport community is on its path towards a sustainable air cargo future.”

Geert Aerts, Chief Cargo & Real Estate Officer, Brussels Airport Company, commented: “Brussels Airport believes that the future of air cargo needs to be sustainable and is, constantly taking initiatives and implementing improvements towards it. At the same time, we are encouraging our stakeholders to also become more sustainable. By supporting the TIACA BlueSky program we are supporting our partners within our community in their efforts. With this first TIACA BlueSky community program, Brussels Airport continues to pioneer, in collaboration with our tight-knit Brucargo community towards a more sustainable cargo industry.”

Freek De Witte, Director Air CargoBelgium, added: “This is a landmark moment for BRUcargo and the air cargo industry at large. By coming together as a community to participate in the BlueSky program, we are not only highlighting our commitment to sustainability but also setting a precedent for collaborative progress on a global scale.”

It was all about containers over at Etihad this week and the airline’s focus on temperature-controlled products. Following on from the launch of its pharma hub, the refurbishment of its perishables facilities, and the Qualified Envirotainer Providers (QEP) certification of 30 of its stations, it has now focused on ULDs and ground transport. Etihad recently announced the introduction of high-tech, temperature-controlled cool dollies to Etihad Airport Services Cargo (EASC)’s fleet at Abu Dhabi Airport, in partnership with EASC, to ensure that cool shipments are protected during ramp transport. Cool dollies can maintain temperatures of +2 to +25 degrees Celsius, and include an in-built alarm system notifying staff of any temperature fluctuations.

Thomas Schürmann, Head of Cargo Operations & Delivery at Etihad Cargo, said: “These specialized containers not only control the temperature but also enable Etihad Cargo to access the data records, providing increased visibility of this Critical Control Point to reduce, eliminate and prevent hazards. […] With these brand-new cool dollies, Etihad Cargo is bridging the last gap in its global cool chain offering by providing continuity and stability with advanced temperature-controlled solutions during the most critical step of air cargo transportation.”

Naresh Ranganathan, Acting Vice President Cargo at Etihad Airport Services Cargo, said: “We are very pleased to introduce these cool dollies, which will, in the initial phase, be used exclusively to transport pharmaceutical and perishable products to and from the aircraft from our cargo facilities.”

The airline also celebrated a decade of strategic partnership (since 2013) with Envirotainer, which not only provides cool containers, but also instructs airline staff in the specialized handling of its products. 16 of the airline’s Pharma Champions went through the Envirotainer Academy recently, increasing their expert knowledge in the handling of high-value pharma shipments. And the pharma segment is rapidly growing: 37% increase in shipments in 2023 compared to 2022.

Thomas Schürmann, Head of Cargo Operations & Delivery at Etihad Cargo, said: “Etihad Cargo’s decade-long partnership with Envirotainer reflects the shared ongoing commitment to creating a more robust, resilient, and transparent global healthcare ecosystem. Through this collaboration, Etihad Cargo has been able to ensure the seamless delivery of essential life-saving medicines to improve the lives of people around the world while overcoming logistical challenges and providing transparency.”

Akos Balkanyi, Global Key Account Manager, said: “This significant milestone highlights the true collaboration between our two companies and resonates with our mission of enabling global access to biopharmaceuticals. We look forward to continuing to work together to further strengthen and innovate the cold chain.”