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.

SLOTS Are Some Are Set Maughan
       The lack of winter season slots at AMS forced many cargo airlines to find alternative airports and highlighted the glaring lack of global airport capacity. In the first part of this special FlyingTypersseries, the European Shippers’ Council called for reform of IATA’s 80:20 slot guidelines. In part two, FlyingTypers speaks to Lara Maughan, Head of Worldwide Airport Slots.

Chuckles for December 29, 2017

Lightbox for Christmas 2017

Butter Cake For Christmas
     When I was a little boy, my Mom said I had to go church to realize that something bigger than ordinary human beings made this earth.
      She left the choice of religion up to me, saying:
      “Just get into a congregation and see if you like the fellowship, and from there you can choose whether or not you want to practice ‘Sunday go to meetings’ for the rest of your life.”
      So I started to study the catechism with the Episcopalians.

Lifting For Christmas
      Dees', a plant and flower nursery, is an old time, family business that has been located just off the main runways at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Oceanside, New York since 1958.
      Dees' spends most of the year selling plants and trees and lawn care products to people from all over the metropolitan area.
      But once a year for the past eight years now, Dees' chops down several hundred Christmas Trees from its big farm in Maine and, in partnership with DHL, sends the trees free of charge to U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

A Christmas Wish
      I know it’s late in the season for wish lists. You travel the entire world delivering presents in a single night, so it’s brazen of me to ask for anything on Christmas Day, as it’s -1 day’s notice. In addition, I am far too old to be asking you for anything. But, after taking stock, I’ve realized I’m at the age where I am far too old for nearly everything, so maybe you can make an exception, allowing for the generosity of the Christmas spirit. I asked you for a puppy for god knows how many years and you never delivered, so I think you owe me. Cut an old broad some slack.
     It’s not a long list. Some might say there’s not a thing on it you could do anything about. But I’m sending it out into the universe anyway, because let it be the niggling thing that pesters you at night instead of me. You have 364 days where you’re not busy doing anything. You can take it.

Chuckles for December 25, 2017

Always Positive Uplifting World of TIA
       “The Transportation Intermediaries Association vision for our members is simple and direct:
       “We are here to improve your bottom line,” President & CEO Robert Voltmann declares.
       “As a true 3PL that offers the shipper the complete package, everything we do is focused on the member running a better-owned family business. 
       “TIA has renamed our annual gathering ‘The Capital Conference,’ emphasizing the aforementioned mission as the branding of our major event.”

Chuckles for December 15, 2017

Delta Expanding CEIV
     “Delta has made significant investments in Pharma facilities across its global network, so as to ensure that we are compliant with the highest industry standards,” said Shawn Cole, Delta’s Vice President – Cargo as the carrier said that it is now operating CEIV approved facilities at seven locations across Europe, with the recent addition of Dusseldorf airport to the network. 

Remembering Richard
     Richard Peter Norris of Marblehead died peacefully on December 8, 2017, at a Boston hospital with family and friends at his side. 
     He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Linda Oskinis Norris; his son Christopher and fiancee Alison; siblings Margaret Levine, Paul, Bill, Bob and Sally Norris, as well as several nephews.
     As an undergraduate,(Boston College 1972) Richard worked nights at Flying Tiger Line in Boston — beginning what would become a long and distinguished career in the air cargo industry. 

Blockbuster CNS PayCargo Deal
      Cargo Network Services Corp. (CNS) and PayCargo have inked a pact to provide a way for the air cargo industry to pay online for imports in the U.S.
      Credit outgoing CNS President Lionel Van der Walt with engineering this late-year, blockbuster announcement (pictured here with FlyingTypers Publisher Geoffrey Arend).

Chuckles for December 8, 2017

Cargo C'est Magnifique
      Why the French? Well, it is almost a New Year and nearing the time to pop some bubbly, celebrate, and live a little as we report: “The latest air freight data on rates and volumes points to a magnificent Q4—unless, that is, you were caught in the perfect demand storm without enough space to airlift product to market in time for the holidays.”
      “October 2017 was special” as volumes and revenues peaked, according to WorldACD. Global volumes, based on reports from 75 airlines collated by the analyst, were up 6.9 percent for the month, while revenues soared 20 percent compared to October 2016, itself by no means a poor month for airlines.

