On Air with Air Cargo Next

Israeli aircraft developer Air has one rule when it comes to electric aviation: Keep it simple. The startup’s Air One electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is simple, comfortable and efficient, with eight motors and a user-friendly control system, Air Chief Executive and co-founder Rani Plaut tells Air Cargo Next in this episode of “On Air with Air Cargo Next.” “The core of the design is trying to keep things as simple as possible,” he said. “We don’t have any moving parts. Our solution is based on smart compromises and a little bit of aerodynamic trickery versus high complexity.” Air One, capable of traveling up to 150 miles per hour with a payload of 550 pounds, debuted in 2022, and Air joined the U.S. Air Force’s Agility Prime program in 2023 to expand technology transition paths for electric aircraft manufacturers. The eVTOL, which is intended to optimize last-mile cargo deliveries, can also be used recreationally and seats two people, Plaut said. “The cargo unit is the same unit, simply without the seats and the avionics,” he said. “And since we have started testing the aircraft, as all the individual companies are doing by remotely piloting or autonomous piloting, it is already set for cargo use cases. So far, we have $17 million in purchase orders for cargo units.” Air generated more than $1 million in revenue in 2023 and, this year, that number is expected to reach $7 million, Plaut said. In this episode of “On Air with Air Cargo Next,” the CEO discusses how the company was founded, why eVTOL designs should remain simple and Air’s next moves.

Digital twin technology allows air cargo operators to visualize how new technologies will integrate into operations in real time while reducing overall costs and improving efficiency — all within a highly accurate and immersive digital space.

Raft Chief Marketing Officer Greg Kefer discusses how AI has created a global inflection point, akin to those created by the introduction of the personal computer and the internet, in the latest episode of “On Air with Air Cargo Next.”

Joining Morten Johansen, Carla Montenegro, vice president of commercial freight forwarding for the Americas at DP World, discussed automation integration, globalization trends and nearshoring in this episode of “On Air with Air Cargo Next.”

With emerging technologies and growing demand, this year marks a comeback period for airfreight, Joe Kronenberger, senior vice president of airfreight for the Americas at Geodis, told Air Cargo Next in this episode of “On Air with Air Cargo Next.”

Dallas-based airfreight consolidation company Aircon is using AI and machine learning to offer a platform that helps smaller freight forwarders consolidate shipments. Aircon Chief Executive Chris Condon discusses the benefits and challenges of airfreight consolidation.

Risk management solutions provider Overhaul is using AI to mitigate cargo thefts. With products like RiskGPT, launched in July, Overhaul integrated AI into its software to scrape the internet for information on cargo theft and synthesize it. Overhaul response teams use then use the information to determine where a crime is likely to occur and quickly identify a corrective path.

In the latest episode of the “On Air with Air Cargo Next” podcast, James Golding, head of cargo at London Heathrow Airport; Kenneth Chircop, general manager at Dronamics; and Mike van Berkel, account manager at VRR, discuss community cargo systems, drones and sustainability ahead of their appearances at the upcoming Air Cargo Tech Summit 2023, set for Sept. 18-19 in Brussels.

Today we will be speaking with Michelle Williams, managing director of strategy and business services at Southwest Airlines Cargo, and Ed de Reyes, chair and chief executive of Sabrewing Aircraft. Each will participate in panel discussions at our second annual Air Cargo Tech Summit in Brussels on Sept. 18-19.

“On Air with Air Cargo Next” speaks with David Rose, director of London operations for IAG Cargo, about automation’s growing role in the air cargo industry.

Kale Logistics is making software that allows for easier information sharing among the branches of the supply chain. In this episode of “On Air with Air Cargo Next,” Air Cargo Next Senior Consultant Cathy Roberson speaks with Donna Mullins, vice president of Kale Logistics, about technology’s role in improving the airfreight industry — and how more tech is necessary. “During the pandemic, the technology grew three times, like the Grinch’s heart, but it needed to grow 30 times,” said Mullins. “We are still very behind in the technology of the land-side part of the movement.” Listen as Mullins discusses how to streamline logistics, lobbying for government support and industry transformation in the next five years.

In this episode of “On Air with Air Cargo World,” Associate Editor Ashley Mowreader speaks with Andrew Chang, managing director of United Airlines Ventures, about the carrier’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) investments and carbon-offset initiatives.

The 2022 peak season, or lack thereof, is becoming more apparent as consumers begin holiday shopping. The Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping sprees gave retailers a much-needed opportunity to clear out warehouses, but inflation and economic uncertainty continue to play into consumer spending habits.