Aviation
Hellmann opens new contract logistics center in the Melbourne
Hellmann opens new contract logistics center in the Melbourne
MOL completes the acquisition of LBC Tank Terminals
Ethiopian expands Asia cargo network with new Urumqi service in China
Cathay Cargo transports terracotta figures, other artifacts from Xi’an to Perth
S&P: Israel-Iran conflict could lead to sharp shock in global growth
Middle East, South Asia tonnages partially rebound
Ship recycling could double to 16,000 ships over the next 10 years
DHL Global Forwarding inaugurates new Frankfurt air freight hub
IATA: Air cargo demand up 2.2% despite trade disruptions
Saudia Cargo, China Cargo Airlines ink deal to boost Asia-Europe air freight
Oman Air joins oneworld alliance
Air Hong Kong now operating all-A330 Freighter fleet
Air One moves 12-meter cargo from Liège to Abu Dhabi
IATA launches SAF matchmaking platform
APAC Logistics occupiers focus on expansion amid global trade uncertainty
Hong Kong takes center stage at TIACA 2025 Summit
Hong Kong Convention enters into force marking new era in ship recycling
FedEx retires 12 aircraft amid choppy demand
Atlas Air expands cargo facility at Miami International Airport
Asia Pacific air cargo volumes rise again on continued frontloading
Emirates SkyCargo warns of fuel-linked payload concern amid Mideast tension
Qatar Airways reinstates flights as Qatar airspace reopens
Saudia Cargo, TAM Group launch ‘Saudia Cargo Global’ from new Hong Kong hub
Rhenus expands in Southeast Asia with new Singapore air freight gateway
Cathay Pacific maintains double-digit cargo growth in May
Air Charter Service makes top management changes
South Carolina Ports reports stable cargo volumes despite uncertainty
Saudia Cargo inks global partnerships to expand reach
Frankfurt Airport cargo volume bounces back in May
Qantas Freight expands freighter operation in China
JD Logistics debuts in Saudi Arabia
Hong Kong maintains 3% export growth forecast despite tariffs
First ITA Airways flights with Lufthansa Cargo shipments arrive in Rome
MNG Airlines to order two Airbus A350F Freighters
DHL: Early peak season driven by tariff and capacity fluidity
Port of Long Beach sees cargo decline for May
Freightos: Iran-Israel conflict not impacting freight yet
WFS earns Cargo iQ Quality Certification across EMEA, Asia
AviLease orders 10 Airbus A350F freighters
Kale Logistics launches Maritime Single Window in Brunei
WorldACD: Air cargo rides uncertainty as demand grows 6% in May
WFS extends cargo handling, trucking contract with Oman Air in France
FedEx spots freight opportunities for expanded cargo plane operations
Saudia Cargo eyes fleet, network, digital upgrades in bid for Top 10 status
Malaysia sets sights on becoming a key regional cargo hub
Hong Kong sees modest air cargo growth despite trade uncertainty
WorldACD: Worldwide tonnages rebounded 4% in May after April decline
Etihad Cargo, Ezhou Huahu Airport partner to expand Asia-Pacific connectivity
Lödige Industries in Asia expands presence with new South Korea branch office
FedEx boosts APAC healthcare capabilities with CEIV pharma certification
Kuehne+Nagel, SATS launch expedited aircraft parts delivery in Singapore
Qatar Airways Cargo, IAG Cargo, MASkargo to launch global cargo partnership
Etihad Cargo introduces SmartTrack, expanding real-time shipment monitoring
Airline profitability to strengthen slightly in 2025 despite headwinds – IATA
Air China Cargo to set-up its UK cargo hub at Glasgow Prestwick Airport
Emirates SkyCargo boosts East-West connectivity with new connections
cargo.one integrates digital air freight booking with Descartes' system
WorldACD: Global air cargo market stable, while China-US lane recovers
Mersin International Port completes first phase of East Med Hub 2 terminal
Cathay Pacific, Sinopec join forces in a SAF initiative
WR Logistics appoints Massimo Naldini as CEO for Italy
Chengdu-Shenzhen-Hong Kong rail-sea corridor launched
China Airlines joins digital booking platform Freightos
ONE advances green strategy with ship recycling policy, SRTI membership
IATA: Air cargo demand up 5.8% in April
Port of Houston records double-digit container growth
Hactl advances phase two of smart cargo thermal detection
Frontloading boosts cargo volume for airlines in the Asia Pacific
Kuehne+Nagel appoints new global head of sales
Frankfurt Cargo Services expands e-commerce handling facility by 300%
Port of NY/NJ reports continued cargo growth in April
