Vol. 10  No. 19                    WORLD'S MOST LOVED AIR CARGO PUBLICATION SINCE 2001               Wednesday March 2, 2011

 

     Somebody has to set the pace. In air freight, Lufthansa Cargo is acting as leader of the pack by putting pressing topics on the agenda, thus spurring the entire industry into action. Another example was set yesterday March 1 at LH Cargo’s Climate Care Conference held in Frankfurt, Germany with topics like energy efficiency, emission trading, biofuels and sustainability in aviation on the agenda.

      "A first step and prerequisite for each cargo airline, ground handling agent, or forwarder today for future reductions of greenhouse gas emissions is a thorough analysis of their different origins and sources,” states Bettina Jansen, Head of Environmental Management at Lufthansa Cargo. “Only with this data in hand can any enterprise precisely identify saving potentials and invest purposefully in new techniques, in advanced staff training, in ground infrastructure and equipment for enhancing processes,” states Jansen.
     So far, many carriers have neglected or knowingly circumvented basic tasks though. This is an astonishing fact given that the European Union demands a 20 percent emissions reduction (to push emissions below 1990 levels) from all industries by 2020. Germany, France, and the UK have even called on Brussels to up the target to 30 percent and urge the member states to implement cost-effective clean energy and forward-thinking environmental strategies.
     “Aviation is publicly seen as a major CO2 contributor, so the industry better hurry up to achieve the goals set by the administrator and hence turn the rather negative image to a positive one. We have set ourselves ambitious goals and do our utmost to reduce the impact of operations on the environment. By 2020, we at Lufthansa Cargo want to reduce the specific emissions by 25 percent,” said Harald Zielinski, Lufthansa Cargo’s Head of Security and Environment.
     A major point of debate at LH Cargo’s conference was the emissions trading scheme that the EU announced for implementation next year. “It is not regulated what the money will be used for – there are only recommendations by the EU,” stated Bettina.


At the conference awards were conferred to companies for the innovative solutions they had developed to improve the climate balance of the logistics industry In the customer category, the prize went to Austrian cargo-partner GmbH. Left to right—Lufthansa Cargo CEO Karl Ulrich Garnadt, Stefan Krauter, CEO cargo-partner-Group, Christian Stingl, Managing Director cargo-partner Germany and Harald Zielinski, Head of Security and Environmental Management Lufthansa Cargo.

     “As Lufthansa Cargo we demand that the charges obtained will be appropriated for enhancing environmental projects in the aviation industry and not misused to flow into any other financial pots,” Bettina emphasized.
     Also LH Cargo is strongly opposed to Brussels’ single-handed approach for implementing the trading scheme only for the European sphere. “This, due to higher environmental expenditures, will create an unfair environment and discriminate against cargo carriers like Lufthansa and others flying in, out and within the EU,” Bettina Jansen stated.
     In this respect, Lufthansa Cargo is in full accord with IATA’s demand to incorporate aviation into emissions trading schemes, but on a global basis in order to guarantee a level, competitive playing field.
     Biofuels in aviation and their pros and cons was another highlight at the Frankfurt-held conference.      “Lufthansa is doing intensive research regarding the use of biofuel in our routine operations. The necessary certifications are currently ongoing,” announced Bettina Jansen. The continuing pursuit of substituting biofuel for fossil energy will, however, only then make sense if no extensive lands are required for the biomass production, thus allowing wild habitats and agricultural lands to remain untouched.”
      Representatives from turbine producer Rolls Royce and plane maker Boeing presented their views on biofuel at Lufthansa Cargo’s Climate Care Conference to aviation experts, politicians and the many participants of the gathering on environmental issues.
Heiner Siegmund/Flossie

 

