#INTHEAIREVERYWHERE

 

 

 

Part 3 of this series continues with some story clippings that share unique thoughts from the more than 150 exclusive and original feature-length articles created exclusively for FlyingTypers’ readers during the first half of 2014.

     April 2, 2014
Frankfurt Germany’s Commerzbank Arena is all about business, as cargo security took center stage April 1 in a confrontation that suffered no fools.
     The local Bundesliga soccer team that populates the venue might have spent the day thinking about their future, but for the hard working, business-challenged air cargo industry, tomorrow hung on today, as "Recognize Risks – Build Alliances" brought Sabine Wiedemann, head of group security at Daimler AG Stuttgart, to emphasize the theme—the need for partnerships throughout the supply chain.

Hooray For Harald

     Harald Zielinski, head of security and environmental management, Lufthansa Cargo, presented "2020 in View"—security strategy for air freight in times when change is the only constant.      Shipper certification turned out to be less problematic than anticipated and all parties cooperated exceedingly well, staving off the shipment avalanche many feared would result. Lufthansa Cargo is building the most modern and efficient logistic center in the world at Frankfurt Airport, to the tune of more than €700 million Euro investment, due to open in 2020.
     Key components of LCAG's security strategy include staying close to its customers, maintaining quality, deploying eCSD, ACAS (in the U.S.), EU PRECISE in conjunction with ACC3 (certifying 9-10 Lufthansa Group stations by end 2014), and segregation of shipments from "green line" countries with security completed at the origin, thus eliminating the need for repeated security checks down the line.
     Regulatory bodies are challenged to streamline their respective processes. No single technology by itself satisfies security requirement; therefore, looking ahead to 2020, the operative word is to be proactive rather than reactive.
     Harald encouraged all participants in the air cargo chain to rise to evolving challenges and work together because 100 percent security remains elusive.
     A panel discussion followed with Wolfgang Ischinger; Ingo Rahn, executive VP global airfreight DHL Global Forwarding; Jörg Mendel, president LBA (Federal Aviation Authority); Gerold Reichle, director/head of department BMVI; Peter Andres, head of corporate security, Deutsche Lufthansa AG; and Franz-Josef Hammerl, director/head of department BMI (Federal Ministry of the Interior).
     The issue of the reciprocity principle as it relates to security was addressed; panelists were in agreement that cooperation is key at the EU level rather than bilateral agreement (as practiced vis-à-vis the U.S.) to reflect both internal and external security aspects. A strong and united European community offers a better platform for an integrated security regime. Delays for transit freight are a critical issue; complexity costs money, therefore, harmonizing security is paramount for all participants. The inward look reveals that the various EU member countries still have different regulations and interpret them differently; hence the starting point is clearly the challenge in Europe.
     Franz-Josef Hammerl disagreed with other panelists regarding transfer freight, for which he believes transit security controls are essential. Winfried Hartmann, FRAPORT/Air Cargo Club Germany, asked Herr Hammerl why credit card companies use trend analysis routinely to proactively identify suspect transactions while the security checks lag far behind, necessitating repeated transit security checks. Hammerl acknowledged that developments are moving in that direction; however, implementation will only be completed by 2020.
     Additional risks stem from high dependence on cyber security given the widespread use of IT and the related issue of data integrity. EU employs 100 inspectors to audit security measures; Peter Andres said he'd welcome the EU investing in at least 10 employees to work on innovation and security concepts because otherwise the industry would not be able to keep up with change and future challenges. Ingo Rahn commented that the industry is well integrated in the security discussions with the TSA in the USA and on the way in Europe, which is more fragmented. He lamented the insufficient global standards for security, recognizing the varying level of development across the globe, a constant challenge.
Ted

 

An Evening With Jacques Ancher, April 28, 2014

He may have “departed the building” 15 years ago, but last Friday well-wishers gathered in a compact room as one of the truly great executives of air cargo—a dreamer and doer unrivaled in our industry—Jacques Ancher was finally inducted into the prestigious TIACA Hall Of Fame in Istanbul, Turkey. During the last decade of the 20th century, Jacques made history at KLM Cargo.
     While ocean trade slipped past the picturesque hotel windows, plying their way up from the Bosphorus to inland ports and back out to sea, and air trade winged toward jam-packed Ataturk International and (in a lyrical inspiration for FlyingTypers) in and out of the only airport in the world named for a woman called Sabiha, Jacques Ancher, a man who always loved air cargo, took the floor and hit “refresh” on the air cargo thought process in a simple, reasonable, and direct manner.

