Tariff Dustup Could Be Cargo Windfall
     Everyone I talk with in air cargo is concerned about the effect of President Trump’s stance on tariffs, and to tell the truth so was I until I remembered one thing: 
     Donald Trump is a master negotiator rather than a politician. 
     For the past 60+ years the United States has been giving trade concessions in return for geopolitical concessions like military bases and alliances. 
     So Trump is right in saying our trade deals are outdated and need to be changed.

Chuckles for July 16, 2018

LHR Vote Needs Positive Action
     The vote in British Parliament favoring London Heathrow Airport expansion late last month drew response from the boots on the ground at LHR.
     Robert (Peachy) Keen, Director General of the British International Freight Association (BIFA) and stalwart member of the FIATA Board said:
     “Whilst BIFA welcomes the positive news from Parliament, media coverage of the obstacles that the project still faces leave me with a certain sense of foreboding whether the spades will ever hit the ground.”

Wing & Wheels & Trump Tariff
     “In some respect, United States President Donald Trump has my admiration to pursue a fair tariff deal. 
     “The implementation, however, is debatable! However, all said and done, I do not see trade coming to a halt. 
     “I see volumes flowing despite the nuances and exchange of fury over the issues!” 

Chuckles for July 9, 2018

No Takers For Air India
     There has been no let-up in the downs for Air India. 
     Caught in a tight-jacketed financial bind and living from day to day on taxpayers’ money, the Narendra Modi-led government took the move to sell Air India.
      Despite the best efforts of the Civil Aviation Ministry, not one bidder showed interest in Air India till May 31, the deadline for the ‘Expression of Interest’ (EOI) bids under AI’s divestment process.

The Effervescence of Jean-Claude Delen
     Recently a mixed, yet optimistic message came from a white paper entitled “The Evolving Freight Forwarding Market (2018).” The report, published by LTI and based on just 50 responses to their survey, reveals optimism among the forwarding community in spite of technological change, e-commerce challenges, and the new collaborative enterprise pressure toward change.

Chuckles for July 3, 2018

Update On The East

Tariff Watch As July Deadline Looms
     As deadline day draws near in the on-off trade war dance between the United States and China, forwarders and airlines are now making strategic preparations for potential spikes in demand. 
     They are also preparing for the possibility that demand could drop off thereafter on the China to U.S. lane, and that Chinese production for the U.S. market could quickly shift to Chinese factories located in neighboring Asian countries to avoid tariffs.

Chuckles for June 28, 2018

Planning For The U.S. China Dance
     Uncertainty over the scale and timing of the threatened U.S. and China trade war is making the forward planning of Tranpacific freight operations increasingly complex, according to one leading carrier. 
     The almost day-to-day changes in policy pronouncements from both camps have caused chaos for those strategizing supply chains. And for airlines it has been little easier than for shippers or 3PLs or caught in the cross-fire.

Toward A Perfect Blendship At AA Cargo
      School may be out for summer, but for American Airlines Managing Director of Cargo Culture and Transformation Jessica Tyler, change is in the air.
     “We officially announced our partnership with IBS in January of this year and have been hard at work completing the first major phase of work, designing our future business processes that are enabled by the iCargo solution. 
     “We are now working on the detailed plan to support our teams and customers through this transition over time. 
     “The devil is in the details and let’s just say we’re in the ‘hot’ part of the project.”

Chuckles for June 25, 2018

Serenade For Jessica
     Sometimes things that happen in life flash by very quickly. Later, when you think about it, the time stamp has dropped out, the encounter fogs over in memory, and you wonder if it was perhaps just a dream.
     I recall in 2003 attending a movie premiere of a film featuring my son Geoffrey II, titled “It Runs In The Family”. Starring Kirk and Michael Douglas, Bernadette Peters, and some others, the film was based on the lives of the famous Douglas Hollywood family. 

UTIKAD Forward In Turkish Logistics
     Since late last year there has been a new logo and president at The International Association of Transport and Logistic Service Providers (UTIKAD), the largest non-governmental organization in the Turkish transportation and logistics sector. 

Chuckles for June 21, 2018

Second Time The Charm At Lufthansa
     One of the major pluses of travelling to an event like CNS Partnership is the chance to return to the dear hearts that we have known, and of course to meet some new ones.
     We recall a couple of years ago when we met with Lufthansa’s Head of Area Management The Americas Achim Martinka, as he readied for his departure back to Europe after a six-year run.
     As we sat and talked and bid each other a fond farewell, he shared something close to his heart. 
     “Unfortunately,” Achim said, “I will have to leave the Americas with a few great projects underway, but not finished yet.”

Show Us Your Pain, India Tells Air Cargo
     “We have met the enemy and it is us,” is the air cargo industry response to India government talk, but there is little action!
     Sure, on paper and in the media, the Indian government—or rather, the civil aviation ministry—is all for pushing ahead to boost air cargo, but elsewhere powerful pressures, including simple indifference to promises and pledges, are working to put brakes on advancing air cargo in India.

ACAS Secures Take Off
     The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Air Cargo Advanced Screening (ACAS) program went into effect on Tuesday, June 12.
     Basically airlines are ordered to provide longer advance notice about cargo that officials believe may pose a security risk.
     Now carriers must send certain information about their cargo consignments to U.S. Customs and Border Protection before loading the plane.
     Customs applauded the new rule saying it now will be able to order airline crews not to load suspicious cargo. 

Chuckles for June 19, 2018

June Rates Flat But Steady
     So far, the much-anticipated surge in rates on healthy global economic growth and tight capacity has not materialized on the major East-West lanes. 
     Freightos put it mostly bluntly in declaring: “No News Is The News For Air Freight Rates.”
     The digital marketplace reported in early June that average air freight rates “haven’t moved since late March,” rating them in the range of $2.90-$5.00 per kg on the China-U.S. lane, $2.80-$4.50 on China-Europe, and $1.80-$2.70 for Europe-U.S.

FIATA Plans A Posh Journey To India
     In March, FlyingTypers highlighted Babar Badat’s agenda upon taking the helm of FIATA. He said that FIATA “has a growing role to play in the fast changing international transport environment.
     “In recent years, FIATA has championed the need for better global connectivity.
     “I intend to continue this momentum,” President Babar Badat said in his exclusive interview for FlyingTypers. 

CNS Partnership Is Unbeatable
      Ever since Ed Sullivan, the man who introduced The Beatles to America in 1964, coined “A Really Big Show,” we have thought of that phrase when we anticipate showing up for another air cargo trade event.
     The trade event journeys continue: from New York to Palm Springs and Shanghai to United Kingdom, a slightly delirious season of trade events, shows, and gatherings are driven in part by the need to meet and greet and fulfill the never-ending quest of filling up the coffers.

