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Wingstars: Canada’s newest de-icing services provider

An organisation dedicated to providing de-icing with a new, refreshing approach to this mission-critical task, this Canadian aviation service says that it will be introducing the concepts of transparency, budget certainty and mutual respect to the operation.

Officially launched on December 1, Wingstars executives are confident that the Canadian aviation market needs and is ready for a de-icing services provider who takes safety, performance, and consistency very seriously, whilst addressing environmental concerns at the same time. Gary Ogden

“After months of planning, we’re thrilled to finally bring our vision to life with the official launch of our company,” commented Gary Ogden, Managing Director of Wingstars. “Wingstars will offer its partners a unique experience in every way. Utilising our expertise from the industry, we can improve models that have been tried and tested, enhance data sharing and lead innovation, all while ensuring peak safety practices.”

“At Wingstars, sustainability is one of our core values. We realised, from the outset, that it takes a long-term perspective: focusing on anticipating future events, being agile, proactive, and adapting to changes in both the present and future. A sustainable company, in our opinion, manages its human, natural, and financial capital to meet current needs, while ensuring that adequate resources are available for future generations.”

Digital moves at Dallas Fort Worth

Dallas Fort Worth airport is using Nallian’s cloud-based data sharing platform for cargo customers, allowing seamless transactions across the supply chain. Over time, this will include freight forwarders, shippers, ground handling agents, 3PLs, airlines, Customs and Border Protection as well as trucking companies, empowering them to co-ordinate their cross-company processes.
“DFW airport continues to focus and invest in our cargo business. This new platform makes processing cargo through DFW more efficient by providing accurate and timely information to our cargo community,” explained John Ackerman, Executive Vice President of Global Strategy and Development at the airport. “We are excited to work with Nallian and our international airport partners to offer this digital platform to our cargo and logistics customers.” DFW nallian
Jean Verheyen, CEO at Nallian, added: “We are honoured to work with DFW airport who is committed to raising the bar for innovation and excellence in air cargo. With Nallian’s mission in mind – to make the world operate as one – we are thrilled to see how our infrastructure also empowers forward-thinking airports such as DFW and their partners to leverage the power of digitization on a global level.”
This new application-based technology will reduce the amount of time and paperwork required for cargo shipments coming through the airport and is part of the airport’s digital transformation strategy.

Electric turn a first in the US

It has been some time coming, perhaps, but the first green turnaround has finally been executed. Dnata achieved this significant milestone in its sustainability journey by successfully executing a green turnaround at JFK in November. The handler ensured a smooth and safe turnaround of a VivaAerobus Airbus A320 aircraft using only zero-emission ramp ground support equipment at Terminal 1. RAMP EQPT NEWS dnata
During the green turnaround, dnata’s team transported baggage with electric baggage tractors to the aircraft and applied electric conveyor belts to offload and load baggage and cargo. Staff pushed the aircraft back from the gate with a Mototok electric, remote controlled towbarless pushback tractor, positioning it ready for taxi and departure. David Barker, CEO of dnata USA, commented on the exercise.
“We are thrilled to achieve this memorable milestone by using only green equipment to deliver a smooth airport experience for passengers, and ensure safe and timely departure of our customer’s flight.
“We constantly invest in infrastructure and equipment to improve operational efficiency and reduce our carbon footprint. We are committed to converting our USA fleet to electric GSE to preserve our environment for future generations. We continue to enhance our operations to deliver the highest possible value for our partners by being an employer of choice and socially responsible in our communities.”

Virgin Atlantic Cargo to launch San Juan service

Virgin Atlantic Cargo is to launch a new cargo service from London Heathrow to San Juan.

Commencing on November 24, it is the first time that the airline has operated a cargo schedule to Puerto Rico and it will be serving the destination twice weekly on a Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

Virgin Atlantic cargo 1This new fast, efficient cargo service will present new opportunities for companies looking to export and import goods such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices and electronic devices between prime markets in the UK and Europe and Puerto Rico.

Dominic Kennedy, Managing Director at Virgin Atlantic Cargo, said: “We are delighted to welcome San Juan to our network, and we are excited about the new growth opportunities this presents for our customers. Over 11m kilogrammes of cargo move between Puerto Rico and Europe each month and we are confident Virgin Atlantic Cargo will gain a healthy share of this market.”

SAAM Completes Aerosan Purchase

As of October 28, the SAAM fully controls the airport services company Aerosan, which operates in Chile, Colombia and Ecuador.

Aspiring to play an important role in the industry consolidation process, SAAM closed a deal to purchase 50% of Aerosan from American Airlines. The company invested US$ 32m in the transaction, which was agreed last August. After obtaining regulatory approval, SAAM now fully owns the company.aerosan 2020

The CEO of SAAM, Macario Valdés, commented, “This transaction will help us strengthen our businesses other than ports and towage services, with a special focus on air cargo, where we see opportunities for expansion and consolidation, accompanied by our operating model. Aerosan is well positioned thanks to long-term contracts and important concessions at airports in the countries where we operate, enabling us to offer importers and exporters services along the entire air logistics chain.”

The airport services company has over 40 years’ experience and moves more than 300,000 tons cargo annually, boasting 33,000 square metres of infrastructure to provide cargo, ramp, warehouse, charter and passenger services at eight airports.

