The A330-200F has been granted Type Certification today by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) following a successful 200-hour flight-test campaign. The trials were performed by two aircraft, covering both engine types on offer: the Pratt and Whitney PW4000 and the Rolls-Royce Trent 700.

This dedicated freighter aircraft, which is a derivative of the A330-200 passenger model, has been certified through an amendment to the existing A330-200 EASA Type Certificate granted to Airbus in 1998. This EASA award will be followed by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Type Certification.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Toulouse, Christian Favre, A330/340 Chief Engineer said: “After a very smooth and successful flight test campaign we have reached certification in line with our planning. Moreover, thanks to some design optimisation, the aircraft’s payload capability of 70 tonnes is one tonne more than first expected.”

He added: “With the freighter market already showing signs of recovery, rising by 20 per cent so far this year, we now have a great new aircraft to offer customers,” he concluded.

The A330-200F features an optimised fuselage cross-section, offering flexibility to carry a wide variety of pallet and container sizes. The aircraft offers 30 per cent more volume than any freighter in its class, and is based on the proven and technologically-advanced A330 platform, for which Airbus has over 1,000 orders and already more than 650 aircraft in service.

Over 3,400 freighters will be needed in the next 20 years to cater for a 5.2 percent average annual growth rate. This will include around 1,600 mid-sized freighters, of which the A330-200F will play an important role.

Painted white with blue accents, the 747-8 Freighter unveiled a new twist on the Boeing Commercial Airplanes livery. It features an oversized “8″ on the background of the tail as well as “747-8″ on the belly.

The light livery, which saves time and expense compared to the full Boeing livery, will remain on the airplane until the flight-test program is completed. After flight test, it will be refurbished and delivered to a customer.

The first freighter will begin preparing for the necessary tests leading up to first flight in early 2010.

EVERETT, Wash., Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA), on Thursday afternoon, towed the first 747-8 Freighter out of the factory in Everett, Wash. The airplane, ultimately destined for Cargolux, will be painted and begin preparations for flight test.

“It is very rewarding to see this airplane transition to the flight test phase,” said Mo Yahyavi, 747 program vice president and general manager. “Our employees, suppliers and customers have put a lot of work into making the 747-8 Freighter a reality.”

The 747-8 Freighter is the new high-capacity 747 that will give cargo operators the lowest operating costs and best economics of any freighter airplane while providing enhanced environmental performance. It is 250 feet, 2 inches (76.3 m) long, which is 18 feet and 4 inches (5.6 m) longer than the 747-400 Freighter. The stretch provides customers with 16 percent more revenue cargo volume compared to its predecessor. That translates to four additional main-deck pallets and three additional lower-hold pallets.

Boeing has secured 105 orders for the 747-8, 78 of which are orders for the new freighter. Cargolux, Nippon Cargo Airlines, AirBridgeCargo Airlines, Atlas Air, Cathay Pacific, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, Emirates SkyCargo, Guggenheim and Korean Air all have placed orders for the 747-8 Freighter.

The new dedicated Freighter variant of the successful A330 Family took to the skies today during a four hour maiden flight over Toulouse. This milestone marks the start of a 180 hour flight-test and certification campaign, and paves the way for first delivery of the type to launch operator, Etihad Crystal Cargo, in the summer of 2010.

The new A330-200F will offer freight customers greater range and a higher maximum payload with much lower unit costs compared with its closest competitor. The aircraft has already gained 67 firm orders with nine customers. In addition to these orders, the aircraft has been selected by a tenth customer — Turkish Airlines — following the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for two A330-200Fs. Furthermore, there are other ongoing campaigns in progress where airlines are showing serious interest in the aircraft.

Airbus Chief Operating Officer – Customers, John Leahy said: “The efficient A330-200F is very well adapted to today’s market dynamics of rising fuel prices and increased pressure on yields.” He adds: “The A330-200F is the right aircraft at the right time. We are at the eve of a market recovery, and now is the time for airlines to prepare for future freight growth.”

Airbus sees the need for over 3,400 freighters in the next 20 years to cater for a 5.2% average annual growth rate. In turn, this will require around 1,600 mid-sized freighters, of which the A330-200F will play an important role.

With a greater payload than initially anticipated, the A330-200F offers two operational configurations depending on the planned mission. The aircraft can carry more than 64 metric tonnes over 4,000 nautical miles / 7,400km, or more than 69 metric tonnes up to 3,200 nautical miles / 5,930km – non-stop. These range and payload capabilities will enable operators to grow their business by opening up or extending cargo routes they currently operate. Thanks to an optimized fuselage cross-section, it has the interior flexibility to carry a wide variety of pallet and container sizes for maximum interlining capability, offering 30 per cent more volume than any freighter in its class.

