Network Airline Services in Nairobi partner with China Southern Airlines to fly PPE into, yes INTO, China!

During the first couple of months of 2020, the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese people living in Kenya rallied together to send urgent PPE and medical supplies into, yes INTO, China.

This was driven by a high demand for PPE in the country, at a time when COVID-19 was still localised in and around the Wuhan area before it became a global pandemic. A large number of protective items were even donated by the Kenyan government before local stocks ran out and had to be sourced from bordering Uganda and Tanzania.

Network Airline Services in Nairobi act as the Cargo Sales Agent for China Southern Airlines which services four flights weekly between Kenya and China.

Through our expertise, we were able to utilise these regular flights to help move 72.0T of vital PPE which included 10 Million face masks as well as other supplies including face shields, gloves and protective suits to Harbin Province in Northern China.

“At first a challenge to load cargo presented itself, due to a high volume of goods, but through our experience and innovation we were able to load more cargo into the passenger cabin utilising all unoccupied seats.” – Sarah Wangui, Managing Director of Network Airline Services in .

One flight was even delayed, departing at night, so the payload could be increased to take more PPE.

In July 2020 we were able to move 1.6T of relief cargo to Misrata, Libya. At this time, Libyan airspace was restricted due to the ongoing war, so no flights were allowed. However, through our AMS office with the team’s dedication to offering solutions to our customers, we were able to fly the shipment from Nairobi to Amsterdam to Istanbul and finally connecting on to a barge into Misrata, which was a highly innovative solution.

Our Network Airline Services offices in Uganda and Tanzania represent Fly Dubai, who operated various repatriation flights where we were able to move perishable cargo on the return flights. This allowed us to assist our customers to move cargo as a result of limited capacity due to the COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns.

Network Airline Management Operates PPE Flights to the UK!

Throughout May, June and July, Network Airline Management (NAM), in partnership with Air Charter Service, operated over 20 charter flights carrying much needed PPE from China to the UK.

With increasing demand for PPE in the UK, NAM oversaw the removal of seats from a passenger B747 and leased the aircraft on a short term ACMI agreement from Air Atlanta Icelandic, who NAM also lease two B747F freighters from on a long-term basis.

The new ‘passenger-freighter’ was loaded and unloaded by hand and carried over 3 million masks, aprons and medical gowns on each flight.

Sam Lindsey, NAM’s Senior Commercial Manager, commented: “We are extremely proud to have played a role in the response to the coronavirus outbreak. Our teams and partners worked tirelessly to overcome significant challenges and make this project happen successfully. We always do our utmost to provide a solution for our customers, even at short notice.”

In addition to this, NAM continues to operate multiple relief flights during the COVID-19 pandemic and maintain its core scheduled service supporting all NAM’s customers throughout Africa.

Network Aviation Group Celebrates 35 Years!

On the 1st January, 2020 Network Aviation Group celebrated 35 years in the aviation cargo industry.

Originally formed in 1985 by Andy King and Andy Leslie, as ANA Aviation Services, the company has grown over the proceeding 35 years to become one of the leading cargo logistics companies. Specialising in the management of cargo aircraft as well as performing the cargo sales and services functions for more than 30 airlines worldwide.

In 2013, five of the senior managers within ANA joined the executive Board and with 24 companies now in the group and 45 , Network Aviation Group was established. The current freighter managed fleet consists of 3 x B747Fs and 1 x MD11F based in Liege, Belgium, operating a scheduled network of routes to Africa as well as charter flights on a worldwide basis.

Andy Leslie the Group Chairman said, “Network Aviation Group would like to thank all its customers, suppliers and staff for the amazing support and success over the last thirty-five years and we all look forward to many more successful years in the future.”

Network Aviation Group Import Tonnes of Flower’s to Help Celebrate Mother’s Day 2020

Network Aviation Group has been supporting Kenya’s renowned horticulture industry for more than 30 years and this continues in 2020, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Network Airline Management added extra B747F capacity to meet the demand for Mother’s Day flowers out of Nairobi. The aircraft was loaded to max payload with 100 tonnes of fresh-cut flowers bound for Liege, ready for onward trucking across Europe into various towns and cities.

Network Airline Management not only carried flowers into Europe and the UK for Mother’s Day back in March and May 2020 but also made additional capacity available to help those who have lost loved ones during the Coronavirus pandemic. Our efforts are part of a wider campaign dubbed the ‘Flowers of Hope’ – a campaign to help those come to terms with the realities of how COVID-19 is impacting world populations and their families.

Andy Walters, Commercial Director of Network Airline Management said, “We are proud to be supporting Kenya’s horticulture industry once again this year and to help the industry meet peak demands year after year.”