Ross Aviation’s new carbon-offsetting initiative

Ross Aviation has launched a new initiative to reduce its carbon footprint and associated impact on the environment. Says company CEO Brian Corbett, “Ross Aviation is pleased to do our part by assisting our customers in becoming carbon neutral through their purchase of fuel with us, and participation in our carbon offset initiative.”

Dubbed “Fly More. Leave Less.” Ross Aviation’s new carbon offset programme works thus: With a customer’s permission, Ross will add less than 10¢ per gallon to all or part of a fuel order to purchase carbon credits under its partnership with Carbonfund.org. Those credits will appear as a line item on the customer’s invoice, and funds will be forwarded to Carbonfund.org to support their key initiatives to combat climate change and improve the overall health of our planet.

At the end of each year, Carbonfund.org will send customers summaries of all the carbon credits they purchased, along with a report on how the funds raised were used to support meaningful environmental change in three key areas: energy efficiency, renewable energy, and forestry.

“We looked carefully before selecting Carbonfund.org as our partner in the “Fly More. Leave Less.” initiative and were very impressed with outstanding work they do as an organisation, as well as their great attention to detail in every transaction,” comments Corbett. “Now customers can take great pride in knowing their contributions through fuel purchases at any of our 17 first-class FBOs can have a very positive impact on the environment.

“At Ross Aviation, we view the drive for carbon neutrality as a
responsibility all of us in business aviation should take on – and we’re excited to help lead the way.”

The latest from Textron

RAMP EQUIPMENT NEWS TUGA newly refreshed line of TUG 660 beltloaders has been announced by Textron.
Petrol, diesel, LPG or electric motive power combine to give the customer a breadth of choice when it comes to purchase and the latest Textron offering endorses the tenets of versatility, reliability and safety.
The petrol, diesel and LPG units are all equipped with 4LHD transmission whilst the battery-powered model is equipped with an AC powertrain and a regenerative braking function. Running on robust Newage axles, these 660 beltloaders incorporate a return-to-neutral functionality as well as a gearshift inhibit feature and are delivered with the company’s Smart Sense anti-collision technology fitted as standard. A host of options is also readily available, which embrace such add-ons as multi-position E-stops, electric belt controls, an electronic shifting facility and handrails. Both diesel and electric versions are built with CE certification in mind.
In line with Textron’s lean manufacturing methodology, the beltloaders benefit from a wide commonality of parts in order to ease maintenance requirements and render the units more economical to run.

Keeping on top of ULDs

Descartes Systems Group has announced that ground handler dnata is deploying Descartes Core Bluetooth Low Energy readers across its global cargo operations to support the tracking of international mail, parcel and cargo shipments.

“We rely on best-in-class facilities and state-of-the-art cargo handling technologies to provide over 150 airlines with premium services for approximately 3m tonnes of cargo annually,” commented Guillaume Crozier, Divisional Vice President Operations and Product Development at dnata. “The innovative Descartes solution is expected to help us further improve service efficiency as we move customers’ cargo smoothly from one destination to another, tracking its progress in real-time the entire way.”

Descartes Core BLE readers capture the movement of ULDs that have either Descartes or third-party BLE tags attached. The readers are part of the Descartes Core BLE Network and a Descartes Global Logistics Network service. Shipments can be tracked, whether in the air or on the ground, via the Descartes Core ULD Tracking solution to help air carriers and their partners automate freight tracking and improve asset management by providing real-time visibility of air shipments bundled into a single ULD container or pallet. In addition to location, other sensor-based information such as precise temperature, movement and humidity can be monitored. This data, combined with the forecasting of asset location requirements, helps carriers reduce ULD fleet losses, better match capacity with ULD inventory, and reduce the costs associated with misplaced equipment or the requirement to lease additional ULDs.

Circumventing COVID-19

Because of the growing demand for international pharmaceutical transportation to Latin America in the midst of the current crisis, LATAM Cargo has extended its PHARMA coverage. This care option, which is CEIV Pharma certified, is part of the company’s product portfolio and offers specialised transportation for these sensitive and delicate shipments.

latam cargo 2020The pandemic which is currently affecting Latin America has triggered closed-border policies and passenger flight restrictions worldwide. This in turn has led the Latin American carrier to adopting various measures to modify its itinerary and strengthen its operation in order to mitigate the effects on its clients. The reactions have actually allowed LATAM Cargo to maintain a constant service throughout the crisis period.

One of the most important modifications has been that of the expansion of PHARMA’s network in order to satisfy its clients’ growing interest in transporting products from Europe to more Latin American markets. During the last three months, the company has implemented four transit stations to expand coverage, namely Miami, Santiago and Buenos Aires, as well as a second entry point in Sao Paulo

Reaching for the sky

Edmonton International airport recently made a huge investment that will create the largest airport-based solar farm in the world.

Airport City Solar is set to dramatically transform the west side of the airport site, create jobs and bring in a potential new power source for airport operations and the Edmonton Metro Region.  GREEN NEWS Edmonton 2020

An agreement with Europe-based Alpin Sun will see the company develop a 627 acre, 120 megawatt solar farm. All available information shows this will be largest development of its kind at an airport anywhere. The new solar farm reflects the airport’s ongoing commitment to economic development and diversification, along with its core value of being dedicated to sustainability.

Airport City Solar is expected to begin construction in early 2022 and be operational by the end of that year. The project will bring in an estimated US$169m in foreign direct investment to the Edmonton Metro Region. Power generated by Airport City Solar will feed into Fortis Alberta and airport distribution systems.

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