Trending Now

Building a Resilient Supply Chain with Advanced Predictive…

New Articles

Leadership Lessons from the Sky: What can Aviation Teach other Industries?

aviation
Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

Leadership Lessons from the Sky: What can Aviation Teach other Industries?

Leave a comment

In the fast-paced and competitive landscape of today’s business world, drawing inspiration from unexpected sources can pave the way for success. 

Kyle Patel, founder, and CEO of global private jet provider Bitlux, sheds light on the invaluable lessons that can be collected from the aviation industry. In a realm where precision, communication, and meticulous planning are paramount, aviation provides a unique paradigm that transcends industry boundaries.

At the heart of aviation’s operational excellence lies a set of fundamental principles that are not only critical for those navigating the skies but also hold profound relevance for leaders in any business domain. Kyle’s piece delves into five key concepts that encapsulate the essence of what business leaders can learn from the aviation industry.

  1. The power of checklists

Aviation, with its emphasis on safety and procedural adherence, places a premium on checklists. These tools, integral to flight crew procedures, ensure systematic execution and can be seamlessly incorporated into diverse business operations, from hangar maintenance to flight planning and post-sales processes, checklists serve as a linchpin in fostering organizational tidiness and, ultimately, improving overall efficiency.

  1. Confirmation and repetition

In the aviation industry, where safety is paramount, the practice of reading back orders for confirmation is the foundation for flawless operations. This repetition method enhances communication effectiveness and is a transferrable practice applicable beyond the aviation sector. Repetition serves as a universal safeguard, reducing the likelihood of errors and ensuring that crucial information is accurately transmitted and understood.

  1. Embracing human error

In a realm where precision is non-negotiable, aviation recognizes the inevitability of human error. This acknowledgment, however, distinguishes unintentional errors from deliberate violations – a key difference – while the aviation philosophy encourages a culture of reporting, learning, and evolving to minimize errors, reinforcing the notion that errors are part of the learning curve rather than punishable transgressions. 

  1. Systems over individuals

Aviation underscores the principle that systems, not individuals, are often the root cause of failures. Business leaders can glean a crucial insight from this perspective, realizing that successful teams thrive within well-designed systems. Managers must shoulder responsibility for system failures, identifying and rectifying issues to foster an environment where individuals can flourish without the threat of blame.

  1. Testing at scale

Testing at scale is a widely applicable concept that extends beyond aviation and can be adopted across various industries to enhance innovation and mitigate potential setbacks. In the realm of technology, companies in the software development sector often engage in extensive testing at scale before deploying new applications or updates to ensure that the software performs optimally under real-world conditions, minimizing the chances of glitches or malfunctions upon widespread implementation. 

Healthcare is another sector where testing at scale is crucial, especially in the context of implementing new medical treatments or procedures – rigorous testing on a smaller scale enables healthcare professionals to assess the effectiveness and safety of novel interventions, providing valuable insights before introducing them into widespread medical practice.

Moreover, the automotive industry is increasingly embracing testing at scale, particularly with the development of autonomous vehicles and advanced driver-assistance systems, with car manufacturers conducting extensive testing of these technologies in controlled environments before releasing them to a broader audience while ensuring that the vehicles can navigate diverse real-world scenarios safely. 

Likewise, in the financial sector, where digital innovations are rapidly reshaping the industry, banking institutions often test new financial products or services on a limited scale to gauge customer response, identify potential issues, and refine their offerings before a full-scale rollout.

In a nutshell, these five attributes mix common sense, adaptability, a commitment to continuous learning, and openness to feedback – delivering a sound recipe for a manager’s success in any industry, by ultimately mirroring the ethos of the aviation industry. As businesses navigate the complex skies of modern competition, these lessons from aviation can serve as a beacon for effective leadership and sustainable growth.

BitLux delivers various services across the air charter industry, but Executive Travel is closest to heart. Whether you are flying for business or leisure, BitLux provides a top-tier private jet service that actively exceeds expectations.

 

private jet
Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

Is Private Jet travel really that Private?

Leave a comment

Kevin Singh, CEO of Icarus Jet, discusses one of the main concerns impacting the business aviation industry today: the feasibility to provide utmost confidentiality to its passengers is getting harder every day due to public-access tracking systems.

