JUPITER SEA & AIR
SERVICES PVT. LTD, EGMORE – CHENNAI, INDIA.
E-MAIL : Robert.sands@jupiterseaair.co.in Mobile : +91 98407 85202
Corporate News
Letter for Friday April 10,
2026
Today’s Exchange Rates
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IndiGo
appoints William Walsh as CEO, to take charge in August 2026
The Board of InterGlobe Aviation Limited (IndiGo) has announced the appointment of William Walsh as Chief Executive Officer, subject to regulatory approvals. Walsh will take over the role following the conclusion of his tenure at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on July 31, 2026, and is expected to join the airline no later than August 3, 2026.
The appointment follows the recent exit of
former CEO Pieter Elbers, with Rahul Bhatia leading the airline in an interim
capacity during the transition period. Walsh is currently Director General of
IATA and has previously served as Chief Executive Officer of British Airways
and International Airlines Group, the holding company of Aer Lingus, British
Airways, Iberia, LEVEL and Vueling. His career in aviation also includes roles
as pilot, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer at Aer Lingus.
Welcoming the appointment, IndiGo Chairman
Vikram Singh Mehta said, “I am thrilled that Willie will be at the helm of
IndiGo. He is an exceptional global aviation leader with a stellar track record
of outstanding leadership across several airlines. His experience in managing
large-scale airline operations and navigating complex market dynamics make him
ideally suited to strengthen and lead IndiGo for continued growth in an
ever-evolving and competitive international aviation environment.
His appointment will mark a new chapter for
IndiGo, as it continues its journey in one of the fastest-growing aviation
markets in the world.” Bhatia added, “As we enter a new phase of transformation
and growth, I am delighted to welcome Willie to IndiGo. He is an iconic and
accomplished aviation leader and brings a rare combination of global
perspective, operational expertise of having built strong customer-focused
airlines, deep industry experience and values-driven leadership, making him
exceptionally suited to lead IndiGo at this pivotal cusp of growth.”
The leadership changes also include the
recent appointment of Aloke Singh as Chief Strategy Officer, tasked with
driving long-term strategy and transformation initiatives ahead of the new
CEO’s onboarding. Walsh is regarded within the aviation sector for his role in
restructuring airline operations and leading mergers and acquisitions.
His career spans Aer Lingus from 2000 to
2005, British Airways from 2005 to 2011, and International Airlines Group from
2011 to 2020 before taking over at IATA. In his new role, Walsh will oversee
the airline’s management and strategic direction, with a focus on operational
performance, network and commercial strategy, and customer experience.
He will work with the board and leadership
team as the airline enters its next phase of growth. Commenting on his
appointment, Walsh said, “I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead
IndiGo.
The airline has a strong foundation, a
compelling vision and an exceptional reputation. What stands out most to me are
its people, their passion, professionalism and commitment. The aviation
landscape is evolving rapidly, and IndiGo is extremely well-positioned to be at
the forefront of this change.
I look forward to partnering with colleagues
across the organisation to build a culture of excellence, innovation,
collaboration and sustainable value for all stakeholders.”
Challenge
Group wins auction for two more Jet Airways B777-300ERs
Ace Aviation, a subsidiary of Malta-based Challenge Group, has won the bid for two additional Boeing 777-300ER aircraft auctioned by under-liquidation Jet Airways. The latest auction process involved two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft (MSN 35160/VT-JEU and MSN 35157/VT-JET), including engines and auxiliary power units, with reserve prices of approximately $19.7 million and $18.3 million, respectively, ₹184.95 crore and ₹171.80 crore.
The aircraft are respectively 18.8 and 19
years old. The e-auction was conducted on March 27, 2026, as part of ongoing
efforts to monetise the airline’s remaining assets under liquidation. Challenge
Group had deposited $1 million as token money in 2022 for these two Boeing 777
aircraft parked in Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, in addition to
the earlier Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) paid for the three Boeing 777-300ER it
acquired in February 2026 for a combined $46 million.
It paid a total deposit of $5.6 million in
2022 and signed a letter of intent, but the acquisition was later blocked. Challenge
Group had bid for these aircraft with plans to convert them into dedicated
freighters. With its primary hub at Liège, the airline currently operates a
fleet of 10 aircraft, comprising six Boeing 747-400 freighters and four Boeing
767-300 freighters.