Delhi To Go January Summit
     Come January, Delhi will host the largest Association of South East Asia Nations (ASEAN) India business and investment summit. 
      The announcement of the summit came from Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the recent 15th India-ASEAN Summit and the 12th East Asia Summit in Manila. “India’s Look East policy puts this region at the center of our engagement. So, connectivity with ASEAN by land, sea, and air remains our priority,” said Modi. 

Lest We Forget
     It has been 76 years since December 7, 1941, and the people of that time are in their late 70s and older, but a gravestone still marks the resting place of 7 unknowns from the USS Oklahoma at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.

Super Moon
     Of course, everybody wants to know what will happen in 2018 and there seem to be no shortage of prognosticators willing to let loose on the subject.
     But for those people looking for a sure thing, here is one.

American Rides Tall
     American Airlines Cargo President Rick Elieson stands tall in the saddle as 2017 moves toward 2018. Here he shares the details of his first year directing the cargo fortunes of the world’s largest airline, and what we all might learn from his experience.

Chuckles for December 6, 2017

Swiss Pharma To Table
      Swiss WorldCargo “Hub Zurich” landed the coveted renewal of GDP compliance from Swissmedic, the Swiss authority responsible for the authorization and supervision of therapeutic products.
      Recognizing Cargologic handling facilities’ GDP compliance certification was issued in September 2017.

Growing Slot Squeeze Impacts Cargo
     The battle for slots between all-cargo operators and fast-expanding budget leisure airlines will be central to the global debate over airport capacity for the next decade, believes the European Shippers’ Council.
     Rogier Spoel, Air Transport Policy Manager at ESC, told FlyingTypers that in the next ten years there would be “a fight” between freighter operators and fast-expanding budget airlines. This will pit the rival economic benefits of high-value cargo with its huge economic importance as a wealth multiplier, against leisure airlines catering to populations which desire cheap and regular flights to global destinations on services which often carry limited or no bellyhold cargo.

Chuckles for December 4, 2017

Can You Hear Us Now?
     In Istanbul the Association Of International Forwarding And Logistics Service Providers (UTIKAD), the major player in Turkish logistics industry, participated in the 39th Istanbul Charity Marathon sponsored by Vodophone that was held November 12, 2017. 
     UTIKAD fielded a charity running team comprised of UTIKAD top management and members who showed up, where the rubber meets the road, to support The Turkish Women's Solidarity Foundation.

Letters to the Editor

'Tis The Season
     One of the funnier aspects of 2017 has been The President Show, a 21-episode television series running on Comedy Central that reveals Anthony Atamanuik’s knockout portrayal of President Donald Trump.
     Reaching back to the best traditions of comedy satire from the golden days of television, when Sid Cesar, Jackie Gleason, Red Skelton, and others ruled the screen, each episode of The President Show is a delightful, funny, and free-wheeling satirical take on current events.

We Like Mike For CNS President
     “We like Mike.”
      Long-serving “Steady” Mike White, Vice President, Government & Industry Relations Cargo Network Services Corp. (CNS), should be named next President of CNS.
      When IATA named Glyn Hughes head of cargo we thought, “good for air cargo.”
      Along with being an acknowledged nice guy and positive spirit with deep knowledge of the business and a passion for air cargo, Glyn has been outstanding in spearheading the IATA agenda. He has rallied the people behind the programs that will help the air cargo partnership and secure the future viability of our business.

Chuckles for November 27, 2017

At 90 Pandit Parikh's Music Continues
     Shri Arvind Parikh was born in 1927 and schooled in Ahmedabad.
      In 1944 he moved to Bombay (Mumbai) to study in college and learn Indian Classical music on the Sitar from Ustad Vilayat Khan, India’s greatest exponent of the sitar.
      He later graduated with B.A. Honors (Economics) from Elphinstone College in 1948.
      He then began a career at Lee & Muirhead (LM) freight forwarders in 1948, a company that his father had acquired from its British owners.

Digitalization To Forwarders Not So Fast
      Last week Messe München, the folks that bring you Air Cargo Europe every other year, once again organized Logitrans International Transport Logistics Exhibition in Istanbul in conjunction with EKO Fair Limited, Munich. 
      Traditional air freight forwarders are being challenged by new ‘digital’ market entrants across their service portfolios. 
      The start-ups come in many guises. Some market themselves as cloud-based e-forwarders, brokers, or online sales platforms. 