Private aviation has been a hot discussion topic due to its environmental impact and, most recently, potential privacy issues. Does Elon Musk’s case ring a bell? I’m sure it does, as the possibility to track tail numbers and learn about the movements of private jet travelers worldwide is common practice these days. Even SpaceX has gotten involved in this by asking the FAA to block the tracking of Musk’s private jet a few years ago. Yes, that’s the size of this issue… 

Passengers opt to use private aviation for many reasons, with flexibility, comfort, and time efficiency topping the list. Yet, there is a key trait that drives demand while also being expected by all global customers: privacy. Well, it’s called private aviation for a reason. That attribute has been tested for the past months after public aircraft tracking hit the mainstream media. Now, high-profile individuals, such as celebrities, politicians, business executives, and other prominent figures who often utilize private jets for travel can be tracked in the sky.

These customers have taken notice of the recent developments, the latest being the case of Bernard Arnault, the billionaire CEO of LVMH, who recently sold the company’s private jet after thousands of people started tracking the plane on social media. On the same line, with the industry also immersed in environmental turmoil, the possibility to track jets is also being used to determine the travel emissions on private jets by the wealthiest individuals and families. It’s the case of Climate Jets – with the mission “to reveal the disparity between the carbon emissions of the ultra-rich and average Americans.”

At Icarus Jet, a private jet provider based in Dallas, we believe that privacy is the most immediate issue affecting the industry today because privacy is what every customer seeks when chartering a private flight. By engaging with our passengers and private jet owners (we also have a trip support business line), that is hands down their main concern today: just how easy it is to track tail numbers.

Some flight tracking websites, such as FlightAware, FlightRadar24, RadarBox, or the enthusiast community-based ADS-B Exchange, provide real-time tracking of flights, including private jets. The latter relies on a community of volunteers that have worldwide tracking equipment, working as an open-source platform. All these websites gather data from various sources, including air traffic control, ADS-B (more on this term later), and other publicly available information. The sheer availability of this data, just one click or search away in Google, should be worrisome for the entire industry.

Well, how can the industry respond? Is there a feasible solution? There is, and it may involve regulators, government authorities, and industry-wide collaboration. While the FAA provides a service called Limiting Aircraft Data Displayed (LADD) that reduces the availability of information, some internet tracking services don’t use LADD because they don’t rely on FAA data; they obtain it directly from the aircraft by using an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) – a transmitter that sends a distinctive code that is linked to the aircraft while enabling to track it on publicly available devices.

While FAA and NBAA have renewed their effort to find ways within the FAA to protect the privacy of flight information, a one-stop solution is still not available for operators and private jet owners. Most importantly, balancing privacy concerns with the need for transparency and safety in private jet tracking is still very much in the early stages of the discussion.

Potential private jet flight tracking solutions

I always have believed that at any industry and level of discussion, education, and awareness are key. Raising awareness among private jet passengers, operators, and the public about the benefits, challenges, and privacy considerations of private jet tracking should be the first step in the process for any leading actor in the industry, and not finding out about this issue through the press, as has been the case in the past year or so.

Collaboration is another key element for sustained success in finding solutions. Industry stakeholders, including private jet operators, and regulatory bodies, should collaborate to establish standardized privacy guidelines and best practices. These guidelines can ensure consistency in privacy protection while maintaining a reasonable level of tracking for safety and operational needs.

Clear privacy policies at domestic and international levels should also be paramount – private jet operators and authorities should have transparent and comprehensive privacy policies in place. These policies should clearly outline how the tracking data is collected, stored, used, and shared. Users should have access to these policies and be informed of their rights and options regarding their flight information.

Furthermore, along the lines of privacy policies, would it be too much to ask to have a consent-based tracking policy? I believe operators and owners should have control over whether their flight information is publicly accessible or shared with specific entities. Implementing opt-in mechanisms will allow individuals to decide if they want their flights to be tracked and who should have access to the data.

Last but not least, implementing enhanced data security measures to protect private jet tracking information from unauthorized access or potential misuse is the building block of all the previously proposed solutions. Encryption, secure data transmission protocols, and strict access controls can help safeguard the data and maintain confidentiality, and perhaps AI and its technological advances can also have a role to play in this realm.

It is essential to find a delicate balance that respects privacy concerns while meeting safety, security, and operational requirements. Reaching this balance requires ongoing dialogue, collaboration, and the adoption of appropriate technological and policy measures within the private jet industry.