Compared with the highly successful passenger A330-200, this new purpose-designed Freighter version has an increased maximum-zero-fuel weight (MZFW) of eight tonnes to allow for high-density cargo configuration transportation of 10lb/ft³. In addition, the aircraft features a reinforced fuselage plus new strengthened floor with a specially designed floor-grid for higher running loads.

The A330-200F is based on the proven, highly successful and technologically-advanced A330 platform, for which Airbus has received over 1,000 orders, and to date around 625 aircraft are in operational service.

— Un fuerte enfoque en el cliente es fundamental para el desarrollo de
soluciones líderes en la industria

— El espíritu de innovación encaminará a la empresa a través de las
siguientes décadas

PLANTATION, Florida, 28 de septiembre /PRNewswire/ — Citando el espíritu
pionero de la empresa, un sólido enfoque en el cliente y un papel fundamental
en la facilitación del comercio exterior, Frank Appel, Director Ejecutivo de
Deutsche Post DHL, narró el secreto del éxito de DHL en el momento en que el
principal proveedor mundial de servicios exprés y de logística celebró su 40º
aniversario el 25 de Septiembre de 2009.
“En 1969, tres hombres se propusieron hacer lo imposible y conquistaron la
luna. Unos cuantos meses después, Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom y Robert Lynn
fundaron DHL e hicieron más pequeño al mundo”, apuntó Appel. “DHL fue pionero
en la industria de envíos exprés internacionales, haciendo posible que los
documentos llegaran a los destinatarios de un día para el otro, en lugar de en
unos días”.
La compañía exprés rápidamente creció para abarcar transportación global y
gestión de cadena de suministro, a través de la integración estratégica del
importante transportista Danzas Air & Ocean en 2002 y el experto en cadena de
suministro y logística Exel en 2005. Fue así que DHL pudo ofrecer una
exhaustiva suite de servicios a través de una inigualable red global que
abarca más de 220 países y territorios. Hoy, DHL es el principal proveedor de
la industria en sus varios segmentos: No. 1 en carga aérea y marítima; No. 1
en envíos exprés internacionales; No. 1 en logística de contrato; y No. 2 en
carga terrestre en Europa.
Al ofrecer inicialmente un servicio revolucionario – la entrega
internacional puerta a puerta de documentación sensible al tiempo – DHL
permitió a las empresas y organizaciones alrededor del mundo desarrollar su
negocio y ampliar su impacto, estimulando invariablemente el comercio mundial
y haciendo al mundo más pequeño día con día.
DHL también continuamente reinventó el negocio de la logística a través de
la introducción de novedosos procesos que se han convertido en benchmarks de
la industria, incluyendo el uso de identificación por radio frecuencia para
gestión de inventario y un sistema de rastreo técnicamente avanzado que
monitorea y, de ser necesario, redirige envíos en tiempo real en cualquier
parte del mundo.
DHL también inauguró el Centro de Innovación en 2007, primero en su tipo,
para desarrollar soluciones de logística altamente innovadoras y
comercializables, así como flexibles y ecológicamente responsables. También
estableció las Soluciones Globales para Clientes, las cuales proporcionan
soluciones muy personalizadas a clientes clave para satisfacer globalmente
todas sus necesidades de logística.
La empresa fue la primera en ofrecer a los clientes una opción más
ecológica de envío de paquetes a todo el mundo a través de los Green Services
de DHL, los cuales buscan compensar las emisiones de carbono de los diversos
vehículos de entrega de la empresa. En 2008, DHL se convirtió en la primera
empresa de logística exprés en hacer un firme compromiso público de mejorar su
eficiencia de carbono en un 30 por ciento para 2020.
En el corazón de estos innovadores desarrollos está el infalible enfoque
de la empresa en usar efectivamente la tecnología más moderna para responder a
las necesidades de sus clientes. Señaló Frank Appel: “Muy al principio
reconocimos que el éxito de la empresa radica no solamente en escuchar lo que
nuestros clientes desean sino, más importante, en responder rápida y
efectivamente. Frecuentemente anticipamos lo que nuestros clientes quieren y
respondemos aun antes de que nos lo pidan”.
Impulsado por este principio, durante la Guerra Fría DHL estableció rutas
comerciales a países como Rusia y China. Cuando la cortina de hierro cayó, DHL
pudo proporcionar de manera instantánea apoyo masivo a un sinnúmero de
empresas que entraban a estos “nuevos” mercados a través de su profundo
conocimiento y capacidades logísticas. Las empresas locales también se
beneficiaron, ya que potenciaron nuevas rutas comerciales para exportar sus
productos a un mercado global.
DHL continúa abriendo nuevos caminos al establecer claras posiciones de
liderazgo de mercado en varios mercados emergentes tales como las economías
BRIC – Brasil, Rusia, India y China – las cuales se consideran detonadores del
futuro crecimiento del desarrollo comercial.
Appel concluye: “Nuestros empleados y clientes han llevado a DHL a donde
está hoy en día. A través de ellos, estamos determinado a sostener nuestro
espíritu pionero, el cual por muchos años nos ha permitido ofrecer soluciones
que ayudan a nuestros clientes a alcanzar sus metas. Al fomentar proactiva y
continuamente un innovador pensamiento práctico, confiamos que podremos
sobreponernos a la actual situación económica y que estamos bien posicionados
para sostener nuestro liderazgo mundial del mercado, ahora y durante muchas
décadas por venir”.