Chuckles for November 21, 2017

Domestic India Growth Spotlight
     Intra-India air cargo is a hot growth ticket for India currently. 
     A recent ASSOCHAM-Yes Bank study pointed out that domestic cargo has registered a growth of 8 percent at a CAGR during FY07-17, while international cargo grew at 6.2 percent annually during the same period.
     Factoring that air cargo in India contributes about 20 percent of airlines’ revenues, the potential for growth and profits in this sector is huge. 

Cargo Rose of San Antone
     “Our job is to create a commercial success at San Antonio International Airport.
     “Our airport,” declares Marcel Johnson, vice president business development, “is served by several major airlines including United, American, and others. ”

Stanley Light of Beacon Council
     “It’s no secret,” says Stanley Rigaud, Director of International Economic Development, Trade & Logistics for Miami-Dade Beacon Council, “that air and seaport are the engines that in large part drive our economy.
     “From attracting multinationals to assisting small local businesses, The Beacon Council offers economic and business development services that support a strong and sustainable future for Miami-Dade County.”

Colada, Medium Sweet, Please
     The man behind a good beverage at Avianca’s stand at Air Cargo Americas earlier this month—whether you wanted a cup of coffee, a colada, or a cappuccino—was a particularly sweet-faced gent, Octavio Ramos.
     “I keep the machines working,” 80-year-old Octavio said.

Gentleman Bill Is Miami
      When “Gentleman” Bill Spohrer came upon the scene at Miami International Airport, air cargo operations were dominated by the likes of Pan American, Slick Airways, Panagra, Eastern and National Airlines.
      When he “departed” in 1999, having sold the airline he founded (Challenge Air Cargo to UPS), Bill had transformed what was “Corrosion Corner” at the airport into something else.
      Miami International had become the “Hub of the Americas,” with scheduled airline routes reaching all around the world.

Closely Watched Trains At Istanbul
     This week digitalization on rail got a once over, even though the big Logitrans Istanbul Expo is being conducted through today at Ataturk International Airport.
      Mirko Schneider is Sales Director of Arviem AG, which was founded in 2008 with headquarters in Baar, Switzerland. 
      Arviem is a newbie cloud-based software company driving the conversation at Logitrans. A panel of rail executives from Turkey, Kazakhstan, Austria, and Georgia accompanied Mr. Schneider.

Chuckles for November 17, 2017

Where Do The Children Play
     Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed youngsters have signed up for a four-year logistics course at Yeditepe Istanbul University with an eye toward becoming the next generation in the cargo field.
     The conversation in air cargo today has revolved around imagining the next era of logistics transportation.
     In the meeting rooms of industry gatherings and later at the bar the conversation invariably turns to where the next generation of industry leaders will be born.

Utikad Presidents' Circle
     At Logitrans Istanbul are UTIKAD President Emre Eldener (right) and Immediate Past President Turgut Erkeskin standing proudly in front of the new UTIKAD branding logo.
     Meantime at reception at the big UTIKAD display during the big Logitrans event is Ayse Nur Esin.

Rising Star Of Turkish Logistics
     Ibrahim Dolen (L), CEO Borusan Logistik talking it over with FlyingTypers Publisher Geoffrey Arend at Logitrans Istanbul Wednesday.
     One of the fastest growing, brightest stars on the shipping scene here since 1973, this dynamic company in 2017, is a top rated powerhouse integrated logistics service provider, specializing in 3PL.

Nadia Trains For Logistics
     Looking for adventure, a change of life, maybe a forever job in the United Arab Emirates, or elsewhere in logistics?
     The National Association of Freight and Logistics (NAFL) Dubai, is offering an internship program placing candidates in member companies for a period of two months to gain “hands on knowledge of the Logistics Industry,” said Nadia Abdul Aziz, President of NAFL.

The Right Hotel Chemistry
     The old part of town in Istanbul is called Sultanahmet.
     The area is a trip back from modern to ancient times. Even today old Roman walls and obelisks still partially ring the area.
     Other remnants of this city date back ten thousand years from Istanbul to Constantinople.
     Landmarks seem to be everywhere—important Christian and Muslim places of worship dot the city, including the world-famous Blue Mosque.

Logitrans Instanbul Like Silk For Logistics
     This week Messe München, the folks that bring you Air Cargo Europe every other year, once again organize Logitrans International Transport Logistics Exhibition in Istanbul in conjunction with EKO Fair Limited, Munich.
      Held just off the main runways of Istanbul Ataturk International Airportinside Hall 9 & 10 of the Istanbul Expo Center, the event runs November 15-17 with the trade show floors open 11:00-17:00 daily.