Chuckles for June 11, 2018

Top Air Cargo Show Session of 2018
     At last month’s CNS Partnership Conference, which bannered itself as “Preparing for Tomorrow’s Reality,” the Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) Air Cargo Committee coordinated a panel titled “Airport Partnerships: Driving Solutions.”
     Considering that all of us are over, under, around, or through an airport every step of the way in air cargo, maybe what our world could use right now is a great, informative discussion of what is happening in places we all share. 

Air Mail At 100
     Just 80 years ago last month, in May 1938, four carrier pigeons went up against against an Eastern Airlines mail plane in a race to see which method could cover the 200-mile route from Washington, D.C., to New York faster. 

Inside Blockbuster Surge At DHL Forwarding
     Tobias Meyer was in expansive and optimistic form, and with good reason. Deutsche Post-DHL Group reported decent returns for the first quarter—year-on-year revenues suffered a slight drop due to the sale of subsidiary Williams Lea Tag, but operating profits rose 2.3 percent to €905m. DGF, the Group’s forwarding arm, saw revenue rise 1.3 percent to EUR 3.6 billion in the period. 
     However, this did not tell the full story because, once adjusted for negative currency effects, the latest numbers actually represented a 7.2 percent improvement compared to a year earlier. 

Chuckles for June 4, 2018

BTU Cool By Any Measure
     In most places where it is hot or summer is approaching, comfort is measured in British Thermal Units, or BTUs, pumped out faithfully by air conditioners.
     But for air cargo, this Super Summer of 2018 began early in Bintulu, Malaysia (BTU), which was on the receiving end of a major charter by MABkargo.

Will India Keep Victoria's Secret?
     Victoria has a secret and it’s connected to her garments. Not many people know that a wide variety of Victoria’s Secret undergarments are made in the port city of Visakhapatnam in the state of Andhra Pradesh in south India. 
     In addition to VS, there’s Pink, Calvin Klein, and Marks & Spencer. 
     In fact, one of the units manufacturing ladies’ undergarments produces the largest number of brassieres exported from India to the U.S.

A Look Back & Forward
     Once upon a time in 1975, we filled up our 1973 Karmann Ghia with newspapers and drove from a printing plant in Massapequa, Long Island, New York, to the cargo area at JFK International Airport and Air Cargo News (ACN) was born.
     Today we are still here as the longest continually published air cargo media in the history of air cargo with the same Editor/Publisher/Owners.

Chuckles for May 28, 2018

Air Cargo Took Off Above The Himalayas
     If you want to know exactly when the defining time occurred for air cargo in the 20th century, and what led to its development, just cast a line back seventy six years ago and you will discover that modern air cargo was born in India and China.
     Today, as air cargo’s future is increasingly connected to these two ancient countries, it can be said that what is old is new again. 
     Early in World War II, President Roosevelt asked Army Air Force General Hap Arnold to devise a method for supplying Chinese and American troops and aviators fighting against the Japanese in China.

Memorial Day 2018
     Aside from being the Summer ’18 opening day for swimming pools, parks and beaches across America, Memorial Day USA is meant to honor members of the armed forces of today and yesterday.

Business Urge To Surge Faces Challenges
     The air freight sector’s remarkable upturn in fortunes could soon be coming to an end, according to one leading market analyst. But while the current supply-demand balance could be threatened by new capacity, digitalization of the sector will create new opportunities.
     Patrik Berglund, CEO of Xeneta, a benchmarking and market intelligence platform, believes that although forecasters such as McKinsey have predicted air cargo volumes will rise by 3 percent on average through to 2025, problems are now brewing for air freight stakeholders.

Chuckles for May 23, 2018

Building Mongolian Connections
     An air corridor between India and Mongolia could start soon. 
     Coming as it does on the heels of the success of the India-Afghanistan air corridor overflying Pakistan, the decision to explore the possibility of starting direct air services to land-locked Mongolia was taken during the recent visit by India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Mongolia.
     Mongolia considers India a “third neighbor” as well as a “spiritual neighbor” (the late venerable Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, a Buddhist monk who is revered in Mongolia, was the Indian ambassador to Ulaanbaatar for 10 years). With China on three sides and Russia on the other, Mongolia has close relations with India, which is referred to as the third neighbor.

March Happened But Not A Trend
      Air cargo markets seem certain to continue expanding this year despite the relative slowdown suffered in March. And while rates in ‘greenback’ terms have remained firm on buoyant demand, one analyst notes that pricing can only be viewed in the context of currency fluctuations.
      Freightos, a digital marketplace, reported last week that air freight rates were currently “very stable”, adding that the first week of May was the “sixth straight week with the same average air freight rates,” which on the China-U.S. lane, it recorded in the $2.90-$5.00 per kg range; China-Europe hovered at $2.80-$4.50 per kg and Europe-U.S. was steady at $1.80-$2.70 per kg.

Chuckles for May 18, 2018

The Doppelganger Gambit
     easyJet held a royal wedding competition. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle lookalikes Rhys Whittock and Inmaculada Santisteban Serrano won as best Royal couple doppelgangers.
     The judges measured on looks, the regal wave, the romantic wedding proposal and best bridal bouquet throw.

Ready For FIATA World Congress India
     Representatives of the Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) are out on the road promoting the FIATA World Congress 2018 scheduled to take place at Aerocity in New Delhi, September 26-30, 2018.
     Pictured at the Dubai World Trade Club, the National Association of Freight & Logistics (NAFL-UAE) welcomed the Indian delegation, pledging support for the event taking place on the subcontinent for the first time.

Tom Wolfe - The Right Stuff
      Tom Wolfe, one of the truly great writers of the 20th Century wrote these words about a first U.S. Astronaut Gordon Cooper in his landmark book The Right Stuff, published in 1979.
     The NASA Space Shuttle Program, a series of air cargo flights that began with Columbia in 1981,was given a huge boost in lore and legend as a result of that book.
     Tom Wolfe died Tuesday May 16 in Manhattan at 88 years of age.

Mike's On CNS Partnership
     As the 28th CNS Partnership Conference concluded this past Wednesday in Palm Beach, California, it is a good time to reflect upon this year’s event. 
     “There was a record crowd of over 600 people and we received a lot of good comments from the attendees,” said Mike White CNS President. 

Chuckles for May 15, 2018

Algorithm Pumps Up The Volume
     “Basically there are three challenges to building a company.”
     The speaker is Nathanaël de Tarade Chief Commercial Officer of Wiremind.
     “Firstly, you have to convince people that buying your product will make their lives or job better.
     “Secondly, as a small company, the challenge to reach a global audience means that you have to work all the time and figure out how to remain a small company for a decent amount of time so that you can control things.”