From left: Geoffrey & Sabiha Arend with Jacques Ancher and “Wild Thing” Jan Meurer, together for the first time in Istanbul last Friday as Jacques joined the air cargo immortals in the TIACA Hall of Fame.

     Jacques spoke for just a few minutes and did so without notes—straight from the shoulder and right from the heart.
     “I am still fascinated by this business.
     “If you stand back and take the full view of air cargo, what is in clear focus is that this is a multi-billon dollar business driven by a large, dedicated group that includes the best, most prestigious companies in the world.
     “Air cargo is really and truly golden.
     “Although I have gotten along in years since we last spoke when I retired from KLM, I cannot understand why this beautiful cargo industry is still treated in some cases as a stepchild.
     “We must be doing something wrong,” Jacques Ancher declared, as the room sat up and paid attention.
     “I came here expecting to receive an award, not to say much more, having never attended any industry events or award dinners since I left 15 years ago.
     “But once again talking to my former colleagues and listening to your business scenarios and speeches here tonight, especially the laudatory comments about me, I must admit I am quite moved.
     “I wish that they were all true,”Ancher declared.
     “But looking out on many of the people here tonight, and how important this group is today in leading the industry, I still feel air cargo is heading in the right direction.
     “I also want to acknowledge the time many of us had together and how we tried to change the air cargo business.
     “But I’d like to also say that in retrospect there are two things I wish I had done differently.
     “I wish I had gone to both aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus and asked them to deliver airplanes without cargo bellies.
     “The reasoning is that new airplanes without cargo capacity would make all of our lives much simpler.
     “Under that scenario, when an airline bought an airplane the decision to carry cargo would also represent a true commitment to the air cargo business.
     “The second thing I would have done differently is the way we attempted to change air cargo by organizational structure within our company, KLM.
     “If I did it again today, I would inspire change through innovation.
     “I believe the key to change is people.
     “Only through people can you change what you are doing.
     “If you can build innovation into your structure you have a chance to win.
     “In a broader sense, cargo needs innovation.
     “To build innovation you must allow your people to experiment with new ideas, to see whether they can work or not work.
     “If you do that you will change not only people’s outlook, you will also change air cargo.
     “I only have to look at my grandchildren, with their thumbs and fingers zipping across a tiny mobile keyboard on a cell-phone or PDA to know that innovation is accelerating change in the world.
     “Air cargo could benefit greatly by simply looking around and building its future by innovation.”
Jacques brought his own atmosphere into the room. You could feel the air change as he moved about the place softly, in subdued elegance, his words measured, thoughtful and full of promise.
     You felt the barometric pressure rising as he spoke.
     I am absolutely certain if he were displeased about something we might have felt the ballroom misting over last Friday.
     Too bad you were not there.
     Too bad we will not see his kind again soon, if ever again, in air cargo.
     Thanks Jacques.
Geoffrey /Sabiha

Members of The Air Cargo Club New England August 14 at Suffolk Downs.

     It is one thing to gather with colleagues and schmooze about the business, our kids, and other life issues, whether at a trade show or just on a sales call.
     The human condition dictates that every once in a while, any of us can be overwhelmed by events.
     That is exactly what happened to Paul Carrabes, who has served the air cargo business for nearly 38 years and today is the Import Manager for Geodis Wilson in Boston, Massachusetts.
     Paul left work recently and discovered upon reaching home that the place he and his wife Patty had inhabited for almost 50 years was severely damaged.
     A freak tornado (the first in 60 years) smacked into his seaside community on July 28, tearing off roofs like tissue paper, and otherwise damaging more than 100 homes.
     But as the Carrabes’ family quickly discovered, The Air Cargo Club of New England would not allow them to stand alone. Doing what airport cargo clubs have always done best, they extended a helping hand via a fund raiser.
     So on Thursday, August 14, 2014, at Suffolk Downs, which donated use of the Topsider Room at the beautiful, old, 1935 race track located in East Boston, an auction was held to help raise money for Paul and Patty. It consisted of donated items from businesses, including hotel stays, Boston Red Sox tickets, river cruises, and cash donations.
     Michelle DeFronzo, Air Cargo Club of New England president, described the effort in simple, heartfelt terms:
     “The cargo community here was all in to help Paul and Patty and it was really great to see what we can achieve so quickly when we come together,” Michelle said.
     “Air Cargo Club of New England will also make a contribution to the Revere Tornado Relief Fund, to show our love and appreciation in some way for everyone impacted by this terrible storm,” Michelle added.
     Additional donations can be sent to Air Cargo Club New England, PO Box 395, East Boston, MA, 02128 .
     For more information and to attend a meeting of this great club: www.aircargoclubne.com
Geoffrey