     Biggest talking point that was not on the agenda in Nairobi, Africa last week . . .
     It was probably too much to expect for the official program of last week’s Air Cargo Africa to take a stance or opine about the uprising in Libya.
     Trade shows have agendas that don’t change even if (god forbid) the rest of world has gone seismic between the keynote and the awards dinner.
     But out on the floor in Nairobi, Kenya, Libya was at times Topic A amongst some conversations.
     The disconnect at trade shows between agendas that are canned topics (albeit important at the time) and a free form live discussion of what people are really discussing (preferably not held as a last session when everyone is at the bar or jumping on an airplane) has always made us wonder.
     But that is another subject.
     It certainly is too soon for anyone to venture an analysis of how the popular uprising against the rule of Moammar Gaddafi will affect trade and transport within the African continent.
     But when the dictator of 41-plus years finally falls there will be a lot of scurrying about, especially in Africa, when it comes to measuring impact and preparing for what happens next.
     “A free Libya whose population is able to access the wealth of their country for the first time—a population rebuilding their country from the ground up— will be interesting to say the least," says the publication Freight Intra Africa.
     What impact a “New Libya” will have on the African Continent, where the “King of Kings” has bankrolled so many “Big Men” remains to be seen.
     “The African Union, rotten toothless institution that it is, will surely be the first to crumble; what happens next remains to be seen,” FIA said.
     Stay tuned . . .
Geoffrey

 

IBS IT Lucky 13

     The number 13 may be unlucky for some but for IBS Software Services, one of the leading IT solution providers to the global travel, transportation and logistics industry, it means success. IBS recorded 2010 as the most successful year in its 13-year history in terms of software implementation at various customer sites. The company is, perhaps, the only company which has developed IT solutions across all functional areas of the air transportation industry—airline passenger services, airline cargo, and airline & airport operations —offering the widest range of products by any single vendor. Its customers include some of the world’s best airlines, busiest airports, leading cruise lines, top oil and gas companies, travel distributors & hotel groups. The calendar year witnessed 55 successful ‘go-lives’ of IBS solutions all around the world – equivalent to over one per week throughout the year.
     According to V K Mathews, Chairman & CEO IBS Group, “Our solutions manage mission critical operations where the margin for error is nil. Implementing such systems call for a high degree of precision and skill; and successfully doing so in such large numbers is indeed a remarkable achievement. For IBS, it demonstrates several things... our ability to scale up, the confidence of the industry in us as a trusted partner, fulfilling our promise to deliver outstanding value and service. Beyond everything, it shows the commitment and dedication of our staff.”
     Perhaps, its biggest success story is iCargo, the new generation air cargo management solution suite that was co-developed with five major carriers. In the Japanese market, traditionally dominated by local players, iCargo has emerged as the market leader. In 2010, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest domestic airline, moved over to the iCargo platform to manage its entire cargo movement including all international commercial cargo operations. This implementation was the first localized version of iCargo in production with all communication and documentation in both Japanese and English.
     IBS had a hat-trick of iCargo implementations in the first week of October with three iconic customers in three different continents successfully cutover on three successive days. One of these, at TIACT (Tokyo International Air Cargo Terminal, Haneda) saw the launch of iCargo JTO. This multimillion dollar investment has been carried out by IBS to cater to the unique needs of cargo ground handling in Japan. In addition to cargo, the year saw 14 airlines switching over to IBS’ solutions for managing passenger reservations, loyalty program management, airline staff travel, crew management, MRO and fleet scheduling.
     The latest to move over to IBS’ iCargo was South African Airways (SAA). The migration was a logical step for SAA, as a member of the Core Group of Influencers, involved with the evolution of the product since its formative stages. According to IBS, as a result of the two phase transition, iCargo has started to be used across the SAA network of 48 stations including 39 international locations.
     Speaking about iCargo, Akshay Shrivastava, Sr. Vice President and Global Head of Cargo Line of Business, IBS, pointed out that “iCargo has captured the imagination of the air cargo community and in just a few years it has become the market leader among next generation cargo management solutions. Our outstanding track record of delivering value to our customers, as well as the professionalism and commitment of our people has made us a trusted transformation partner among some of the iconic names in the industry.”
     In addition, IBS successfully closed 11 implementations in the non-airline space during the calendar year 2010. The largest of these was an Energy Monitoring System for a Dubai-based conglomerate and the first phase of a reservation system at MSC Cruises, one of the world’s leading leisure cruise companies. IBS’ iDemand Gateway – an advanced distribution connectivity and reservation delivery platform – was adopted by leading names in the hospitality industry. During the period, IBS also completed successful implementation of iLogistics, its up-stream logistics solution suite at three operating companies of one of the world’s largest oil & gas companies.
Tirthankar Ghosh

 

 

