The cargo business could not be any more exciting for Saudia Cargo’s Regional Director, Europe, Amer Abu Obeid. He displays an unabashedly broad smile as he contemplates the future.
      “We are putting the finishing touches on our new cargo hub in Frankfurt, beside others,” Mr. Abu Obeid said.
      “I can say without reservation that the air cargo business today is quite dynamic and exciting.”   
      “Of course we cherish our colleagues in Brussels and will continue to go all out to service their needs and exceed their expectations in every way.
      “You know in this business,” Amer smiles, “your business partners include a gallery of different people, freight forwarders and others, and they tend to become friends for a long time.”
        
The TIACA Proposition

      Mr. Abu Obeid was situated inside a beautiful, milk-white Saudia Cargo display at the recent TIACA Air Cargo Forum.
      As the fragrant aroma of Arabian coffee wafted through the area and customers gathered around plates of savory dates and other delights, hosting clients and TIACA conferees was the order of the day in Paris.
      “We know all of our most important customers are here,” Mr. Abu Obeid said at the time, adding “we also get to go face-to-face with our suppliers and our interline partners.”
      “I think the TIACA effort is just fantastic—in fact, we have barely had time to catch our breath during this event,” said Amer.
      “So many venders, customers, and sweet familiar faces that I have known and worked with in different worlds are here.
      “TIACA 2016 really lifts the spirits,” Amer said.

      “We operate Saudia Cargo out of Europe from four hubs: Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Milan, and Brussels,” Amer said, “but we also offer wide body lift from London, Manchester, Paris, and Madrid with 14 freighters weekly.
      “Saudia Cargo offers reliable service where the best surprise is no surprises.
      “What is more, we are growing and investing in our business and are here to stay.
      “I can sign a block space agreement for the next decade.
      “Players come into these markets, stick their toe in the water, and then jump to another adventure.
      “That is not how Saudia Cargo does business.
      “We are investing in terms of people, equipment, and gateways.
      “Our intention is to rise even further amongst the most favorite and dependable cargo resources in the world.”

      The 44-year-old Amer Abu Obeid has been at Saudia Cargo for the past seven years. He is a top cargo professional who moved within the privatized SV Cargo business, first as manager for Middle East, North Africa & Turkey, then commercial director for Saudia Arabia, and then about four months ago assuming the critical and key post at Saudia Cargo as Regional Director Europe.
      Mr. Abu Obeid was born in Jordan.
      He came to Saudi Arabia as part of the DHL team, where he spent a decade moving up through the ranks.
      Before that, Amer got close to the ultimate driver in all of business during his time as a banker.
      “I can say from my experience as a banker and an integrator, where I learned discipline and business manners that I expect to carry for the rest of my life, that it is quite helpful all around to have experienced how things work on both sides of the fence, especially in terms of customer’s needs and expectations.”
      “In a nutshell, we never promise what we cannot do at Saudia Cargo, and in fact, our effort is to bend over backwards to create an open, transparent air cargo product where everybody knows what to expect,” Mr. Abu Obeid said.

      “Being on the integrator side for ten years I always thought that the combination airline people had a much easier life.
      “But that was a miscalculation.
      “Actually, the reality of the market today demands total professionalism every step of the way and complete customer service and satisfaction as well.
      “In that regard, the financial strength of Saudia Cargo and the commitment of top management at the airline to continue to invest and build it’s global air cargo business cannot be underestimated moving ahead.”

      “We made our move to headquarter our European cargo operation in Frankfurt because our customers are here and wanted our immediate attention to their needs.”
      “Action speaks louder than any words and we want to be where the business is.
      “Today, so many entities are pressuring the carriers for better services and lower prices.
      “The forwarders want more services and lower pricing, governments want better security procedures, etc.
      “We put pressure on ourselves to better compete with others. The cycle seems endless.
      “I sometimes wonder, why not lessen the pressure on yields and just let the market dictate its preferences based on service?
      “It is no secret that any solid, long-term business relationship will only endure if customer expectations are met.
      “So why all the fluttering around every time someone jumps in and lowers the rates?
      “Air cargo will endure as it has endured, with a solid business plan, dedicated people, and an expected return on business,” Amer Abu Obeid said.
Geoffrey