Page 39 - World Airnews September 2020 Edition

CARGO

MORE THAN 10,000

TONNES OF CARGO

enya Airways has announced on
Kthe social media platf orm Twitt er
recently that it has flown over 10,000

tonnes of cargo during the pandemic in a
bid to keep trade going. And added it has

even more ambitious plans in the making.

Throughout the pandemic, cargo flights
have been a rather seamless way for airlines
to guarantee some form of income while
commercial travel demand is down. There-
fore, cargo has become an essential part of

many airlines, which are also simultaneously
meeting the needs for medical equipment as

well as regular trade supplies.

For Kenya Airways, shifting cargo has

become a significant priority. It began its

cargo flights earlier in April when it flew a Kenya Flower Council to realise this mission. country closed its borders on March 25 and

Boeing 787 Dreamliner filled with 40 tonnes With so many fresh flowers going to waste began domestic routes on July 15th.

of fresh fruit and vegetables to London. On during the height of the pandemic, Kenya Despite these positive indications though,

the return journey to Nairobi, the airline Airways’ cargo arm has provided much relief. the future of Kenya Airways remains uncer-

transported mining products, flower packag- However, with the resumption of domes- tain – like many African Airlines. Even be-
ing, courier items and pharmaceuticals. tic and international flights on August 1, fore the Covid-19 pandemic hit the airlines

Deliveries of fresh produce have become Kenya Airways has made it clear that it is financial outlook did not look promising.

somewhat of a custom for the carrier. Since not giving up on its cargo project. It was running at a loss and had actively

the beginning of the pandemic, Kenya Airways It had plans to transport 720,000kg of embarked on a cost cutting plans.

has been instrumental in delivering fresh flow- cargo during the week of August 7 as well Only time will tell and much will depend

ers alongside other perishable produce. as 8,000 passengers. on how quickly confidence can be built
It’s been working alongside the Fresh Pro- According to its website, Kenya Airways in travellers to bring in the much need
duce Exporters Association of Kenya and the has now opened over 1,000 routes. The revenue. Q

MANUFACTURER
17 AIRCRAFTS IN Q2
impacted by the halt in the beginning The Brazilian company celebrated the

of the year due to the separation of actualisation of the firm order by Congo

razilian company Embraer business aviation and its related services Airways in a contract worth (US) $256
Bdelivered 17 aircraft s in quarter for the now-closed strategic partnership million.
with The Boeing Company and the
two, it announced recently. COVID-19 pandemic, which has swept Embraer felt the impact of fewer
These deliveries included four business over the world, although its impacts deliveries in its revenues. Quarter two saw
jets and 13 airliners. on the airliner industry have been less its net revenue drop by 47% from a year
With this, the company ended the severe than in the business jet industry,” ago, reaching BRL 2.8 billion or (US) $527
first half of the year having delivered 31 the company’s results report read. million). As for H1, net revenue decreased

aircrafts, including nine business jets and Boeing and Embraer were negotiating by 33% to BRL 5.7 billion (US) $1 billion),

22 airliners. a joint venture on the Brazilian but the impact was higher in the airliner
Deliveries in quarter two decreased company’s regional jets, but the US sector.
sharply compared to the same last company decided to terminate the The company reported that quarter two
year, when 51 aircrafts were delivered, negotiations last April. recorded expenses at BRL 151.1 million

including 25 airliners and 26 business Deliveries by Embraer included (US) $28.4 million) above its spare capacity
jets. In the first quarter last year an E190-E2 for Helvetica Airways in because of the pandemic, which impacted

deliveries were much higher, at 73 Switzerland, a Phenom 300E for law firm the gross margin. Embraer saw a net loss

deliveries of which 37 were business jets Dunham and Jones, PC in the US and a KC- of BRL 1.6 billion (US) $300 million) in
and 36 airliners. 390 Millennium to the Brazilian Air Force quarter two from a net income of BRL 26.1
“Deliveries of aircrafts were negatively (FAB). million (US) $4.9 million) a year ago. Q

World Airnews | September 2020
— 37 —