CEVA Logistics links Far East, Latin America with car carrier fleet
Kuehne+Nagel, Natilus team up on blended-wing cargo planes
APAC, Middle East records double-digit growth in air connectivity — ACI World
Transpacific ocean volumes surge during tariff pause
Qatar Airways Cargo reports record year
Lufthansa Cargo uses AI to process booking requests faster
IATA appoints Sheldon Hee as regional vice president for Asia-Pacific
Pacific Carriers, Singapore Maritime Foundation boost maritime workforce
DHL Group partners with Shopify to accelerate global cross-border shipping
WestJet Cargo expands capacity to Japan with daily Dreamliner service
WorldACD: Asia Pacific and worldwide tonnages rebound
Hasenkamp announces first art storage facility of its kind in Saudi Arabia
Swissport, Aurrigo launch first global pilot of autonomous ground handling
FedEx Global Healthcare earns IATA CEIV Pharma Certification
Kuehne+Nagel acquires Spanish road logistics provider TDN
Sudden transpacific capacity shortage amid US-China tariff pause
Lufthansa Cargo expands temperature-controlled logistics with new features
San Pedro Bay Ports open bidding for short line rail services
Neste starts to supply SAF to FedEx at LAX
Cargolux, AIT Worldwide Logistics sign landmark SAF deal
Cathay Cargo sees year-on-year growth, but monthly slowdown amid tariff uncertainty
Qatar Airways Cargo records strongest financial results since pandemic
Port of Antwerp-Bruges launches Europe’s first electric tugboat
Lufthansa Cargo to market ITA Airways capacity, adds Rome as fifth hub
HSBC: China-US tariffs pause would drive an early peak season
Lufthansa Cargo announces executive board reshuffle
China Southern Airlines’ first scheduled freighter lands at Glasgow Prestwick
Hong Kong air cargo volume rises year over year in April, slips from March
Mobull unveils new art warehouse in Brussels
Air Charter Service: Current market the most uncertain since Covid-19
SATS to invest over US$192M to enhance Changi Airport operations
Vienna Airport records cargo increase in Q1
Kuehne+Nagel unveils air freight sustainability initiative
APEC lowers 2025 growth forecast to 2.6%, urges trade policy stability
U.S. slashes ‘de minimis’ tariff on small China parcels to 30%
TIACA names Roos Bakker as first woman chair
Airforwarders Association calls for freeze on tariffs, not trade
Frankfurt-Hahn Airport partners with Somon Air to boost freight traffic
Fednav’s Paul Pathy elected BIMCO president
Awery poll: Security, compliance are top priorities for GSSAs
Frankfurt Airport cargo volume declines in April
Emirates Group confident in growth amid market volatility
China-US deescalation may spur early peak season
Etihad Cargo reshapes regional structure to drive network expansion
Cargo iQ adds SAL, Saudi Arabia's largest logistics provider
allivate digitalizes import shipment pick-up at Frankfurt Airport
U-Freight earns HKAEO accreditation for high security standards
AAPA: Supply chain disruptions hinder aviation’s role in global growth
Maastricht Aachen Airport makes new cargo appointment
US-China tariff pause offers temporary relief, could fuel another frontloading rush
Turkish Cargo signs long-term Partnership with Atlas Air for 747F flights
Qatar Airways Cargo expands Australian export capacity through Virgin Australia
WorldACD: Labor Day contributes to Asia-Pacific air cargo decline
Finnair Cargo joins Smart Freight Centre
Global schedule reliability records two consecutive month-on-month increases
CEVA Logistics announces new strategic warehouse in Singapore
China Airlines orders four Boeing 777-8 Freighters to expand cargo fleet
Qatar Airways Cargo launches campaign highlighting global trade role
Global air freight rates continue to tumble on tariff uncertainty
DHL acquires US e-commerce logistics company IDS Fulfillment
Tariff shifts reshape freighter operations, fuel market volatility
Turkish Cargo, Hong Kong Air Cargo, sign strategic MoU
Pharma.Aero, TIACA partner to boost air cargo's role in healthcare, trade
SATS appoints chief digital officer to lead global digitalisation efforts
AAL transports 60-metre port cranes from Europe to the US
dnata expands airside fleet with 800 new units in US$110M rollout
Trans Global Projects names new director as it launches Malaysian office
ICAO Council condemns radio frequency interference affecting civil aviation
Qatar Airways Cargo becomes launch customer of Mammoth Freighters 777-200LRMF
Air cargo market awaits impact of tariffs and 'de minimis' changes
