Page 26 - LUA May - June 2023 for Magzter

NEWS

Astral Aviation appoints Patricia

Odida as Chief Commercial Officer MSC launches Africa

stral Aviation has recently of Cargo Optimization, Pricing Global Logistics
Aannounced the appointment and Revenue Manager at Astral
of Patricia Odida as Chief Aviation for two years. She has SC has reinforced its continuous
Commercial Officer previously worked at Minvestment in Africa with the
(CCO) effective April Kenya Airways in a long introduction of the brand Africa Global
1, 2023. As per a social stint of more than 17 Logistics (AGL). AGL is the new name
media post on LinkedIn years in the roles of for the business formerly known as
by the company on Cargo Pricing and Bolloré Africa Logistics (BAL), says an
Tuesday, Odida had Revenue Manager, official release. MSC had acquired BAL
reportedly excelled as the Cargo Sales in 2022 for a purchase price based on an
in her duties with Manager, Kenya enterprise value, net of minority interests,
the highest levels and as Cargo Sales of €5.7 billion ($6.3 billion)."Having
of professionalism and Customer developed its expertise over more than
and service in her Service Executive a century and with more than 21,000
previous role as Head in Nairobi. employees working in 49 countries,
AGL is a reference multimodal logistics
operator and is now part of the cargo
division of MSC Group. AGL will
continue to operate as an independent
entity with the full support of family-
owned MSC Group’s strength and scale."

SATS completes IATA to launch Focus Africa

WFS acquisition

ATS Ltd. announced the
Scompletion of its previously
announced acquisition of global air
cargo logistics provider Worldwide
Flight Services (WFS) for €1.3
billion (approximately S$1.8 billion)
from an affiliate of Cerberus Capital
Management, representing an
enterprise value of €2,250 million.
The acquisition got 96.8% approval
from SATS' voting shareholders in
January of this year, and regulatory
approvals in all relevant jurisdictions
were acquired in February. With
the conclusion of the transaction,
WFS becomes a wholly owned
subsidiary of SATS, which is based he International Air Transport areas, says an official release. “Africa
in Singapore. WFS will remain TAssociation (IATA) is launching accounts for 18 percent of the global
headquartered in Paris and will Focus Africa to strengthen aviation’s population but just 2.1 percent of air
trade as Global Flight Services. Craig contribution to Africa’s economic transport activities (combined cargo
Smyth, CEO of WFS, will continue and social development and improve and passenger). Closing that gap, so that
to lead the firm and report to Kerry connectivity, safety and reliability for Africa can benefit from the connectivity,
Mok, President & CEO of SATS, and passengers and shippers. The initiative jobs and growth that aviation enables,
an advisory board. will align private and public stakeholders is what Focus Africa is all about,” says
to deliver measurable progress in six Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA.

24 LUA MAY - JUNE 2023