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Vol. 17 No. 20	Thursday April 5, 2018

AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) opens service at Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK) in Columbus, Ohio, today Thursday, April 5.
     ABC employs a fleet of Boeing 747 freighters that provide up to 139 tons of capacity for all types of imports and exports.
     ABC said that weekly scheduled flights will continue on Thursdays, carrying freight inbound from the airline’s global hub in Moscow and returning to Moscow through Liege, Belgium.
     With more than 13 years of steady growth, AirBridgeCargo (ABC) is the leading all-cargo carrier in Russia and among the top ten international cargo airlines worldwide.
     Throughout ABC’s development, the airline has achieved strong growth, reporting 17 percent compound average growth rate of tonnage in the last five years.
     Currently, AirBridgeCargo'’s fleet consists of eighteen Boeing 747 freighters.
     The fleet is comprised of eleven of the latest generation Boeing 747-8Fs, four Boeing 747-400ERFs, and three B747-400Fs.
     The new generation 747-8F freighter offers an increased payload capacity of 130 tons on a single flight and can accommodate cargoes of up to 45 meters in length.

Over To Vince

     Vince Ryan wheeled into the room at last month’s IATA WCS and got right down to business.
     “Since AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) launched its first route in the U.S. in 2011, we have consistently grown our network and volumes by listening to our customers and providing the level of capacity they need to and from major North American cargo gateways.
     “We have a long-term commitment to being a major cargo partner to our customers in both North and South America, and with our growing fleet of Boeing 747 freighters we are leaving no stone unturned as we proactively look for new opportunities in both markets,” declared the ABC Vice President, North and South America.

ABC: A to Z.

     “Our focus,” Vince Ryan said, lowering his gaze, “is staying close to our customer group whilst developing our offering that incudes the ability to carry anything anywhere, anytime, via our B747 freighters and other aircraft, plus access to the Volga Dnepr and CLA fleets.
     “Business last year was very positive and continues as 2018 moves ahead.
     “ABC experienced a 13 percent upsurge in total cargo carried in 2017, delivering more than 700,000 tons across our international network.
     “Now for 2018, we are focused on top service delivery for our growing menu of niche products including pharma, perishable freight, heavy lift, and oversize shipments like aircraft engines and more.”

Likeable Veteran

     Today it is fashionable to have a stable of technocrats operating things; Vince Ryan is a throwback to an earlier era in air cargo.
     When you say that this industry is a “people business,” what you’re really talking about are people like Vince Ryan.
     We have known and liked Vince ever since we met him 30 years ago at Ed Moritz’s house when the British Airways U.S. cargo marketing veteran hosted a retirement part for Jack Veracoechea.

Proud Tradition

     Once upon a time New York air cargo boasted the likes of Buz Whalen, Ed Chism, Fernando Tavera, John Grofik, Terry MacDonald, Maria Canino, Phil Bowell, Rudy Auslander, and some others, and the action, expertise and force for good in transportation taught the world how to fly air cargo.
     Today, although that number has been reduced, there still is a spirit that drives the industry from the greatest city in the world, and excellent cargo people like John Ryan, (no relation), Brendan Furlong, Joe Badamo, and always, Vince Ryan.
     Now approaching 34 years in air cargo, Vince has seen all sides.
     He began his career with Flying Tigers, later worked with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, and then worked for British Airways World Cargo in 1989 as Manager, Cargo Development, and USA.
     Vince went on to spend 10 years with Global Freight Exchange, ultimately as Vice President - Global Business Development, before joining Southern Air as Director of Marketing.
Tigers Beginning
     “Actually, I got into air cargo straight out of Dowling College (Long Island, New York) quite by accident.
     “I picked up the phone in my dorm room and took a call from Flying Tigers Cargo for my roommate who was out attending a class.
     “The caller asked me if I was studying aviation, and a senior.
     “When I answered yes to both questions, he asked if I was looking for a job.
     “After he assured openings and opportunities at Tigers ‘for everybody,’ I took the interview, and the rest, as it is said, is history.”