By utilising our managed fleet we’re able to maintain regular scheduled flights into Africa as well as various global charter flights. This allows us to keep air cargo moving around the world during these unprecedented and difficult times.

Network Airline Management Renews Long-Term Boeing 747-400 Freighter Contract with TAAG Angola Airlines

Network Airline Management and TAAG Angola Airlines are pleased to announce the renewal of their long-term freighter aircraft contract by an additional 12 months, sealing their ongoing partnership for the foreseeable future.

Operating a regular weekly scheduled service from Liege, Belgium, to the capital of Angola, Luanda, Network Airline Management provides a Boeing 747-400F aircraft with nose door capability which carries up to 120,000 kilos of cargo.

The agreement continues to offer export capacity from Angola back to Europe with forwarding connections worldwide. Trucking connections from all over Europe into the Liege hub extend the distribution network, as well as interlining facilities from North America, Asia and the Indian sub-continent.

“We are delighted to be renewing the contract once again, continuing our great partnership with TAAG. Network Airline Management has a long-established track record of offering our customers the most cost-effective solutions and this service is no exception. We are able to provide the capacity to carry oversize cargo as well as pieces up to 20 metres in length.” – Andy Walters, Commercial Director of Network Airline Management.

Network Aviation Group and Partners Provide Vital Supplies for Nigeria’s COVID-19 Response Efforts

Network Aviation Group working together with Allied Air Cargo, Scan Global Logistics and various UN organisations have successfully delivered vital emergency supplies into Abuja to help Nigeria beat the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Almost 50 tons of lifesaving cargo was recently flown on our B747-400F aircraft, including equipment such as testing kits, breathing ventilators and personal protective equipment (PPE). These vital supplies will support health workers and families to prevent and respond to the escalating Coronavirus pandemic in affected states across Nigeria.

“Network Aviation are proud to support not only the people of Nigeria in-need but all of Africa during this crisis. Our long-standing partnership with Allied Air Cargo has allowed us to ensure life-saving supplies reach those most in need, during a time of unprecedented logistical challenges.” expressed Andy Walters – Network Airline Management Commercial Director.

This flight is one of many that Network Aviation Group are deploying daily to the African continent, a small yet crucial part of a worldwide response to the pandemic, with tons more vital equipment to be despatched in the coming days. The entire Group and its partners such as Allied Air are working around the clock to support the fight against COVID-19 in Africa.

Since the beginning of the outbreak, Network Airline Management have continued with a frequent scheduled flight programme across the global network, shipping tons of PPE as well as hand sanitiser and other critical items such as vaccines to countries across the world.

The entire Network Aviation Group and its international partners are immensely proud to do our part in helping beat this terrible global pandemic. Utilising our managed fleet with a mixture of charter flights and regular scheduled flights into Africa, we’re able to get life-saving equipment to the frontline, quickly.

Network Cargo Appointed as Polar Air Cargo GSA in Canada

Network Cargo, the General Sales and Services (GSSA) branch of the Network Aviation Group in North America, have been appointed by Polar Air Cargo (PAC) as General Sales Agent (GSA) in Canada.

“We are extremely pleased to announce we have appointed Network Cargo, as our General Sales Agent for all of Canada.” – Thomas Betenia – Vice President of Sales, The Americas.

This partnership, with the cargo-exclusive airline, dates back to December 2019 which covers all of Canada utilising our offices in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, and Edmonton. PAC themselves are based out of New York, USA and cover all major global markets and destinations, including the fast, ever-growing Asia-Pacific region.

Polar Air Cargo has a large, all-Boeing fleet of aircraft including B747-400F, B747-8F, B767-300F, and B777-200F aircraft and can carry most cargo ranging from perishables & oversized freight to dangerous goods & valuable cargo. PAC can also offer onward trucking services for a more complete solution.

This newly struck partnership further strengthens our relationship with North American airline carriers and widens our reaching coverage of the entire continent.

NAS Appointed as Trans Caribbean Cargo CGSA in Europe

Network Airline Services, the General Sales and Services (GSSA) division of the Network Aviation Group, have been appointed by Trans Caribbean Cargo (TCC) as Cargo General Sales Agent (CGSA) in Europe. This partnership with the cargo-exclusive airline started back on 1^st February 2020 which includes total coverage in Belgium, Germany as well as The Netherlands to start. Further countries are expected to be added in the foreseeable future.

TCC is a USA based airline out of Miami (MIA) which operates into key destinations such as Lima (LIM), Bogota (BOG), Medellin (MDE), Guarani (AGT) and Caracas (CCS) but also includes various other important South American destinations.