In late February 2026, Challenge Group took
delivery of its first 777-300ERSF Big Twin conversion on lease from AerCap and
has plans to grow its fleet of 777-300ERSFs to six in the next two years. The
latest auction required EMDs of approximately $1.97 million (₹18.49 crore) and
$1.83 million (₹17.18 crore) for the two aircraft.
The auction also specified minimum bid
increments of $0.99 million (₹9.25 crore) for one aircraft and $0.92 million
(₹8.59 crore) for the other. According to the public announcement for the
e-auction published on February 22, 2026, the successful bidder is required to
complete the payment within 60 days of receiving the demand notice from the
liquidator.
DHL
Global Forwarding adds new Asia-Europe air freight routes
DHL Global Forwarding, the air and ocean freight specialist of DHL Group, has announced the launch of new weekly flights connecting key logistics hubs between Asia and Europe, as part of a strategic expansion of its dedicated air freight capacity on one of the world's busiest trade corridors.
The new service, which kicks off with the
start of the summer aviation schedule, will see DHL Global Forwarding operate
weekly Boeing 777F rotations on two routes: Shanghai-Leipzig and Hong
Kong-Liège, with onward distribution across Europe. The move strengthens the
cross-business collaboration between DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Express, two
divisions of the DHL Group, combining shared assets and operational expertise
to deliver integrated logistics solutions for customers.
Leipzig has been selected as a key European
gateway due to its established role as a major DHL Express aviation hub and its
robust infrastructure for operational processing. Shipments arriving from
Shanghai will be processed there before being distributed across the continent.
The choice of Leipzig also reflects DHL's
broader strategy of maximising the efficiency of its European hubs,
particularly during peak demand periods. Also Read - Allied Aviation achieves
record uplift on MASkargo A330-200 freighter The Liège-Hong Kong route will
include a stopover in Tel Aviv, a connection that plays an important role in
ensuring reliable and continued service for customers in that market.
In cooperation with an airline partner, the
flight may also accommodate limited cargo loading or offloading when required.
The return leg from Hong Kong will feed directly back into DHL's European
distribution network. "Expanding our controlled capacity on the
Asia-Europe corridor reinforces our commitment to reliability, speed, and
resilience for our customers," said Henk Venema, Global Head of Air
Freight DHL Global Forwarding.
"The demand on that trade lane continues
to grow at an exceptional pace, and strengthening our network ensures that we
stay ahead of customer needs." The expansion does not stop at Asia-Europe.
DHL has confirmed that it is also preparing further enhancements across its
intercontinental air network, with plans for increased transpacific uplift
between South-East Asia and the United States slated for later in 2026.
Travis Cobb, EVP Global Operations and
Aviation DHL Express, underscored the significance of the inter-divisional
collaboration: "This cross-divisional collaboration demonstrates our
commitment to supporting global trade flows. By joining forces across DHL
Global Forwarding and DHL Express, we ensure that customers benefit from our
combined strength as the world's leading logistics provider."
The development reflects a growing trend
among major logistics players to secure controlled, dedicated air capacity
rather than relying solely on commercial airline belly freight, a strategy that
offers greater predictability and resilience in the face of fluctuating market
conditions.
AerSale
leases Boeing 757 freighter to Stratos Freight
AerSale Corporation has announced the lease
of a Boeing 757-200 Precision Converted Freighter aircraft to Stratos Freight,
a cargo airline based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The company said the agreement
supports cargo operations across Central Asia and links trade flows between
Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Stratos Freight operates across routes
connecting China, the Middle East, and Europe.
The addition of the Boeing 757-200PCF is
expected to support the airline’s scheduled and charter cargo operations and
expand its freighter fleet for regional and international services. “The Boeing
757 freighter continues to be a highly versatile and efficient platform for
regional cargo operations,” said Craig Wright, Senior Vice President and Head
of Asset Management at AerSale.
“We are pleased to partner with Stratos
Freight as they expand their network and strengthen their position in a rapidly
growing logistics market. This lease reflects AerSale’s ability to deliver
tailored asset solutions that meet the evolving needs of cargo operators
worldwide.”
The Boeing 757-200PCF is deployed for cargo
missions that require payload capacity and range across medium-haul sectors.
AerSale stated that the aircraft will support operations on trade lanes where
schedule reliability and cost control are key factors.
