Globally, work on digitalizing the ATA Carnet [ATA is a combination of French and English terms “Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission”], also known as the “passport for goods”, has been ongoing since 2018. The first international eATA was accepted on 01NOV19, for a shipment from Switzerland to Canada. Now, the U.S. has also finally processed its first digital version of the international Customs document used for the temporary, duty-free, and tax-free import of commercial goods.

And Rock-It Cargo was the one to issue it. The company was chosen as a pilot by the United States Council for International Business (USCIB), because it is one of the country’s largest ATA Carnet users. Rock-it Cargo issued and processed the first U.S. eATA Carnet for a time-critical, hand-carry shipment from John F Kennedy International Airport in New York, U.S. to London Heathrow Airport in the UK on 22FEB24. It was used for a shipment of microphones destined for the TPi Awards Ceremony in London, UK, on 26FEB24. Incidentally, another GCL subsidiary, Dynamic International, already processed the UK’s first eATA Carnet at London’s Heathrow Airport back in 2022. “ATA Carnets are essential to the success of live event tours, as they provide the ability to clear Customs in over 100 territories expeditiously and efficiently, to make sure production equipment and gear arrives on time and ready for the show,” the press release explains.

Declan Daly, Chief Operating Officer (CEO), United States Council for International Business (USCIB), said: “We’re thrilled to launch the official test-phase for e-ATA Carnet processing in the United States. With the help of our partners, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the International Chamber of Commerce World Chamber Federation (ICC WCF), our service providers, and Rock-it Cargo, we’ve taken a crucial and exciting first step to finally bring the ATA Carnet into the 21st century.”

Amanda Barlow, Vice President of Risk Management and Business Affairs, Rock-it Cargo, explained: “Like other legacy paper processes, if the ATA Carnet does not modernize and become a digital solution, then touring artists and other traditional ATA Carnet users will no longer experience the positive benefits from using ATA Carnets. We are grateful for the forward-thinking efforts of the ICC WCF, USCIB, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and other ATA Carnet guarantee associations who have created the digital ATA Carnet solution, and for their tireless efforts to achieve the implementation of the eATA Carnet across all accepting Customs administrations.”

Menzies Aviation’s Tibor Fazekas, Managing Director Cargo and Levente Varga (Quality & CEIV Manager), Bud Airport’s René Droese, Chief Development Officer and Deputy CEO, Réka Sebestyén, Property Development Director, and József Kossuth, Cargo Director, joined with other BUD stakeholders on 13FEB24, to celebrate the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Budapest Cargo City, and thus officially open Menzies’ facility extension. Already operational since DEC23, the extension in which the aviation services provider invested over USD 1 million for its construction and another USD 6 million on the ongoing lease, has increased Menzies’ European freight capacity. Less than 5 years after it first moved in to Budapest Airport’s (BUD) Cargo City, which opened in NOV19, Menzies already needed to expand. Thus a 10,000 m² extension was added, which has almost doubled the company’s warehouse space from previously 4,000 m² to 7,000 m², and enables a cargo handling capacity of 85,000 tons/year as opposed to the previous 49,000 tons/year. The state-of-the-art facility includes new temperature controlled, animal and valuable cargo rooms, a 1,500 m² maneuvering area for truck and ground support equipment (GSE), and a 300 m² office and social space.

Beau Paine, Global Head of Cargo, Menzies Aviation, said: “BUD Cargo City has established itself as a key gateway to Central and Eastern Europe, and this exciting expansion cements the facility’s position at the heart of the regional cargo network. The increased capacity provided by this extension forms an important part of Menzies’ ambitious cargo expansion strategy, which has seen us build strong partnerships across the world. We’re excited to expand our cargo footprint across Europe and beyond over the coming months and years.”

René Droese, Chief Development Officer and Deputy CEO of Budapest Airport, added: “Thanks to nearly a decade of dedicated work, BUD is now one of the most dynamic airports in cargo traffic development in the CEE region. One of the keys to our success is the cohesive cargo community we have consciously built up, which gives us the opportunity to think together with our partners and develop fully in line with their needs. An excellent example of this forward-looking collaboration is the newly expanded Cargo Handling Building, which we implemented in close cooperation with Menzies.”

The official inauguration of FedEx Express’ new, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa (MEISA) state-of-the-art hub at Dubai World Central Airport (DWC) took place on 20FEB24, and was carried out by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, in the company of Raj Subramaniam, FedEx Corporation President and CEO, Richard W. Smith, FedEx Express President and CEO, Airline and International, and Kami Viswanathan, FedEx Express MEISA President.

In its effort to expand its footprint in the MEISA region, FedEx is investing USD 350 million in the hub in Dubai South and thus the UAE economy, supporting the nation’s ‘National Agenda for Non-oil Export Development’, aimed at increasing the UAE’s foreign trade.

The 57,000 m² hub has been designed with sustainability (FedEx aims to be carbon neutral by 2040) and technology in mind. Automated sort systems enable faster, more accurate package processing and distribution, and two automated high-speed x-ray machines equipped with artificial intelligence ensure efficient scanning and improved security. The hub offers a 170 m² cold storage area for temperature-sensitive shipments. Solar power and a smart building management system ensure efficient energy use, and electric ground service vehicles and charging infrastructures enable cleaner logistics.