About the Author

Pilot, president, and founder of Icarus Jet, a leading global trip support and aircraft management company, Kevin Singh has flown globally as a chief pilot and captain on private jets like the Hawker 800-A and 850 XP, and the Challenger 600 series and Global 6000.  

air silk
Air Cargo, Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

Challenge Air Cargo is the Group’s Commercial Mastermind

Leave a comment

Many ingredients come into play the moment a transportation challenge is accepted: ingredients that are all available within Challenge Group, but that require expert coordination and planning. Once the commodity, size and weight, origin and destination, special requirements, and other relevant information are known, the search begins for the best routing, air cargo capacity, road feeder connections and logistics ancillary services. This is where the group’s in-house commercial arm comes in: Challenge Air Cargo was founded in 2018. It has meanwhile established itself as an expert in orchestrating unique door-to-door solutions for time-sensitive and complex shipments.

Challenge Group’s dedicated commercial team operates mainly out of a centralized call center in Malta. Not only is the island known for its “aviation friendliness”, but it is also geographically perfectly placed, at the Europe-Africa intersection between East and West – a traffic channel that is becoming increasingly important for the group. Challenge Air Cargo consists of around 100 staff worldwide, some of whom are assigned to specific verticals where dedicated effort is required to deliver commodity-specific high-quality standards. The team provides 24/7 access in a variety of languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, German, Italian, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Arabic. Challenge Air Cargo takes care of capacity sales on Challenge Group’s three airlines: Challenge Airlines IL, Challenge Airlines BE, and Challenge Airlines MT. It also interfaces closely with Challenge Logistics in setting up first and last mile transport, and interlines with quality partner airlines to ensure uninterrupted, end-to-end supply chain solutions.

About Challenge Group

Challenge Group is a unique, international air cargo conglomeration offering tailored air freight industry solutions from handling, air and ground logistics, to aviation services, for a wide range of industries and commodities.

Challenge Group employs 850 people across three airlines (Challenge Airlines IL in Israel, Challenge Airlines BE in Belgium, Challenge Airlines MT in Malta),  a commercial division (Challenge Air Cargo) in Malta, a ground handling company (Challenge Handling in Liege, Belgium), a European road feeder provider (Challenge Logistics in Liege, Belgium), an aircraft and parts leasing division (Challenge Aviation), and a comprehensive line maintenance provider (Challenge Technic). The company has trebled its capacity over the past four years and now handles 300,000+ tons of cargo per year.

global market network cell 5G communications networks will have logistics and supply chain applications, allowing users to more efficiently process shipments of export cargo and shipments of import cargo in international trade. RAN
Archives, Commentary, Global Trade Daily

Report On 5G Market in Aviation

Leave a comment

With Nearly 26% CAGR, 5G Revenue in Aviation for to Soar Small Cells, Reveals Future Market Insights

According to a recent report by Future Market Insights (FMI), the 5G Market in Aviation is expected to surpass a valuation of US$ 7.8 Bn at a CAGR of over 26.4% through 2032. The aviation industry is focused on small cells because of the better range and the quality of 5G network. Small cells are low powered cellular radio access nodes that can operate in different spectrums with a range of 10 meters to few kilometers. This is an important method to increase the quality, connectivity, resilience.

The aviation industry is focused on the small cells because of the better range and the quality of 5G network. Small cells are low powered cellular radio access nodes that can operate in different spectrums with a range of 10 meters to few kilometers. This is an important method to increase the quality, connectivity, and resilience.

Inside the airport small cells have wide range of technical and economic advantages because they maximize the reuse of the spectrum. Small cells integrate with the Wi-Fi as the spectrum connectivity is very faster. 5G technology is widely used in aviation platforms mainly in airports, drones, and aircraft repairing. The speed of 5G technology is largely dependent on the frequencies used, with the use of new frequencies one can send messages to the congested areas, which can be used for the tracking purpose. By using the above methodologies, the missing airplane can be contacted and used to identify the regions. Owing to these applications, the aviation industry is expected to largely benefit through the implementation of this technology.

Key Takeaways from the 5G market in aviation Market Study

  • Enhanced Mobile Broadband is expected to hold the largest share in the technology segment. Enhanced Mobile Broadband is a vital point for the fastest connection in the 5G technology.
  • The U.S. holds a growth of CAGR 25.9% from 2022 to 2032.
  • The small cell segment is expected to emerge as the fastest-growing segment, registering a CAGR of 25.8% from 2022 to 2032.

