Mixed Reviews For Air Cargo Americas

     Air Cargo Americas met in Miami this week.
     While the show did not lay an egg as some feared it might, coming on the heels and in between so many other industry trade shows being held before and after the ACA opus, this year’s edition on one level was like Miami International Airport itself in 2006; a slightly frayed resemblance of the excitement generated here just a few short years ago.
    This was an Air Cargo Americas devoid of most of the airlines of the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East as well.
    Even Emirates, the most exciting carrier in the world that had flown in its dramatic “tube” replica of an all-cargo aircraft as a giant multi-display stand amidst great hopes and dreams for the last ACA two years ago, decided to pass on this year’s event.
    Maybe the lack of foot traffic and absence of airlines had something to do with the rescheduling.
    No doubt people were limited by business demands while some were just plain dissatisfied with how the ACA cancellation was handled last October.
    Perhaps others were just overwhelmed with the number of shows vying for attention in 2006 including a big gathering of forwarders and truckers just a couple miles away in Bal Harbor near Miami March 12-14.
    To be sure the hard-core trade show warriors were in attendance at ACA 2006.
    These hearty types have already been in Dubai, Shanghai, Miami and God only knows where else in 2006 although as you read this, less than 90 days has passed in the year.
    The air cargo trade show warriors meet up after the show in hotel bars and lounges and troop off to area watering holes in fleets of rental cars, cabs and stretch limousines.
    What these old and newfound friends find to talk about show after show is probably either a short story or an item to be included here at another time.
    ACA got off to a busy shot-gun start Wednesday with crowds waiting to register for sessions queuing up at the entrance to the exhibition hall. But by the afternoon of that first day and the rest of the show the lobby for new registrants was vacant of more than a smattering of new arrivals.
    Actually this ACA as mentioned was a make good of an earlier attempt to hold the bi-annual event that had been canceled amidst some confusion and miscommunication by the show organizer World Trade Center of Miami last October.
    As Hurricane Wilma slammed into Miami, October 24 cutting power at that time, closing the airport and in part causing some looting in the city, the impression was advanced of “business as usual” with even some setting up of booths using emergency power in the host hotel before the shut down of most of Miami finally forced cancellation of the show.
    From the look of the exhibition space the earlier confusion plus schedule conflicts caused some exhibitors to demand refunds or just end up as “no shows” at this week’s event.
Many people FT talked to express some dismay at the rather light turnout for ACA 2006, while others were just glad to have the opportunity to meet colleagues and network with local Miami businesses involved in growing the Southern Florida air cargo enterprise.
    “ACA is always a good way to gather and do business with your opposite number at another airline or a service partner,” said long time cargo executive Joe Smith, left (jsmith@ffta.com) of Florida Customs Brokers Association.
    Mr. Smith also noted that FCBA is embarking upon an accelerated program of training sessions open to the industry in various aspects of the air cargo art.
    “Yesterday was exceptionally busy,” said Orlando Yanez Santana, right (oyanez@navicargo.com) President of ALACAT.
    Mr. Yanez who is looking forward to the big ALACAT convention that is being held next month in Merida, Mexico (April 30-May 03) smiled and concluded:
    “Let’s hope we do as well today.
    “Training is the big challenge to the future success of air cargo,” Mr. Yanez added.
    “When ALACAT meets next month in Mexico we will announce even more programs that will afford our membership the opportunities to raise professionalism in air cargo to an even higher level.”
    ALACAT, the organization of Latin American air and sea freight agents served as co-sponsors of ACA 2006, presenting an interesting and varied program spotlighting five of its 12-member nation’s air cargo activities.
    “This is the ideal opportunity to meet people and business to an entirely new region of the world for us,” said Sang K. Lee, senior vice president, cargo marketing and sales, (brucelee@flyasiana.com) Asiana Cargo pictured here with Michael Mangione, general manager, New York (mmangione@flyasiana.com).
    But Mr. Lee expressed concern that the continued paramount issue of building a successful air cargo business is finding some way to control spiraling fuel costs.
    Dave Brooks, President of American Airlines sees security as the biggest roadblock to his business.
    Mr. Brooks told The Miami Herald:
    “I’m less concerned about my airline’s ability to handle high fuel prices, than I am with air cargo security.
    “A lot of perishable fish products are going to be sent by boat.
    “It’s a big concern that will have tremendous impact on our industry.”
    But Mr. Lee echoing the general industry sentiment that too much over the top security is not a good thing still thinks fuel costs must come under some kind of control:
    “The driving necessity away from gradual market development to the need for immediate profit on a given lane sector is driven by runaway fuel costs.
    “How air cargo deals with this most compelling challenge will very much foretell our future.” 