Richard W. Smith, FedEx Express President and Chief Executive Officer, Airline and International, stated: “The establishment of our new hub in the UAE is a strategic move that significantly boosts our presence and capabilities in the MEISA region. This investment is not just about expanding our network; it’s about enhancing the region’s connectivity and playing a key role in facilitating trade and commerce across the world. Given the UAE’s current status among the top five countries in global re-export operations, our regional hub not only aims to serve the MEISA region, which accounts for approximately 45% of the world’s population, but is also a crucial part of our global air network that connects 220 countries and territories.”

Kami Viswanathan, President of FedEx Express Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa, added: “The new FedEx hub marks a pivotal stride in our growth strategy to build a more flexible, efficient, and smart network, to deliver outstanding services that fit our customers’ needs [and] exemplifies our commitment to transforming our operations through automation and building a smarter and more sustainable logistics network.”

At the Singapore Airshow last week, Taiwanese airline, STARLUX, placed a firm order for five production A350F freighters and three additional A330neo widebody aircraft, adding to its all-Airbus passenger fleet of 21: 13 A321neo, 4 A330neo, and 4 A350-900. (4 further A330neo and 14 A350 aircraft are already in the pipeline). The agreement was signed by KW Chang, Chairman of STARLUX Airlines, and Christian Scherer, CEO of Commercial Aircraft business at Airbus. Once delivered from 2027, STARLUX Cargo will operate the A350F with its payload of 111 tons and 8,700 km range, on some of the world’s busiest cargo routes. The new freighter which will sport the latest Rolls-Royce Trent-XWB97 engines, will be the more fuel-efficient cargo plane on the market. It will generate up to 40% less carbon emissions than an older 747F and is at least 20% more efficient than its competitor. “Over 70% of the airframe is made of advanced materials, resulting in a 46-ton lighter take-off weight than the competing derivative. The A350F is also the only freighter aircraft that will fully meet ICAO’s enhanced CO₂ emissions standards, coming into effect in 2027,” the release states, also pointing out that it “features the largest main deck cargo door in the industry, with fuselage length and capacity optimized around the industry’s standard pallets and containers”.

STARLUX CEO, Glenn Chai, said: “STARLUX Airlines has continuously nurtured the cargo market since its inception, capitalizing on the strategic advantages offered by Taiwan’s geographical location. With this order, STARLUX becomes the first Taiwanese airline to operate the next-generation A350F widebody freighter. In an era of climate change, the A350F with Rolls-Royce Trent engine has unbeatable efficiency in terms of fuel burn, CO2 emissions, and economics, offering significant energy-saving and carbon reduction benefits. It not only meets customer requirements for carbon reduction but also aligns with STARLUX’s ESG plan to achieve zero emissions by 2050.”

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales, Commercial Aircraft, exclaimed: “We love working with STARLUX Airlines in building and strengthening its fleet. Operating both the latest generation Airbus single aisle and widebody aircraft brings the airline enormous benefits. It significantly reduces fuel consumption and carbon emission and offers unrivalled levels of technical commonality, benefits in maintenance and training. The A350F, the only new generation large freighter, will fit seamlessly into this all-Airbus fleet and enable STARLUX Airlines to compete effectively with the leading players in key cargo markets.”

With the installation of around 900 solar panels on Menzies’ 14,000 m² cargo warehouse and admin buildings at Prague Airport (PRG), Menzies Aviation, hopes to save in the region of 140 tons of CO2 every year. They should achieve an annual output of more than 350 megawatt hours (MWh), and contribute to a 25% reduction in emissions across Menzies’ Prague operations. The electricity generated will go towards powering warehouse operations and charging the company’s fleet of electric ground support equipment (GSE).

The measure is part of Menzies’ All In sustainability plan, which includes science-based targets to reach net-zero across scope 1, 2 and 3 by 2045. Menzies aims to achieve 25% electric GSE globally by 2025. At PRG, GSE powered by electricity already makes up 53% of the fleet. Other measures include reducing energy and fuel use, reducing waste, increasing recycling, and returning, reusing, or recycling IT equipment. Prague Airport, too, follows an ESG strategy since 2010, when it was certified under the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) initiative.

Katy Reid, Head of Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility, Menzies Aviation, commented: “Building a fair and sustainable future is a key priority for Menzies, which is why we’re working hard to achieve the ambitious targets set out in our All In sustainability plan. The installation of nearly 900 solar panels at Prague Airport is just one example of how we’re matching our ambition with action by taking practical steps to slash emissions and meet our Net-Zero targets. We look forward to working with our airport partners and airline customers across the globe to ensure that aviation becomes the truly sustainable sector that our stakeholders expect it to be.”

Soňa Hykyšová, Sustainability, Environment, and ESG Director, Prague Airport, said: “We are glad that Menzies Aviation is also trying to reduce emissions and, like Prague Airport, is committed to net carbon neutrality. Last year, we achieved a 59.5% reduction in emissions compared to 2009. We expect to reach carbon neutrality by 2030 and net carbon neutrality by 2050. However, we know that the road ahead is not easy. Roughly 85% of emissions are generated by third parties – i.e., our suppliers and airlines. Therefore, we also motivate them to reduce emissions, for example, by offering green electricity. We are very pleased that Menzies Aviation decided to install a photovoltaic power plant in Prague. We are also active in this direction and plan to expand the use of photovoltaic panels on more suitable buildings at the airport.”