Adam Walks On Air At CNS
     While others may have a “Top 10 List,” Adam Rod (A-Rod), Chicago Department of Aviation Assistant Commissioner of Planning, settles for three. Whilst inhaling the landscape in La Quinta, California, he lines up his case for the aerial gateway serving the city of the broad shoulders, Chicago, Illinois.
     Adam is a one-man powerhouse who may be grounded but seems to walk on air as he describes the future of cargo at O’Hare International.

No Trouble Hitting The Curve
      IATA was handing out baseballs at CNS Partnership last week with William (Will) Jimenez (right) and Philippe Siponen (left) on the mound pitching for better understanding of the agency’s aggressive program to build world trade.

ATC On The Road To Tomorrow
     “I believe in partnership and quality,” says Ingo Zimmer, CEO of fast-rising GSSA ATC Aviation as the 28th CNS Partnership gets underway in Palm Springs, California, this week.
     “Airlines are comfortable with our hands-on personal style of service as we grow our offering everywhere in the world including Europe, Africa, Asia, India, and the Americas.”

Chuckles for May 8, 2018

Dynamic Duo Fast Track CNS
     “Digitalization is coming whether you like it or not,” declared new CNS President Mike White, as CNS Partnership opened for business on Monday, May 7.
     “However, change will need complete, clear two-way understanding between all parties involved in the process of moving air cargo.
     “Help us by sharing information on the things that are important to you in your daily business.
     “Together we will make this business and our industry great.”

Marek More Than A LOT
     “We are very excited about the start up of a second direct destination to Europe from North America.
     “LOT Polish adds Budapest from New York and Chicago in addition to our regular offering from the U.S. (JFK & ORD) and Toronto, Canada, to Warsaw,” said Marek Kasiak, LOT Polish Cargo Manager North America.

Why Is This Man Smiling?
      Just look at Jens, the beautiful women, and the mountains in Paradise (PSP), California, and the answer is apparent.
     “I was thinking about it,” said Jens Tubbesing, Chief Executive Officer of Airline Network Services (ANS), pictured here with Marie Epstein, Vice President Sales and Ana Gerber, Chief Operating Officer in Palm Springs with the beautiful Santa Rosa mountains as backdrop, “my tenure as President of CNS (2002-2004) was the third longest on record after Tony Calabrese, who was the founding President of CNS, and Michael Vorwerk, who was in place slightly longer than me.”

Ready Set Grow Alliances & Women
     CNS Partnership was off to the races in Palm Springs this week, with a warm reception for partners and friends, as United & Lufthansa celebrated their just announced air cargo alliance partnership in style.
     “We are not an overnight sensation but have worked on developing our partnership during the past five years,” said Jim Bellinder, Vice President, United Cargo Sales-Americas.
     “We have just completed moving our first couple of dozen shipments and cannot wait for tomorrow, because we look better everyday.”

Chuckles for May 7, 2018

PayCargo On Stage At CNS
     As Cargo Network Services Corp. (CNS) meets this week in Palm Springs, California, it is significant to remember the exciting new agreement between PayCargo and CNS reached in fall 2017, which will be featured in great detail as part of “Innovation Stage” during the CNS event.

Barry Lien Barry Good
     FlyingTypers spoke to the old cargo pro Barry Lien who said, “work today at Worldwide Flight Services brings me in close proximity to some great people in air cargo, and attending CNS partnership deepens the ties that bind.
   “Air cargo is a people business, unique and grand, and still today nothing beats the face to face contact that CNS provides, delivering great neutral ground for us to meet all our customers in one place during this annual event.”

Hello And Goodbye
      Hello & Goodbye . . . Opening evening at CNS Partnership was a lawn party in a Spanish Garden as the sun set behind the breathtakingly beautiful Santa Rosa Mountains. 
   Qatar Cargo hosted the event with Ian Morgan, VP Cargo the Americas welcoming and thanking customers and partners.
   Ian also delivered a touching goodbye and farewell to Kuehne & Nagel’s Michael Tomasulo, (right) a much beloved, long-time cargo stalwart who is retiring.

Innovation Stage New At CNS Partnership
     CNS 2018 Partnership Conference is changing the way it delivers information next week in Palm Springs at its 28th annual gathering, this year at La Quinta Resort from May 6-9.
     This time look for less plenary sessions but more access to useful information via a smaller venue in the exhibition area called the CNS Innovation Stage. 
     The idea is to change the dynamic so that conferees can meet with customers and also find easy access to informative presentations from across the air cargo supply chain. 

Chuckles for May 1, 2018

India & The Brexiteers
       India is looking forward to promoting trade with Britain and the Commonwealth after Brexit kicks in. 
       The recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meet (CHOGM) in London that was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi—who apparently was wooed to attend the meet by none other than Prince Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall in November last year—was an opportunity for Britain to push bilateral trade, which in 2015-16 was $14.02 billion. 

Letters to the Editor

ULD CARE Teams Up With Airport College
       Our friend Pertti Mero, who moved from the airline cargo business into fostering much needed training for airline employees worldwide when he founded Airport College in Helsinki, Finland, has now moved into a cooperation with Canadian-based ULD CARE to develop online training courses.
       “We believe that this new cooperation provides us a unique possibility to work closely with ULD CARE to further develop our online Unit Load Device (ULD) Handling training courses,” Pertti said.

CNS Cinco De Mayo
     Cinco de Mayo falls on a Saturday in 2018, affording readers a nice chance to spend the weekend with margaritas, chavelas, or just go all in with shots of Patrón. 
     For people that want to get a head start on Cargo Network Services (CNS) Annual Partnership Conference (beginning Sunday, May 6 with a golf tournament), here is what’s happening in the always very hip Coachella Valley for Cinco de Mayo.

LATAM Cargo Growing Empire
      LATAM Cargo Vice President Sales East Coast Andres Varela doesn’t claim to know it all.
      But there is something this youthful, energetic 19-year veteran does know. As vice president for Miami-based LATAM Cargo, he understands he has a tiger by the tail. LATAM is growing its cargo business all over the world.

Chuckles for April 25, 2018

Trump Effect On Trade - Pt. 9
      President Donald Trump has been in office for a little over a year and in that time he has reversed many Obama-era Executive Orders affecting business.  
      He has been aggressive in stemming terrorism, secured a budget with massive military spending increases to modernize and resupply the U.S. military, focused on deporting criminal illegal aliens, proposed extensive U.S. immigration policy reforms, and passed both individual and corporate tax relief to increase consumer spending and improve the U.S. investment environment.