Chuckles for November 15, 2017

45 Alive EMO Trans USA
      “In October 1972, we founded EMO Trans USA,” Chairman Jo Frigger recalled recently.
      “Looking back (and ahead), our founding in America 45 years ago has turned out to be a fairly sensible decision,” he smiled.

Atlanta Brokers Thanksgiving Friday
      For the fifteenth year, on Friday, November 17, in Atlanta, Georgia, a grand airport tradition occurs as Atlanta Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders throw open their doors for a couple of hours starting at high noon to share the love. It’s an open house where everybody is invited for a free, old-fashioned turkey dinner.
     This annual party reaches out far and wide to host several hundred people to a homemade turkey dinner with all the trimmings, as the United States looks forward to celebrating the wonderful American holiday Thanksgiving. 

Letters to the Editor

What A Difference A Day Makes
     Back in 1958, Dinah Washington recorded “What a Diff’Rence a Day Makes.” The wonderful “Queen of the Blues” entreated:
      “What a difference a day made
      Twenty-four little hours
      Brought the sun and the flowers
      Where there used to be rain…”

Chuckles for November 13, 2017

All New Delta Cargo Web
    Delta Airlines VP Cargo Shawn Cole turned on his computer recently and liked what he saw.

Miami Keeping Cargo Track
      An interesting number popped up at Air Cargo Americas. It was revealed that air cargo originating from and destined to MIA has an annual commercial value of $57.3 billion.
      Of course, air cargo people are used to hearing that. Although tonnage tends to be minor as compared to ocean, total value of shipments is always disproportionately on the side of goods shipped by air.

ATC Best Results In 30 Years
      ATC Aviation Services President Ingo Zimmer was situated in his stand at Air Cargo Americas, discussing strategies with longtime service partner “Bodacious”Jim Bellinder, United Airlines Cargo.
      “It’s been a very good year,” Ingo says. “We are proud to announce that we are moving toward opening new countries in Latin America, adding to our existing network of Brazil, Uruguay, Ecuador, and Venezuela.”

Lorena Lives Latin America
      “It has been a great 2017 for all of us,” said Lorena Sandoval, Director FCLA Cargo Sales at American Airlines Cargo pictured (far right) with colleagues from left, Jennifer Stelling, Group Manager Marketing Strategy and Communications; Julie Johnson, Senior Analyst Business Development and Marketing and Lisa Oxentine, Managing Director Global & Key Accounts.

Six Guys & A Gal
     Six Guys and a Gal… Looking every bit like a chorus line for air cargo, high-spirited folks from United Airlines fielded their Latin American team in Miami at Air Cargo Americas, including from left—Alonso Camacho P., GSA-Cargo Manager Costa Rica, Nicaragua & Honduras; Diego Subia, International Cargo Sales Manager, Ecuador; Jim Bellinder, Vice President Cargo Sales-Americas; Freddy Davila Navas, Sales Manager Latin America, Mexico-Caribbean, Central America; Oscar Castillo M., Account Executive Manager Cargo Sales Mexico Region and Andres, Torres, International Cargo Sales Manager, Colombia.

Qatar With Interest In Cathay
     Qatar Airways buys 378,188,000 shares or 9.1 percent of Cathay Pacific, adding to an investment portfolio that includes a 20 percent share ownership investment in International Airlines Group, 10 percent investment in LATAM Airlines Group, and 49 percent investment in Meridiana.

Voice of the Shipper at Air Cargo Americas
     PriceSmart, Inc. Executive Vice President of Logistics and Distribution Frank Diaz delivered a rousing address at Air & Sea Cargo Americas on Wednesday, discussing the rise of e-commerce and its impact on cargo.
      “The landscape of retail is constantly changing,” Frank Diaz declared, “and at a rapid rate.
      “Almost daily now there are news reports about disruption of retail, and bankruptcies.
      “Store closures, zombie malls, and,the ‘Amazon Effect’ all dominate retail news headlines.” 

Chuckles for November 3, 2017

A Heart In Frisco
      AJ Thiara, VP of Operations at Frisco, Texas-based US Cargo Link, definitely has his heart in Frisco, nearby Dallas, and also Houston, amongst other cities.
      After Hurricane Harvey hit on August 17, it was US Cargo Link that provided trucks helping United Airlines Cargo deliver relief supplies from the airport to a shelter set up in the Convention Center downtown.

