he 15th Transport Logistik takes off tomorrow, June 4-7, at New Munich Trade Centre, with the 6th Air Cargo Europe as a partner event.
No one is quite sure how much audience spillover occurs between the venues, which organizers claim host more than 19,000 exhibitors from 59 countries.
     But one fact is undeniable: this is the world’s biggest and most important logistics event, whether you attend as a big company, small Mom & Pop outfit, or even if you’re just going to walk around and take in the view.
     So stop the bean counting and jump into the packed tradeshow floors for as much of this event as you can weather.
     This week Transport Logistik and Air Cargo Europe can rightfully be counted as number one and two in the world in terms of importance.
     For folks that think they can do without the tradeshow floor crush, Air Cargo Europe will feature some sessions, but much rarely emerges from these encounters.
     That is not to say that 2013 couldn’t be different.

     “Moving With The Times,” is the all-encompassing subject for two panels and two single addresses on Wednesday (June 5) morning.
     Air Cargo Europe could have titled the sessions “Moving On Without Ram Menen,” as this will be the first major world cargo event in the past twenty-five years that will not see Sky Cargo Ram. After retiring from Emirates, Ram is either watching his new house being built in Luxembourg or catching an early morning Dosa in KL.
     To their credit, the ACE show planners have wisely compacted all the blah –blah into two and a half hours (between 10:00 and 12:30) so that the meat of the order in Munich—getting back to action central on the ACE trade show floor—gets on at once.
     It’s worth mentioning that Dr. Andreas Otto, Member of the Executive Board Product and Sales, Lufthansa Cargo AG, will be giving a speech.
     Andreas is a smart guy, but having to speechify in what could be considered a “Twitter” length of time—10 minutes between 10:05 and 10:15—could prove interesting.
     As long as you are going to hear Herr Otto, you might as well show up for the welcome talk of the day by Eugen Egetenmeir, Managing Director, Messe München GmbH, München, at 10:00—preceding Andreas and scheduled to last just five minutes.
     As mentioned, the rest of the conference program may be worth skipping, except for maybe Calogi’s Patrick Murray at 11:30 AM—although his “Moving On” panel includes six other people, which may limit Patrick to two or three sound bites at most.

     Here is the rest of the information you may need to attend or learn more about this week in Munich.
Of course, FlyingTypers will also be on the scene, publishing updates as soon as possible.
Geoffrey/Flossie Arend

ir India, India’s national carrier, is trying to claw back into reckoning. Burdened with debts and on life-saving financial injections from the government, the carrier wound up its cargo business around the beginning of last year, and is now thinking of getting into the courier business.
In a move that was supposed to bring down the losses, the Maharaja put up its half dozen Boeing 737-200 freighters for sale. The planes were all from Indian Airlines (today known as Air India-Domestic) and had been converted to freighters when the blueprint was drawn up to launch cargo services using Nagpur airport as a cargo hub.
     The plans were abandoned when the financial crisis hit the carrier and in 2010, there was a move to sell the planes. In fact, the carrier had managed to sell four Airbus A310 freighters well before 2010.
The reason for the sale of the Boeing freighters was that they were too big for domestic operations and too small for international operations.
     Perhaps, what was more important was that Air India did not have a distribution network, warehouses, and the necessary infrastructure to run a proper air cargo business.
     The move to sell the planes ended Air India’s cargo dreams: it was the first passenger carrier in the country to launch cargo services in 2008.
     The idea to start courier services – primarily for the government (at Delhi) and the state governments (there are 28 states and seven union territories that are governed by the government in Delhi) and big corporate houses – is aimed to boost the carrier’s financial position.
     The Air India management which did not think about its reach when it closed down the cargo services has now realized that the carrier has the widest reach in the country: 65 destinations.
     An official said that the carrier was looking at “optimally utilising our surplus capacity and manpower to commence courier services for central and state governments, public sector enterprises and big corporate houses."
     The services are supposed to start sometime in the second half of the year and a new division within Air India will be responsible for the courier business.
     Today, Air India earns a measly two per cent of the total air cargo business in the country that totals around USD$160 mn per year.
     The courier business along with the ancillary revenues from advertisements on boarding passes and on inflight entertainment systems would bring in around $89 mn per year.
Tirthankar Ghosh

rakash Nair, Manager of Network Cargo Development, is sitting inside a big Emirates SkyCargo display at Air Cargo Europe this week.
The room features comfortable cushioned seating and freshly brewed Arabian coffee served by uniformed staff who smile and greet visitors as they mill about to absorb the presentation, which covers the latest cargo service updates from the airline of Dubai.
     It’s another opening to another show for Emirates.
     It’s been like this for some time now, thanks in part to the quiet spoken, easy going Prakash, who has been a rock-solid anchor player in the effort to move the SkyCargo brand into mainstream transportation.
     Prakash is part of the public face of the fast growing airline, ever present at locations around the world, whether it’s a trade show or an award ceremony.


