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CAAS Autumn 2020
The massive disruption and uncertainty triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic has continued, although some parts of the world have entered a different phase since their economies have partially reopened following the first wave of the virus’ spread.
In this issue we examine this next phase, including asking whether a ‘new normal’ is emerging (pages 4-17) for the air freight sector and its constituent organisations, what that may look like, and how it may evolve – or whether we need to think in terms of several new normals.
As some commentators observe, the air freight sector is no stranger to disruptions or crises – and to some extent, thrives upon them. But the unprecedented collapse of air passenger demand does continue to present enormous – and for some, existential – challenges to airlines and their partners. Nevertheless, the extraordinary response by the air freight sector has been hugely impressive, fulfilling a social as well as commercial responsibility to continue flying goods to where they are needed.
Further developments will, presumably, depend to a large extent upon whether and when viable vaccines emerge, and the ability of global systems – including air logistics systems – to distribute those vaccines worldwide. And so, in this issue we also examine (pages 30-44) the global pharma transport network and how the air freight sector is prepared and is preparing for that vaccine distribution challenge.
This issue also examines (page 18) how global supply chains and systems are likely to evolve more broadly in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the geopolitical events that have followed and preceded it, along with the potential implications of this for air freight. While there is no consensus on the extent to which global supply and sourcing patterns will be restructured, there seems general agreement that a process of change has begun
and that the pandemic will accelerate this.
Another trend it has accelerated is the shift towards digitalisation and paperless transactions, which now also offer the benefit of virus-free contactless communications, as well as facilitating remote working. Some of the progress towards real-time air freight visibility is highlighted in the Handling and Technology Update articles on pages 52 and 56.
Air freight has faced a series of severe tests this year already and has mostly responded with determination, resilience and flexibility. It is likely to continue to be tested in many ways for some time to come. As one contributor notes in this magazine, companies can’t prepare for every possible scenario, as we have seen with Covid-19; but they can prepare to be proactive, agile, and quick in execution.
Take A Peek,
Featured in this issue
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A new normal? The next phase
The air freight sector has undergone massive upheaval this year. CAAS examines whether the business has permanently changed. The air freight sector has obviously undergone massive upheaval this yea...
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Exceptional business
IATA’s Glyn Hughes argues that there is no such thing as normal for air freight, but an industry always responding to rapidly changing situations or crises. Is a new normal (or a ‘pre-new norma...
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New possibilities
In a dynamic environment, planning is more important than ever, ‘because only when we know where we plan to go do we know when to adjust our course’, highlights Ariaen Zimmerman, executive directo...
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Fast and flexible freight
The USP of air cargo is speed, and that is a very important factor in an uncertain and quickly changing environment, highlights Liège Airport’s VP commercial Steven Verhasselt Is a new normal (...
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An evolving situation
Companies can’t prepare for all possible disruptions, as we have seen with Covid-19, but they can prepare to be proactive, agile, and quick in execution, says Sharon Page, Europe regional director o...
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A silver lining: Digitalisation
One of the few positives from the Covid crisis is that the pace of adoption of digital services and products across the air freight sector has been accelerated, notes Lionel van der Walt, president an...
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Several ‘new norms’
Jacob Mathew, president of National Air Cargo, says the group’s freight forwarding business has become more creative in providing end-to-end solutions as traditional capacity was unavailable or limi...
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Moving towards ‘China plus one’
Geopolitics will play a bigger role in the next phase of shippers’ global sourcing plans, a process that began even pre-Covid-19, says Stan Wraight, president and CEO of Strategic Aviation Solutions...
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Logistics Focus
Supply chains transition to a new normal
Written By Will Waters
Studies indicate post-coronavirus logistics will involve adjustments to transport flows and warehouse networks, fresh impetus to digitalisation and automation initiatives, and moving from procurement ...
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North America Report
For the freighter good
Written By Ian Putzger
PPE traffic and soaring e-commerce volumes, combined with staffing challenges, have kept up the pressure on airport cargo operations despite the collapse in airline belly capacity, reports Ian Putzger...
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Air Cargo Pharma Report: The Covid-19 challenge
Mission of the century
Air freight’s capabilities will be crucial to the quick and efficient transport and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, but will not happen without careful advance planning, IATA warns The Interna...
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Air cargo pharma report: The Covid-19 Challenge
Customer viewpoint: Kuehne + Nagel
One of the biggest challenges since the start of the pandemic was how to secure GDP compliance when key airline partners were forced to reduce capacity, highlights Terrence Sell, global pharma product...
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Air cargo pharma report: The Covid-19 Challenge
Carriers rise to meet their social responsibility
Julian Sutch, head of global pharma sales at Emirates SkyCargo, anticipates that once the first Covid-19 vaccines are released, there will be significant demand for capacity globally and maximum capac...
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Air cargo pharma report: The Covid-19 Challenge
Critical Role
There is still time for investments to prepare for air freight’s vital part in the global supply of Covid-19 vaccines. But with a lead time of 3-6 months, the sector needs information from the pharm...
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TIACA and Pharma.Aero work on Covid vaccine planning
State of flux
Air freight carriers can expect waves of pharma transport demand in line with the patterns of the pandemic, with demand recently shifting to the Americas rather than Europe, says IAG Cargo’s chief c...
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TIACA and Pharma.Aero work on Covid vaccine planning
TIACA and Pharma.Aero work on Covid vaccine planning
Vaccine delivery will be one of the biggest logistical challenges in modern history, highlights Flexport’s head of air freight Neel Jones Shah The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) and ...
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The CAAS Interview: Qatar Airways Cargo
Cargo’s caring capacity
Will Waters talks to Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer Cargo at Qatar Airways, about becoming the largest air cargo carrier in the world, the carrier’s We Qare sustainability project, responding to C...
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Handling & Technology Update: ULDs
Steps forward in air freight digitalisation
Unilode is able to accelerate plans to install its Bluetooth ULD readers worldwide thanks to collaborations with several major third-party cargo handling partners, CEO Benoît Dumont tells Will Waters...
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Handling & Technology Update: Swissport
The benefits of digital progress
Written By Will Waters
Although the air cargo market is currently highly disrupted and volatile, several longer-term digitalisation initiatives by Swissport and others are starting to deliver significant-efficiency improvem...
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Air cargo security focus
Securing the air logistics chain
Written By Will Waters
Will Waters talks to Richard Thompson, global director for aviation at security screening specialist Smiths Detection, about the implications of new ICAO air cargo security rules that come into force ...
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