“The role of 5G technologies for aircraft maintenance can escalate the market at a high pace” says an FMI analyst.

Who is winning?

Leading players of 5G Market in Aviation are focused in developing the 5G infrastructure in the airports for the better connection and to access the log data virtually. For regulating and reducing the passenger traffic 5G market in aviation industry is used.

Key players present in the 5G market in aviation industry are Ericsson, Nokia, Cisco Systems, Panasonic Avionics Corporations, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Gogo Llc, Anuvu, OneWeb, Aeromobile Communication, Smartsky Network, Inseego Corp and Intelsat among others.

Get More Valuable Insights

Future Market Insights, in its new offering, provides an unbiased analysis of the global 5G market in aviation, presenting historical demand data (2019-2021) and forecast statistics for the period from 2022-2032. The study divulges compelling insights on the 5G market in aviation based on End-use (5G Infrastructure for Airport, 5G Infrastructure for Aircraft) Communication Infrastructure (Small cell, Distributed Antenna System) Technology (Enhanced Mobile Broadband, Fixed Wireless Access, Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications/ Massive Machine Type Communications) Application (Airport Operations, Aircraft Operations) across five major regions.

Director of Charter Sales for Mercury Jets, explains that a change in perception on private jet travel is a key element that also explains the trip
Air Cargo, Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

Is Private Aviation Getting Popular?

Leave a comment

Ryan DeBruyne, Director of Charter Sales for the New York-based air charter solution company Mercury Jets discusses whether the sustained increase in demand is positive for the global business air ecosystem.

Record-breaking private jet demand

As January broke another record in global jet demand, it is easy to assume that trend will continue well into 2022 and beyond. Although the pandemic and the lack of commercial aviation are key
reasons that explain the surge, both aspects are far from telling the entire story behind the impressive record-breaking activity of private aviation.

The industry is in the middle of a rebranding, a change of image, although not created by operators or brokers, but by the historic moment itself. On that note, Ryan DeBruyne, Director of Charter Sales for Mercury Jets, explains that a change in perception on private jet travel is a key element that also explains the surge in demand.

“Private aviation is getting popular. And there is nothing wrong with that statement. The expectations for the industry are swiftly changing as well as the consumer behavior.

What is the main performance indicator of a service increasing in popularity?

Returning first-time flyers and sustained demand from frequent clients. The problem is not the rise in demand and popularity, which is a fact, but if the main players in the business will be capable of responding to that demand, long term”, shares DeBruyne. That is a discussion probably happening today in some war rooms.

When commercial aviation returns to shape, and it will, is it possible that private jet demand will suffer a drop in movements?

DeBruyne thinks it will for some specific routes, although this 2.5-year window has demonstrated that the new private jet market is here to stay.

“Private aviation will never be the same. The 2019 version is long gone, as the pandemic has positively reshaped the entire ecosystem. A decline in movements in some domestic routes is expected once commercial aviation resumes its activity. Nevertheless, the seed of reliability has been planted on hundreds of new customers and going back to long lines and many hours spent in the terminal will be a hard pill to swallow”, says DeBruyne.

Some challenges on the runway

As WingX recently reported, January 2022 registered a 35% increase compared to last year and 15% more activity than pre-Covid January (2019). That is impressive. That, coped with a lack of
deliveries from major manufacturers poses a short-term challenge due to a potential lack of availability in some in aircraft segments.
DeBruyne agrees. “Reliability is arguably the main added value of private aviation. If we, as an industry, because it takes everyone, cannot accommodate to our passenger’s expectations, that poses a risk, as smaller operators worldwide have witnessed. Being able to have access to thousands of aircraft worldwide, as Mercury Jets has, definitely increases the chances of adapting to our clients’ needs and expectations.”

A solid fix is without a doubt an influx of new private aircraft in the market. Textron, the leading manufacturer in mid-sized private jets, reported in early January that it delivered 167 jets in 2021, up from 132 in 2020, and expects that number to increase this year. That is great news for the entire industry, as new aircraft in the ecosystem will contribute to meet the rising demand.

