Now that the annual FIATA gathering is history, VP of Cargo Sales & Marketing at Turkish Airlines Halit Anlatan reviews the Istanbul event in terms of takeaway and the message his team projected to an overflow event.
     His opening sentiment certainly finds resonance in every industry group or faction that considers these matters:
     “The air cargo business needs to always to work in partnership toward a more secure, transparent, and sustainable business.”
     “The FIATA group moved that though process along by creating a very large, well-informed, and responsive conference that included many of our service partners, who were also afforded some up close and personal contact at our fast-growing Gateway Istanbul.
     “We were delighted to meet and greet and get to know many new and close colleagues at this stellar event.”

Growing Cargo Business

     “Turkish Cargo continues to grow by leaps and bounds whilst finding a way to sustain that growth.
     “Currently at Istanbul we are expanding and enhancing capabilities as we prepare to debut an all-new cargo transfer handling facility.
     “Turkish Cargo in 2014 is showing healthy and sustainable growth.
     “Both projected total number of destinations and TK’s fleet will be doubled, looking ahead.
     “Put another way, belly capacity for air cargo will double within 10 years as we grow our airline.
     “Our aim to reach over one million tons of air cargo throughput annually is within reach during the next few years.”

Busy Month . . . (left) Turkish Cargo hosted the big FIATA Conference as Istanbul provided a busy backdrop for delegates of partnering freight forwarders from around the world. (Right) Turkish Cargo, represented by their Asia Pacific Regional Office also joined “The World Mail and Express Conference & Exhibition” October 14th-16th in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

New Destinations

     “Belgrade and Tunis freighter services were launched in the first quarter of 2014.
     “With the launch of Hyderabad freighter service on Aug, 28, 2014, the Turkish Cargo freighter network reached 47 in total.
     “Currently we have six A330-200F, three A310-304F, and 256 airliners, 56 of which are wide bodies. Looking ahead in 2015, we are planning to serve the market both with new cargo capacities and new destinations.”

No Small Potatoes

     “Contributing to 10 percent of Turkish Airlines’ income, Turkish Cargo is one of the fastest-growing air cargo brands in the world, witnessing 20.5 percent tonnage growth in 2013.
     “Turkish Cargo raised its cargo and mail shipment volumes to 567,771 tons in 2013 from 469,036 tons in 2012.
     “While cargo and mail shipment volume was 407,071 tons in the 2013 Jan.-Sep. period, Turkish Cargo showed 20.6 percent increase in the same period of 2014, reaching 490,823 tons.
     “We have seen quite an uptick in technological devices, especially in newly introduced mobile phone consignments, as the substantial shipments of recent years.
     “When it comes to the markets that continue to build and look promising, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan are the rising stars of the year 2014.”

Ebola Watch

     Asked about possible impact of Ebola on some of Turkish Airways flights to Africa, Mr. Antlatan reports:
     “Up to now, we have not seen any distinct effect in our sales, although of course we take every precaution to both keep abreast of developments and to also be pro-active in our efforts at prevention and screenings.”

Keeping Turkish Airways Great

     “Our main competitive advantage is our warm hospitality, which comes from our deep-rooted traditions, and standing by our customers’ side as a trustable friend!
     “Additionally, we own a fascinating position and are eager to get a significant share of new and niche markets.”

About Turkish & E-AWB

     “Turkish Cargo aims to provide high quality, fast and secure cargo services to meet customer demands.
     “The electronic Air Waybill (e-AWB) has an important role to play in reaching these aims easily, because e-AWB minimizes the archiving costs, improves data quality, eliminates delays due to loss of AWB, minimizes the cycle time especially in the acceptance process, and improves data visibility.
     “AWB is the first and important step just before implementation of e-freight and helps to realize the e-freight vision.
     “Turkish Cargo is currently working on e-AWB with dozens of valuable forwarders; as you report this story, that includes more than 50 percent of total cargo volume within Turkey.
     “For now, e-AWB volumes of Turkish Cargo (export from Turkey) are nearly 36 percent and will reach 47 percent (Export from Turkey) by the end of 2014.