DP World, Asian Terminals invest US$100M to expand Manila South Harbor
IMO enforces stricter air pollution limits for ships in the Mediterranean
WorldACD: Global cargo tonnages rise 6% in April year-on-year
Kuehne+Nagel, cargo.one partner to expand digital airline connections
ANA cargo volume rises in fiscal year 2024
UK freight group forms advisory body for Heathrow cargo overhaul
Korean Air to build urban air mobility hub in Bucheon
CMA CGM completes Air Belgium acquisition
India shuts airspace to Pakistan airlines amid rising tensions
Air cargo demand rises 4.4% in March amid frontloading ahead of tariffs
Saudia Cargo, China Henan Aviation launch Asia-Middle East air logistics bridge
Geodis, Dolfines team up on XXL lifting device for offshore wind
Emirates, Philippine Airlines to explore enhanced partnership in cargo
time:matters strengthens presence in Southeast Asia
APAC airlines report cargo growth, warn of tariff impact on demand
U-Freight sees continued global ecommerce growth despite current risks
WestJet Cargo expands service to South Korea with increased frequencies
ANA first airline to adopt fuel-saving riblet technology on Boeing 777
CEVA Logistics signs deal to acquire Borusan Tedarik, expand in Turkey
Cargolux posts strong 2024 results, cautions on global market impact
Airports in APAC, Middle East to see US$240B investment in infrastructure expansion
Swissport expands to 13 Saudi airports
WFS, Cathay Cargo ink new cargo handling contracts for Portland, Dallas Fort Worth airports
Air cargo rates from Asia Pacific fall further amid market uncertainty
CMA CGM becomes majority shareholder with 51% stake in Santos Brasil
KLN opens new Netherlands logistics facility to meet e-commerce demand
Cathay expects softening China-US cargo demand amid trade tensions
Qatar Airways Cargo, IAG Cargo, MASkargo eye launch of global cargo joint venture
ANA Cargo boosts online booking with CargoWise
IATA: Brazil's adoption of electronic air waybill a milestone for modernization
Hong Kong air cargo grows 4.8% in March driven by Middle East, Europe
Emirates SkyCargo invests in hydrogen-powered trucks
US to implement reduced port fees for Chinese ships starting October
DHL temporarily halts B2C shipments over US$800 to the US
Saudia Cargo, China Cargo Airlines forge alliance to boost Saudi-China trade
Hactl earns top marks in IATA SeMS certification
Oman Air Cargo launches new Netherlands service, boosts UK flights
Emirates SkyCargo becomes Teleport's cargo partner
UNCTAD: Global economic growth may slow to 2.3% amid mounting pressures
IATA launches information portal for live animal regulations
WFS, Emirates partner for new cargo handling contract at Frankfurt Airport
Hongkong Post halts US parcel shipments amid end of ‘de minimis’ exemptions
dnata handles over 1 million tonnes of cargo in Dubai in a year
Emirates SkyCargo expands dedicated freighter network to Narita
Kuehne+Nagel expands e-commerce deal with Orange
Etihad Cargo raises main deck capacity amid increased Greater China demand
DHL Supply Chain launches new pharma hub in Singapore
Hong Kong International Airport retains top cargo hub title for 14th year in 2024
Cathay Cargo Terminal introduces electric autonomous tractors
Korean Air to monitor trade uncertainties after recording Q1 cargo growth
Frankfurt continues to record cargo growth in March
Saudia Cargo launches new freighter routes to China, Belgium
India ends transshipment facility for Bangladesh exports
Supply chains brace for impact as US further hikes tariffs on China
Airfreight demand from China, Hong Kong to the US declines as rates rise
Robotic last-mile delivery set to transform urrban logistics — ABI Research
LOT Cargo signs up with cargo.one for online booking
Cathay launches Cathay Technologies to drive aviation digital solutions
Globe Air Cargo Cambodia named GSA for Air Premia in Cambodia, Myanmar
Etihad Cargo advances Abu Dhabi’s bid as global pharma hub
Air cargo braces for “disruptive” tariffs; removal of de minimis exemptions
Hactl, HKT establish Hong Kong’s first 5G private network-enabled air cargo terminal
DHL to invest EUR500M in Asia Pacific to boost health logistics
Airport Authority Hong Kong appoints Vivian Cheung as CEO
SCHIPHOL CONCENTRATES ON FILLING EMPTY BELLIES
January 31, 2019
AMS [4]
Faced with slot constraints, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is turning to underused belly space on passenger flights as the main source of growth for its cargo business. (Photo: Schiphol)

