Page 17 - STAT June 2023 Latest Issue

period to normalise. Freighter over-capacity
is neither a boon nor a bane to use, as our
customers are looking for flexibility and
level of precision that passenger cargo
freighters just cannot match.”
Davis added, “The return of widebody
and freighter aircraft availability, and greater
route flexibility, have meant we can offer
our clients more innovative and economical
solutions to meet their needs. We foresee
no peak in “normal” air cargo this year, and
believe we will probably have to wait until
2024 for a sustained market improvement.”

“In the past six months, we have identified Strategy going ahead
several new air cargo charter routes in sub- From investing in a new fleet to opening
Saharan and West Africa. These regions new offices in new regions to embracing
have experienced an increase in cargo digitalisation and sustainability in their
movements, and our tailor-made solu- operations to seeking new trade routes,
tions have played a crucial role in ensuring companies are pulling out all the stops
timely deliveries despite the lack of infra- to ensure that they stay on course for the
structure in these areas. These routes allow myriad challenges that this year has to offer.
us to offer significant capacity on key trade Brannigan said “We currently have
lanes, enabling our customers to overcome five Boeing 747 freighters operating for
infrastructure challenges and ensure timely We foresee no Magma Aviation, two of which are 747-
delivery of their cargo.” 400Fs and three of which are converted
peak in “normal” air cargo freighters. In terms of additional aircraft,
Expected peaks we are looking to bring in converted 777s,
Seasonal peaks and specific events can this year, and believe we most likely in early to mid-2025. These
drive increased demand, and the impact of will probably have to aircraft will supplement the 747 fleets and
freighter overcapacity is being seen as both may open up opportunities to expand
a boon and a challenge to navigate by the wait until 2024 for into new markets.”
chartering companies. Brannigan added that sustainability will
However, most charter players believe a sustained market also be a priority for the company going
that the verticals of automotive, dangerous improvement. forward. “For Magma Aviation, sustain-
goods, mining/oil & gas, oversized cargo, ability is a top priority and we will have an
pharma, and humanitarian sectors will con- Environmental and Sustainability Specialist
Brian Davis
tinue to contribute to the growth of cargo NEO Air Charter join our team in July this year to spearhead
air chartering this year. our sustainability strategy. We will also
Recalling the end of November 2022, generally increased demand. We assume that open up new offices globally in the coming
when the industry awaited a ‘peak season’ this will also be the case in 2023,” avers Ketz. months. With that, we may have a need to
that never materialised, Brannigan said, “On While most air charter players are deploy current or additional aircraft in these
the back of this, our strategy in 2023 was trying to offer reliable capacity at stable markets to support our growth strategy. As
primarily to focus our attention on maintain- market rates, many continue to see strong well as the office expansion, we will have a
ing the network we had in place through- sustained activity in the e-commerce space. major focus on sustainability and enhancing
out 2022 and look to add and/or change “We anticipate busy trade lanes connecting our digital offering.”
this based on the needs of our customers. major manufacturing hubs, resource-rich Founded in 2010, Magma Aviation
We have, in the past six months, operated regions, and areas with high demand for became a Chapman Freeborn company in
various charters not only into new airports perishable goods. Further, during holiday 2017. In 2019 Avia Solutions Group acquired
but also airports we have not visited in seasons or major sporting events, there is Chapman Freeborn.
some time. The one major change to our often a surge in demand for time-sensitive Kumar added “As sustainability keeps
network was the introduction of China (KHN goods and equipment,” said Caldeira. gaining relevance with many of our cus-
– Nanchang) and our China operations In terms of expected peaks, Q4 ahead of tomers, we see more of them looking to
commenced in April 2023.” the Christmas period is traditionally a particu- embrace our CO2-neutral flight offers based
“Traditionally, there are bottlenecks or larly busy time in the air cargo charter market. on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). We want
peaks in Q3 / Q4 (especially in the high-tech Watson said, “While we didn’t see the to continue to drive the air cargo industry’s
sector) due to new product launches and usual spike in 2022, we expect the 2023 transition to carbon neutrality.” 

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