Smiling Faces - Going Places
      Smiling faces going places is the takeaway in this series of endearing pictures as EMO Trans recognized outstanding effort amongst its team members.
      EMO Trans has been implementing customized global logistics solutions for over 50 years and today that offering includes more than 250 offices in 120 countries.
      But EMO Trans is much more than that.

Getting Frisky In Crimea
      A step into the future may also mean a pat down frisk from these guys?
      The new terminal called “Crimean Wave” at Simferopol International Airport opened for business in Crimea, Russia with a “Step Into the Future” entertainment program as the resort destination gets a big subsidy program for flights from the Russian government.

Lionel Tracks Back To Cargo
     Here is Lionel van der Walt, recently departed President of IATA CNS, sporting a slightly different look as CEO of RCI, Inc.
     RCI, Inc., is an international association of building envelope consultants. 
     Members specialize in design, investigation, repair, and management of roofing, exterior wall, and waterproofing systems.

Chuckles for April 23, 2018

Mother Earth Day 

The Environment & The Aviation Industry - Pt. 4
     It’s an honour to be invited by Geoffrey Arend to write a few words on the sustainable aviation industry on the Earth Day 2018 celebration. The Earth Day initiative is the biggest environment movement in the world and deserves respect for the effort to gain support and understanding for how important it is for us as human beings to take action to combat man-made climate change, extreme weather patterns, global pollution and the steadily increasing global warming.

CNS Springs Irresistible
     It seems that spring has not sprung quite yet for many across the U.S.
       But the weather cannot slow down newly named Cargo Network Services (CNS) President Mike White.
       But there’s no denying many of us are anxious for the 2018 CNS Partnership Conference to happen and for some hot weather in the sunny California oasis of Palm Springs.

Chuckles for April 17, 2018

Express India Report Says Unlock Cargo
     The Express Industry Council of India (EICI) recently released the Indian Express Industry-2018 report which presents an optimistic scenario for the domestic express industry. 
     With an annual growth rate of 15 per cent, the express industry in India has rocketed upward. 
     However, the report stated, though it has enormous potential, obstacles have stymied its growth. 

Air Cargo Day LA
     “Our annual Air Cargo Day mini-trade show showcases many of our members’ services and saw record attendance in 2017,” said Sherri Dunlop (above) LAACA Membership Committee. 
  “This year promises to be even better.”

Atlanta Air Cargo Association Springs Golf
     Atlanta Air Cargo Association (AACA) 2018 Spring Golf Classic takes place on May 15 from 08:00-20:00 at Crystal Lake Golf & Country Club.
Entire package cost “Golf to Dinner” for members $110, Non members $165. Dinner only $40.

Talk To Geoffrey

Passengers In The Cargo Hold
     Airbus thinks it has a better idea for air cargo holds on combination cargo passenger flights, with the help of a vendor in France that also builds lavs for aircraft.
     In the future we may see coach passengers below decks alongside the suitcases and cargo.

Chuckles for April 13, 2018

Boffo Cargo 2017 Lites Up 2018
     Presently, the outlook for global air cargo markets is decidedly mixed after a fantastic 2017. The latest figures from Airports Council International revealed that total cargo including mail handled at all airports worldwide expanded by 7.9 percent last year, and international freight grew by 9.9 percent over the same period. 
     But although volume growth has continued at healthy levels in the early months of 2018, reports from forwarders suggest that while the market has hardly turned bearish, neither is it firing on all cylinders. 

A Ribbon Of A New Way
     Better late than never . . . In what can best be described as a move that should have come a few years ago, India has reached out to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
     (Political commentators, however, point out that India’s overtures to the ASEAN was more due to the Chinese presence in the region or, as one commentator mentioned, “An anesthetic solution to China’s growing assertiveness in the region.”) 

Alibaba & The 1,000 Tons
     Alibaba has now opened air routes to move cargo from China to Russia.
  Here, first shipment readies March 30 as Cainiao, the logistics affiliate of Alibaba Group Holding loads cargo at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport in Hangzhou City headed for Moscow.
  The move aims to shorten transit time between China and Russia to as little as five days.

Chuckles for April 10, 2018

ULD CARE Delivers Code of Conduct
     A ULD being loaded onto the main deck or slipped into the belly of a wide body passenger aircraft is the money shot in any air cargo message of late.
     But what about the ULDs, aka “silent partners,” of our air cargo enterprise? 
     Watching the daily ballet of ULDs being loaded and unloaded from aircraft at the airport, it is easy to step back a bit and wonder about the stories they might tell.

Two-Day Event In Stockholm
     Go deep dish into air cargo with a heavy contact, two-day Northern Europe event in Stockholm, Sweden, April 16-17.
     The 11th Nordic Air Cargo Symposium meets at Clarion Hotel, has a speakers agenda, table displays, and plenty of networking lubricated with great Swedish hospitality, including food and drink and a lively bunch of people.

Formation Fliers Get A Jump On Summer
     If you like air shows, undoubtedly the best part of any event, from Le Bourget, France, to Swayne Field in Toledo, Ohio, is formation flying.
     Most of the time formation flying is left to military jets at the bigger events during the summer.

Building A Global AirBridge
     AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) opens service at Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK) in Columbus, Ohio, today Thursday, April 5.
     ABC employs a fleet of Boeing 747 freighters that provide up to 139 tons of capacity for all types of imports and exports.
     ABC said that weekly scheduled flights will continue on Thursdays, carrying freight inbound from the airline’s global hub in Moscow and returning to Moscow through Liege, Belgium.

Chuckles for April 5, 2018

India Pharma Rules Simplified
     India’s pharma exporters received a bonus recently when the government-controlled Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO is the national regulatory body for Indian pharmaceuticals and medical devices and is similar to the Food and Drug Administration of the United States) ordered that pharma exports did not need any clearance from drug regulatory authority. 

Tower Aboves All
       The lights are on at Runway Number One.   Underneath its dramatic and distinctive Pina Farina-designed control tower, Istanbul New Airport (INA) is now ready for takeoff and landing. 

Sea Bream Fly Turkish
       Turkish Cargo carried 1.5 million live gilt-head breams (sea breams) to Oman from Izmir last month and all 100 tons of the live consignment moved swimmingly and without a hitch according to reports.

King 50 Years Later
     Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) honored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Thursday as April 4 marked the 50th anniversary of his assassination. 
     The event featured performances by M.D. Roberts Middle School Fine Arts Magnet students; the Alpha Rho chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. from Morehouse College, King’s alma mater; and a special performance of King’s famous “I've Been to the Mountaintop” speech delivered in Memphis just twenty four hours before Rev. King was murdered by James Earl Ray.