LATAM Finds Another Joy
     Not just all about business… LATAM Cargo executives Andres Varela, Sales Vice President East Coast (left) and Gabriel Oliva, Senior Vice President Commercial North America, Europe and Asia at Air Cargo Americas.

Air Cargo Americas Goes to the Dogs
     Sign of the times… a wave of sniffer dogs and handlers visited every booth, nook, and cranny just prior to exhibits opening at Air & Sea Cargo Americas on Wednesday, November 1. 

Katya Powers Air Cargo Americas
      “African Goddess” perfectly describes this beautiful lady. Decked in dramatic dress that turned heads and stopped traffic at the Bringer Air Cargo display stand.
      Katya Santos, a Brazilian girl with a Russian name, was more than happy and not just a bit proud to bring traditional Brazilian garb to a Miami trade show.

Moonstruck
     I awoke in the middle of last night, thinking raccoons kicking over the garbage cans had disturbed my sleep. Then I looked out the window at the brightness of an almost full-moon flooded the landscape below and the heavens above.

Air & Sea Cargo Americas This Week
      As Air & Sea Cargo Americas gets underway this week in Miami, the airport welcomed its first ever SAS schedules on Sunday, October 29. An A330 touched down after completing what will be a weekly Sunday flight from Stockholm.
      MIA Deputy Director Ken Pyatt (center), SAS General Manager-Americas Max Knagge (left of center) and Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau President & CEO Bill Talbert (right of center) were at the arrival ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Chuckles for November 1, 2017

Jan Krems World of Wonder
      “2017 has been an excellent year for United Cargo thus far, and it looks like the final two months will continue that trend,” declares United Airlines Cargo President Jan Krems.
      “Our team spent 2015 and 2016 ‘building the base’ in terms of quality performance, product enhancement, and customer relationships. 
      “As global trade and air freight demand has increased throughout 2017, the standards of reliability and efficiency we established have resulted in strong growth for our business.”

Turkish Cargo Is Unstoppable
      Turkish Cargo’s Vice President Cargo Sales (Americas) Mehmet Gurkan is ramping up the excitement as Air Cargo Americas 2017 opens in Miami.
      With dramatic increases in its air cargo business, the carrier appears unstoppable as it continues to build its reputation worldwide.

The New Journalism
      We are writers that walk humbly in the shadow of others.
      We are also journalists that have plied our trade for more than 40 years.
      I began my newspaper career at The New York Herald Tribune working in the accounting department. As an office and copy boy I grew to know the writers around me, and as it is said I have never looked back.

I Left My Hat in Haiti
      Roger Samways has served as Vice President Cargo Sales for American Airlines since March of this year. During that time, it has been easier to catch up with him on the road at a trade show or out in customer country than in his office down Texas way, where AA Cargo is headquartered.
      Since American is growing by leaps and bounds internationally, that also means Roger is sometimes several time zones away each month as he builds the face and image of AA Cargo worldwide.

Chuckles for October 30, 2017

AFKLMP Ups Bellies
      Four new destinations highlight the just announced KLM/Air France/Martinair winter schedule that began October 29 and operates until March 5, 2018.
      New destinations include Paris CDG to Malé (MLE) B777-200 (2x/week); AMS to San José (SJO) B787 Dreamliner (2x/week); AMS to MRU B787 Dreamliner (3x/week); AMS to Mumbai (BOM) – India B787 Dreamliner (3x/week).

I Got The Horse Right Here
      Mr. Guillaume Halleux, Senior Vice President Cargo and Acting/Chief Officer Cargo Qatar Airways Cargo presented a memento of appreciation to Mr. Khalifa Al Attiya, the Executive Director of AL SHAQAB, the region’s most dynamic equestrian centre and global equine leader, and a member of Qatar Foundation.

IAG Cargo Up
      Third quarter (July 1-September 30) results show an increase of 10.2 percent year or year.
      Lewis Girdwood, CFO at IAG Cargo, said the strong growth was due to demand growing faster than capacity. The results were also largely driven by the demand on the Asia-Pacific sector, due to ocean congestion between China and Europe.

Lufthansa Cool
      Lufthansa Cargo will be now offering va-Q-tec high performance thermal containers at their stations worldwide.
      These advanced passive thermal containers (va-Q-tainer) provide temperature-controlled solutions for six temperature ranges from -70°C to +25°C in five sizes, offering constant temperature control over several days without the need for external energy sources.

