Cargolux To Atlanta

   When it comes to taking advantage of a good thing, venturesome Cargolux that flies from a spot not much bigger than a dot has never been slow on the uptake.
   So you might wonder what took the Luxembourg carrier so long to finally connect Atlanta, Georgia with its world routes?
   On March 29th at 1:23 a.m. all of that changed as Cargolux began operations into Atlanta with a 747-400 freighter. Ranked 11th cargo carrier worldwide, and biggest all-cargo carrier in Europe, flights are routed via ATL twice weekly from Luxembourg via JFK.
   Estimates are that the initial operation will have about a $10 million dollar economic impact on Atlanta and the Southeast region.
   In 2006, Hartsfield-Jackson set an international cargo record with 391,909 metric tons being moved through Atlanta.
   That number smashed the previous record of 349,820 metric tons set in 2004.
   “It takes time to build relationships,” said “Big” H. Warren Jones, Hartsfield-Jackson’s Aviation Development Manager.
   “The market is ripe, and cargo airlines are seeing the future in Atlanta and what our great airport has to offer. Hartsfield-Jackson has the lowest operating cost in North America among major airports.
   “You combine that with a prime market, and cargo airlines moving through here have the recipe for success.”
   Biscuits and gravy and Southern hospitality in Atlanta aren’t too shabby either.
   Atlanta Air Cargo Association (AACA) that meets at the Marriott near ATL’s main runways every month is as you know our pick as the best airport cargo club in the world.
   Whether raising money for several logistics college level scholarships that AACA maintains, or distributing annual support to local charities, to keeping ahead with leading-edge guest speakers, to just plain having some fun with people who seem to genuinely like each other, AACA is our choice for Best Air Cargo Club 2006, operated and delivered to folks the way it ought to be.
   Atlanta Air Cargo Association 2007 Officers and Board Members include President Harold Hagans, Atlanta Customs Brokers (pictured here); Vice President Jerry Freeman, Virgin Atlantic Cargo. Secretary for 2007 is Donna Mullins, Alpha Sun International and Treasurer is Cynthia Johnston, Shipco Transport.
   Next month (May 15) AACA Spring Golf & Dinner Outing is probably the best time you are likely to have at an airport event all year long.
   More: www.atlantaaircargo.com