Signature feature of ACA is fresh flowers of incredible variety and numbers in booths all over the place.    When you think about it the airport cargo center is in reality one giant reefer, so flowers and fish rule here.    The outstanding booth (and new logo) at Miami was Arrow Air. Arrow Air display was open and cool; an oasis of company colors in lime and dark blue.    But still the best part of any air cargo industry trade showing these days (and in years past) is the networking. (Clockwise)—Vince Chabrol, cargo manager, USA (V20100@aol.com) Malev Air Cargo, Dave Sharma, cargo manager, North America (dsharma@brusselsairlines.com), SN Brussels Airlines, John Ryan, Cargo Manager USA, bmi cargo (john.ryan@flybmi.com ) and Russ Rumenik (Russell.rumenik@emirates.com), Emirates SkyCargo; Guido Digiandomenico, vice president airline sales (guido@worldwideflight.com) and John Gemell, senior vice president cargo North America (jgemmell@worldwideflight.com) of Worldwide Flight Services; Michael Christiansen, director of customer solutions, (mchristiansen@amerijet.com), Amerijet International and Pamela Rollins, vice president of business development (prollins@amerijet.com), Amerijet International; Isaac Nijankin, general manager cargo North America, EL Al Israel Airlines (inijankin@elalusa.com) and Ed Chism, cargo manager, North America, Emirates SkyCargo (eciair@aol.com).

    Present among the many airports and the “usual suspects” at ACA were some upcoming gateways with a vision for an even greater air cargo role in the years ahead.
    A bright spot for Buffalo, New York—Niagara Falls International Airport operator (NFTA) is a deal for a long-term pact with Niagara Cargo Port LLC to handle air cargo and freight operations at the airport.
Niagara Cargo Port is a consortium between Toronto-based Vista Cargo International, Speed Transportation Inc. of Buffalo, and Atlas International Freight Forwarding Inc.

Pictured at the show is Wilma Clarke (wclarke@vistavci.com) of newly formed Niagara Cargo Port with William Vanecek. (william_vanecek@nfta.com).

NFIA gets a big boost in its effort to secure international and national air cargo service at the underutilized gateway.
    "This is a landmark for getting air cargo really going at Niagara Falls," said William Vanecek, NFTA Director of Aviation.
    “We are energized and excited at the opportunity and challenge to create a viable air cargo operation that can both deliver superior service and considerable cost savings for shippers in both the New York State region and nearby Canadian airports,” said Wilma Clarke.
    “The multi-modal capability we will offer operators leverages the expertise of Vista International’s experience at operating a 400,000 square foot operation at Toronto Pearson International (90 miles from NFTA) with air freight forwarding and trucking capabilities.”
    Niagara Cargo Port will build the first of two 35,000 square-foot cargo handling facilities at NFTA to upgrade services at the airport within the next two years.
    NFTA will be responsible for airport apron and ramp repairs and other work at the airport.
    Cornerstone to the arrangement is promise from Niagara Cargo Port that at least one B747F a week will serve NFTA.
    It’s worth noting that Buffalo International Airport just nearby also serves air cargo shippers, but the two facilities deliver different choices.
    "Bigger aircraft from India or China can't land at Buffalo, but due to the excellent mixed use runways at NFTA, plus plenty of room to grow, NFIA is ideal for air cargo," Mr. Vanecek concluded.