Category: July 2023

LAWA picks partners for LAX Cargo Modernization Program

Picture credit: Los Angeles World Airports

Picture credit: Los Angeles World Airports

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has selected LAX Community Partners as the developer for the LAX Cargo Modernization Program.

Los Angeles International Airport is the 5th largest cargo airport in the US by tonnage, handling more than 2.7 million tons last year.

It has 3 cargo areas with 27 buildings totalling 2.6 million square feet and 3.5 million square feet of ramp area.

The airport says the facilities range from 20 to 80 years old and have reached their end of their useful life and are not compatible with current industry standards.

LAX Community Partners, a partnership between Realterm and JLC Infrastructure, a joint venture between Magic Johnson and Loop Capital has experience with airports, with Realterm being one of the largest developers of on-airport cargo facilities in North America.

JLC Infrastructure, founded by Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Jim Reynolds, has invested in other airport projects including New York LaGuardia Central Terminal B and the John F. Kennedy International Airport New Terminal One P3.

Marlon Smith, Managing Director of JLC Infrastructure, says, “As a member of LACP and an equity investor in the project, we are honoured to be involved in a project that will improve cargo operations at LAX while also aligning well with JLC’s sustainability and clean energy goals. This project is particularly special to our co-founder, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, as it betters LAX and benefits the Los Angeles community. It has the potential to create significant jobs for the local community and provide diverse, local and small enterprises with tremendous opportunities to participate.”

David Rose, Managing Director – Airport Infrastructure at Realterm, adds, “Realterm prioritises flexibility, sustainability, technology and community in all aspects of its projects. Our partnership with JLC successfully blends international best practices with superior local engagement and, through our partnership with LAWA, we look forward to serving as a positive economic engine for the local surrounding communities.”

Quantum-South helps Amerijet optimise aircraft loading

Amerijet plane loading in a lineup resized Amerijet International and logistics technology company Quantum-South have completed a proof of concept project to optimise aircraft loading.

The project studied loading to improve load factors and revenue per flight by examining data from more than 400 flights.

Using its solution, Quantum-South found that payloads could be increased by up to 30% and volumes by 76% when loaded differently with Quantum-South replacing the previous load plan of PAG and PQA containers with an optimised plan using containers including AKEs, TYPE A1, TYPE A FRONT and TYPE A AFT units.

Quantum-South’s solution features an Aircraft Load Optimization module maximise weight, volume, priority and revenue mix with a focus on optimising the centre of gravity.

The Air Cargo Bin Packing module selects shipments to optimise the booked priority with container assignment and precise instructions on how to build the container such as the location and order of placement for each piece in the shipment.

The solution was seamlessly integrated with Amerijet’s cargo management system, powered by the SmartKargo backend application to further enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of cargo operations.

Dr Rafael Sotelo, Co-Founder and President of Quantum-South, says, “The project’s success at Miami International Airport demonstrates the significant potential of our cutting-edge solution in optimizing cargo load factors. We are excited to continue working with Amerijet International and uncover more optimisation opportunities to further enhance their operations.”

Eric Wilson, Chief Commercial Officer of Amerijet International, adds, “Optimising flight load plans and augmenting process efficiency helps us provide the best capacity offering to our customers while maximising the load of every flight. Quantum-South’s solution has the potential to bring significant benefits to our operations, increase revenues and reduce emissions, and we look forward to further collaboration to uncover more optimisation opportunities.”

United Airlines invests in Electric Power Systems

United_Airlines_EPS_Module resized United Airlines has invested in Electric Power Systems (EPS), a company producing battery technology for uses in the air and on the ground.

EPS’s compatible module technology can be adapted to support a variety of batteries with United looking at using the technology in its ground equipment and electric aircraft.

United says EPS’s battery modules could be used to charge electric ground equipment, electric aircraft when they come into service, electrified auxiliary power unit start products and electrified cold-chain storage product for cargo containers.

EPS aims to provide a battery ecosystem for aviation from packs on aircraft to charging stations on the ground, which is designed to keep costs low and provide rapid charges without degrading battery life.

United is also exploring ways to move its pilot training academy, Aviate, away from internal combustion-powered training aircraft to electric ones, with EPS’s powertrain potentially serving as the core propulsion system for a family of future electric aircraft concepts.

Michael Leskinen, President of United Airlines Ventures, said: “What makes EPS’s technology different and exciting is the scope of operational possibilities where we have the option to deploy it today and, in the future, to help electrify and decarbonise our operations.”

Nathan Millecam, CEO of EPS, added: “United’s investment will enable us to scale our operations and expedite the development of our cutting-edge powertrain solutions. By working together, our aim is to revolutionise air travel and build a more sustainable future for the industry.”