News / Avianca Cargo Mexico the latest in a wave of new airfreight partnerships

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In a period where freighters are searching the world for volumes, and the air cargo outlook is less than clear, there appears to be a trend to further develop networks – via partnerships. 

There has been a flurry of announcements in recent weeks that underline this trend. And yesterday, a whole new brand and network was introduced. 

AeroUnion, the scheduled Mexican cargo carrier acquired by Avianca, is now Avianca Cargo Mexico, and also saw the delivery of a second A330 P2F last week.

The new brand will collaborate with Avianca to strengthen both networks, and increase capacity. 

The newly named carrier said the aircraft’s arrival would “consolidate global connectivity, positioning Mexico as a strategic hub for markets such as the United States and Colombia, as well as expanding the network offer with commercial partners, connecting countries such as Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and other destinations in Asia and Europe”. 

It added that it was eyeing key verticals including tech, automotive, pharma, healthcare, and perishables. 

The two A330Fs will work alongside Avianca’s six, but the Mexican arm will maintain “its own capital structure, operating permits, corporate governance and technical, labour, administrative, and financial resources,” it said. 

Avianca Cargo is clearly undergoing change, with a new CEO, Diogo Elias, promoted last month from SVP. 

The company said: “Diogo Elias is one of the youngest CEOs in the aviation industry and with his strong background in tech and aviation, he is leading the region’s most pivotal air cargo transformations.” 

Avianca has announced plans to grow its freighter fleet from six to 10 aircraft within 15 months, as well as its boost its partnership with Amazon, bringing the carrier firmly into the ecommerce segment. 

Amazon, meanwhile, is also developing partnerships to secure a wider network. Earlier this week it announced that its tenth A330-300F, to be operated by Hawaiian in its successful partnership with the carrier, was joining the fleet. 

And, over the other side of the world, Saudia Cargo this week announced that it was “going global”.  

In a joint-venture with Chinese GSSA TAM Group, Saudia Cargo Global has been launched. A dedicated entity based in Hong Kong, it will be a “dynamic command centre” for Greater China, Asia-Pacific (APAC) and beyond.  

Saudia Cargo said the JV would “significantly enhance Saudia Cargo’s commercial reach, service capabilities, and customer engagement in one of the world’s most vital trade and logistics markets”. 

It added: “By leveraging Hong Kong’s position as a thriving cargo hub with immense potential to facilitate trade, particularly amidst the continued ecommerce growth, Saudia Cargo Global will seamlessly link businesses within the region and beyond, to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the global marketplace.” 

The JV will see optimised freighter operations, with a focus on ecommerce and pharma in particular.  

These new partnerships to expand network capabilities follows the recent announcement by IAG Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo and MASkargo to form a global business, arguably the biggest and most global new arrangement in the market. While details were scant when it was launched in April, a follow-up announcement, which said it would formally launch late this year, reported it would see new routes and connectivity. 

“The partnership will unlock new routings not previously available via a single booking, opening fresh trade opportunities across the world. At launch, the parties will focus on key cargo markets, with additional countries expected to be included in future phases, in line with regulatory approvals,” noted IAG Cargo. 

The carriers say they will align systems, processes and products for customers, while optimising freighter and belly capacity. They will also coordinate ground handling and trucking. 

One aviation expert told The Loadstar that the deal may see the carriers “ceding territories. IAG Cargo may concede some Middle Eastern routes to QR Cargo”.

This strategy could be underlined by IAG Cargo’s “digital first” strategy, as it attempts to put more of its sales online, with a pledge of “the best available price” for customers who do so. 

Meanwhile, in other airfreight news, DHL Global Forwarding has opened its new hub at Frankfurt Airport, at CargoCity South. With capacity to handle 300,000 tonnes, it has 54 loading gates and 100 staff. All the company’s Frankfurt operations will be merged into the new location, which boasts fewer truck movements and shorter distances. 

The facility will also house the forwarder’s in-house capacity provider, StarBroker.