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COVID-19 today is undoubtedly the most intense issue. I decided to share with you the directions of our work both within the organization and along with our partners.

One key objective of TIACA Management is to keep the membership informed and united, and the second one is to work with the regulatory authorities to support the interest of the air cargo industry. In the first task we use our internal publications, like this one and Friday Flyer to share the latest information.

The second task is achieved through our partnership with ICAO and several other international organizations. TIACA and ICAO have a long-standing practice of collaboration and coordination based on the Declaration signed in 2013. Last week we enrolled in the “Technical group on joint actions related to COVID-19”. The group consists of ICAO, WHO, IATA, ACI, GEA (Global Express Association) and TIACA.

The Group lays groundwork for the unified pitch to governments addressing all the emerging issues. Our role in the Group is to make sure that through ICAO’s machinery the States are reminded that air cargo is a great contributor to the global economy and international trade, and that it plays a very important role in preventing and battling the disastrous effect of the coronavirus. The medical supplies, prevention commodities like masks and disinfection substances, tents, food, spare parts and equipment – all this is transported by air. We also should not forget that most of manufacturing and other enterprises continue working and need deliveries. Air cargo carriers and their partners are here to do the job.

At the meeting on Monday 16 March we brought to ICAO for inclusion in the Group’s deliberations the statement that the industry needs not only the appreciation of these efforts but also full understanding of the conditions under which the air cargo industry functions. The leasing payments for expensive aircraft, salaries, energy supplies, payments to the providers of services and materials – all this requires monetary resources which are not always available in the situation with the reduced and irregular operations.

Through ICAO we draw attention of the States and local authorities to the fundamental role the air cargo industry is playing, and we insist that every effort is to be made to maintain its subsistence and vitality.

Already ICAO together with the Technical group has taken some resolute steps:

  • drafting guidance material on managing outbreaks that occur in aircraft and airport
  • creation of the Website for a single source aviation-specific guidelines on COVID-19
  • preliminary analysis of the economic impact of COVID-19.
  • sending a State letter entitled “State Support to Prevent the Spread of Novel Coronavirus Disease”

It’s worth pointing out that ICAO urged the States to strengthen their preparedness plans for managing risks relating to communicable disease outbreaks by implementing effective collaboration and coordination strategies with all stakeholders.

This is what opens the channel for the air cargo industry to add their voices at the country level and locally.

ICAO is preparing another State Letter which is the main method of communicating with the Civil Aviation Administrations. TIACA is contributing to it. Our main objective is to bring to ICAO’s notice the real problems which are experienced by our members.

We supported appeal of other Group members to exempt air cargo crew members, who do not interact with the public, from 14-day quarantine requirements, we are advocating removing all the restrictions on air cargo operations, especially with the humanitarian and trade objectives, we are requesting reconsideration of the limitations on the unilateral operations to certain airports, bringing them outside of the bilateral and multilateral agreements.

You may be interested in visiting ICAO COVID website. It is available at: https://www.icao.int/Security/COVID-19/Pages/default.aspx

It is directly accessible to any party looking for aviation-specific information on COVID-19 though ICAO. Currently, there are a variety of links to ICAO’s published documentation on COVID-19 as well as the relevant webpages of the UN, WHO, ACI and IATA. We will be adding a link to TIACA webpage.

The purpose of my article is not only to share, but also to ask you, who are working in the field and experience problems first hand to tell us how our partnership with the regulatory authorities and other international organizations can be used to resolve your problems. What specific issues of the air cargo supply chain do we need to bring to ICAO and this Technical group? Your input will help us to prepare our position for the next meeting in ICAO one week from now.

Our ultimate objective is not only to make the industry position and state of affairs known to the Authorities in the world, but to obtain full recognition of the industry’s role and support from the governments for proper functioning of our enterprises.

Vladimir Zubkov

 

Gerry’s dnata Expands Offering; Launches Line Maintenance Services in Pakistan

Karachi, Pakistan, 13 January 2022 – Gerry’s dnata, Pakistan’s leading ground services provider, has expanded its offering. The company obtained Maintenance Organization Approval from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority to provide aircraft line maintenance services to airline customers, and now offers a one-stop-shop of ground handling, cargo and technical services at the airports of Karachi (KHI), Lahore (LHE) and Islamabad (ISB). 

Gerry’s dnata’s team of professionals can provide full line maintenance support and are trained on customers’ company procedures, providing a seamless service to both passenger and cargo airlines.

The launch customer is flydubai, which Gerry’s dnata already serves at four airports in Pakistan providing a range of ramp and passenger handling services to the airline and its customers.

Syed Haris Raza, Vice President of Gerry’s dnata, said: “As Pakistan’s leading ground handler, we constantly enhance our offering to best meet the needs of our customers. We are confident that our airline partners will welcome the expansion of our portfolio and take advantage of getting quality and safe ground handling and technical services from a single provider. Our team of highly trained, seasoned professionals will deliver world-class quality and safety for our valued customers.”

Mick Hills, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Maintenance at flydubai, said: “We are looking forward to expanding our relationship with Gerry’s dnata to include line maintenance services in Pakistan. Having a single, local provider to oversee our line maintenance, as well as ground handling, will add more efficiencies to our fleet management and ensure a quicker turnaround of our aircraft.”

Gerry’s dnata have the capability to handle the following aircraft types for scheduled, unscheduled and AOG services:

  • Airbus A319/A320/A321 NEO (CFM LEAP-1A)
  • Airbus A318/319/320/321 (CFM56)
  • Airbus A319/320/321 (IAE V2500)
  • Airbus A330 (RR RB 211 Trent 700)
  • Airbus A330 (GE CF6)
  • Boeing B737-600/700/800/900 (CFM56)

Over the past year, Gerry’s dnata has continued to enhance its operations and services to deliver the highest level of quality and safety and help airline customers safely transport passengers and precious cargo to and from Pakistan. It made significant investments in infrastructure, technology and equipment, including the opening of a new, state-of- the-art cargo facility in Lahore which doubled the company’s cargo handling capacity at the airport.

Gerry’s dnata’s quality of service helped it win or retain over 20 contracts with key accounts across its network. The company also achieved prestigious industry certifications, including GDP and IATA’s ISAGO accreditation, which validate its capabilities and place the business in a market leading position.

Gerry’s dnata serves more than 20 airline customers at seven Pakistani airports. The company’s team consists of over 2,500 dedicated aviation professionals who assist more than seven million passengers and handle 150,000 tons of cargo annually.

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Contact
Gabor Vasarhelyi
Public Relations, dnata
[email protected]