“We are excited to welcome the Boeing
757-200PCF into our fleet,” said Captain Mukhtar T. Khaitov, CEO of Stratos
Freight. “This aircraft will play a key role in expanding our operational
capabilities and supporting our mission to deliver efficient, reliable cargo
solutions across Central Asia and key international markets.”
AerSale said the transaction reflects its
model of combining aircraft leasing, freighter conversion, and asset management
services. The company provides aftermarket services across aircraft types,
including Boeing, Airbus, and McDonnell Douglas platforms, covering engine and
airframe maintenance, used serviceable material sales, and engineered
solutions.
Qatar
Airways Cargo rebuilds Doha network under embargo rules
Qatar Airways Cargo has published its latest
operational update dated 30 March 2026, outlining the gradual restoration of
its freighter network to and from Doha. While the schedule points to a steady
and structured recovery across Asia, Europe, ISMEAP, and Trans-Atlantic trade
lanes, the release contains an important warning for freight forwarders,
shippers, and supply chain operators worldwide: three key commodity categories
remain under active embargo.
The most pressing part of this update is the
commodity restriction section. Three shipment types are currently blocked from
normal booking channels.
The first is LHO (living human organs and
blood), arguably the most time-sensitive category in air cargo, where delays
are not just a matter of cost but of human lives. The embargo on LHO shows that
Doha's current operations, including ground handling, transit windows, and
cold-chain management, cannot yet support the strict requirements these
shipments need.
The second blocked category is VIC (Q-Prime
Urgent Critical Cargo), which covers shipments that need priority handling and
guaranteed uplift. Blocking VIC means Qatar Airways Cargo cannot commit to its
premium service standards for these shipments through Doha right now. The third
restricted category is transportation of live animals or QR LIV, but with a
condition.
The embargo only applies when transit time
through Doha goes beyond 24 hours. For any shipment that crosses that
threshold, a special approval must be obtained from the Cargo Special Loads
team. This adds an extra step that freight forwarders must plan for, especially
on longer routes where Doha is used as a connecting hub.
Looking at the wider network, the release
shows how far Qatar Airways Cargo's recovery has reached. The Doha Freighter
Network, running from 29 March through 15 April 2026, covers destinations
across multiple regions.
In Asia, freighters are flying to Sydney
(SYD) and Melbourne (MEL) in Australia, Phnom Penh (KTI) in Cambodia, Shanghai
(PVG) and Shenzhen (SZX) in China, Hong Kong (HKG), Almaty (ALA) in Kazakhstan,
Macau (MFM), Muscat (MCT) in Oman, Singapore (SIN), Seoul (ICN) in South Korea;
Bangkok (BKK) in Thailand, and both Hanoi (HAN) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) in
Vietnam.
The ISMEAP region includes five Indian
gateways covering Ahmedabad (AMD), Mumbai (BOM), Bengaluru (BLR), Delhi (DEL),
and Hyderabad (HYD), alongside Johannesburg (JNB) in South Africa and Lagos
(LOS) in Nigeria. In Europe, the network covers Brussels (BRU) and Liège (LGG)
in Belgium, Prague (PRG), Paris (CDG), Frankfurt (FRA), Budapest (BUD),
Amsterdam (AMS), Madrid (MAD), and London Stansted (STN).
Trans-Atlantic routes follow multi-leg paths
through Amsterdam (AMS), Frankfurt (FRA), Liège (LGG), and Milan Malpensa
(MXP), linking to US hubs including Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Atlanta (ATL),
Houston (IAH), and Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), as well as cities in Latin America
such as São Paulo (GRU), Bogotá (BOG), Miami (MIA), Quito (UIO), and Panama
City (PTY).
All flights to and from Doha continue to use
dedicated flight corridors set up in coordination with the Qatar Civil Aviation
Authority, confirming that airspace management remains a key factor in the
ongoing recovery. At the same time, Qatar Airways has also been increasing
passenger flights with belly-hold capacity to and from Doha, now covering more
than 90 destinations. Running freighter and belly-hold operations together
gives Qatar Airways Cargo a wider reach than freighters alone, offering an
additional option for shippers whose goods are not affected by the current
restrictions.
For those working in logistics, this update
calls for immediate action. Shippers and freight forwarders moving
time-sensitive or specialty cargo through Doha should check their shipment
types against the three restricted categories without delay. Any QRLIV cargo
with a Doha transit of more than 24 hours will need prior approval from the
Cargo Special Loads team before booking.
