Warsaw Dateline Exclusive—“We are taking the show on the road and developing a shared understanding of a growing and rapidly changing industry,” says Aleks Popovich, Head of Cargo at IATA.
     “This week we are in Warsaw, Poland as part of our Emerging Markets Series.
     “Next week the scene shifts to IATA Cargo Claims & Loss prevention in Geneva, but whatever we do at any location it is all about face to face learning and understanding with the mission to simplify air cargo for the 21st century.”
     In Warsaw, Monday September 17, Hugh Doyle, (above) a well-known industry expert lead participants in a hands-on approach to understanding strategic issues for European cargo.
     Discussion continued into the late afternoon on various topics including whether the traditional air cargo industry gets to the drivers of shippers’ needs today?
     Workshops opened for ideas and case history scenarios airing issues facing cargo managers in emerging markets including product capability, pricing, scope, promotion, payback, and distribution channel constraints.
     Also on the table the big picture came into focus as strategic issue choices facing cargo managers in European markets got down to business including some frank discussion of the importance of learning from the mistakes of others.
     While all of that and selecting an appropriate business model is important, attendees also heard of the organizational implications of different models and likely financial impact.
     The positive aspect of the workshop, that played to a room of about 200 this first day is that real world & time topical business topics and concerns were put to the floor that generated more than a little informal consideration.
     Next week IATA Cargo Claims and Loss Prevention Conference 2007, September 25 - September 27, 2007, Geneva, Switzerland, Movenpick Hotel
     Now in its third year the three-day event affords a ‘niche’ group of air cargo claims professionals) to lay out for open discussions all components of air cargo claims management.
     “This gathering is the single, most important point of expertise for claims management professionals throughout the industry,” Aleks said.
     “The conference aims to review current challenges facing the industry and encourages sharing of best practices for efficient processing and conclusion of air cargo claims.”
Geoffrey Arend

Growing Frederic Chopin Airport

     Polish Airports, the state entity that runs three of the country’s main airports and has stakes in more than a half dozen others said in 2005, Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport, handled 44,000 tons of cargo, an increase of 8% over 2004’s 41,000 tons.
     According to Polish Airports' 2005 annual report, apparently the latest data available, Warsaw’s international cargo traffic was flat at 39,000 tons, while domestic cargo traffic rose 216% to almost 5,000 tons.
     Warsaw Airport with its expansive beautiful new Terminal C , marked a 6% increase in total aircraft movements to 134,000 in 2005, and a 16% increase in total passengers to more than 7 million. The group of 11 airports saw a 30% increase in passengers in 2005 to about 12 million, mainly attributable to Poland’s accession to the European Union and the subsequent inter-European airline industry liberalization. Poland became a full member of the E.U. in 2004.
     Polish Airports forecasts Warsaw will handle around 10 million passengers by 2010.
     The 2005 Polish Airports said the company’s total cargo volume handled at the 11 airports covered was 56,000 tons in 2005, an increase of 8%. Other leading cargo airports were Katowice with a 12% increase to 6,000 tons and Gdansk with 3,000 tons, a 13% increase over 2004 levels.
George Frey