Google looks to e-commerce in partnership with China’s JD.com

Today, Google and JD.com announced a strategic partnership leveraging one another’s areas of expertise, to develop new e-commerce products and services for global markets, including Southeast Asia, the United States, and Europe. As part of the agreement, Google is investing US$550 million in Beijing-based JD.com, which will issue discounted Class A shares to the Silicon […]

• Charles Kauffman
• June 18, 2018

Breaking News: Nippon Cargo Airlines grounds fleet

Japan-based all cargo carrier Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) has grounded its entire eleven-unit 747F fleet, effective 17 June, shortly after inspectors from Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) discovered major inconsistencies in the company’s  maintenance records. Increased scrutiny of the airline began last month after JCAB found NCA had omitted multiple incidents involving its aircraft, and subsequently […]

• Charles Kauffman
• June 17, 2018

US tariffs on Chinese goods signal trade war has arrived

Today, the United States government followed through on earlier threats from US President Donald Trump by imposing a 25% tariff on about $50 billion worth of Chinese imports containing “industrially significant technologies,” which the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) said are related to China’s “theft of our intellectual property.” For its part, […]

• Caryn Livingston
• June 15, 2018

Will partnering with Alibaba’s Cainiao payoff for global carriers?

In recent weeks, Alibaba’s Cainiao Smart Logistics Network has redoubled its focus on cross-border e-commerce with a string of new investments into logistics centers at six cities around the world, and, as of this week, new partnerships with global carriers. These initiatives support the Alibaba Group’s goal of reducing average delivery times to 24-hours across […]

• Charles Kauffman
• June 13, 2018

The global express fleet — Part III

Last week, we began our three-part analysis of the worldwide express freighter fleet. Part I offers a look at the overall fleet of jet freighters used now by the integrated express operators, and how that fleet has changed over the years. Yesterday, in Part II we examined the fleets of relative newcomers to the industry, such as […]

• Caryn Livingston
• June 12, 2018

The global express fleet — Part II

Last week, we began our three-part analysis of the worldwide express freighter fleet. Part I offers a look at the overall fleet of jet freighters used now by the integrated express operators, and how that fleet has changed over the years. Today, in Part II we examine the fleets of relative newcomers to the industry, […]

• Caryn Livingston
• June 11, 2018

Cargo Facts Consulting Rebrands to Kick Off a New Era in Air Cargo Advisory

Cargo Facts Consulting today unveils a comprehensive rebrand, its first major reinvigoration since the consultancy’s launch in 1978. Formerly known as Air Cargo Management Group, Cargo Facts Consulting (CFC) is expanding its range of services with this relaunch, bringing in expertise that spans aviation technology, OEM, maintenance and engine overhaul (MRO), and airlines. As part […]

• JJ Hornblass
• June 11, 2018

EgyptAir outlines timeline for A330-200P2F redeliveries [video]

Cairo-based EgyptAir says the first of three freighter-converted A330-200Fs it has on order with EFW will be redelivered later this month, around 30 June. A second A330-200P2F, meanwhile, is expected in October. EgyptAir became the launch customer (and so far the only customer) for EFW’s A330-200P2F program, when it placed an order for two conversions […]

• Charles Kauffman
• June 8, 2018

Is Alibaba’s new joint venture at Hong Kong International Airport a game changer?

Last week, Alibaba’s logistics-affiliate, Cainiao, announced plans to open five global hubs in Asia, Europe and the Middle East “to meet the surging cross-border e-commerce needs”. Today, Hangzhou-based Cainiao unveiled a separate US$1.5 billion investment in a joint-venture logistics center at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), what will effectively be the sixth hub. With six […]

• Charles Kauffman
• June 6, 2018

Is a Trade War Coming, or is it Already Here?

Last week, President Trump allowed the exemptions on tariffs on US imports of steel and aluminum to lapse. What does this have to do with air cargo? First of all, after agriculture, one of the most likely targets of retaliation by other countries will be the US aerospace industry. In a one-two punch, Boeing would […]

• Alan Hedge
• June 5, 2018