In May of 2020 longtime JAS partner Aviagen® and sister company Hubbard® required a large shipment of live, day-old chicks be transported to Bangladesh from the United States and France. These chicks needed to arrive the next day to their destination, safely and in good health. With the successful delivery of the chicks to Aviagen's customer in Bangladesh the broiler breeding stock will produce 110,393,893 kilograms (243,376,874 pounds) of chicken meat for the people living in Bangladesh.
This important shipment had to go out amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions it has brought to the shipping industry, as well as required expertise to navigate the mine field of other special requirements in order to successfully deliver this live cargo next day, safely, and efficiently.
JAS Live Animals regularly organizes airfreight shipments to various destinations, and this shipment was important to Aviagen and marked a historic shipment for the company. Quoted from Aviagen "Several characteristics contribute to the historic nature of this shipment. First, it represents the most grandparent and parent stock chicks ever to be exported internationally in a single shipment. And it is the first-time multiple brands of multi-generational chicks destined for different poultry companies have shared an international flight." JAS is honored to be part of such a historical event in the Live Animal Industry and to continue to work with Aviagen on future shipments.
This shipment required specialized pallets to be built, as well as overnight feeding to be done for the chicks on their long journey. The pallets, built in the USA, had to merge with the pallets built in France, by a competitor. Thanks to the dedication of the night shift, through their feedings and follow-ups the chicks were under constant care, and thanks to the partnership and clear communication between the customers, forwarders, and airlines this critical shipment was successful.
“This is really where the JAS motto People Make the Difference comes to life. Passion! Passion! Passion! We are dealing with live animals and not general cargo, you must have passion, dedication, and commitment to the cause. And those are the qualities that proudly makes JAS different from the competition, to the point where it seems like you are making the most incredible accomplishments for your customers, but for you it simply has become your normal daily routine.” JAS Live Animals Division Manager, Carlo Rebuffi
JAS is proud to have a strong relationship with Aviagen, handling shipments like this for them for nearly 2 decades. Starting in the United States, JAS worked hard to gain their trust and earn credibility with them, expanding into Europe and gaining the needed expertise to ship such a commodity as live animals to the point that JAS developed its own Live Animals division. This division continues to grow and has a dedicated team of experts willing to go over and beyond to deserve the business of our partners.
ATLANTA, February 20, 2025 – JAS, a global leader in logistics and supply chain solutions, has successfully completed its acquisition of International Airfreight Associates B.V. ("IAA"), a specialized provider of Air, Ocean and Road Freight services headquartered in the Netherlands. This milestone follows the signing of the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) announced in December 2024 and marks the official integration of IAA into the JAS network.
"The acquisition of IAA strengthens the JAS global logistics portfolio and access to key markets, particularly in the time-critical perishable goods sector," said Marco Rebuffi, CEO and President of JAS. "We are proud to welcome IAA's talented highly experienced team to JAS and are looking forward to delivering excellent service to our customers together."
Jur de Graaf, Managing Director of International Airfreight Associates, added, "Joining JAS allows us to expand our services globally and continue delivering high-quality logistics solutions for our customers. We are confident that our partnership will create new opportunities for our employees, partners and clients.”
IAA is one of the top 3 IATA forwarders at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport with Warehouses and Operations in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. IAA specializes in managing time-sensitive perishable fresh goods and livestock shipments as well as multimodal general cargo.
The acquisition strengthens JAS global service portfolio by enhancing the footprint in the European logistics market and beyond. Together, JAS and IAA teams will drive customer value through expanded service offerings, operational excellence, and an even broader global network.
About JAS
JAS, a global leader in logistics and supply chain solutions, was founded in Milan, Italy, in 1978. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and supported by 7,000+ team members in more than 100 countries, JAS focuses on creating solutions that are innovative, sustainable, and tailored to customer needs. As a privately owned company, JAS is committed to creating opportunities for communities, customers, and colleagues to thrive.
About International Airfreight Associates B.V.
International Airfreight Associates B.V. ("IAA") is a specialized provider of Air, Ocean and Road Freight services headquartered in the Netherlands. With nearly 100 employees and strategic locations and operations including Amsterdam, Aalsmeer, Rotterdam, and Frankfurt, the company specializes in moving fresh perishable goods, livestock and multimodal supply chain solutions for a diverse range of clients.
On January 24, 2025, industry leaders gathered at the Renaissance Warsaw Airport Hotel to celebrate a year of collaboration with Lufthansa Cargo.
The evening brought together key partners to reflect on past achievements, discuss future opportunities, and recognize outstanding performance across the logistics sector.
JAS Poland had a standout night, earning three awards for exceptional performance in 2024:
The event featured an inspiring speech by Ashwin Bhat, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo AG, and a panel discussion on the evolving landscape of e-commerce. The awards gala was a testament to the strong partnerships and shared success within the industry.
A heartfelt thank you to Lufthansa Cargo for their continued trust and collaboration. Here’s to another year of reaching new heights!
The European Union's Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate is set to reshape the aviation industry, requiring airlines to incorporate a minimum of 2% SAF in their fuel mix starting in 2025. This regulation represents a major step toward reducing carbon emissions, but it also brings substantial cost challenges for carriers operating across Europe.
Impact on Freight Costs and Sustainability Surcharges
The implementation of the SAF mandate is driving up operational costs for airlines, directly influencing freight rates. To offset these additional expenses, airlines are introducing mandatory sustainability surcharges on shipments departing from or transiting through European airports. While this presents immediate financial challenges, it also serves as a catalyst for innovation and investment in alternative fuels, paving the way for a more sustainable aviation sector.
Balancing Cost and Sustainability
As airlines adapt to these regulatory changes, they must navigate the delicate balance between cost management and environmental responsibility. The evolution of SAF production, along with advancements in supply chain logistics, will play a critical role in determining how efficiently the industry can meet these mandates. Collaboration between fuel suppliers, airlines, and logistics partners will be essential to ensuring a smooth transition.
Stay Informed with JAS
To help our customers understand the implications of this new regulation, we invite you to download HERE the JAS One-Pager on the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation. This resource provides a clear and user-friendly overview of the changes and their impact on airfreight logistics. Additionally, you can visit the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation website for further details (ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation website )
At JAS, we are committed to clear and transparent communication regarding regulatory changes affecting global supply chains. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your nearest JAS representative for more information and tailored support.
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