For everything else, Qatar Airways Cargo
confirms that its full range of products remains open for booking through the
Digital Lounge and local Qatar Airways Cargo sales teams. The carrier operates
30 Boeing 777 freighters, over 230 belly-hold passenger aircraft, and is the
launch customer for the Boeing 777-8F, due for delivery later this decade.
Swissport
reaches pharma cold chain milestone at Basel hub
Swissport has reached an operational
milestone at EuroAirport Basel–Mulhouse–Freiburg, handling 1,000
temperature-controlled containers through its cool+connect facility.
The company said the development reflects
rising pharmaceutical volumes and reinforces Basel’s position as a gateway for
life science air cargo in Europe. Since the launch of its cool+connect
infrastructure in February 2025, Swissport has processed more than 1,000
temperature-controlled containers at the airport, with monthly volumes rising
to between 200 and 250 units.
The company said the increase signals demand
for airport-based cold chain solutions and supports connections between Europe
and markets in Asia. The milestone also reflects Basel’s role as an export hub
for life sciences and Swissport’s position in handling temperature-sensitive
cargo through its network of 24 certified pharma centres and 65 pharma-capable
warehouses.
Swissport said its cool+connect
infrastructure and digital monitoring systems have enabled handling of
shipments in the +2 to +8°C range by consolidating consignments at the airport
before loading into active containers. The process removes the need for off-airport
trucking loops and reduces handling time by around 70 per cent while
maintaining the cold chain and reducing emissions.
“Reaching this milestone highlights the
structural growth we are seeing in temperature-controlled cargo,” said Andreas
Behnke, Regional Head of Cargo, Switzerland, Italy and France. “Demand from
global pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare logistics providers
continues to increase, particularly for airport-based solutions that reduce
complexity and transit time.
Our unique state-of-the-art facility combines
efficiency, scalability and sustainability in a way that meets the evolving
requirements of modern pharmaceutical supply chains.” Swissport is also
expanding cold chain protection at its Basel cargo operations by introducing
thermal covers for transport dollies. The company said the reusable covers are
designed to maintain stable temperatures for up to three hours during airside
transport in varying weather conditions.
The covers have been integrated into adapted
cargo dollies to support daily operations without additional handling steps.
Swissport said the investment is aimed at reducing weather-related risks and
strengthening temperature control for healthcare shipments, as part of its
focus on cold chain logistics.
Etihad
to launch Dhaka flights boosting UAE Bangladesh cargo
Etihad Airways will launch a new service to
Dhaka from 26 June 2026, strengthening trade and cargo links between the United
Arab Emirates and Bangladesh. The airline will operate four weekly flights
between Abu Dhabi and Dhaka, enhancing connectivity across an important South
Asia trade corridor.
The service is aimed at supporting both
passenger demand and cargo movement between the two markets. Flights will be
operated using Boeing 777 aircraft, providing significant bellyhold cargo
capacity. This is expected to support the movement of goods between Bangladesh
and global markets through Abu Dhabi.
Antonoaldo Neves said Dhaka is a key market
with strong demand for both cargo and passenger services, adding that the new
route will help the airline deploy capacity where it is needed while
strengthening trade links.
The service will support Bangladesh’s export
sectors by enabling more efficient cargo movement and improving access to
international markets through Etihad’s network. The launch of the Dhaka route
is part of the airline’s broader plan to expand its network in line with
growing demand.
I hope you have
enjoyed reading the above news letter.
Robert Sands
Joint Managing Director
Jupiter Sea & Air Services Pvt Ltd
Casa Blanca, 3rd Floor
11, Casa Major Road, Egmore
Chennai – 600 008. India.
GST Number : 33AAACJ2686E1ZS.
Tel : + 91 44 2819 0171 / 3734 / 4041
Fax : + 91 44 2819 0735
Mobile : + 91 98407 85202
E-mail : robert.sands@jupiterseaair.co.in
Website : www.jupiterseaair.com 1Branches : Chennai, Bangalore,
Mumbai, Coimbatore, Tirupur and Tuticorin.
Associate Offices : New Delhi, Kolkatta, Cochin &
Hyderabad.
Thanks to :
Container News, Indian Seatrade, Cargo Forwarder Global &
Air Cargo News.
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