Trans Caribbean Cargo has a fleet of B747F aircraft as well as MD11F aircraft which can carry almost any cargo ranging from perishables & live animals to dangerous goods & valuable cargo. TCC can also offer full or part charters as well as more ‘special’ one-off projects.

This newly struck partnership further strengthens our relationship with Southern American airline carriers but also widens our reaching coverage of the entire South American continent.

For sales and cargo bookings, contact your local Trans Caribbean Cargo office with Our Network map here.

A Cherry Good Season

Many agents (freight forwarders) and basically all airlines look forward to this short-lived period of the year, where demand exceeds supply and flights are filled to the rim. Underload on a flight – we do not know that word any longer!

The season starts around mid/end June in WA state and about a month later in BC and it lasts till the end of August or early September.

Over the last ten years, the market has changed a lot. Europe was big in the past, nowadays everybody has focussed on Asia and especially China. This year was challenging though. Due to the trade war between the USA and China and the shaken-up relationship between Canada and China, the demand from China was less. Caused by the import tariff implemented by the Chinese government of 15% on all produce. (An additional tariff of 10% was delayed till after the season).

In some parts of , the cherries are almost worth their weight in gold and the consumers buy them by the individual cherry.

For the airlines, this is their time of the year. In a market dominated by huge overcapacity in almost any direction, the cherry season is the only time of the year where you are flying full, against relatively high rates. The demand for space to mainly Asia is that big, that many airlines even operate extra freighters to cater to the demand for space.

Needless to say, that Network Cargo is having a great time too. We represent Air New Zealand and Philippine Airlines with daily flights from YVR to their hubs in AKL and MNL. The flights are filled up easily and on many days the clients are almost fighting and begging for space.

Needless to say, that that has a very positive influence on our margins, and we are making good money for both the airline and our company.

The downside is that during the cherry season, we have with our small team very long working hours and work seven days a week for almost 2 and a half months straight!

Around 64,000 visitors and more than 2300 exhibitors from around the world, including a strong appearance from our Network Airline Services colleagues, from our major European offices such as London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Brussels and Paris as well as our Network Cargo colleagues from North America based out of our Los Angeles, Toronto and New York offices. Air Cargo Europe is the ideal event to network and address current industry challenges and more importantly prospective opportunities for the entire Network Aviation Group.

It is the world’s largest industry exhibition of its kind and is a cost-effective way to network and showcase our growing & developing business to thousands of leaders, decision-makers and buyers from across the entire air cargo supply chain worldwide. ACE is the perfect opportunity for the entire group to promote or launch new routes and services, to interact with potential and existing customers, as well as our current partners and suppliers.

Munich hosted the largest logistics fair in the world with new record values from 4^th – 7^th June 2019.

“Transport logistic has confirmed its role as the world’s largest intermodal logistics hub. There were 2,374 exhibitors from 63 countries, an increase of 10 percent, and around 64,000 visitors from 125 countries, an increase of 5 percent,” Stefan Rummel, Managing Director of Messe München, reported. The trade fair has grown by one hall to ten halls and has once again become significantly more international, an increase of 3 percentage points to 56 percent for exhibitors and an increase of 3 percentage points to 47 percent for visitors with almost half of all total visitors (30,000) coming from abroad. With a total of ten halls and the large outdoor space(s), the trade show totals 125,000 square meters of exhibition space!

We look forward to meeting you all again at the next Air Cargo Europe show in Munich on the 4^th – 7^th May 2021… see you there.

November’s Network News has arrived! Click the link below to read about our new B747 virtual tour, Air Cargo Munich 2019 review, new routes & services and lots more!

Click this link to read in full: NAG Network News – November 2019

Take a Virtual Tour of Network Aviation’s B747-400F Aircraft

We identified an exciting opportunity in the industry to give our customers and clients an in-depth look at how a Network Airline Management Boeing 747 freighter aircraft looks from the inside. Take a virtual tour of a B747-400F aircraft now!

In partnership with Mike Rivett from Fotomotion, an incredibly detailed 360° internal scan of the aircraft was captured with highly specialist cameras which allows us to take a view like very few have seen before!

This interactive virtual tour includes a full-length view of the main deck, on one of our B747F aircraft, and clearly highlights the different cargo positions such as A1, Q6 and all the Q7 positions as well as the main cargo door and roller bed facility. This allows those who haven’t stepped foot inside a freighter aircraft an intricate look at how and where cargo is loaded and positioned on our aircraft.

Various time-lapse videos demonstrate how precise and calculated it is to load large and heavy pieces of cargo on board. The B747-400F Aircraft virtual tour also includes a look at the upper deck including an expansive view of the flight deck as well as the crew rest area.