The U.S. Navy has issued a contract to Electra to investigate the use of its electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft for logistics in contested environments, the company announced. According to Electra, the aircraft is able to operate with ground rolls of 150 feet, capable of carrying up to nine passengers or 2,500 pounds of cargo, and sports a range of 500 nm. The company did not announce the contract amount that was awarded under the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) but said it is expected to continue through the end of the year. “The contract allows Electra to partner with th ..read more

Chinese drone maker DJI won’t settle for its estimated 70 percent share of the global consumer drone market. In a move that could have major implications for the company and the drone industry at large, DJI this week unveiled FlyCart 30, its first delivery drone. Aptly named for its 30-kilogram (66-pound) payload in standard configuration, the new product marks DJI’s entry into a largely untapped market for delivery via the small, buzzing aircraft. For now, the new model will only be available in China. But DJI told FLYING it will consider launches in other markets down the line. Until now, D ..read more

Western Global Airlines, which operates chartered cargo jets for the U.S. military and other customers, on Monday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced it will restructure with the help of $77 million in financing from creditors, including bondholders with more than 85% of the outstanding senior unsecured notes. A bankruptcy restructuring has been expected for weeks because of collapsing revenues, a heavy debt load and the decision by credit rating agencies to pull their coverage over the company’s lack of financial transparency. Bloomberg previously reported that ..read more

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on FreightWaves.com. As the U.S. home base for Amazon Air and DHL Express, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (KCVG) moves large volumes of express shipments. Now the airport is positioning itself to attract general cargo carried by passenger and freighter operators interested in bypassing crowded international gateways for faster turnarounds. Officials have arranged to process significant amounts of cargo to be carried by a new British Airways (LSE: IAG) passenger service and recently struck a deal with a private company to deve ..read more

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on FreightWaves.com. A boutique investment group is offering underutilized airports outside congested metropolitan areas a cargo-hub-in-a-box aimed at quick-starting infrastructure development to take advantage of demand for expedited logistics and overflow volumes.  Major airports for decades have concentrated resources on passenger operations, such as fancy passenger terminals and ride-sharing lanes, that generate the bulk of revenues. Cargo infrastructure and services have largely been an afterthought, and many airports are running out o ..read more

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on FreightWaves.com. The state of California on Monday petitioned a federal appeals court to rehear its lawsuit challenging a new air cargo facility at San Bernardino International Airport (KSBD) that is home to a major package hub in Amazon’s air network.  Attorney General Rob Bonta said the original decision conflicts with existing environmental law and puts the local community at risk from harmful diesel truck and jet emissions. The FAA approved the $200 million Eastgate Air Cargo Logistics Center in 2019, over the objection of Californi ..read more

Air Transport Services Group, a diversified air cargo provider, racked up another win in the third quarter of 2021 with record revenues and pre-tax earnings of $81.2 million compared to $5.6 million a year ago. Credit the strong e-commerce demand and an industry shortage of cargo capacity. ATSG, a Wilmington, Ohio-based company, beat analysts’ consensus expectations Thursday with revenue of $466 million, up 15 percent from 2020, and adjusted earnings per share of 60 cents, a 46 percent increase. Management raised its full-year outlook because of the strong quarter, saying it expected adjusted ..read more

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on FreightWaves.com. Ocean shipping giant A.P. Møller – Maersk on Tuesday further expanded into the air freight market with the planned acquisition of German freight forwarder Senator International and investments in new cargo aircraft, including two new factory-direct Boeing 777s. The deal is valued at $644 million and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2022 after a regulatory review by competition authorities. Maersk said it paid eight times earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization for Senator, which investors ..read more

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on FreightWaves.com. Strong growth in cargo revenue during the third quarter helped Delta Air Lines turn its first profit since the start of the pandemic, but officials warn rising fuel costs could temporarily derail the momentum during the current period. Delta announced it has acquired two used Airbus A350 twin-aisle jets that are expected to be delivered this quarter, as part of its strategy to accelerate the renewal of the fleet that saw the retirement of 200 aircraft and two aircraft types in the past 16 months. The Atlanta-based airline re ..read more

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on FreightWaves.com. The robust recovery of U.S. domestic travel this summer increasingly looks like more of an outlier than a sign that airline bookings will continue unabated. Global airlines—and by default the air cargo industry that piggybacks on passenger flights—could face a bumpier recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic than originally thought. Following a robust summer season for domestic U.S. carriers, the delta variant is making people more reluctant to travel by air and could limit travel in the fall, especially among businesspeople. On ..read more