MNG Airlines, the largest Turkish all-cargo operator, has placed a follow-on order with Airbus for two more A330-200Fs to support its expanding cargo operations. These aircraft are in addition to the two firm orders for the A330-200F which the carrier placed in 2007, bringing its total orders for the type now to four aircraft and reaffirming its confidence in the type to expand its network as the freighter market gradually rebounds.

Established in February 1996, MNG Airlines initially began to provide scheduled cargo services in November 1997 to Hahn (Germany) and Stansted (UK). Today, MNG Airlines has a fleet which includes nine Airbus A300Fs. Moreover, the new A330-200Fs will enable MNG Airlines to supplement its A300s while expanding operations on its trunk routes with lower cost-per-tonne, not only within Europe, but also to Middle East, Asia, China and USA.

“We are pleased to add to our previous order for the A330-200F, so we can start implementing our growth strategy when the worldwide freighter market recovers from the recession,” said Mehmet Nazif Günal, founder and Chairman of MNG Companies Group. “We are fully convinced that the A330-200 Freighter aircraft, the newest member of the A330/A340 family, is the right aircraft to contribute to achieving our goals, and allow us to operate the most modern and efficient fleet of cargo aircraft in Turkey.”

Airbus Chief Operating Officer – Customers, John Leahy said, “The A330-200F is the right aircraft at the right time. We are at the eve of a market recovery, and now is the time for airlines to prepare for future freight growth.”

With a superior payload than initially anticipated, the A330-200F offers two operational configurations depending on the planned mission. The aircraft can carry up to 64 metric tonnes over 4,000 nautical miles / 7,400 km, or more than 69 metric tonnes up to 3,200 nautical miles / 5,930 km – non-stop. These range and payload capabilities will enable operators to grow their business by opening up or extending cargo routes they currently operate. Thanks to an optimized fuselage cross-section, it has the interior flexibility to carry a wide variety of pallet and container sizes for maximum interlining capability, offering 30 per cent more volume than any freighter in its class.

EVERETT, Wash., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and FedEx Express today celebrated the delivery of the world’s largest air cargo carrier’s first 777 Freighter. The world’s largest and most capable twinjet freighter will help FedEx Express deliver more cargo even faster, allowing the carrier to offer customers greater flexibility.

This is Boeing’s ninth 777 Freighter delivery and marks the first 777 Freighter to enter service with a U.S.-based global freight carrier.

“The 777F is a game changer,” said Michael L. Ducker, president, International, FedEx Express. “Its operational efficiencies and environmental benefits alone are impressive, but combine those advantages with the service improvements it delivers and FedEx Express will be able to take international shipping to another level. Our customers around the world will benefit from more point-to-point routes and the shorter flight times, increasing their competitiveness in the global marketplace.”

With the 777 Freighter, transit times from points in Asia to the FedEx hub in Memphis, Tenn., for example, will drop by one to three hours compared with the MD-11 Freighter. This will allow FedEx to accept packages from its customers later in the day and still deliver them on time.

“The 777 Freighter will have a unique role for FedEx Express, providing exceptional range that brings new efficiency to the airline and its customers,” said Kevin Schemm, vice president, North America Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 777 Freighter will allow FedEx Express to operate point-to-point routes that save valuable flying time, coupled with outstanding fuel efficiency and environmental responsibility.”

