American Airlines Cargo delivered 13.8 percent year-on-year improvement in first-quarter traffic, rising to 619m cargo ton-miles, while revenues improved 6.2 percent to $172m.
      Yields were lower as capacity and new destinations continued to be added to the AA system.
      But measuring yields as they stand right now is not the story here.

Smart Management Move

      AA’s traffic has improved as the carrier has added more international flights, and hence more belly cargo capacity.
      Much of that cargo space accommodates perishables, so filling the lower deck maximizes profitability even if the yield needs to be lowered to do it. 
      All-cargo freighter guys may hate it, but as they have moved capacity out of the market and newer AA passenger aircraft are in many cases  “Secret Freighters,” that’s life.
      It’s a smart management decision, we say.

The Beat Goes On

      As American enters its latest phase of further integrating systems with USAir, capacity continues increasing with the addition of new aircraft and service destinations.
      Of course, cargo must keep pace, continue to think big, and work to get a step ahead in the process.

Pilots In The Wings

      As 2017 continues, industry profits seem to hang on amid questions about whether the current cycle of lower fuel prices can be sustained with all the problems around the world.
      Pilots and flight attendants reading the financial tea leaves provide another downward pressure on stock prices and profit margins that could affect more companies than just American, as they seek to make up for what they gave when the airlines were in trouble.
      American has an offer on the table right now ahead of more scheduled contract talks with both its pilots and flight attendants.
Geoffrey

     “Gentleman” Dave Brooks retired as President of American Airlines Cargo a few years back, but he’s still one of the most likeable cargo guys we have ever known.
      At the center of air cargo for decades, Dave was always unflappable. A quick wit complemented his calm demeanor and bright intelligence as he tackled the cargo fortunes of AA and worked to build the industry via the many organizations he supported including, of course, CNS.
      These days, Gentleman Dave continues serving at various posts, including on the board of Saudia Cargo.
      Dave is also advisor to Episcale (a start up).
      While admiring his calm over the years—and wondering how he found that center of life others might enjoy—we discovered that on some weekends, Dave drives a hearse for a local funeral home down in Texas.
      “It actually began when I got involved with the funeral services industry after 9/11, when the TSA and funeral homes were struggling with how to screen human remains on aircraft,” Dave said.
      “After working at a large company where it takes so long to achieve anything truly meaningful, I now go home at the end of the day having helped families through the worst time of their lives.”
      “And no pile of emails to slog through,” Dave smiles.
      “Very fulfilling,” he said.
      We thought about Dave the last night of CNS as the music played on and CNS closed its 27th Partnership Conference in Orlando, which CNS President Lionel Van Der Walt reports was the best-attended event in the entire history of the organization.
      There is life, the work we do and the family we raise, and somewhere inside of us there is the center of life that makes everything else possible.
      Dave Brooks always taught the good lessons.
      Everybody can use a respite away from the noise and clutter of life.
      We’re thinking about Gentleman Dave today. Being decent is a core value before, during, and even after a career in air cargo. It seems like a good road to travel, moving ahead.
Geoffrey

     “The last three days here at CNS Partnership we talked about technology, innovation in the business, and what we need to do to as an industry to stay relevant.
     “I look around this room and see quite a bit of experience and expertise amongst gray- and white-haired men, all of whom have served air cargo for a long time.
     “I am also thinking about those people who built the industry and paved the way for us.”
     “We must not forget the human element in air cargo.”
     David Cyrus (pictured), Vice President, Air Imports at DHL Global Forwarding, which co-hosted (with Panalpina) the final dinner at CNS Partnership 2017.
Sabiha