(Exclusive)—Ah, the memories of old – a cargo warehouse, a ramp with B747-400F aircraft, on a cold Atlanta winter morning! This was the setting for the much anticipated maiden flight by Cargoitalia on February 3.
     The excitement rose as the 9AM hour approached and finally Warren Jones, Atlanta Airport’s aviation development manager announced the aircraft was about to land.
     It doesn’t matter how many airplanes we have been on, next to or around; there is still something magical about the big bird gliding toward the runway.
     Airport officialdom, the Mayor’s office staff, handling agents, freight forwarders, media and security personnel were all on hand to witness this event. Atlanta airport Aviation General Manager Louis E. Miller, Interim Deputy General Manager Robert Kennedy, Assistant General Manager, Commercial Development, Arnaldo Ruiz, interim director of Marketing and Business Development, Arlene Richards Barr, Metro Atlanta Chamber’s VP Supply Chain Development Bob Pertierra were all on hand to welcome Cargoitalia. Mayor Kasim Reed arrived on cue to greet Cargoitalia’s Commercial Director Roberto Gilardoni and the incoming MD11 freighter.

     Speeches were kept thankfully short this frigid morning, Louis Miller introduced the mayor who greeted Roberto and then the incoming crew presented presents to the city.
     The dignitaries then boarded the aircraft and the “real” operation began on the opposite side of the plane – the cargo door opened, the highloader edged its way into position and the first pallet rolled into the Atlanta morning.
     And then the welcome cake, the airport and the city prepared was officially cut and a new page has been opened in the annals of Atlanta and far away Italy via an air freight bridge.
     Flying Typers asked Cargoitalia Commercial Director Roberto Gilardoni for an overview of the cargo on this flight and some of the key shippers and forwarders:
FT:   Roberto, could you provide some information regarding the cargo on this flight - commodities, shippers and name some of the key freight forwarders involved who support both the inbound and outbound flight please.
RG:   Inbound into Atlanta:
               • ACB/Panmet Group, with a Ferrari 458 (for a race at weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway)
               • OTS, UPS, VECTOR, TAG, Cargosales, World cargo ex Italy
          Outbound from Atlanta:
          • UPS with car parts to Frankfurt
          • To Milan (with consolidations) DHL, Expeditors, DBA, Express Airfreight, Shipco, AAT, EmoTrans, Concordia
          • Geodis Wilson, Comix Group, CGO to Sharjah
     We wish Cargoitalia much success and look forward to running updates on the progress of their all-cargo business in general and the Atlanta operation in particular.
Ted Braun

Cargo Drives Growth In Atlanta

Left to right—Warren Jones, Hartsfield Jackson International Airport cargo marketing director and Metro Atlanta Chamber’s VP Supply Chain Development Bob Pertierra.

     Ask Warren Jones Hartsfield Jackson International Airport cargo marketing director what will be new and exciting at Atlanta, Georgia USA Cargo in 2011 and the answer is as close as the next story here.
     “We are excited that Cargotalia began service here yesterday (February 3) and also about the more than three million dollar USD improvements to the North and South cargo complex to meet demand.
     “HJIA’s new 747-8 ramp is ready and certified for its launch customer – Cargolux.
     “We also expect Cathay Pacific and British Airways to follow.
FT:   Recap 2010. Did the year perform up to expectation?
WJ:   2010 was an excellent year for Atlanta, especially following a 2009, which saw decreased cargo volumes. Atlanta was honored as cargo airport of the year, Singapore Airlines started flying into Atlanta and Asiana launched service to Seoul in September.
     Taken together, all these signs point to a vibrant market, which succeeds in attracting new members and services and provides value. 40% of the air freight market is trucked through Atlanta. Through November 2010, cargo volumes have been 18% over 2009, bringing the current numbers to 2006-2007 level.
FT:   Detail key appointments and any other new people you would like to introduce.
WJ:   Atlanta enjoys good staff and benefits from a resilient market. Louis Miller assumed the position of general manager for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in September 2010. He is the former executive director and CEO of Tampa International Airport and a great supporter of air cargo and engaged with the carriers.
     Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed is another strong supporter who demonstrated his commitment and the fact that Atlanta is serious about cargo by attending ACF in Amsterdam and delivering the keynote address at the ACF 2012 host committee dinner.