Furthermore, as Zoom meetings are getting close to a burnout stage, more businesses worldwide will rely on private aviation to go places, increasing pressure on the overall supply chain. Leisure travel is also growing after more than two years of lockdown, and, again, private flight serves as the perfect partner to access any remote destination.

“A well-managed business aviation company will find ways to accommodate to the trends and deliver a consistent service. Private aviation is getting popular, in a very good sense, as more passengers are experiencing the amenities that have positioned this market at the very top, led by flexibility and comfort. Planning for increased demand during 2022 and advising clients to book ahead of time are the recipe for a successful partnership as the industry navigates history in the making regarding private jet activity”, concludes DeBruyne.

Archives, Global Trade Daily, News

Universal Hydrogen Picks New Mexico for Major Manufacturing Hub

Leave a comment

Company will hire hundreds to decarbonize aviation, other heavy transportation sectors

A company with a mission to enable carbon-free fuel and reduce the climate impact of air travel will build a globaltrademag.com and distribution center in New Mexico with a goal of hiring hundreds of employees in Albuquerque.

Universal Hydrogen has chosen a 50-acre parcel of property northeast of the passenger terminal at the Albuquerque International Sunport to manufacture and distribute its hydrogen storage modules, assemble airplane retrofit kits, perform aftermarket maintenance services, and manage administrative activities. The location includes access to a runway and the potential future reclamation of a rail spur south of the Sunport.

New Mexico will be at the heart of the company’s mission to decarbonize hard-to-abate greenhouse gas emissions in aviation, ground transportation, and heavy industry to help the United States meet the Paris Agreement goals. The company also has facilities in California, Washington State, and Toulouse, France.

“This project puts New Mexico and Universal Hydrogen at the center of the global effort to decarbonize transportation and aviation in particular,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “Hydrogen, solar, wind, and alternative energy are job-rich industries and New Mexico’s partnerships with these companies are part of a forward-thinking model to create a robust and diversified economy, while being a part of the solution when it comes to a changing climate.”

“Aviation is going to be one of the most difficult sectors of our economy to decarbonize. The clean hydrogen capsules that Universal Hydrogen plans to manufacture in Albuquerque will be central to reducing carbon pollution in air transportation — a major contributor to our climate crisis. I’m proud to welcome all of the jobs and investment that Universal Hydrogen is bringing to New Mexico,” U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich said.

Universal Hydrogen will spend one to two years on the planning and construction of its New Mexico facilities, with a goal of commencing full-scale manufacturing by 2024. It anticipates investing over $254 million into New Mexico and aims to hire 500 employees over the next seven years. These jobs will include highly skilled engineers and composite technicians with attractive salaries and benefits. The construction project alone is expected to generate over 1,200 jobs, and the manufacturing and distribution center is expected to have an economic impact of over $700 million over the next 10 years.

“With two federal Department of Energy research labs and a skilled workforce, the future for new, innovative energy technology is here in New Mexico,” Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes said. “Gov. Lujan Grisham gets it and she thinks big — New Mexico is now competing for sophisticated companies with highly paid jobs, and winning.”

Universal Hydrogen is uniquely positioned to address the hydrogen value chain for aviation, both for hydrogen fuel distribution and hydrogen-powered airplanes. The company utilizes proprietary capsules that safely store hydrogen during transit and serve as modular tanks that are loaded directly onto aircraft. The technology will underpin a logistics network that can move hydrogen from production facilities to airports over existing freight infrastructure, eliminating the need for costly new pipelines, tankers, and hydrogen storage facilities.

The company is also developing powertrain conversion kits to retrofit existing regional turboprop aircraft, including the Dash 8-300 and ATR 72, to enable these aircraft to fly on hydrogen. It thus far has agreements with 11 air carriers to retrofit nearly 100 regional airplanes with a goal of being FAA-certified and in commercial service by 2025.

After demonstrating success with regional aircraft, Universal Hydrogen plans to apply its modular fueling solution to larger commercial airplanes as well as drones, industrial equipment, and ground transportation, all domains with high-carbon footprints that will require hydrogen to meet pollution-reduction goals.

“Hydrogen is the best and only scalable solution to truly decarbonize aviation, and we want to bring it to market decades sooner than anyone thought possible — by 2025,” Jon Gordon, co-founder and general counsel for Universal Hydrogen, said.