What Matters Now

     Something Vince Ryan recalls from his first job at Flying Tigers comes echoing back as we sit inside a quiet otherwise empty room in Texas. Most of the people inside the giant IATA WCS host hotel are still asleep.
     “Flying Tigers,” Vince smiles, “was really sweet and special.
     “You could come up with an idea and run with it.
     “Every day was a new adventure, we were truly on the leading edge of global all cargo development.”
     What he says next writes the future for all of us.
     “What matters now is what we bring to the table for our colleagues and business partners.
     “You work day to day to gain trust by being up front, finding solutions to problems, and never forgetting how important the customer is, big or small.
     “Air cargo is very slow to adapt to new technologies, that is just a simple fact.
     “It’s just a slog.
     “Are we utilizing all the technologies at hand right now to the fullest benefit?
     “It took us forever to migrate to bar-coding when you think about it.
     “We should be able to speed up things and eventually, like bar coding, which was finally adopted industry wide, we will.
     “In the meantime, staying close to the customer, being up front, honest, and carrying through as promised—these are values that are so important in air cargo and should never be lost.”
     You get the feeling that as long as this industry has people like Vince Ryan out there, amplified by thousands of others like him all around the world, this business we love will be OK.
Geoffrey

India’s pharma exporters received a bonus recently when the government-controlled Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO is the national regulatory body for Indian pharmaceuticals and medical devices and is similar to the Food and Drug Administration of the United States) ordered that pharma exports did not need any clearance from drug regulatory authority.
For the record, pharma exports to the U.S., Canada, Japan, Australia and European Union had not needed a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for export consignments.
Now, however, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has included all countries in the rule.

Exception To The Rule

     There is a rider to the new bill: the NOC is not needed if the shipping bills were filed by the manufacturer with a valid license under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules.
     The order, a part of the government’s ease of doing business, also mentioned that the move had been taken to simplify regulations for exports of drugs, medical devices and cosmetics.
     “This is being done to bring ease in the drug regulatory practices in India relating to export of drugs, medical devices and cosmetics.
     “All the stakeholders are however required to comply with the regulatory requirements of the importing countries as per their specific needs,” the DCGI notice mentioned.

Timing Is Critical

     The order came at a crucial juncture: the country’s pharma exports totalled $16.8 bn in 2016-17, according to figures put out by the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council.
     Pharma exports are slated to grow by 30 percent to reach $20 bn by 2020.
     Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu, who is in charge of Civil Aviation too, is keen to boost exports.
     His ministry has chalked out a strategy to increase the country’s share of global trade to GDP by 40 percent.
     Today, exports make up only 18 percent of the $2.6-trillion GDP, the fifth largest in the world after the U.S., China, Japan, Germany and Britain.
     India’s share in global trade is a mere 2 percent.
     Sometime ago, he had said that the government was in the process of “preparing a new strategy for diversifying our export basket to ensure that we export to new markets and ship out new products”.

Complaints Drive Change

Pharma exporters told ACNFT that CDSCO’s move had come after prolonged complaints from buyers. Shipments of emergency medicine and medical-related supplies were delayed due to the time taken for paperwork.
Additionally, because of the delay, shipments had to be airfreighted making them more expensive than supplies from China and Taiwan.

Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance

     Hailing the ‘No NOC’ for pharma exports as a move that would reduce paperwork, Dilip G Shah, Secretary General of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (representing research-based national pharmaceutical companies), said that the initiative would also reduce corruption.
     “It is a part of ease of doing business for the manufacturers exporting their products to other countries,” he said and pointed out, that “the move will encourage hassle-free exports to other countries”.
     “Getting a NOC from CDSCO did not mean that the quality of the products was guaranteed,” said Shah.
     “Obtaining a NOC was only adding to the paperwork and corruption.
     “This move will help end malpractices and unnecessary delay,” Shah said.
     Rating agency Crisil, which predicted a growth rate of 14-15 percent in FY18 (April 2017-March 2018) for the Indian air cargo segment against the 12 percent growth in FY17, pointed out that the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016 had paved the way for single window clearance.
     That has resulted in the dwell time for imports and exports coming down: from 72 hrs to 48 hrs.

Pharma Lifting Airports & Carrier Alliances

     For the pharma sector, the reduction in dwell time has come as a boon and international cargo carriers are keen to boost capacity from India.
     Take, for instance, the agreement between Jet Airways and Air France-KLM.
     While passenger numbers are expected to go up, the tie-up will be leveraged by Schiphol Airport for cargo from India.
     Bart Pouwels, currently Director Business Development Cargo at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, who will lead the cargo team in the new Schiphol aviation department, speaking about the cooperation agreement had said:
     “With the expansion of the joint venture KL-9W we expect more direct flights between two nations.
     “That gives us more cargo capacity. “Recently 9W introduced a direct service between Bangalore and AMS.
     “From AMS, this makes a weekly total of 14 flights to Delhi, 10 flights to Mumbai and 7 flights to Bangalore.”

