“We have a lot of asparagus headed from Lima to London; berries and salmon from Chile and Argentina going to many U.S. destinations; flowers going from Columbia to Europe and Japan; and fresh fish from Ecuador destined for mainland Europe.
     “Since the launch of our temperature-controlled product, ExpediteTC, nearly four years ago, we have been building a strong traffic in biologicals and pharmaceuticals across our Latin American network.
     “Southbound demand has not experienced a slowdown either, with requests for space coming from across our global network. Load factors on our flights from MIA, JFK, and DFW to Latin America continue to be robust and volumes have kept their pace in the last 24 months.
     “We are very proud of the role we play in facilitating international trade and helping consumers worldwide have access to a large variety of goods available in the market.”
     Carmen Taylor is Managing Director of American Airlines Cargo’s Latin America Division.
     Whatever you have read or heard during the rather bumpy financial ride in Dallas goes out the window against the hard reality that the big airline, good times and otherwise, has been a positive growing force in Latin America for the past 20 years.
     Last year when Carmen Taylor was recognized by Miami World Trade Center for “exceptional leadership in promoting and enhancing free trade and international business” she took a pause to say thank you.
     The 36-year veteran of American said simply:
     “I love my job.
     “My philosophy is make the customer successful, and they will also make you successful.”
     Born in Lyon, France, Carmen began her airline career on the passenger side of American Airlines.
     "I have enjoyed every role—from airport operations to reservations to sales,” she said


     “In July 2004, (our) good friend Mark Najarian, who was at the time our VP Cargo Sales, gave me an incredible opportunity to run our Cargo Sales business in Miami.
     “Although I was a little nervous at the beginning—since I knew very, very little about the cargo industry—I quickly learned that the cargo business is a ‘people-to-people’ business.”
     The experience of being “real” with people had an immediate impact:
     “Once you have built credibility within your customer base, they will support you.
     “Working in cargo for the last nine years has truly been a very rewarding experience.
     “I feel extremely fortunate that my work with American Airlines has given me the opportunity to travel across the globe.”


     “American Airlines Cargo continues to identify new ways to better serve our customers, whether it’s through technology, our products, or our network.”
     Since March, AA customers can now track the location, temperature, pressure, humidity, and motion/vibration associated with their high-value shipments using the OnAsset Sentry 400 FlightSafe device.
     “We also are making online booking easier with new features and enhancements to our website, AACargo.com.
     “Because Latin America continues to be one of our strongest performing regions, we are expanding our network further into the international arena as we also continue to invest strategically to strengthen our network and customer relationships in this area.
     “Later this year, we will add direct service from Miami to Porto Alegre and Miami to Curitiba.
     “Additions to our network include:

     “Among the Latin American region, Brazil is performing especially well and is expected to continue to flourish with events such as the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympics, giving that country more visibility.
     “We are also seeing political stability and significant GDP growth in other countries, such as Peru, Columbia, and Chile, adding to consumer confidence and spending, as well as more imports and exports.”


     “There are a series of steps that have to occur before a merger is completed.
     “For now, our companies continue to operate independently until the merger closes.
     “We expect the combination to be completed in the third quarter of 2013.
     “From my conversations, customers have been very receptive to the news and excited about the possibilities.
     “The new American Airlines will offer customers more than 6,700 daily flights to 336 destinations in 56 countries.”


     “For the past year, we have worked hard to strengthen our cargo operations by focusing on our customers and operational integrity. We have invested in our infrastructure and expanded our network, while developing and providing relevant products and services to meet our customer’s needs.
     “Now we are part of a bigger, even stronger airline with a broad network, resulting in more opportunities for our customers.
     “Last January, we held our introductory flight for a brand new 777-300ER, departing from DFW to São Paulo.
“For example that new aircraft gives us the ability to carry even more cargo, with 10 more cargo positions than the 777-200.”


     “I feel extremely fortunate that my work with American Airlines has given me the opportunity to travel across the globe.
     “In reality, it is hard to find any city that does not appeal to someone!
     “Whether it’s the local people, architecture, history, culture, music, or landscape, I always find something special and unique when I’m in a new city.
     “My favorite city in the world remains Paris, as it offers something no other city can.
     “Every time I am in Paris, I find something exceptional, whether it is an old building, a bridge or a great antique store.
     “Plus, with my family living in France, I am able to make many stopovers in Paris while en route to Lyon, my hometown.
     “I love activities around the arts, including music (opera), live theatre, movies, and, of course, like most French people do, I enjoy eating and cooking. I used to be a pretty good skier, but living in Miami Beach makes it easy to enjoy golf. Most weekends I join my husband on the golf course.”