Gordon said the company chose Albuquerque for manufacturing and distribution because of its strategic location that allows the company to leverage air, rail, and the interstate highway system as well as robust partnerships in governments, industry, and research institutions. “I can’t imagine a better place to be. We need a highly skilled workforce, and we need it immediately,” Gordon said. “We see New Mexico as a place that will give our employees an affordable, high quality of life with access to culture and the outdoors. It’s really a dream location.”

He added that both Sen. Heinrich and Gov. Lujan Grisham are rare among elected officials in fully appreciating the transformative economic effect of sustainable hydrogen, including its ability to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

“New Mexico has some of the most forward-looking political figures in the country right now as far as seeing the potential of hydrogen to transform our economy and eliminate our reliance on fossil fuels,” Gordon added. “New Mexico’s leadership will attract other companies to the region as well. That’s important to us. We want to be a significant catalyst to build this sustainability-focused ecosystem in New Mexico.”

The Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance(AREA), the area’s non-profit, private-sector economic development organization, provided technical assistance for Universal Hydrogen’s expansion. AREA first began providing site-selection services to Universal Hydrogen in early September 2021. “This investment affirms the state’s profile in aviation, manufacturing and energy, all of which are target industries of AREA’s strategic plan. We are actively working on projects in all these areas, and we expect that, with Universal Hydrogen’s announcement, we’ll only see more inquiries,” Danielle Casey, president and CEO of Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance, said.

Universal Hydrogen has been featured in Bloomberg, Reuters, Wall Street Journal, and the Financial Times, among many others, as one of the innovative startups working to decarbonize the transportation sector. For Universal Hydrogen related media inquiries, please contact Kate Gundry at uh2@pluckpr.com.

New Mexico has taken a bold approach towards clean hydrogen development. In January, the state signed an MOU with Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories that leverages their respective areas of expertise with hydrogen to deliver timely and efficient transformation of energy systems. In February, Gov. Lujan Grisham signed an MOU with the governors of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming in announcing that they will compete jointly for a portion of the $8 billion allocated in the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for the development of regional clean hydrogen hubs.

private aviation
Airports, Archives, Commentary, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

2021 BizAv Recap: Looking Back On a Great Year for Private Aviation

Leave a comment

Alina Gavrushenko, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Monarch Air Group, shares her thoughts on the industry’s historic year, fueled by its resiliency and superior flexibility.

How Private Aviation Increased Demand

When your sales increase by more than 120% compared to 2020 it is safe to say you’ve had a good year. That was the case for Monarch Air Group in 2021, which saw record figures for domestic movements in the US. This was also true for major players in the industry, powered by commercial aviation’s inefficiency during the pandemic and a change in expectations by passengers, who started to seek a safer and more efficient way of travel, with reduced touchpoints and reliable service.

With commercial aviation almost entirely grounded during the early stages of 2021, private aviation was the go-to option for those in need of travel. Record figures were established every month of 2021, with Florida unsurprisingly leading the way as the state with the most movements. Furthermore, this increased demand registered a clear shift in the type of aircraft that was booked, with light and midsize jets soaring through the skies instead of larger heavy aircraft.

Smaller jets in the sky

The previous trend is explained by the rise in domestic travel, which demands shorter routes and less passengers in each flight. In fact, since early 2021 for Monarch Air Group, 55% percent of chartered private jets have been light or midsized, compared to only 14% of super-midsize and larger aircraft. Turboprops also were a top option thanks to their versatility and reduced operational costs, accounting for 27% of all charter bookings for the year.

Interestingly enough, although international charter travel has yet to reach pre-Covid levels, for Monarch Air Group that was not entirely the case. The reason? Based in Fort Lauderdale, the Caribbean is roughly two hours away from South Florida and can be reached by a wide variety of aircraft, especially those with a cost-efficient operation. Our main destination from the US to the Caribbean during 2021 was The Bahamas, followed by Turks and Caicos Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, and the Dominican Republic.

The rise of first-time private jet flyers

The increase in demand due to the pandemic resulted in an all-time high of first-time private flyers. The majority of them were previous commercial passengers that opted for the shift thanks to safety and reliability. Private aviation meant for them a flexible means of transportation, without crowds and the usual airport hassle, and far away from potential virus infection thanks to a controlled preflight and post-flight travel experience. This showcases a big opportunity and challenge for the entire industry as we need to understand how to continuously meet the expectations of the new consumers while exceeding those of the frequent fliers. It is a great place to be, if you ask me…

Late 2021 also registered a rise in leisure private travel to places with warm weather. After more than two years of lockdown, people felt the need of a well-deserved reboot and travel is, as usual, the perfect medicine. Snowbirds flying from Canada and New York to South Florida started to pick up before Thanksgiving and bookings for Christmas and New Year are an important trend these days that demonstrates the good health of the industry.