Not to be missed at ATL … the design of One Flew South at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, is both cool and hip, with a forest-glade theme that can make even an airport feel good as all outdoors.

FT:   What is the biggest challenge to your business looking ahead?
WJ:   Atlanta faces increased competition from other airports and the professionals engaged in promoting them – DFW with Bill Frainey, JFK with Michael Bednarz and MIA are just a few examples.
     We predict cargo growth but it means working against one’s good friends.
FT:   Name some trade shows that ATL Cargo will attend.
WJ:   We will exhibit again at Air Cargo Europe at Munich in May which, with 40,000 attendees representing forwarders, air carriers and others, is a must.
     We will also be at Air Cargo Americas. Work will progress on hosting the ACF for TIACA in Atlanta in October 2012, back to where it all began.
FT:   Which segment of cargo at ATL is performing best and which holds the most promise?
WJ:   Two segments stand out – automotive and perishables. Atlanta is centrally located with seven car plants in the region including BMW, Mercedes, VW, KIA, Hyundai and Yamaha. BMW and Mercedes have been long time strong supporters.
     Now Asiana brings in car parts.
Geoffrey

LH JetBlue—Ties That Bind

     “They offer travelers a modern and high-quality product, are growing rapidly, avoid complexity by having only two aircraft variants in their fleet and strengthen their air freight biz step by step,” praises Christian Haug, (left) Lufthansa Cargo’s Director Sales and Handling USA Northeast and Mid-Atlantic of his partner JetBlue.
     Lufthansa holds a 15.7 percent stake in JetBlue since 2008.
     Christian Haug is excited when speaking about the collaboration between his airline, Lufthansa and the air freight department of the U.S. carrier.
     Carrying cargo is a fairly new exercise for JetBlue that began roughly three years ago after consultations with Lufthansa Consulting. Ever since then the U.S. airline has opened up one route after another for air cargo.
      “Currently, we offer cargo lift on 30 flight routes, within our total network of 65 routes, with Jacksonville coming on board as 31 on February 2,” says Carl Shipsky (right).
     That Shipsky advocates “ship sky” in no misnomer.
     He, together with seven other dedicated JetBlue managers, is part of a steering team that is at work developing the air cargo biz at the carrier.
     Although Carl does not reveal any figures, he says that the air cargo business is growing every day.
     According to Shipsky, the existing ties with LH Cargo will be deepened. “We are both looking for additional synergies.”
     The partnership between JetBlue and Lufthansa Cargo was put into play two years ago.
     Since then LH Cargo has handled JetBlue’s shipments at both Los Angeles and Washington stations.      Furthermore, the cargo crane acts as a general sales agent for JetBlue in the greater Washington region.
     “This is the foundation for a future expansion of our mutual cooperation,” states Christian.
     This could happen after JetBlue’s successful implementation of a new IT system that is said to be fully compatible with Lufthansa Cargo’s data system.
     “After our IT execution, we might sign an interline agreement with Lufthansa Cargo,” says Shipsky.
     It would facilitate the transfer and exchange of shipments between both carriers.
     JetBlue would gain access to LH Cargo’s worldwide network, and Lufthansa could benefit from the many domestic U.S. flights of its New York-based North American ally.
     “We would like to build up our ties step-by-step in the near future, by increasing both handling and sales activities,” states Christian Haug.
     Lufthansa will be naming a manager soon to handle the coordination of activities between LH Cargo and JetBlue’s air freight group.
Heiner Siegmund/Sabiha

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