     “We take the awards that are given to us very seriously, not only as recognition of a job well done, but also as a benchmark in our ongoing effort to deliver the highest service standard.
          “Our effort is totally driven toward customer satisfaction.
     “Value for money is another way to put it.
     “But innovation in telling our story has afforded Emirates the distinction of being recognized as a cut above the rest when it comes to communicating.
     “Everybody wants to know what to expect and we never forget that.
     “There is no ‘one size fits all’ marketing approach around here,” Prakash said.
     “Once we wrapped an entire twenty-story building with a shroud advertising our start up of service to New York City—and it was located in Dubai on a main thoroughfare.
     “New York, the great New World city of skyscraper buildings, was presented to Dubai as a booming new city on the other side of the world, pulling itself up by its bootstraps in ‘life size’ terms.
     “We presented New York as a place that stretches people’s imagination and raised the excitement level and sense of anticipation.
     “Emirates turns up the heat wherever we go.
     “We are turned on by what we are doing and want to share that feeling with everyone—something different and worthwhile is going on at this airline.


     “Good marketing is not automatic or simply a slam-dunk, throwing money against an objective.”
      Prakash continues, “Our job is to make sure the message we are sending out is getting through.
     “Our research carefully tracks media and other promotional efforts every step of the way to insure that what we are saying is effective.
     “Nothing is left to chance in our efforts to stay on the message and see that what we are saying is sinking in.”
     “Emirates has spread its brand in distinctive ways; in fact, many of our efforts are firsts.”
     For example, the move awhile back to paint the word ‘Emirates’ on the underbellies of all fleet aircraft was an industry first and a unique move for any airline.
     Emirates has also put its name on sports franchises, soccer stadiums, t-shirts, and billboards.
     “I think Emirates has been most successful in its ability to stay focused on people, which is what the airline business is all about.
     “Before we open a new service, we look at various cultural aspects and values in order to get closer to the people we are going to serve.”


     “Advertising campaigns are geared to zone in and bring our brand closer to the people.
     “Coca-Cola, for example, is America to the rest of the world.
     “We know that what Emirates Airline is sending out has de facto become what many in the world perceive as Dubai.
     “We must never lose sight of the fact that we are marketing the culture of a brand while also influencing the societies on both ends of the service chain.
     “The challenge is to get it right.
     “If we are successful it is because we have been able to establish relationships between our gateway and the people we serve.
     “We believe that the Emirates brand has a spirit that echoes the airline’s personality, culture, and self-image,” Prakash said.


     We liked him when we first met up with him and his boss and colleague, Ram Menen, back in 1996, when TIACA got healthy as an industry organization by putting on a trade show in Dubai.
     Prakash Nair radiates pride and a sense of place. He and his team are at work 24/7, inventing innovative promotional wrinkles for Emirates’ non-stop string of worldwide service inaugurals.
     But unlike some others, Prakash Nair does not create a highly charged, tension-convention sense of uncertainty, even when under the gun of another launch.
     Prakash is steady and even professorial in his quiet, determined approach.
     Perhaps that is because despite all the recent pressures and endless flights to trade shows and awards ceremonies, Prakash has completed his Masters Degree in Marketing during his off time (whenever he was afforded “off” time).
     He lives close to Emirates headquarters in Dubai with his wife, Anita and family, son Rohan, currently attending University in the U.K. and daughter, Nikhita. Anita teaches elementary school in Dubai.
     Prakash is a devoted family man who, despite a cell phone that goes off at every turn, makes time to swim with his family and enjoy their company every weekend.
     “I enjoy the children and wanted them to grow up in an exciting, cosmopolitan setting.
     “Dubai is perfect for that,” smiles the indispensable quiet man.

     Looking ahead a moment, “the market situation in 2013 is not all that buoyant, of course, but we are seeing it through.
     “China to Europe is underperforming, but having said that there are plenty of new exciting products that we think will continue to drive business and there are also developing markets as well, such as microchips out of Malaysia, for example.”