Bring On COMIS

     “Turkish Cargo has focused on COMIS (new core application) Project, which will go live during the second half of 2015.
     “After the implementation of COMIS Project, Turkish Cargo expects a large increase in the number of e-AWB for all routes, or about more than 25 percent of total AWB volume (import & export) system wide,” Mr. Anlatan said.
(Geoffrey)

For the air cargo industry, October was the month of the mega conference.

     TIACA in Incheon and FIATA in Istanbul clearly represent two of our most prestigious forums. They bring together carriers, shippers, forwarders, truckers, handlers, and government officials: they explore the nuances of shipping and security, more efficient handling, the need for greener operations, and cutting edge technologies to expedite goods movement and posit options for partnerships. However, the partnership options very seldom involve the airport.
     One of the things I have noted over the past 40 years is how concerned most airports are with learning how the industry really works at the ground level.
     Airport managers want to understand what carriers need, how forwarders and customs brokers operate, and how to enable the elements of government involved in facilitation and interdiction to work efficiently and effectively.
     When budgets allow, airport staff attend industry conferences to learn what they can and, in many instances, to market their facilities. What I don’t see in the midst of the partnership discussions and multiple conferences is an effort by the private sector to understand the challenges facing airports.
     I have heard the comparison of an airport to a landlord who should not interfere in a leasee’s operation—and that makes sense. However, on the flip side of that analogy is the question of how the leasee’s planning capability is limited without knowing the constraints of the landlord and the property, and the larger political and economic environment.
     The latest forecasts are pretty optimistic, with volumes forecast to double in the next twenty years.
     At the macro level that sounds pretty good, but at the airport level there are challenges that need to be met.
     At forecast growth levels, capacity could become a concern for many airports.
     For new facility development, the business model is evolving.
     Most carriers are no longer interested in building and operating their own cargo facility. Instead they are turning to private developers and handling companies to help meet the demand.
     This creates a different and more nuanced financial environment that carriers need to understand.
     Additionally, as airports look to become more creative with their land, opportunities are materializing for forwarders and brokers, as well as trucking companies to move on airport.
     In the past, this was an expensive proposition, but a number of airports are taking a much more entrepreneurial perspective and exploring ways to make this happen.
     Airports are also faced with a planning paradox with regard to cargo infrastructure. Airbus and Boeing Forecasts include optimistic growth in the freighter fleet, yet the percentage of cargo moving in freighters in most markets is declining, as carriers rely on wide-body passenger fleets to carry increasing tonnage.
     An ongoing and open dialogue will help airports better understand where their planning efforts and investment dollars need to go.
     I have had many colleagues shift employment from an airline to an airport. Invariably the reaction is “wow! I didn’t really understand this side of it!”
     It seems that in the various topics covered in the many conferences, there would be some value in helping to explore and develop that understanding.
Daniel B. Muscatello

Editor's Note: Dan is Managing Director, Cargo & Logistics, Landrum & Brown based in Cincinnati, Ohio.
     We have known Dan from his days as manager of air cargo for the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey.
     Today he has gone way beyond just New York, in a stellar 30-year career that has included projects all over the world.
     Dan has been a development strategist for both the business and physical facility planning of air cargo complexes, and the integration of ancillary and supporting logistics services that make them operationally and financially feasible.
     We look forward to hearing from Dan often with special commentaries and welcome our readers comments as well.

   Jettainer Americas Inc. is the latest wrinkle of Jettainer GmbH landing global management and maintenance of containers and pallets for American Airlines last month.
   “The American continent is one of the most important growth markets for us. That's why we are investing in our on-site presence. We are aiming to expand our market leadership with highly innovative services,” says Carsten Hernig, managing director of Jettainer GmbH.

Alexis von Hoensbroech Tops Lufthansa

   As Lufthansa Cargo bids a fond farewell to Dr. Andreas Otto, who was appointed chief commercial officer of Austrian Airlines, it offers a warm welcome to Dr. Alexis von Hoensbroech, new board member Products & Sales.
   Dr.Von Hoensbroech is a 44-year-old father of four who currently serves as head of commercial Frankfurt for Lufthansa Passenger. He will move to cargo on December 1.
   "I am very pleased that this key position on the board of Lufthansa Cargo will be taken over by Dr. Alexis von Hoensbroech, an experienced, skilled manager from our own ranks,” emphasized Harry Hohmeister, chairman of the Supervisory Board at Lufthansa Cargo AG.
   "With his extensive expertise in airline management, he will play a decisive role in shaping the future of Lufthansa Cargo in a challenging market climate."

