Asked to submit
a report card on 2016, Volga-Dnepr Group’s
Marketing & Sales Senior Vice President
Robert van de Weg puts it on the line:
“2016
was a challenging year. We lived through a
long period over the summer where supply outstripped
demand, but I am pleased to say the peak season
was very strong for us, so the year ended
on a high note.
“In many
respects, given the volatile nature of world
trade, it is actually rewarding to see that
we can manage our way successfully through
stormy times by working closely with our customers
and suppliers.
“Fair
weather sailing is easy, but 2016 has definitely
not been like that,” Robert declared.
2016
In Review
“Now with
the year in the rearview, we want to thank
all of our customers around the world that
have once again stood by AirBridgeCargo and
Volga-Dnepr Group! We continue to grow and
modernize our Boeing 747 fleet and increased
our network in places where our customers
asked us to support them.
“I hope
we have demonstrated our commitment to being
a high quality, long-term partner to our customers
and this will remain our focus in 2017.
“Thanks
to their great support, 2016 is AirBridgeCargo’s
13th consecutive year of tonnage growth.”
Onward
Into 2017
“Key for
us,” Robert insists, “is to keep
the momentum we have.
“We are
a developing company and our customers can
see and are attracted by that.
“ABC needs
to keep the ‘momentum’ rolling
along.
“Success
breeds success as long as it does not lead
to a company becoming complacent or arrogant,
and that’s the last thing we want to
become.
“We know
we have to earn the support of our customers
by providing capacity when and where they
need it, by being competitive, and delivering
the best level of service.
“Service
recovery is also important. If there is ever
an issue, our customers want to be confident
we will fix it quickly so it doesn’t
impact them. I hope we are building a reputation
as an airline that is constantly willing to
learn and improve, and that is always listening
to its customers.
“During
2016, we demonstrated our ability to put capacity
into markets where our customers need more
lift and we will do that again in 2017.
“It all
comes down to not only understanding what
customers want, but also having the ability
to do something about it.”
Products
& Operations
“We have
worked very hard to earn the confidence and
trust of our customers so they believe in
our operating capabilities and know we will
deliver the level of service they require.
“I hope
we are now seen as a professional outfit:
operating on-time with a young fleet and growing
network, supported by a knowledgeable and
capable group of people with a good track
record of running airlines.
“When
you have earned that reputation, customers
are much more willing to support your products
and services.
“It is
essential for us now to continue developing
specific products for important segments of
the air cargo market, such as pharmaceuticals
and off-sized cargoes.
“Furthermore,
we aim to get even closer to customers in
specific segments where we have already earned
a lot of customer loyalty, such as aerospace
and oil and gas.”
Salutes
Forwarders
“Freight
forwarders used to be called ‘agents,’
but that’s almost derogatory nowadays
because it doesn’t truly reflect the
critical role they play.
“Freight
forwarders have earned their place in the
supply chain and are the vital link between
shippers and asset-based providers such as
airlines and shipping lines.
“ABC is
doing all we can to work as closely as possible
with our forwarder partners while, if required,
keeping an open eye on the service requirements
of the ultimate shippers that are in need
of specific services.
“Over
the last 12 years, we have demonstrated we
are a quality carrier. We are easy to access
and flexible in meeting customer requirements.
“Plus,
we are a growing carrier both in terms of
capacity and in terms of our service portfolio,
which is absolutely based on the needs of
our customers.
“Through
our unique ‘Cargo Supermarket’
concept we can and do offer our customers
a range of services utilizing our various
aircraft types (B747, AN-124, IL-76, B737)
as well as engineering and prviding logistics
solutions for their most complex shipments.
“That
makes us unique and means we can also offer
the most efficient solution for their cargo
delivery needs.
“We aim
to capitalize on this more and more—it’s
a key objective of our commercial strategy
to have customers benefit from this.
“I think
our customers understand this because their
support has been phenomenal. In 2004, for
example, AirBridgeCargo carried 17,000 tons
in its first year of operations.
“By the
end of 2016, we had flown well over 500,000
tons across our global network in Europe,
North America, and Asia, so our customers
must feel we are a valued partner.”
Succeed
The Need
Taking an inward
look, Robert declared:
“We need
to develop more services for specific segments
of the market, plus we need to continue to
widen our network coverage.
In Asia we are
strong, but, for example, on transatlantic
routes we can do better.
“Plus,
we always need to be looking for ways to get
even closer to our customers and understand
them even more so we can work together to
identify where it is we can help them in terms
of services and pricing.”
How
Can Air Cargo Be Improved?
“Legally
approved initiatives within TIACA and IATA
are appreciated e.g. implementation of harmonized
customs rules and digital procedures is important.
“Plus,
we really like CargoIQ as a quality measuring
platform.
“However,
confronting air cargo, in my opinion what
is most important is for competition to drive
innovation, and individual companies must
rely on their own capabilities to progress,”
Robert van de Weg concluded.
Geoffrey
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