     “In terms of industry trade shows we are participating in a select group of events this year, including upcoming Transport Logistik held in Munich, Germany, during early June.”
     “Depending on the venue, we utilize either a single- or double-story stand.
     “For example, we appeared in our single stand in Johannesburg Air Cargo Africa, but resided inside our bigger stand in Sao Paulo earlier this year, and are in the big one, here at Air Cargo Europe Germany.”
     We wonder what makes a successful marketing program for trade shows, aside from the big dramatic display stand.
     “Wherever Emirates Sky Cargo appears, we are booked in advance with appointments with our clients and service partners every minute of the show, so we continue to support this direct and also relaxed opportunity to see many people face to face in one place during a short, efficient period of time.
     “Of course, the organized social events also serve the purpose of allowing us to meet and greet people that might had not been seen via the formal appointment route.
     “The idea in air cargo of enveloping ourselves and our guests with the ‘Emirates Experience’ at a trade show began back in 1992 at TIACA in Luxembourg.
     “Prior to Emirates changing the playing field for the booth or stand experience at a trade show, most display stands were fairly standard.
     “Our experience and the business booked during the years since then have proven that the expense and effort is quite rewarding,” Prakash Nair said.
Geoffrey/Sabiha Arend

     The message at the big Lufthansa Group exhibit inside Air Cargo Europe this week is summarized in direct terms by the German national carrier’s top air cargo executive, Karl Ulrich Garnadt, who spoke to FlyingTypers on the eve of Europe’s largest air cargo event.
     “Right now and over the next few years we will be investing strongly in our quality, our services and, not least, our infrastructure.
     “With this effort we want to achieve one clear goal: to become even more attractive for our customers.
     Forwarders worldwide will benefit from these billions-strong investments, as new efficient aircraft will lower emissions and ensure an even more reliable schedule.
     “Our modern logistics center in Frankfurt minimizes turnaround time for our freighters and transit times for all shipments.
     “With our emerging, powerful, state-of-the-art IT set-up, the Lufthansa Cargo core processes will become even faster, more efficient, and robust.


     “All these capabilities are also crucial for an objective that is very important to me: the digitization of our processes, which we want to expedite together with our customers.
     “The recent signing of the IATA Multilateral eAWB Agreement was an important milestone in this context.
     “I hope that we will be able to take further major steps as we move ahead in this effort this week at Transport Logistik, the most important trade show of the global industry,” Karl Garnadt said.
Geoffrey/Flossie Arend

Reading the news lately you have undoubtedly picked up on the fact that American Cargo President Kenji Hashimoto recently marked his first full year at his post.
     Likeable, down to earth, approachable, and right up front when he talks to you, Kenji’s thinking brings some fresh air to the cargo industry.
     “We are pleased with business so far this year and with the performance of our new flights between Chicago O’Hare and Dusseldorf, Germany, as well as Dallas/Fort Worth and Seoul, South Korea.
     “In addition to our network enhancements, we are excited about the delivery of our new Boeing 777-300ER widebody aircraft.
     “Currently, we have six in operation, and we expect ten to be in operation by the end of the year.
     “Plus, as these 777-300ERs go into service, we’ve been able to upgrade our equipment and add additional capacity on existing routes.”

     “As far as performance in the first quarter of 2013, we remain in line with the year-over-year revenue and traffic performance of our U.S. industry peer group.
     “Munich is a great opportunity for me and my team to connect and strengthen relationships with our customers and key industry leaders.
     “During the event, we’re excited to show a first peek at something we’ve been working on for quite some time—the new aacargo.com.
     “We’ve listened to our customers, and using their feedback, we’ve created a brand new site that is more intuitive, engaging, and innovative.
     “We really think our customers are going to be pleased.
     “AA Cargo wants our customers to know we are a company that believes in collaboration.
     “Also that we see ourselves as partners to forwarders, and our goal is to help them provide their customers with creative solutions for their shipping needs.
     “And it all starts with our people. Our customers tell us all the time that we have the best and most dedicated sales and operations teams in the industry, and we are committed to providing our customers with the best service.”