Tracking The Big Bounce Back
     The requirement for faster, lighter shipments as global e-commerce booms is the leading structural trend now benefiting air cargo growth, according to a leading analyst.
     In an insightful webinar organized by Stifel in March, Brian Clancy, the cofounder and managing director of specialist advisory Logistics Capital & Strategy (LogCapStrat) also deciphered exactly how and why the air freight sector has bounced-back across trade lanes, a trend he admitted had caught analysts by surprise.

Chuckles for April 3, 2018

JFK Air Cargo May 17
     The never-ending winter of 2018 cancelled the March JFK Air Cargo Expo and also cancelled opening day at Yankees Stadium earlier this week.
     The Expo is rescheduled for Thursday May 17, 2018. Organized by the JFK Air Cargo Association, the Expo is a great one day event with plenty of individual booths, lots of great networking and a fine lunch to boot.

FIATA Reports IATA Dallas
     “The meeting in Dallas last week between IATA and FIATA was definitely a positive in terms of making progress toward our much publicized IATA/FIATA Air Cargo Partnership (IFACP),” beamed Keshav Tanna, Chairperson of  FIATA Air Freight Institute. 
      “The meetings continued on the path to change the forwarder agreement in order to reflect current practices of the air cargo industry.”

Single Africa Transport Market
      “This year will be spectacular as Rwandan President Paul Kagame has taken over as Chairman of Africa Union,” said Issa Baluch. 
      “Mr. Kagame has made it clear what his plans for 2018 will be:
      “We will launch the Single African Air Transport Market. 
      “This is a major step forward for transportation.
      “We are nearly ready to adopt the Continental Free Trade Area.”

March Toward Oneness
      Peter Gerber described Lufthansa Cargo Group as “number one cargo carrier in the world by yield in 2017.” Now, Lufthansa Cargo will take over global integration of the cargo capacities of Brussels Airlines starting September 1.
      Christina Foerster, who occupies the top spot as CEO of Brussels Airlines on April 1, moving over from Lufthansa, has some immediate thoughts to share.

Easter 2018
     As Holy Week 2018 continued with Good Friday, Passover and Eastertide this past weekend, Air Cargo News FlyingTypers observed, joining visitors (in spirit at least) next to a tree decorated with 10,000 Easter eggs in the garden of Christa and Volker Kraft in Saalfeld, Germany.

Lufthansa On Top - Hot Numbers, Cool Plan
     Cold has become decidedly cooler at Frankfurt cargo. Europe’s largest airline hub for temperature-sensitive shipping has grown even more high, wide, and handsome, after a significant expansion and upgrade at The Lufthansa Cargo Cool Center (LCCC).

Chuckles for March 26, 2018

Good Night And Good Luck
     DVZ’s “Luftfrachttredakteur” Erwin Maruhn, who announced his retirement (pictured here with Geoffrey), saying goodbye to friends and colleagues at his last Lufthansa Cargo Press Conference Thursday, March 23 in Frankfurt.

History Alive At Lucerne Museum
     One of the great aviation museums in the world (if you can get to it) is Verkehrshaus, a truly wonderful experience for the whole family located in Lucerne, Switzerland.
     There are all kinds of thoughtful and well-executed exhibits in all modes of transportation, including a very rare Convair CV-990A Coronado, full-sized Swissair transport aircraft that you can board and look around.

My Week In Texas

Chuckles for March 20, 2018

India Gets New Aviation Chief
     The recently named Minister for Civil Aviation of India Suresh Prabhu takes charge of the subcontinent’s aviation portfolio as an add-on to his regular duties as Minister of Commerce and Industry. Prabhu, considered by many, the ultimate government professional assumed command of C&I after former chief Ashok Gajapathi Raju resigned for political reasons.

EMO Trans Rallies The Troops In Dallas
     EMO Trans, with 250 offices worldwide, launched operations in China in 2015.
     Today EMO China operates staffed offices at a growing list of locations including Beijing, Chengdu, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Tianjin, and Xiamen.
     On January 26, EMO Trans China held its Annual Dinner in Tong li, a beautiful 1,000 year old village located on the eastern shore of Taihu Lake, about 90 minutes from Shanghai.

Delta Cargo In From The Cole
     “In a market that is oversaturated with capacity, if we get this right, we have a better chance that customers will bring their business to us through value creation and not just price. 
     “Our goal is to be the Number 1 in on-time delivery of air freight.” 
     “As an industry, air cargo can work to better meet the needs of our customers. Electronic airway bills, simplification and automation are key themes. 
     “We should continue discussing policies that impact the air cargo space to improve upon our ability to be easier to do business with.”

Pioneer Badat Leads FIATA
      As The International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) begins its crucial headquarters session in Zurich, Switzerland, March 14-16, we spoke to Babar Badat who was recently named President of the 91-year-old organization.
      After talking for a few minutes with Babar, who also serves as Managing Director of Transfreight Corporation (Pvt) Ltd. of Karachi, Pakistan, it’s easy to understand why this effusive and approachable executive was elevated to the post of President of FIATA for the next two years.

Chuckles for March 14, 2018

At CNS Eight Is Enough
     While IATA World Cargo Symposium continues in high gear in Dallas this week, many “Eyes of Texas” are already turning to the next big cargo event in the Americas. The CNS Partnership Conference is set for Palm Springs, California, at La Quinta Resort & Club, May 6-8.
     Newly named CNS President Mike White sees opportunity and challenges ahead as he continues to direct his first big industry gathering into motion.

Everything Flies Easy As ABC
     “AirBridgeCargo Airlines’ (ABC) focus,” said Vince Ryan, ABC Vice President North & South America, “is staying close to our customer group whilst developing our offering that incudes the ability to carry anything anywhere, anytime, via our B747 freighters and other aircraft, plus access to the Volga Dnepr and CLA fleets.
     “Business last year was very positive and continues as 2018 moves ahead.”

Turkish Texas Roundup
     If Mehmet Gürkan, VP Cargo Sales of the Americas for Turkish Cargo, has his way, the rest of 2018 will continue accelerating a new plan of action initiated by the innovative and dynamic Turhan Özen, top executive of Istanbul-based Turkish Cargo.
     “We want to let our customers and service partners know that Turkish Cargo is not in the capacity game.”

United Cargo Seizes The Day in Dallas
     “I’m very pleased and proud to be a part of the large United Cargo contingent in Dallas for the World Cargo Symposium this week.
     “Of course, we’re always eager for any opportunity to meet with our customers face-to-face to learn how we can better support their current business and what kind of creative strategies we need to develop for the new business they’re anticipating.”