Furthermore, as vaccination drives continue increasing worldwide and travel restrictions are lifted, the need for face-to-face business will regain shape sooner than later. This trend started in late 2021 within the US but is projected to also continue in the international charter realm, especially for transatlantic flights. Although the rise of new variants might pause that possibility in the countries that are most impacted. That is definitely something to constantly track.

In summary, 2021 was a great year for private aviation. The industry learned how to adapt to the pandemic at the early stages, and then to thrive thanks to its characteristic flexibility, safety, and diversification. At Monarch Air Group, we expect this rise to continue as, in a way, the industry as a whole has passed the test with flying colors, demonstrating its added value and how its incomparable to commercial aviation in regard to customization, reliability and safety. We will continue to position the needs of our passengers in the core of our bottom line, as there is no other possible way to lead a sustained trust-based relationship with our diverse stakeholders.

air silk
Air Cargo, Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

How the Air Cargo Industry is Taking on COVID-19

Leave a comment

The fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic shook the aviation sector to its core. The economic crisis and travel bans and restrictions have severely hampered international transportation and the global air freight industry. Data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows that global volumes and international cargo are significantly lower than in 2019.

Despite the apparent decline in numbers, the jet cargo industry is showing signs of steady recovery. It is safe to say that, from an economic point of view, airlines with cargo-diversified revenue streams are surviving and have managed to avoid the worst of the pandemic.

Adapt to Survive

The aviation industry is doing its best to adapt and ensure business survival in a changing world. Although world trade and passenger transport hit an all-time low during the main period of the pandemic, both commercial aviation and air charter sectors were able to modify their systems and services to meet the demands of the times and, of course, their clients.

We have seen passenger and private jet companies use their experience and expertise to cater to changing business requirements and emergency scenarios. From personnel repatriation to emergency evacuations — and sometimes even stepping into disrupted freight supply lines to ensure the delivery of essential goods.

Demand Response

Airline companies have shifted their focus throughout the pandemic and dedicated their efforts towards the successful transport of COVID-19 supplies and accommodating the exponential demand for essential COVID-19 commodities.

Cargo jets with climate-controlled facilities have seized business opportunities in freights that require highly regulated and temperature-controlled specifications, including the distribution of billions of COVID vaccines worldwide. In addition, airline companies are retrofitting their passenger planes for cargo to capture more specialized segments, especially those that require time urgency and delicate handlings, such as pharmaceuticals, PPEs, medical equipment, and perishables.

More and more companies are also turning to air charters for reliable transport of complex and time-critical deliveries. Compared to other methods of transport, air charters stand out as the most efficient end-to-end solution as they have access to more airfields and can be deployed in a matter of hours.

Emerging Opportunities

The pandemic has been broadly destructive for the aviation industry. Still, it has contributed to accelerating the global transition to e-commerce, which is set to benefit the cargo transportation industry for the foreseeable future.

While e-commerce was already on an uptrend even before the pandemic, it has risen faster than anticipated due to recent changes in consumer purchasing behaviors. According to data from IBM’s U.S. Retail Index, COVID-19 hastened the shift away from physical stores to digital shopping by, more or less, five years.

With people becoming more inclined to shop online, e-commerce volumes continue to rise amid the pandemic. Shipment-focused aviation services are currently taking advantage of this market shift.

Going Forward

The air cargo sector is demonstrating impressive flexibility and adaptability in handling the challenges and repercussions of COVID-19 in the industry. Still, from a vantage point, the future of global air freight service seems bright, and all set for growth.

The pandemic has opened new doors and opportunities for cargo. As the demand for specialized freight services and e-commerce rises, global trade will eventually regain its foothold. And the cargo industry will fly high again.

___________________________________________________________

About the Author

Melissa Hull is the Content Marketing Strategist for Aviation Charters, a West Trenton, New Jersey-based private aviation company that provides on-demand aircraft charter, aircraft management, and aircraft acquisition services. Aside from her passion for writing, she loves to travel and read espionage books.

aviation
Air Cargo, Airports, Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

Monarch Air Group: How Does Technology Translate to Aviation?