Faced with slot constraints, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is turning to underused belly space on passenger flights as the main source of growth for its cargo business.

 

In line with that, Schiphol Cargo was merged into the airport’s existing aviation and marketing department to form the Aviation Marketing, Cargo and Customer Experience unit, with Bart Pouwels appointed as head of cargo from April 2018.

 

“On the one hand, nothing has changed, but on the other, everything has changed,” says Pouwels. “A couple of years ago, when I was director of business development of cargo, I noticed that full-freighter flights were very big but it was also difficult to get more freighter airlines coming to Schiphol since we already had 27. But it’s not just about the numbers. If you have other airlines coming in, you need to grow the cake rather than divide the same cake among more airlines.”

 

Looking for other opportunities to grow cargo, Pouwels says he believed that there was a lot of potential in using bellies instead of adding more freighter operators, so he started collaborating with his colleagues in the route and business development team on the passenger side.

 

“Now that we’re reaching our limit of 500,000 air traffic movements a year, there’s not much we can do on the freighter side to grow cargo,” he says. “But that’s not the case on the passenger side. Naturally, we agreed to combine our efforts and in the end they asked me to head the cargo department. My work hasn’t changed. I still believe cargo is important and a good contribution to Schiphol. The management structure to which I report is irrelevant, to be honest, but senior management can now focus on just a single team and we are closer to them.”

 

According to Pouwels, one of his main priorities is to take advantage of the closer relationship between the cargo and passenger teams to grow and optimize the unused belly capacity on the passenger aircraft that serve Amsterdam.

 

“Don’t get me wrong – we of course focus on the freighters that we have because we want to keep them, but unused capacity on the freighter side is very limited,” he says. “You almost cannot replace a large freighter with a bigger one. With passenger flights, what we’re seeing is that because of the limited number of movements that we can operate, aircraft size is increasing and consequently the bellies are too.”

 

The team at Schiphol has developed a tool which helps to identify and calculate unused capacity by carrying out an analysis of all the passenger airlines and flights in Amsterdam’s network and determining how much of the belly is being used every flight.

 

“That varies between roughly 40-60%,” Pouwels says. “So about half is unused and that is a huge opportunity. That’s why we should come together to focus on maximizing that. In terms of sustainability, it’s a no-brainer.”

 

As an example, the tool has revealed that most belly opportunities between Asia and Amsterdam can be found in Guangzhou, Jakarta and Shanghai, even though more than 70% of the overall belly capacity between the two markets is currently used. Meanwhile, on the trans-Atlantic lane, Pouwels finds it interesting that bellies are generally less full on flights from the US to Amsterdam compared to westbound flights to the US.

 

Another major project on Pouwels’ hands is Schiphol’s Smart Cargo Mainport programme which aims to improve air cargo processes through digital innovation. As part of the initiative, Pouwels has been involved in a working group for track-and-trace data sharing for flower shipments, a key commodity at the airport.

 

“I’ve combined the transportation and the air waybill information into one new platform which allows me to track and trace, and inform all the stakeholders at the same time where the flowers are,” he says. “This has been piloted very successfully and we’ve created a mobile app so everyone can log in and view the information. There is no need for the freight forwarder to call the airline to ask about any delays, for example.”

 

Flowers were chosen as the starting point because of their importance to Schiphol’s cargo business. Now that the airport has a selection of several providers that are specialized in running these kinds of platforms, the next step is to scale things up and roll out similar capabilities for other segments.

 

“When you start something like this you need a good network and you need people to trust you with their data,” says Pouwels. “We started with a small group in the flower industry but we haven’t designed the platform specifically for flowers. What it is specifically designed for is track and trace. My next pilot will be with other commodities. With pharma, for example, we’ll need to add temperature monitoring but that’s relatively easy.”

 

With a streamlined team and several digital enhancements, Pouwels says he has a good feeling that Schiphol can gradually achieve some decent growth.

 

“Globally, I see more and more airlines changing their mechanisms and starting to use more passenger flights for more cargo,” he says. “In Amsterdam, we handle around 1.7 million tonnes annually, but we can do much more than that – what we need to do is start using all that unused capacity more efficiently.”

 

 

 

By Jeffrey Lee

Asia Cargo News | Hong Kong