Chuckles for March 13, 2018

In A Cool Spot With Ali
     If you are looking for the action at Frankfurt Airport Cargo, a good place to start is the big Cool Center at Lufthansa Cargo. It has almost doubled in size during the last year, growing from 4,500 sq. m. to a mighty 8,000 sq. m.
     In fact, Cool Center is Europe’s largest fridge, claiming a capacity that is equal to the cooling space in more than 277,000 kitchen fridges. Coupled with the constant monitoring, that means no spoilage allowed! 
     Lufthansa has also added state-of-the-art, exclusive capabilities to the process of monitoring and tracking perishables and other temperature sensitive shipments that are expanding to its stations worldwide.

Market Reports Gain In Post CNY
     The TAC Index covering average prices per kilo from Shanghai PVG to Europe fell 9 percent to CNY 17.40 (USD 2.76) on February 5, but by March 5, and even after falling 12.2 percent week-on-week, the average gateway price was CNY 15.91 per kg—not as low as some had feared.
     A similar trend was apparent on the Hong Kong-North America lane where the average price on March 5 was $3.63 per kg, down only marginally compared to the USD $3.68 per kg recorded by TAC Index on February 5.

Hangar Hopping
     We always liked Air Berlin, especially when our friend Ralf Auslaender operated a company called leisure Cargo that he founded whilst working at LTU.

Jet, IndiGo & SpiceJet
     The Watchdog group, Competition Commission of India (CCI) has fined Jet Airways (India) Ltd., InterGlobe Aviation Limited (IndiGo) and SpiceJet Limited “for concerted action in fixing and revising Fuel Surcharge (FSC) as a component of freight charges.”
     CCI passed the final order on March 7, 2018.
     The CCI noted that the three carriers “acted in a concerted manner in fixing and revising the FSC rates and thereby contravened the provisions of Section 3 of the Act which prohibits anti- competitive agreements including cartels.”

Chuckles for March 12, 2018

Why Qatar Cargo Accents Higher Priorities
     If the easy spoken, relaxed, Guillaume Halleux now serving as Acting Chief Officer Cargo for Qatar Airways is concerned that maybe following in the footsteps of his predecessor is a big ask of anybody, he sure doesn’t show it.
     Guillaume who is front and center in Dallas this week has deftly and definitely moved with grace and ease onto the world stage with top responsibility for a great international airline’s cargo fortunes.

JFK Tops March Agenda
     “It’s a great event and just the ticket for networking and getting the word out,” said Joe Badamo, President of Air Cargo Association (ACA) at JFK International Airport in New York City.
     “We are open for registration to attend our big annual March 22 Air Cargo Expo held at Russo’s in Howard Beach from 0800 until 1700.
     “Here is an opportunity to network.”

IATA FIATA Flies Into Turbulence
     The anticipated cooperative IATA/FIATA Air Cargo Program (IFACP) announced amidst hope and glamour at FIATA’s World Congress in Dublin 2016 has apparently hit some turbulence in its takeoff pilot program in Canada.

Chuckles for March 5, 2018

IATA CASS Associate Forwarders Watch
     One thing to look for in Dallas this week is consideration by the Cargo Agency Conference (CAC) of Policy Item P-2 & Voting Item V-2, which is a new Global Model for the CASS Associate Program that could have a monumental impact on thousands of forwarders worldwide.

Making Forwarder Apprenticeships Work
      Pictured is the beautiful National Exhibition Center (NEC) at Marston Green in Birmingham, England, where the 11th National Apprenticeship Week (NAW 2018) takes place from March 5-9, 2018.
      The theme for NAW 2018 is ‘Apprenticeships Work.’
      National Apprenticeship Week is met with enthusiastic support and involvement from BIFA, the British International Forwarders Association.

Respect Framework For Future
     FIATA and IATA are here—together again, but for the first time, and all of us saw that. 
     What do you think?
     I want to share a thought from the writings of Kurt Vonnegut:
     “Please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, 'If this isn't nice, I don't know what is.’”

Fed Up With Guns
      Here in the U.S., FedEx is defending its business relationship with National Rifle Association (NRA) telling media that NRA is just another business partner whose politics they ignore.
      Big Purple offers deep discounts to NRA members, although they did have some words about assault rifles, like the one used to kill 17 students and teachers this month in a Florida high school.

Chuckles for February 28, 2018

Orange The New Black In India
      Nagpur, also known as “Orange City,” is located in the center of India and among other things supplies more than 70 percent of all the fresh oranges (orange barfi counts in that number) in the country.
      But in 2018, the city is also making major aviation headlines. The home to Boeing’s only MRO facility other than Shanghai, and also the place where the Tata Group launched the Central India Spinning and Weaving Company Ltd. popularly called "Empress Mill" on January 1, 1877, the day Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India, is now building an international multi-modal cargo hub and airport at Nagpur to rival Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Taxing India Drives Cargo
     The big story right now out of India cargo is implementation of the government mandated Goods and Services Tax (GST) that among other things has created an environment that is helping air cargo. 
     Airports, particularly the major international gateways like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, are innovating to boost cargo volumes.

Seeing Red
      Aeroflot flight attendants at The Russian Investment Forum (RIF) Annual two-day trade show event in Sochi, February 15-17, which featured 55 events and more than 500 speakers.
      At the opening of the Forum, more than 400 conferees took part in a charity run along the Sochi Formula One circuit to commemorate the Winter Olympics that took place here four years ago.

The Sky's No Limit For United Cargo
     “The theme of last year’s team meeting was ‘Unstoppable,’ and you really did prove to be unstoppable in 2017,” said Jan Krems, President of United Cargo, kick-starting the team’s recent Annual Worldwide Meeting. 
       More than 300 attendees traveled from all across the globe to The Woodlands near Houston and listened intently as Jan put 2017’s achievements and 2018’s plans into perspective. “For this year’s theme, we wanted something to inspire us to take the next step beyond ‘Unstoppable.’ That’s why we chose ‘United Cargo: No Limits!’”

Chuckles for February 21, 2018

Wish We Had Said That
     “When you look at existing trans-Atlantic routes, there is an absolute void in the middle of the United States,” said Justin Meyer, Deputy Director of Aviation - Marketing and Air Service Development Kansas City Aviation Department.

Letters to the Editor

Cargo India Optimistic 2018
     The year 2018 has started on an optimistic note for India’s air cargo stakeholders.
      The person holding out the lolly of hope is none other than Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju. 
      In an interview at the beginning of this year, Raju pointed out that though the potential for air cargo—especially domestic—was high, cargo unfortunately was only a very small part of Indian aviation.