The 80% Factor

     Perhaps, what has made the environment more conducive for international air cargo operators, more than 80 percent of Indian cargo (both exports and imports) are served by international carriers, is the fact that cargo frequencies are not dependent on bilateral rights.
     As Cathay Pacific’s Anand Yedery, Regional Cargo Manager, South Asia, Middle East and Africa told FT:
     “We are keeping tab on the market and frequencies will be increased or new destinations launched to meet the market demands.”
Tirthankar Ghosh

  The lights are on at Runway Number One.   Underneath its dramatic and distinctive Pina Farina-designed control tower, Istanbul New Airport (INA) is now ready for takeoff and landing.
  Due to open on October 29, IGA Airports Construction CEO Yusuf Akçayogšlu said:
  “We are working day and night for this project that will put Turkey’s stamp on the history of aviation.”
  Once open, IGA will “become the world’s new aviation hub with 350 destinations in passenger and cargo transportation.”

Turkish Cargo carried 1.5 million live gilt-head breams (sea breams) to Oman from Izmir last month and all 100 tons of the live consignment moved swimmingly and without a hitch according to reports.
This high-valued species prized in Mediterranean cuisine and well respected by European chefs, moved aboard a Turkish Cargo B777 main deck freighter.

  "The movement required transport to Oman from Bodrum with the proviso that the timeline for the shipment not exceed 40 hours,” Turhan Ozen, Chief Cargo Officer at Turkish Airlines, said:
  “Actually utilizing our advanced handling techniques the shipment arrived in just 24 hours door to door,” Mr. Ozen declared.
  “Turkish Cargo is adaptable to all situations and our success in backing up our exporters and shipping partners in transportation of live animals requiring an utmost level of care is legendary.
  “As example the sea breams required precise temperature and oxygen support whilst in transit and that support was delivered by our expert team that monitored the shipment every step of the way."
  Serkan Ilgaz, Executive Vice President, Production of Kilic Holding that enlisted Turkish Cargo for the shipment sees new markets and possibilities ahead.
  “We hope to keep developing our cooperation with our flag-carrier airline in the new achievements in future," Serkan Iigaz said.

     Jeremiah Bridgewater kneels at the gravesite of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., as the USA took a moment of reflection on the 50th anniversary of his assassination in Atlanta, Wednesday, April 4, 2018.
     “It's heart wrenching.
     “Fifty years ago most of us try to remember where we were and because of his sacrifices we can enjoy some of the pleasures we once weren't able to," said Bridgewater.
     “We're still not where we ought to be but at least we're further down the road."

     Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) honored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Thursday as April 4 marked the 50th anniversary of his assassination.
     The event featured performances by M.D. Roberts Middle School Fine Arts Magnet students; the Alpha Rho chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. from Morehouse College, King’s alma mater; and a special performance of King’s famous “I've Been to the Mountaintop” speech delivered in Memphis just twenty four hours before Rev. King was murdered by James Earl Ray.
     “Well, I don’t know what will happen now.
     We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind.
     Like any man, I would like to live a long life.
     Longevity has its place.
     But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over.
     And I’ve seen the promised land.
     I may not get there with you.
     But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I’m happy, tonight.
     I’m not worried about anything.
     I’m not fearing any man.
     Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”

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
Vol. 17. No 17 My Week In Texas Chuckles for March 20, 2018 India Gets New Aviation Chief EMO Trans Rallies The Troops Delta Cargo In From The Cole	Vol. 17 No. 18 Lufthansa On Top Chuckles for March 26, 2018 Good Night And Good Luck History Alive At Lucerne Museum	Vol. 17 No. 19 Tracking The Big Bounce Back Chuckles for April 3 JFK Air Cargo Expo May 17 FIATA Reports IATA Dallas Single Africa Transport Market March Toward Oneness Holy Week 2018

Publisher-Geoffrey Arend • Managing Editor-Flossie Arend
Film Editor-Ralph Arend • Special Assignments-Sabiha Arend, Emily Arend • Advertising Sales-Judy Miller

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