American Airlines Cargo #PuertoRicoStrong
      “After Hurricane Irma devastated so many islands in the Caribbean before hitting Florida, we were heartbroken to see the impact Hurricane Maria had on Puerto Rico. 
      “We have thousands of American Airlines team members with family and friends in the region, so it’s been especially difficult for us to watch these islands endure multiple Category 5 storms.”

Paige Air Cargo For Atlanta
     What an interesting year it has been for Elliott Paige, Airport Director of Air Service Development at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
      The big airport in Gerogia continues its remarkable growth, innovation, and expansion.
      We caught up with Elliott as he was on a flight last week traveling back to Atlanta after a long mission promoting cargo and passenger in India and South Africa.  

Richard Malkin Was A Genius
      When I started in the air cargo business with Seaboard Word Airlines in the 60s, Richard Malkin was already a legend.  
      He used to come into SWA offices at JFK and interview our top brass.
      People like Richard Jackson, our CEO, John Mahoney, and Al Levinson were community figures Richard brought forward in features.  
      Simply put, looking back more than half a century ago, the younger Bill Boesch thought that if Dick ever interviewed him, it would be the mark of having made it in the air cargo industry.

Chuckles for October 26, 2017

Letters for Richard

Richard Malkin: True Confessions
     To give you a clear idea of the time I am talking about, it was 1943 and the war was at its bloody height. I worked as a reporter for a daily newspaper, covering general news and local politics, wrote an occasional human interest story, and shared in the handling of the war news poured out by teletype.

EVA Cargo Nonstop Spiral Upward
     The outlook for air freight markets could not be more uplifting, at least according to one of Asia’s leading carriers. Taiwan’s EVA Air reports that freight demand and economic indicators have been positive since the second half of 2016 and the carrier is now looking to secure more market share on key lanes to and from Asia.
     “Following the upward international trading figures and airfreight growth from the second half of 2016, selling rates are going in an upbeat direction,” said a written response from EVA to Flying Typers.

Chuckles for October 24, 2017

Charity Golf In South Wales
     Registration, sausage sizzle, and coffee from 7am, tee-off at 8am (sandwiches and drinks will be provided on-course), luncheon with open bar and presentations of course, and it is off to the links for a good cause in New South Wales, Australia today October 24.

They Got Pull
     Move over bio fuel . . . staff at AIM Altitude (UK) pulled a Boeing 737 at Bournemouth Airport, a distance of 50 meters, to raise money for Wessex Cancer Trust. 
     The event was a first-ever, plane-pulling event for AIM Altitude’s team that managed a third-place finish, beating 15 more experienced teams. 

Perishables Forward India Gateways
      The recent launch of the ‘AISATS Cargo’ mobile app by Air India SATS Airport Services (AISATS), with its facilities located at the Bengaluru International Airport (KIA), marked one more milestone in the move towards boosting the pharma and perishable exports from the country.
      Over the last few years, major airports in the country—especially the ones run by private operators—have focused on pharmaceutical and perishable exports.

Autumn Prayer
     Later this week the temperature is supposed to drop in New York City, and the change immediately invokes the appearance of Indian corn, pumpkins, and fresh-pressed apple cider at the corner store.
     It is still too early for bittersweet, but our backyard vine should yield a bumper crop after first frost, just in time for Thanksgiving on the last Thursday in November.

Cogoport Online India Logistics
     “We are driven by the pains of our customer and that’s basically the soul of our organization. Our core mission is to decentralize things for efficiency and use available resources in the ecosystem for best use of customers.” 
      That quote came from Cogoport Founder and CEO Purnendu Shekhar. 
      Set up in India’s financial capital, Mumbai, Cogoport is an online logistics platform that will provide the best air freight rates for customers. The services will start in a couple of months. It is already doing that for ocean rates. An industry veteran—Shekhar has been in the “industry ecosystem for 22-odd years”—he had the distinct feeling that he was being left out of “logistics.”

Chuckles for October 18, 2017

Off To The Trotters
     In horse racing, a “trotter” is a horse harnessed to a light, two-wheeled vehicle called a “sulky.”
      For the New York/New Jersey air cargo community, a novel and much-needed meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday, October 24.
      The JFK Air Cargo Association will get down to business and some fun as well at “Trotters Bar & Grill,” a favorite watering hole near the big airport.
      From our vantage point, Trotters is apropos for an evening off to the races, with people networking and moving the marble toward getting on the same page together.