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SmartKargo launches AI apps

Air cargo tech firm SmartKargo expanded in the world of AI with the release of four new apps that aim to drive revenues, reduce costs and reduce risks. The four apps launched by the company cover revenue and capacity management (AIRCAM); control tower services (AIRNOC), ULD and asset management (AIULD), and messaging and interoperability (AICTX). AIRCAM forecasts capacity, predicts demand, and recommends dynamic spot rates in real time, while AINOC provides a single view across the network, finding exceptions before they become delays. Meanwhile, AIULD tracks and forecasts ULD location, condition, and availability and AICTX connects cargo systems through a standards-based messaging layer. SmartKargo said that each app runs on top of an airline's existing cargo management system so there is no need for a system migration. Meanwhile, the apps are modular and "go live in weeks, not years", letting airlines start with a single use case and expand. "Artificial intelligence is everywhere in air cargo conversations right now. Every vendor has a roadmap, every conference has a panel, and every airline is being told AI will change everything," said Olivier Houri, chief revenue officer of SmartKargo. "At SmartKargo, we start with something far more useful than hype: a business question." SmartKargo claimed its apps are designed to drive revenue, reduce costs or reduce risk. "Every app that ships delivers on one, two, or all three -- and operates responsibly and securely, because airlines trust SmartKargo with their operations, their data, and their customers," the company said in a press release. "These apps aren't a research project or a roadmap slide," Houri continued. "They're built to plug into whatever cargo system an airline already runs, start delivering value in weeks, and grow with the airline from there. That's what flexible, responsibly built AI should look like." SmartKargo added that it would look to extend its portfolio of AI products in the future, as well as building on the capability of existing services.

Aircraft production, technology and GBA overlooked 10 years ago

Air cargo leaders have said that technology, aircraft production and market potential in the Greater Bay Area are amongst the issues that were underestimated in importance 10 years ago. During an 'Industry Leaders' panel discussion at TIACA Air Cargo Forum, participants were asked what they underestimated or got wrong 10 years ago in terms of how air cargo would evolve. Referencing the current demand for widebody freighters, Stanislas Brun, chief cargo officer at Etihad Cargo suggested that OEMs could have sped up aircraft parts manufacturing to match market evolution and demand that has increased over the last 10 years. "When you look at the lack of development in this matter, every year we are decreasing the number of aircraft delivered. It is scary, as we are not necessarily going in the right direction. And I believe we are in this situation for the next 15 years. "Ten years ago, I don't necessarily think it was an issue, but it was already the beginning of the end." Meanwhile, Dominic Perret, Cathay director of cargo, said that he believed he had not fully realised the market potential of the Greater Bay Area (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao) or GBA. "Being based in Hong Kong, if we look 10 years ago at how we thought about the Chinese mainland and specifically the Greater Bay Area (GBA), we really thought about it as a key manufacturing base and source of exports. I think what we underestimated and what we're seeing now as a great opportunity it's also become a tremendous market opportunity in its own right." He pointed out the large population and GDP of the GBA, and rapid technology developments in Shenzhen, for example. "We've really seen the Chinese mainland and GBA specifically develop as an import market as well as staying as a significant source of exports," he said. "A lot of our focus has been on connecting cargo through Hong Kong to the wider GBA" through flights and multimodal solutions. Elsewhere, intermodal solutions are now an area that Air Canada Cargo is concentrating on a lot more closely compared to 10 years ago, according to Air Canada's managing director, cargo operations & transformation, Janet Wallace. She explained the carrier's focus used to be more on passenger schedules and supply chain lanes, but this has now shifted to intermodal supply chain networks. Air Canada Cargo has moved "towards supply chain networks fuelled by the freighter capacity, mixing it with the passenger network as well as trucking". She said: "It's very intermodal and all the potential is there in terms of where we can go in the future." However, she added that what she had really underestimated was the scale of work needed to advance digitalisation across the industry. "The thing that I really underestimated was the amount of paper that drives this business and whether there is enough goodwill to get rid of it across all the stakeholders. "We talk about digitalisation, we also talk about AI, and there's a big gap in between the two. How we are going to cross that chasm needs a lot of goodwill from everybody." Jared Azcuy, chief executive of ground handler AGI Group, agreed that technology should have been more of a focus area, alongside growth within the business. "I think there was a time when I felt differently about technology. Today we've fully embraced it and when people say AI, I know what that means," he said. He also remarked: "We've gone through a tremendous amount of growth, in Chicago specifically as well as the rest of the country. There was a time when we were slow to gain additional space for our growing customer base and the growth that they were having. We had to get up to speed on that."

Singapore Airlines appoints Menzies to handle cargo at Western Sydney

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has awarded Menzies Aviation a contract to deliver cargo, ramp and passenger services at Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI). Menzies will support SIA's ad hoc freighter operations and daily passenger flights at the new airport from the start of the airline's operations on 23 November. The 24-hour cargo precinct at WSI officially opened for business in July and passenger services started in October. The contract will be supported by Menzies' new 12,500 sq m cargo facility at WSI, announced in April, that is capable of handling up to 200,000 tonnes annually, making it the company's largest cargo warehouse in Oceania and Southeast Asia. Menzies' new facility is equipped to handle a broad range of cargo, including pharmaceuticals, perishables, e-commerce shipments and heavy freight. The operation also utilises MACH, Menzies' next-generation cargo management platform, providing customers with enhanced visibility, efficiency and real-time shipment tracking. Menzies and SIA already work together on freighter ramp handling operations in Sydney and Melbourne, while Menzies was also awarded SIA's ground handling contract in Brisbane and Cairns earlier this year. Darren Masters, executive vice president Oceania, Southeast Asia & China, Menzies Aviation, said: "We are proud to be appointed by Singapore Airlines, our first airline customer at Western Sydney International Airport. "This builds on our long-standing partnership with the airline and reflects our ability to deliver world-class passenger, ramp and cargo services. "Our new airside cargo facility and integrated service offering will support airline growth, strengthen supply chains and help establish the airport as a major aviation and cargo gateway for Australia." Foo Chai Woo, regional vice president South West Pacific, Singapore Airlines said: "As we prepare for the launch of operations at WSI from 23 November 2026, Singapore Airlines is working closely with Menzies to ensure we are ready to deliver the high-quality passenger, ramp and cargo handling services our customers expect from us." The contract builds on Menzies' growing presence across Australia, where the company provides air cargo and ground services at 15 airports nationwide. WSI is Menzies' 11th cargo operation in Australia.