Picture of Great Wall Airlines Cargo Jet Flight CKK262 from Taipei that landed at PVG with barely a few centimeters to spare between an inboard engine and the ground October 24.

     The FIATA World Congress in Istanbul was a special event.
     At the end of the five-day encounter, we departed the FIATA Congress convinced that this is one organization with its eyes on the prize.
     Here are a few highlights . . .
     The creation of the newly constituted Advisory Body International Affairs coincided with the MOU signing with the World Bank, extending a working relationship by teaming beyond the processing of the Global Logistics Index. The fact that two parties want to do more and are willing to make the effort to reach a working agreement is the template for further cooperation up and down the line moving ahead.
     Then there was the unanimous approval by the board to float the FIATA Logistics Academy (FLA), which will plan and design a platform to utilize on-line education, specifically targeting young people.
     The FIATA diploma on vocational training has succeeded beyond description and almost 10,000 diplomas have been issued in the last 6-8 years and has continued to develop at about 1,000 diplomas per annum.
     Now the target audience and new frontiers in the emerging markets can take advantage of the newly structured FLA, which will closely team up with some prestigious universities.
     Finally, the gala dinner was not the usual dance, dine, and drink affair.
     A war to fight EBOLA was declared and the whole evening committed to passionate fund raising with a clear message:
     “We are joining the international communities to fight EBOLA!” FIATA declared.
     That first installment of USD $110,000 was collected during the evening, table to table, and everyone was caught up in the moment to do something to assuage this terrible affliction.
     Moving ahead with the promise that the fund will remain open (collections continue to this day) just made the feeling sweeter; personal considerations and networking aside, we can all stand up and do the right thing.
     Truly, this event—held during the time of year when days in the northern climes are growing shorter—offered plenty of room to lengthen the heart and soul of air cargo at FIATA Istanbul.
     For 2014 industry trade events, the best was saved for last, as a dessert we will never forget.
Issa Baluch

     Our playful header reminds us at this time of year to listen to a great song from The Fantasticks, the long running Off-Broadway play in New York.
     Here the guy who sang it first, the late, great Jerry Orbach delivers “Try To Remember” one more time.

     We love that WWPC, the WorldWide Partnership CargoLink Network, with some 678 members strong, helped carry FIATA week a bit farther, holding one of their twice-yearly gatherings at a lovely resort in Antalya, Turkey, from October 19-24.
     Talk about Networking, Paradise Style!
     Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, the WWPC global network is celebrating twenty (20) years of successful networking as it continually grows in strength and numbers.
     Innovative Ms. Leslie Taylor-McLaughlin, founder and woman-at-the-helm of WWPC, just seems to be in the thick of things.
     Click to here to view FlyingTypers’ exclusive, in-depth coverage of this amazing and successful lady and her achievements in the world of international freight forwarding and logistics.
Geoffrey

   U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Mexico's Tax Administration Service (SAT) signed a mutual recognition arrangement that allows stronger collaboration between CBP's Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and SAT's New Certified Companies Scheme. The arrangement provides for fewer exams when shipping cargo, a faster validation process, common standards, efficiency for customs and business, transparency between customs administrations, business resumption, front-of-the-line processing, and marketability.
   In addition to Mexico, the United States also has mutual recognition arrangements with New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Korea, Israel, Jordan, the European Union, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office.

   Arizona-based Krossblade Aerospace is developing the concept for a hybrid 5-seat transformer airplane called SkyCruiser and a prototype called SkyProwler, a VTOL transformer UAV/drone.
   SkyCruiser takes off and lands vertically (VTOL), cruises at more than 500 kph/300 mph, and also can be driven down the road.
   A short 3.5-minute film opens the door.
   More: www.krossblade.com

If You Missed Any Of The Previous 3 Issues Of FlyingTypers
Access complete issue by clicking on issue icon or
Access specific articles by clicking on article title

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 ©2014 ACM, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
More@ www.aircargonews.com

100% Green