     With the aviation industry constantly growing, well educated, skilled, and highly motivated personnel are much desired by dozens of enterprises on all five continents.
The worldwide web offers plenty of opportunities:
          •  Airbus A330 pilots required for Guangzhou, China.
          •  Financial controller needed by a North American airline.
          •  Sales Director and Key Account Manager desired by a European carrier.
     Those are just three examples displayed on different web pages that illustrate current vacancies and job offerings by airlines, airports, or ground handling agents.
     But which potential candidate fits a certain position?
     This is the decisive question that has to be examined thoroughly by both sides before putting any signature on the dotted line, if disappointments shall be avoided afterwards.
     “The need for qualified personnel is very high,” confirms Klaus Geissler, Managing Director of Frankfurt-based Adi Consult GmbH. The former Schenker executive should know, since he’s been in the consultancy biz since the year 2000.


Ingo Roessler


Dieter Wimberger


Walter Boehnke

     Due to growing market demand, Geissler and his team have now decided to focus more on the aviation sector by establishing a group of highly experienced consultants: Ingo Roessler, Dieter Wimberger, and Walter Boehnke. Roessler will mostly cover the international scene, which he is well acquainted with since he held top jobs at Etihad Crystal Cargo and Royal Jordanian Cargo, where in both cases he acted as VP Cargo.
     Now back home in Germany, Geissler approached and convinced Ingo to join Adi Consult in order to establish a department for aviation consultancy as a new focus within the world-spanning Adi group.
     Dieter Wimberger stepped in as well to become a new group member.
     He is a well-known specialist in airport matters as he once headed the department of air traffic and operations at Cologne/Bonn airport.
     This included the acquisition of low-cost airlines like Germanwings or TUIfly, and looking after the daily needs of carriers like Turkish Airlines Cargo, FedEx or British Airways Cargo.
     The third participant is Walter Boehnke, a flight captain and veteran lawyer who headed the Cologne-based airline WDL Aviation, which operates 23 aircraft based mainly in Cologne.
     Besides consultancy and placement services, the trio will also offer the market their expertise in the M&A field and in managing special projects, especially in cargo matters.
     “By convincing the three experts to join us, we are able to extend our global placement and consultancy activities notably,” states Adi’s head and founder, Klaus Geissler, who held leading positions within Schenker, a Deutsche Bahn subsidiary.
     Thus, his enterprise can fill a major gap, for it laid its main focus on sourcing personnel for the forwarding and logistics sector ever since the company’s inception eleven years ago.
Heiner SiegmundFlossie

 

Eine Kleine Harmonists

     This conversation called FlyingTypers should also occasionally include something about ourselves and pass along some things we would like to share.
     Before I wrote about air cargo, I covered the Manhattan New York City entertainment scene and wrote about films and music for The Hollywood Reporter.
     My specialty was reviewing group singers, especially harmony groups like the Beach Boys.
     Harmony was always my thing and when I talked to Elvis just before he did his one-night only show at Madison Square Garden in New York, a big part of that encounter was talking about his four-part harmony backup on many of his hit singles, which was supplied by a group called The Jordanairres.
     But the best close harmony singers ever, and the guys who actually invented close harmony in pop music, recording and bringing it into the modern era, was a group in Germany during the early 1930s called The Comedian Harmonists.
     A few years back, someone made a movie titled “The Harmonists” that is highly recommended.
     How good were The Harmonists?
     I have heard several attempts by some unquestionably great musicians to replicate their intricate five-part a capella harmony, but never have heard their equal.
     A couple of their songs, like their treatments of the tunes Auf Wiedersehen and Veronika, are just great and beyond compare.
     Unfortunately, The Harmonists never made it out of 1930s Germany.
     But we have quite a number of their performances to listen to and marvel at yet today.
     Here is a Harmonist tune we found on YouTube titled “Schlafe mein Prinzchen (Sleep My Little Prince), a lullabye by W.A. Mozart.
     Have a listen – the pictures are ancient and rough but this is about discovery.
     As previously stated, these guys brought high style harmonic group singing to popular music, and they are genuine originals.
     Stick with it and maybe Google up some more Harmonists.
     Works for me every time.
Geoffrey

 

Get On Board Air Cargo News FlyingTypers
For A Free Subscription
Click Here To Subscribe

 

If You Missed Any Of The Previous 3 Issues Of FlyingTypers
Click On Image Below To Access

FT022211

FT022311

FT022811