Chuckles for February 16, 2018

Scholte Action As TIACA Gains Momentum
     Sebastian Scholte, CEO of Jan de Rijk Logistics, moves onward into his two year tenure as TIACA chairman.
     He replaced Sanjiv Edward, Head of Cargo Business at Delhi International Airport. Speaking exclusively to Flying Typers, Scholte said that under his leadership TIACA will take a multi-pronged approached to growing the Association’s brand and building its role as a facilitator of improved air freight supply chain efficiency and resilience.

Container Ships Last Call
   With a fleet of 215 modern container ships, Hapag-Lloyd is recycling its older, retired fleet, including this veteran of the seas, the “Heidelberg Express,” which was handled in an eco-friendly manner at a specialized shipyard in Alia?a, a town on the Aegean Coast of Turkey.
   Vessels that are moved from front line service at Hapag are carefully dismantled in line with environmental regulations in certified shipyards in Turkey and China. 

Kung Hei Fat Choy
      It is apparent to almost anyone traveling on business that there isn’t enough time to enjoy authentic local scenery.
     Dinner that hasn’t been worked into the business schedule becomes an after-thought, a quick twelve-dollar burger served on a tray with a moist towelette in some forgotten hotel room.
     We are so quick to let business travel spoil the excitement that comes with going to a new place. The town you’ve been zipping through for the past couple of days could be the grist for your memory’s mill, and sometimes culture shock can be cathartic.

Trump Effect One Year Later
       As President Trump enters his second year, it’s time to reflect on the impact of his policies on the air cargo industry.
       No one can disagree that it has been a good year for all segments of the air cargo industry despite the typical Washington gridlock and opposition obstructionism. 
       The U.S. economy is strong—U.S. GDP may increase by as much as 4 percent in 2018, fueled by high job growth, low unemployment, and raising salaries, allowing consumers to increase their spending.

Chuckles for February 14, 2018

Disruptors & The New Paradigm
      It is interesting to see the reaction from various parts of the industry as disrupters come and present new concepts in improving the market place. 
      There is a fear of the unknown that takes over and everybody huddles down to resist the changes taking place rather than adapting to the new environment and looking for opportunities. The airfreight industry has traditionally been lagging behind. 

Valentine's Greetings
     What would February14th be without at least one flower shipment story . . . So here goes.
     Tiptoeing through the tulips, Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP)broke with tradition and featured roses in a presser for February 14.
     According to the Euro air cargo combine, more than 3,000 tons of flowers moved via the carriers’ freighters and other main-deck lift aircraft during January and February 2018.

Westward Ho! UA ANA Joint Is Jumping
      “The U.S.-to-Asia market is highly competitive, so we are excited to offer convenient access to expanded metal-neutral capacity to customers shipping westbound across the Pacific,” declared United Airlines Cargo President Jan Krems. On February 6 United Airlines and All Nippon Airways expanded the carriers’ cargo joint venture, adding westbound transpacific routes to the successful eastbound transpacific phase launched last summer in July 2016.

Chuckles for February 9, 2018

Factory Signals Mixed Ahead Of Chinese New Year
      Ahead of the Chinese New Year (CNY) factory shutdowns, market signals are rather mixed—and not just for air cargo.
      Container shipping demand, for example, has remained firm, and space is tight on the key trades from China into Europe and the U.S. But the expected surge in spot freight rates ahead of the official start to the holidays on February 16 has not materialized and lines have struggled to make General Rate Increases (GRI) stick.

Towers Above All
     Airports Council International delivered numbers through November 2017 reporting an increase in global cargo of 8.2% for the first eleven months of last year—near record levels.
     Gains in export orders, saw global figures reaching +7.8%.
     ACI reports Africa, North America and Europe once again topped growth figures for total freight, reaching +14.7%, +8.9% and +8.7% respectively. Asia-Pacific (+7.2%), Latin America-Caribbean (+6.9%) and the Middle East (+2.9%) followed, the latter starting to regain speed after slowing down to +1.3% in October. 

You Gotta Have Heart
      Everybody knows, in February Valentine's Day and affairs of the heart take center stage.
      In addition to shipments of flowers, jewelry, and candy, the Air Cargo Association of Atlanta (AACA) sends the message of love and concern for others with their Annual Blood Drive.
      “The AACA Blood drive is being held during the ‘month of love’,” reports Elliott Paige, the Airport Manager for Air Service Development Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport who also serves on the AACA Board.

Cargo Tesla Into Space
      PayPal founder and master of making science sexy, Elon Musk shipped a Tesla out into space Tuesday atop a Falcon Heavy Rocket from the legendary Pad 39 at Cape Canaveral, Florida.
      What was essentially a cargo shipment took center stage as the payload launched from the same location that birthed the first Moon missions and Space Shuttle flights.

Women In Charge Powering AA Cargo
       Today at American Airlines Cargo, women as leaders have the opportunity to influence the future of the cargo industry, taking this business up a new road and into the wild blue yonder.
      Recently we spoke to some women who are forging a new path and loving every minute of it. They are fascinating for their brilliance and their new take on air cargo. 
      The work these forward-thinking leaders do for American is closely tied to relationships with cargo service providers across the globe. 

Chuckles for February 5, 2018

Washing My Baby Home
      It’s February, come to think about it.
      Travel, at a minimum, has been relegated to walking the dog a couple of times a day during the early “mud season.”
      January was a month of temperature extremes, but right now the mercury is 30s. Three weeks earlier New York City was at its coldest, with temps at or below zero.
      So after each walk in the mud pie park near our home, Little Lulu gets her feet washed.

We Like Mike CNS President
      To quote the great Mel Brooks in the movie History of the World Part One:
      “It’s good to be King.”
      For air cargo, the good just got better as IATA named Mike White as Cargo Network Services President.
      As we wrote on November 27: “We Like Mike.”

Chuckles for January 31, 2018

2025 On Fruit Logistica Berlin
     Next month Fruit Logistica, the gigantic fresh produce event, meets February 7-9 at Berlin ExpoCenter City and CityCube Berlin for the 26th time. For all the glitz and glamour and displays and technologies it brings to the world, the expo might also be branded Fruchtsalat.
      Move over “Chiquita Banana,” this expo has cumquats doing the Lambada in the aisles.
      And looking at the growing numbers at this show, “You ain’t seen nothing yet!”

Screen Tightens The Screws
        Under the new TSA rules announced January 22, all cargo flights originating from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt are to undergo extra screening when flying to the United States. 
According to the TSA, screening focus is “on last points of departure locations, where the threat is greatest.”