     “Latin America is a region with great potential.
     “Just as American Airlines has been investing heavily in Latin America, so, too, have other companies.
     “This is opening many doors to consumers and industries.
     “Many countries are signing free trade agreements, including last year’s U.S. free trade agreement with Columbia and Panama.
     “For many years, the majority of shipments originating in Latin America had the U.S. as a final destination. Now, a very large share of that traffic ends up in the European countries and Asia, too, including Japan and China.
     “Overall, I am very grateful to enjoy great health, wonderful family and friends, and working for a company that I love as if it was my own!” Carmen Taylor said.
Geoffrey/Flossie

     “Actually, in air cargo the challenge is always belly space versus freighter capacity,” says Harvard Logistics Professor Issa Baluch.
     “That is the age-old question.
     “But both seem to work in cycles.
     “Belly space becomes precious when business in air cargo takes off, and in the end, full bellies help to promote freighter build up.
     “We need both freighters and belly lift.
     “There is simply no conflict.
     “In fact, both generally complement each other.
     “I need to stress ‘precious’ because bellies just naturally ought to cost a little more than regular freighter service,” Professor Issa declared.


     “I don't think baggage and air cargo are actually a ‘conflict’ today at most carriers,” says Neel Shah, President, JS Aviation Consulting
     “It is very true that baggage fees bring in billions in very high margin revenue for the airlines (especially the U.S. carriers who have been the most effective at implementing and sticking to these fees).
     “But as these fees have been implemented, the traveling public has also changed their behavior.
     “Before, people used to bring everything but the kitchen sink with them on vacation, but no longer.
     “I believe that checked baggage numbers have actually fallen by about 25 percent since the fees were implemented and numbers should continue to drop as fees are increased over the coming year and as new fees are implemented in international markets.
     “These fees have been a very good thing for the cargo business because in general it has created more space in the belly for cargo and mail.
     “One exception to my statement above regarding the ‘conflict’ is on certain narrowbody routes, especially to Central and South America, where checked baggage numbers continue to be at very high levels—to the point where most cargo and mail is squeezed off the airplane.
     “You can't even get human remains moved on some routes to Central America.
     “This can even be true on certain widebody routes to deep South America, where people tend to take 4-5 bags with them on vacation,” Neel Shah said.

RE: Air Cargo Germany Down For The Count

Dear Geoffrey,

     I just read the second time the German word "kaputt”.
     I don’t know what you are trying to say by using this word but for native German speakers it is a disrespectful way to deal with this.
     At the end Lufthansa has found a way to defend their interest on the North Atlantic routes and to avoid Volga Dnepr and Airbridge as surely strong competitors.
     People are losing their jobs, Hahn is losing money (and again people are losing their jobs in this time of weak economic conditions and high unemployment) and the market loses a competitive alternative which is always good to have.
     Please do not understand this as a statement for or against Lufthansa’s way to act on this. I only think this is nothing to be happy about.
     Please continue your great work. I am a long-time reader of FlyingTypers.

With best regards
Ulf-B. Hirschberg
Business Development Manager GlobalMatch Mainland Europe &
Transport Solution Manager Global Mail
DHL Global Mail

Dear Ulf,

     We greatly regret any misunderstanding and would never underestimate or downplay loss, either by a company or people.
     Our header for ACG was meant to pose a question, not a determination.
     As Americans, (and particularly, as Americans of German descent) certain German words are part of our history, but take on an entirely different meaning altogether. Culturally, for us, the word “kaputt” does not infer the same feeling, so we apologize for the misunderstanding.
     Your letter is so appreciated.
     We know what we meant to say, and pledge every effort to say it properly in the future.

Best good wishes,
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

FT042413

Send comments and news to geoffrey@aircargonews.com
Opinions and comments expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher but remain solely those of the author(s).
Air Cargo News FlyingTypers reserves the right to edit all submissions for length and content. All photos and written material submitted to this publication become the property of All Cargo Media.
All Cargo Media, Publishers of Air Cargo News Digital and FlyingTypers. Copyright ©2013 ACM, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
More@ www.aircargonews.com

100% Green