     “We continue to expand our global network into Europe, Asia, and Latin America, providing customers with more shipping options to meet their needs.
     “Beginning June 12, we are excited to offer widebody seasonal service between Chicago O’Hare and Helsinki, Finland, as well as nonstop service between New York – JFK and Dublin, Ireland.
     “These new flights join our recent new services between Dallas/Fort Worth and Seoul, South Korea, and Chicago O’Hare and Dusseldorf, Germany.
     “Later this year, we’ll also be adding the following service: DFW to Bogota, Columbia; MIA to Porto Alegre, Brazil; MIA to Curitiba, Brazil and LAX to Sao Paulo, Brazil.
     “Just this week on June 3, we began offering cargo capacity in and out of San Diego and Atlanta, as well as New York – LaGuardia on July 15.”


     Mr. Hashimoto points to continued progress with a location tracking initiative that will provide piece-level tracking at the house air waybill level across the AA network.
     “We’re currently live in Boston and Chicago,” Kenji said,” and we’ll be rolling it out to the rest of our U.S. hubs and London by the end of the year.
     “In May, as part of our continued partnership with OnAsset Intelligence, we rolled out a new, one-time use program with FlightSafe, the leading GPS and sensor-based tracking device for air cargo shipments.
     “Customers can now call us and add the device to any U.S. domestic and international shipments for just a single fee.”
     “We’re committed to providing our customers with the best service, that’s why we’re continuously investing in our infrastructure and people.
     “Late last year, we opened our 1,800 square foot, state-of-the-art container-friendly perishable cooler in Dallas-Fort Worth.
     “To date, we now have dedicated cooler facilities in Miami, Chicago O’Hare, New York – JFK, Los Angeles, Dallas/Fort Worth, and London Heathrow.
     “We’re also finalizing an expansion of our New York – JFK controlled room temperature (CRT) facility, designed specifically for the movement of sensitive cold chain shipments such as pharmaceuticals.”
     “This adds to our other CRTs in Miami and Chicago O’Hare, and we expect additional expansion to follow,” Kenji said.
Geoffrey/Sabiha Arend   

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omewhere inside a stunning new display stand that has its premier at Air Cargo Europe this week in Munich, Peter Scholten is leveraging his considerable experience and success in air cargo with the revitalized powerhouse that is emerging from Jeddah, as Saudi Arabian Airlines Cargo has energized itself globally.
Today, with fleet and freighters spanning the globe, the airline of Saudi Arabia has changed its brand into what everybody has always called the resource from the beginning: Saudia Cargo.
     Peter has served as VP Commercial for the Jeddah-based carrier for the past few years, but he also was a key element in global cargo with Martinair for many years before landing in Jeddah.
     You talk to Peter and his low key approach (delivered in a voice that is more soft growl) expresses the confidence that as Saudia Cargo moves forward, there will be more destinations and air cargo destined to be transported into and via this gateway in the Middle East, which is often referred to simply as “The Kingdom.”
     “We are looking forward to the start of our first new B747-8F freighter this month (June 2013) on the route Riyadh-Hong Kong-Riyadh-Brussels-Riyadh 3 times per week, and the second B747-8F starting services in August.
     “With the arrival of two B747-8F freighters and two additional B747-400 freighters that replace B747-200s in the period between June and August, Saudia Cargo is growing its dedicated charter fleet.
     “By October 2013, Saudia Cargo will operate a fleet of 15 freighters.
     “The scheduled services of Saudia are covered by 12 freighters.
     “Saudia will have 3 dedicated B747-200 and B747-400 freighters for the charter business,” Peter Scholten said.


     But changes are not just aloft for Saudia Cargo.
     Down on the ground, in the short span of distance between the acceptance portal of a cargo transfer facility and the ramp where the cargo is loaded, special attention is paid to streamlining processes.
     “We have made significant improvements in our hubs in RUH and JED in facilities, equipment, management, and IT.
     “We will soon be launching ‘Cargo Baggage,’ an economic product for the passengers on SV that want to fly their excess baggage at a lower price than the rates at the counter.
     “Furthermore, we are planning to launch products for Pharmaceuticals, Courier, and Perishables in Q4 2013.
     “In March we started new once-weekly services to Kanoo in Nigeria.
     “These flights are going very well and we are already planning to increase to a second frequency this month.
     “Elsewhere in our network we increased frequencies from Hong Kong to Lagos via Riyadh, from Dhaka to Frankfurt via Dammam, and from Frankfurt to Riyadh.
     “Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the Middle East and growing fast.”
     "At Munich and throughout the world, Saudia Cargo is dedicated to bring ease and confidence to industry stakeholders ability to do business wherever we fly,” Peter Scholten said.
Geoffrey/Flossie Arend

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