- The assembly of Airbus’ first A320neo was completed following painting of the aircraft and the mounting of engines. MSN6101, which will be the first A320neo to fly, will soon start its ground tests to prepare for first flight. The flight test campaign for the A320neo will kick-off in September, paving the way for entry into service in Q4 2015.
- TNT Express was awarded a contract from Lufthansa Bombardier Aviation Services (LBAS) to transport mission-critical aircraft parts in Germany. As part of the deal, TNT Express collects the parts from Bombardier’s warehouse in Groß-Gerau in the evening and delivers them to LBAS’ aircraft maintenance engineers and mechanics at Berlin Schoenefeld Airport the next morning.
- Boeing and Belarus flag carrier Belavia Airlines reached an agreement on an order for three Next-Generation 737-800 airplanes.
- Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) won a seven-year plane-fueling contract at Hong Kong International Airport. The contract awarded to WFS Fueling (Hong Kong) Limited is effective July 6, 2015, and was won in a competitive tender process. It extends the company’s relationship with the airport, which began 16 years ago.
- Cargolux International is the first airline to carry AAR Telair’s full line of CAEROe light-weight ULDs. Cargolux launched the CAEROe product portfolio of cookie sheet pallets, heavy gross weight pallets and fuel-saving containers on its Boeing 747s.
- Delta Air Lines will add non-stop service from New York’s JFK International Airport to Saint Lucia’s Hewanorra International Airport. Beginning Dec. 20, the weekly service will operate every Saturday.
- Boeing delivered the 1,500th 747 to come off the production line to Lufthansa. The milestone airplane is a 747-8 Intercontinental, the 14th one that Lufthansa will incorporate into its long-haul fleet.
- AIT Worldwide Logistics was certified by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) as an accredited business. To receive the designation, AIT met accreditation standards that contribute to BBB’s vision of a marketplace built on trust between businesses and consumers.
- Brussels Airlines will expand its flight frequencies to many African destinations this winter season, which starts on Oct. 26. The Cameroonian destinations Douala and Yaounde will get one extra frequency per week. The Angolan capital Luanda will be served three times weekly instead of two times. Nairobi will be flown five times weekly (two additional frequencies). The Rwandan capital Kigali and the Burundian capital Bujumbura each get an additional weekly flight frequency.
- Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals (Hactl) achieved European Union RA3 accreditation. As a result, all cargo Hactl handles bound for the EU comply with the new EU ACC3 regulations, which become effective July 1. Gaining RA3 status required an independent audit of Hactl’s premises, staff vetting regime, training, procedures and security measures.
- As of July 1, courier specialist Chapman Freeborn OBC is supporting Swiss WorldCargo with all hand-carry requirements through its worldwide office network.
- Qatar Airways began daily, non-stop services between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Hamad International Airport in Doha. Dallas/Fort Worth is a world center for major American corporations, including Justin Boots, Texas Instruments, Frito Lay, AT&T and Exxon Mobil.
- IAG Cargo is increasing the frequency of flights between Madrid and Bogota, Colombia. Two additional weekly flights will be added to schedules beginning Aug. 9, with this number increasing to three in September. These additional frequencies are on top of the daily flight that already operates on this route and will be in service for 10 weeks. Iberia’s A340-600, which can carry up to 18 tonnes, will operate the route.