Dear Geoffrey,

     I noticed that the “Seaboard Way” sign guarding the main entrance of JFK International Airport is pitched over and lying half way down, making it unreadable for travelers.
     On behalf of the memory of Seaboard and its people, I ask if you could please help bring attention to this situation to the airport operator The Port Authority, to get this landmark fixed rapidly.
     Seaboard World Airways Cargo, now part of FedEx, was a major all-cargo carrier that was headquartered at JFK, dating back to the days when the airport was named Idlewild.
     The memory of the contribution that the carrier made to building—both the air cargo business and the airport—has to be honored and maintained decently.
     Thanks for your assistance.

Vincent Chabrol
V20100@ aol.com

Dear Vince,

      Thanks for writing.
     You are indeed the “Sentinel of Seaboard,” and anyone who thinks that after all these years there is no one at the airport that gives a damn, now knows better.
     That sign looks ill-placed, and we think it was probably bashed by a snowplow this winter.
     We cannot help but notice in the backdrop of your picture the now faded International Hotel, where once Jimmy Doolittle was honored and Ron Burrage held sway at the podium, and Ike Dornfeld, Dick Rowe, and Bob Aaronson gave speeches.
     Today the International Hotel sits closed and vacant at the very entranceway of the airport that features the almost tipped over SWA sign.
     The image brings to mind that empty town and its flickering movie house, and the hopes and dreams in the film The Last Picture Show.
     Recently David Z. Plavin, (right) who once served as Aviation Director for the airport operator Port Authority of New York & New Jersey and is now a well-respected aviation authority (dvz consult), suggested in a piece for Eno Center for Transportation, that it might finally be time for the agency to get out of the airport business.
     “There once was a time when the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ) had an international reputation as ‘the gold standard’ of public enterprises for its independent professional staff, its facility management capabilities, and for the farsightedness of its investments in promoting the New York/New Jersey region,” Plavin wrote.
     “Unfortunately, this is no longer true.
     “Instead, today’s Port Authority (PA) has become the punchline of a bad joke.”
Geoffrey

     Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Turkish Cargo, Halit Anlatan assures no let up in early 2014, declaring that Turkish Cargo continues to fulfill its “manifest destiny, building and bringing an advanced, totally integrated logistics resource to the true geographical center of the global transportation enterprise.”
     “We are enhancing and accelerating development of our Istanbul hub, which is situated at the crossroads of Europe, Middle East, Africa, and former CIS countries.
     “There is much potential for air cargo and many niche markets within these areas for us,” Halit Anlatan declares.
     “Turkish Cargo strongly believes that our vision of adding destinations and new aircraft will continue to bring awareness to the importance of future cargo business, driving service and profits industry wide, utilizing Istanbul as hub of the world.”
     “Turkey is not to be overlooked—it is a country of 70 million and itself represents great potential for the entire menu of air cargo services, and we are expanding and developing our capabilities to meet that need.
     “Turkey represents a balanced import/export business as the economy is quite strong here.”
     Another area of importance right now at Turkish Cargo, Mr. Anlatan pointed out, is security and the development of e-freight.
     “Turkish Cargo has dedicated considerable resource to security, offering multi-layered security up and down the system.
     “We are also investing in implementing and continually upgrading our IT offering with e-freight and other paperless efforts, all destined to offer transparency to our customers and ease of use every step of the way.
New Year New Challenges S/H
     “For 2014 we offer an enhanced flight profile in booked transportation rate (as cargo flight and the booked dates to be the same):

          • A diminution in the rate of lost and damaged cargo during movement
          • Specifically designed check-in and process follow list for special and key account customers.

     “Recalling last year-during the Jan-Dec 2013 period, Turkish Cargo carried 565,220,069 kg cargo and mail shipment.
     “Just as in 2012 and in 2013, we showed a enviable growth rate of 21 percent, which continues, by comparison higher than the sector average.”

     “One thing is for certain,” Halit Anlatan assures, “Turkish Cargo will maintain a steady focus on belly cargo, not concentrating just on cargo flights.
     “We will also apply more attention and resources to developing and maintaining even higher standards for our pharma and high yield cargo and exporting these products.
“     In terms of expansion, Turkish Cargo will launch additional Far East destinations and increase the number of high volume expected lines, especially in this region.”