Blue Moon Over Darmstadt
        Pictured in this lovely time exposure under the “Super Blue Blood Moon,” a thin veil of clouds covered the exquisite Russian Chapel, the Mathildenhoehe in Darmstadt, Germany.

Climate Is Front Page News
     Global warming was a big topic at last week’s World Economic Forum in Davos with everybody from German Chancellor Angela Merkel to India Prime Minister Modi addressing the subject.
     Assembled in Switzerland, the world’s leaders recognized the great challenge to the climate, as glaciers are fast disappearing in nearby Norway.

Chuckles for January 29, 2018

Nordic Countries Go Greener
     Step by step, the Nordic countries are becoming renewable and sustainable energy societies and the landscape is changing. Windmills account for 57% of Denmark’s electricity, out the country’s total 66% energy realized from renewables.
     Norway gets 98% from hydro electric power plants and a few power percentages from windmills. 
     Sweden and Finland each realize between 50% respectively 16% of their electricity from hydro-electric power plants.

Qatar Cargo QEP Cool
     Qatar Airways Cargo announced Qualified Envirotainer Provider Training and Quality Programme (QEP) accreditation at five of its destinations: Amsterdam, Basel, Paris, Chicago, and its hub, Doha, Qatar.

MAB Kargo Flies Into Profit
     At FIATA’s 56th World Congress held in Kuala Lumpur last October, we asked MAB Kargo Sdn Bhd CEO Ahmad Luqman:
     “How did you cope with the snow whist attending University in Syracuse, New York?”
     The question didn’t stop the energetic executive.      Instead he reflected the look of an “Orangeman” (the school colors) who has shouldered the snowstorms that blow in off of Lake Erie and bury upstate New York in a manner unknown to Southeast Asia.

Chuckles for January 24, 2018

Mission For The Rohingyas
     A major initiative for good in Malaysia is “1Malaysia for Youth,” often referred to as 1M4U or iM4U.
     The outreach organization is an initiative of the Malaysian government and was founded by Prime Minister Najib Razak in 2012.
     Put simply, iM4U encourages volunteerism amongst Malaysian youth.

EMO Trans Off To A Flying Start
     “It's incredible,” declares EMO Trans Chairman Jo Frigger, “how our Asia offices have soared with extraordinary results during 2017, and the beat goes on as 2018 begins.
      “EMO China, with 10 offices now, and EMO Hong Kong have led the charge, followed by our offices in Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and our newest operation in Vietnam,” Mr. Frigger said.

LAACA Mixer
     Los Angeles Air Cargo Club (LAACA) Great tradition and everlasting fellowship are hallmarks of this great industry group that meets monthly.
     On February 8, LAACA gets a head start on Chinese New Year with a “cocktails until” 5 to 8 PM air cargo gathering just off the main runways of LAX.

Fashionista Runway Walk
       Most of us have seen pilots inspecting their aircraft prior to flight. Occasionally, flight-deck personnel have even been viewed walking the runway.

All Of Our Friends Were There
     Nothing like a big party and some awards to get the New Year started off right!
     That is exactly what happened on Thursday, January 18, as freight forwarders honored their own at The British International Freight Association’s (BIFA) Annual Freight Service Awards Competition Party at The Brewery in London.
     BIFA President Sir Peter Bottomley MP welcomed guests to the 29th BIFA Freight Service Awards luncheon ceremony and, along with entertainer & restauranteur Levi Roots, who also “serenaded the lads” at the event, presented all the finalists with their certificates.

Chuckles for January 22, 2018

Exciting 2018 Busting Out All Over
     Air cargo rates have dropped dramatically in recent weeks, but capacity remains scarce and prices are expected to gain ground again ahead of factory shutdowns for the Chinese New Year holiday (Year Of The Dog), which begins February 16.

Qatar Cargo Cherries Jubilee
     “Qatar Cargo is now the third largest cargo operator in the world after Cathay Pacific,” declared Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker, as QR added a second B747-8F last month.
     “We hope that this year our ranking will become number two. 
     “Qatar Airways flies to over 150 passenger destinations and when we add our freighter destinations we fly to more than 196 destinations worldwide,” Akbar Al Baker said.

No More Waiting To Exhale
     If you happened to be above France last week and noticed a slight bump in the air, no doubt it was a collective sigh of relief from Toulouse as an order for 36 A380s arrived from Emirates Airline. That order has saved the Airbus flagship plane from the scrapheap.

Stormy Weather
     European transport business as usual was unusual last week, as powerful windswept storms battered Germany and Netherlands Belgium, Romania and parts of UK cancelling flights and rail service. Here some trucks took the worst of it on the motorway A 71 near Erfurt.

Take A Tip From The Tulips
     If you’re rolling around hardstands these days looking at airplanes, you may notice the distinctive shadow relief of an elegant tulip connected to a long, thin stem emblazoned on every Turkish Airlines airplane.
     Then you meet Turhan Ozen, Head of Cargo for the Istanbul-based carrier.
     While the aircraft-laden skies above Istanbul are increasing connectivity via a growing global network, the debut of the biggest airport in the world, Istanbul International, waits in the wings for late 2018. Soon the most dramatic air traffic control tower on the planet (designed by Pinna Farina) will go into action. 

Chuckles for January 17, 2018

Dhaka Cargo From The Heart
     Greetings from Dhaka, where loose cargo rides in a styale that harkens back to a free-form era in our industry.
     I spent some time looking at the cargo area and consignments on the hardstand at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
     DAC Cargo today is action central, with consignments piled high and strewn out all over the place, spilling out of the sheds, and awaiting transport.

Punch Up Chicago Cargo
     Get Hot Chicago . . . Join International Air Cargo Association of Chicago (IACAC) for the austere group’s first networking event of the year dubbed “The Punch Bowl Social.” The function takes place just off O’Hare International Airport’s main runways in Schaumburg, Illinois, January 17th, 6 to 10 PM.
     Kudos to BCS Placement, Edward J. Zarach & Associates, and Roanoke Trade who are sponsoring, having decided to blow back against the January chill off of nearby Lake Michigan.

The Billion Dollar Baby
     “There is a movement or perhaps a rush that could also be described as a trend in air cargo today – to go out and charge a rate and promise service that is not sustainable.
     “I have always believed that delivering value for money is the true path to building a world-class, reliable and respected air cargo service,” Jan Krems, President United Cargo declares. 

Chuckles for January 8, 2018

2018 Early Rising Marks
   There was good news at the top with the late 2017 turnaround in the transportation sector. Trains, planes and trucks that had remained flat for most of last year ended the fourth quarter outperforming the S&P 500 Index ratings, moving up 6.8 percent in December while everything else was advancing at a 3.85 percent clip.