Leave a comment

Fort Lauderdale private jet provider Monarch Air Group examines how technology is helping aviation as a whole go above and beyond, the same way as other industries have relied on technology to provide added value to the end clients as well as a competitive advantage from other competing sectors.

Technologies applied in the aviation industry

A vast amount of technologies drive and enhance digital transformation both in companies and organizations and in people’s daily lives. Blockchain, Cloud, IoT, AI and Cybersecurity. But what relationship do they have with the aviation sector?

Smart Airport is a concept that has been gaining strength for years, using the latest technologies that allow efficient use of all kinds of resources, provide the best security for customers, passengers, and employees, and maximize the experience of each of them, users, and all stakeholders.

For instance, one of the leaders in energy matters is the Oslo airport, capital of Norway, which uses ecological materials with an architectural design that takes advantage of sunlight, performing efficient waste management and providing energy solutions with low CO2 emissions that contribute to the overall sustainability. Norway, and particularly Oslo, stand out for their commitment to caring for the environment.

In terms of innovation, the Beijing Daxing International Airport, one of the largest in the world, leads the way in the degree of intelligence it has achieved with the implementation of new technological systems. Robots, 5G technology, facial recognition and real-time luggage tracking with a smartphone are just some of the innovations implemented at this airport.

How technology is changing aviation

One of the most striking changes that is coming in the short or medium term is the end of the control towers. This model is already being tested in the United Kingdom and Sweden, performing this service remotely, being able to manage the air traffic control of several airports in the same center, considerably reducing construction and maintenance costs, as well as an equitable and traceable distribution of workload between operators.

Airbus is another great example of digital transformation. The company is using artificial intelligence to better understand customers by analyzing past behaviors to make predictions and recommendations; virtual reality to integrate digital models in production environments reducing testing time from three weeks to three days; digital platforms to have real-time flight test information; monitoring of more than 24,000 parameters to perform predictive maintenance; they also reorganized the entire supply chain, being able to locate component packages in real time, which include temperature, shock and vibration sensors.

How does private aviation maximize the use of technology?

Companies like Monarch Air Group, which since 2017 allows clients to pay for a flight using cryptocurrencies and offers a state-of-the-art online quoting system with thousands of active aircraft worldwide, has taken a step forward to delivering its clients a safe and reliable flight experience, from booking to landing.

The previous is the main added value for a client looking to charter a private jet, who seeks a specific aircraft for a precise route, on an exact day and time. The passenger wants to operate the process digitally, swiftly and without setbacks, and arrive 15 minutes prior to his flight with a waiting aircraft just steps away from the private jet terminal.

Other key technological advances come from manufacturers, with top-notch advances in private aircraft, from operational capability, cost-efficiency to the highest safety standards in the business. Manufacturers like Gulfstream, Cessna and Dassault raise the bar for the entire industry, making it more efficient, reliable, safer and, more recently, cleaner. All these companies are thoroughly working towards better aerodynamic efficiency for a smaller carbon footprint, technology at its finest.

fleet
Archives, Global Trade Daily, News

Magma Aviation Expands its Managed Fleet to Five Boeing 747-400F Aircraft

Leave a comment

With effect from May 2021, Magma Aviation is expanding its fleet with the addition of one Boeing 747-400F through a partnership with Plus Logistics Solutions Limited. This brings Magma’s managed fleet to five aircraft, strengthening the Magma Aviation flight network and widebody freighter capacity across the Globe.

In response to the serious impact of the pandemic and grounding of passenger fleets this has created a significant lack of global capacity, with market conditions creating a demand on capacity this is the second increase to the Magma Aviation fleet within 12 months. Now operating to and from Asia-Europe, Europe to North America, Europe to Africa, and Africa to Europe.

Magma Aviation’s reaction to the surge in the demand for freighter aircraft maintains the continued support and commitment to their clients, providing regular flying capacity to freight forwarders, logistics providers, and charter brokers. With this addition, Magma Aviation will be able to support their clients and global commerce to ensure network stability and continuity.

_____________________________________________________________________

Magma Aviation is a Chapman Freeborn company and a family member of Avia Solutions Group, the largest aerospace business group from Central & Eastern Europe.