     “The spirit at Turkish Cargo is closely linked to what has always been the great nation of Turkey.
     “We possess a fascinating location in the world and we are eager to develop a significant share of both large and niche markets as we gain even more trade in the future.
     “One can pick up on a feeling of excitement and expectation throughout the entire country of Turkey that radiates throughout the business sector, from Istanbul to every corner of the nation.
     “Looking ahead we believe that the automotive industry will remain steady in 2014, while textile-fashion and electronic products will be the major stimulator of world economy in 2014.
     “We will concentrate on developing more close relations with our neighbors including Iraq, Greece, and Russia, and we believe that our air cargo traffic in 2014 will reflect that effort.
     “We also think the best is yet to come,” Halit assured.
Geoffrey/Flossie

     Albert Saphir (ABS Consulting) (left) and Joe Espinosa (Florida Shipowners Group) have a better idea.
     While industry talk swirls around big bureaucratic organizations raising flags that education is key to attracting an enhanced grade of executives into transportation, some fine old hands at professional logistics (with track records of success and true ability to teach) are doing something as part of a private initiative to put business-driven logistics solutions within reach.
     The duos have put together the first ever two-day Maritime Logistics Training Course from February 26-27, 2014, in Sunrise (FLL), Florida.
     “Our sessions will be an intensive two-day deep-dive into international transportation and logistics, with a heavier focus on maritime/ocean transportation,” Mr. Saphir told FlyingTypers.
     “Our objective is to provide a complete overview and solid facts for entry-level individuals or others moving into a new area of responsibility, and sales people needing to learn more about the industry as a whole and key aspects of regulations.
     “Our Maritime Logistics Training Course is also a good refresher for those not involved in all areas of international transportation on a daily basis.
     “Registration cost is $750 including extensive handout materials (a +$100 value) and includes breakfast and lunch both days,” Mr. Saphir said adding:
     “A discounted rate for 5+ registrations (single course and/or future courses) of $700 is available offline with payment by check.
     “We have a discount registration code for the Doubletree Hotel for those coming from out of town.
     “There are also many other nice hotels within 5-15 minutes driving distance from our event location,” he concluded.
     For more information please contact Albert Saphir at albert@abs-consulting.net or (954) 218-5285, or Joe Espinosa at joe@1972corp.com or (954) 702-4951.
     NCBFAA/NEI has approved this for 12.5 continued education credits for CCS/CES!
     To register click here.

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Michael Webber
Webber Air Cargo
Airport Consulting

Record Lift
     American Airlines Cargo set a new system-wide record for the total amount of cargo, carrying 103,384 pounds (46,894 kilos) aboard an outbound B777-300ER, from LAX to LHR on January 21.
     “There is a healthy level of competition among our hubs right now to see who can generate the most freight on our new aircraft," said Andy Baum, Managing Director of Cargo Operations in Los Angeles.
     "Our B777-300ER allows us to carry more cargo than ever before, and as we introduce it into various new markets, the race is on.
     “I'm incredibly proud of the collaboration that goes on between our teams and the pride they take in making sure our cargo customers' needs are met."
     American operates the 777-300ER LHR/DFW and JFK/LAX/MIA. It also flies GRU/JFK/DFW.
On June 11, AA’s B777-300ER opens DFW/HKG.

     Activists from 'People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' (PETA) protest at the Hong Kong branch office of China Southern Airlines as part of an international campaign calling on airlines to ban the transportation of live primates to laboratories

RE: Agents Draw Line In Sand

Geoffrey,

     You might want to get TG to do a bit research … CASS is actually up and running in India… it is optional for forwarders to participate. The mindset has got to generally change.

(Name Witheld)

     Thanks for writing:
     Properly stated, CASS has not been widely accepted by India.
     But the fact is that members of The Air Cargo Agents Association Of India (ACAAI), the only National Association representing the Air Cargo Industry in India, have not accepted CASS and after a note was circulated by ACAAI, most forwarders here that might have considered joining CASS decided to hold back.
     I spoke to Bharat Thakkar, former President of ACAAI.
     He said that none of the ACAAI members were part of CASS.
     However, some multinational companies that are members of ACAAI have been involved in the CASS pilot project, but were unhappy with it.
     I also spoke to S. L. Sharma, the President of ACAAI.
     When asked how many ACAAI members had joined CASS, he said he did not know and he was not aware of any.
     While serving as ACAAI Vice President in September 2013, S. L. Sharma was quoted as saying that "since 2006, when IATA first introduced CASS in India, ACAAI has maintained its view and many times asserted through various documents that the forwarders here have serious objections to the introduction of CASS in India since it is a unilateral decision of IATA, which was mooted and undertaken by it without any appropriate consultation with ACAAI.
     “The association is of the concerted view that the terms and conditions of IATA are inequitable and unfair to the forwarders,” S. L. Sharma said.
     “In ACAAI's view, CASS does not provide any benefit or advantage to the operations of agents,” he concluded.
     ACAAI also pointed out that while CASS claims to improve their cash flows “as the CASS rate of success in collecting funds is virtually 100 percent in other jurisdictions, it is imperative to mention that in India, the success rate in agent payments to airlines has remained at virtually 100 percent over the last 40 years without CASS.”
     “Much of this is accorded to the responsible behavior of the cargo agents, who have invested their own funds to pay the airlines on time and in full, regardless of the delays and defaults in payments from the shippers, who in fact are the airlines' customers," ACAAI said
     IATA, however, has a different view. According to Amitabh Khosla, Country Director-India, “CASS was introduced under Resolution 851 and every change to the Resolution was discussed within the IATA/FIATA Consultative Council, of which ACAAI is a long-standing member.”

Tirthankar Ghosh

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