In the FedEx Express operation, the 777 Freighter can fly 5,800 nautical miles (6,675 statute miles, 10,740 km), an increase of 2,100 nautical miles (2,410 statute miles, 3,890 km) versus the airline’s MD-11 Freighter fleet. The FedEx 777 Freighter has a revenue payload capacity of 215,000 pounds (97.5 metric tons), a 37,000-pound (16.7-metric-ton) increase over the MD-11 Freighter.

The 777 Freighter uses 18 percent less fuel than the MD-11 Freighter on comparable FedEx Express routes, reduces maintenance cost and provides quieter takeoffs and landings that meet airport noise standards.

Some 58 customers have ordered more than 1,100 777s, including 71 777 Freighters.

Air carriers are working closely with their partners in the shipping and forwarding sectors to ensure that service levels remain high and the integrity of shipments is protected as the new screening mandate is implemented. CSSP benefits shippers because it enables cargo to be screened before individual cartons are secured to shipping pallets with banding or shrink-wrap. This is critical, because TSA-certified screening methods available to forwarders and airlines significantly restrict the size of cargo that can be screened, and there is no TSA-certified technology capable of screening large airfreight skids and pallets. For certain types of pharmaceuticals, electronics and fresh produce, CSSP allows screening to be performed as an integral part of the normal sealing and packaging process. Expansion of CSSP to manufacturers, shippers and freight forwarders that ship large cargo skids and pallets is critical to meeting the 100 percent screening mandate.

“Airlines met the deadline to screen 50 percent of all cargo, but meeting the requirements to screen 100 percent of all cargo will be substantially more challenging,” said ATA President and CEO James C. May. “We believe that CSSP offers our customers the best solution to meeting the 100 percent screening mandate, providing maximum security with minimal disruption to the supply chain.”

Towne provides a wide range of freight services through a national network of sixty-one terminals throughout the United States, including nine new service terminals in the Texas market as a result of the TX L&A acquisition. Based in Dallas, TX L&A is a leading regional provider of air and ocean cargo land transportation solutions to international airlines and freight forwarders in the U.S. and Canadian markets.

“This acquisition fits very well with Towne’s build-up strategy and was sourced on a proprietary basis by Towne’s senior management, representing Towne’s third successful acquisition under Charterhouse’s ownership,” said William Landuyt, a Senior Partner at Charterhouse. “The Board of Towne, which includes Charterhouse Entrepreneurs Roger Gibson and Mike Wysocki, supports Towne’s plan to further expand upon its geographic footprint and service offerings to better meet the needs of the Company’s international customer base.”

“We are excited to extend Towne services to the Texas market and we welcome the Texas Land and Air associates and customers to the Towne family,” said Tom Downey, Towne’s President and CEO. “Our overlapping values of Customer Care leave a clear path to incorporating Towne’s nationwide Airport-to-Airport, local cartage, exclusive use trucking and warehouse services into the Texas market.”

Since January 2007, Towne has successfully acquired and integrated Synergy Cargo Logistics, a full service logistics company concentrated in the U.S. Southwest, and Complete Transport, a company operating full-service terminals in the U.S. Midwest.

About Towne Air Freight

Towne Air Freight is a Charterhouse portfolio company headquartered in South Bend, IN, providing a wide range of air and ocean freight services through seventy terminal locations across the United States. The Company operates Towne Network Solutions and Rocket Expedited Services. Towne Network Solutions manages air freight trucking in North America for airlines and air freight forwarders and Rocket Expedited services offers expedited trucking, dedicated vehicles, reefers and other specialized trucking. Charterhouse and management together created the Towne platform in November 2005. For more information, please visit www.towneair.com.

About Texas Land and Air

Texas Land and Air is the leading provider of expedited air freight trucking for all Texas gateways, serving every major market in Texas. TX L&A offers air freight trucking for airlines and air freight forwarders, including statewide airport-to-airport service, time definite truckloads and local cartage. Through the intermodal division, TX L&A is a UIIA approved carrier providing expertise and knowledge of port and rail facilities in Texas, local and regional drayage in Houston and Dallas and CFS stations. For more information, please visit www.texaslandandair.com.

About Charterhouse Group

Charterhouse Group, Inc. is a private equity firm with over three and a half decades of experience in building leading middle-market companies. Established in 1973, Charterhouse has invested in excess of $2.0 billion in equity and established over 100 platform companies with a focus in the Business Services, Healthcare Services and Consumer Products and Services sectors.