Scanning the Horizon: 14-18 Dec

More parcels, fewer people: how aviation is adapting to COVID-19

Source: World Economic Forum

Although this year we have seen airlines temporarily converting their passenger planes to cargo aircraft, so called "preighters," there is a new and longer trend emerging - permanent passenger aircarft conversion to freighter planes. According to aviation analytics company Cirium, passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions are set to rise by 36% to 90 planes in 2021 and to 109 planes in 2022.

Traditionally a volatile market, air cargo is strongly supported by the growth of e-commerce, another trend that is set to continue in the years to come.

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Air cargo now more prepared for Covid-19 vaccine

Source: Air Cargo News

We were mandated, by our clients TIACA and Pharma.Aero to run an airfreight readiness survey to determine how air cargo industry, including airlines, freight forwarders, ground handlers, airports, IT solutions providers, are prepared for the transportation of COVID-19 vaccines, once they are approved by governments.

The results showing that 46% of industry players feel well prepared were published in a white paper (pdf) which also covers the known requirements for vaccine transportation, global and national vaccine procurement strategies and locations of vaccine trials and production.

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Scheme to get Covid vaccine to poorer countries at 'high risk' of failure

Source: The Guardian

The COVAX initiative, which aims to secure enough vaccines for at least 20% of people in poor countries by end of 2021 is struggling, as not enough vaccines are secured currently, due to delays in vaccine approvals, especially the one of the AstraZeneca on which COVAX bet the most. Moreover, India's Serum Institute, which initially was meant to supply COVAX has decided to prioritize India first.

It is clear that the negotiations with phrama companies as well as individual countries are outgoing, and new vaccines are set to be approved shortly. However, the news reports are also showing that rich countries are securing more vaccine doses than their population via bilateral deals with pharmaceutical manufacturers while COVAX scheme relies strongly on voluntary contributions with a right to withdraw, which could raise vaccine price for this initiative, potentially even making it no longer viable.

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How VistaJet’s Leona Qi Represents The Future Of Female Leadership In The Airline Industry

Source: Forbes

The leadership roles in airlines have been notoriously filled by primarily male professionals, with a few exceptions of EasyJet, Air France and Flybe to name a few. According to IATA, only 3% of the world's top 100 airlines are led by females and it will take until the mid-2050s for the sector to reach gender equality.

The article investigates VistaJet U.S., aviation company making private flying affordable and accessible, which hired Leona Qi a financial engineer by training and who is helping other women get hired into leadership roles in the industry. One of her key advices Qi gave was not to rely on luck, but constantly learn and prepare for the next opportunity. It resonates strongly with our work ethic as well!

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Can sustainability survive COVID-19?

Source: Nutritional Outlook

With 2020 bringing much uncertainty to people and companies, the article examines if consumer interest continued to shift towards more sustainable brands in 2020. Despite financial uncertainties, the research shows the market share of sustainable products continued to increase in 2020 - up 19.32%.

Consumers continued asking for quality, origin and sustainability overall, including more locally produced products, while the youngest consumers continued adding pressure for more social justice and responsibility.

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World's largest cargo ship powered solely by wind is being built in Sweden

Source: CGTN

Image source: CGTN

The maritime cargo industry contributes 2.5% of man-mafe global CO2 emissions and is set to grow in its carbon footprint if no measures to control it are taken.

Oceanbird, a Swedish-produced cargo ship will be 200 meters long, able to transport up to 7,000 cars accross the Atlantic Ocean and able to save 90% in carbon emissions compared with a traditional cargo ship powered by fossil fuels. The futuristic-looking Oceanbird is also thought to be the tallest sailing ship in the world. We are waiting for the test results!

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