Blocked funds threaten market connectivity 
The airline industry’s blocked funds have increased by 47% to USD 2.27 billion in April 2023 from USD 1.55 billion in April 2022. Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association (Iata): "Airlines cannot continue to offer services in markets... more
Pangea Shipping Group picks Lotfi Kefi
Lotfi Kefi has joined the Pangea Shipping Group (PSG) as vice president project & network. He brings over 27 years of shipping experience, more particularly in project cargo, to his new role. Prior to joining Pangea, Kefi held several roles in the development of the... more
Air Algérie: Airbus for long-haul flights
After having ordered eight B737 in March (see the upcoming ITJ 23-26/2023, p. 36), Air Algérie has now signed a firm order with Airbus for seven widebody aircraft. Algeria's national carrier has chosen five A330-900s and two A350-1000s. The European aircraft manufacturer... more
A fresh first from Kenya to Brunei
Southeast Asian shipping company Pacific International Lines (PIL) has successfully transported its first shipments of avocados from Kenya to Brunei using Carrier Transicold’s innovative "Everfresh" controlled atmosphere system. Part of Carrier Global Corporation,... more
Air Mauritius expands partnership with Champ
Air Mauritius is joining the air cargo community as it prepares to adopt the new EU ICS2 (Import Control System 2) regulation. Already utilising Champ’s Traxon Global Customs (TGC) for selected countries, Air Mauritius has now opted for a worldwide contract, which includes... more
Bridging healthcare gap in Africa
The Germany-headquartered medical technology company Siemens Healthineers is working with Wingcopter to pilot an integrated drone delivery solution for healthcare facilities throughout Africa. The utilisation of Wingcopter’s delivery drones interconnected with Siemens... more
"Al Maha", Maersk’s new ocean shipping service
"Al Maha", Maersk's new ocean shipping service, will commence its rotation between major ports in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Egypt and Morocco, next month. Seven vessels with a nominal capacity of 8,500 teus per week will be put into operation. As well as... more
Three new cargo routes to Budapest last month
Budapest Airport (BUD) welcomed three new scheduled cargo services in May2023. Joining BUD's connections to China, Wizz Air will operate scheduled flights deploying A330F aircraft of the Hungarian government and Universal Translink Airline. Celebrating the expansion on 15... more
Real pests among a shipment of plastic flowers
On 3 May 2023, US Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialists inspected a parcel at the JFK IMF and found 630 live insect larvae concealed within a shipment of artificial flowers from Kenya. The shipment was seized for violating USDA regulations. The shipment was... more
Swissport refines cool chain solution in Kenya
Airport ground service provider and air cargo handler Swissport is continuing to upgrade its air cargo facilities globally. The latest example: the expansion and upgrade of a cargo centre at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). The facility now features a new 750... more