They say the best things in life are free.
     Aside from all the golf courses, meeting rooms and posted events at CNS this past week, the busiest, most productive space at the big resort hotel was the lobby bar.
     This picture taken at about noon one day includes cargo people, either in heavy discussion or on their way to another big pow-wow, period.
     Many people may have called CNS Partnership a lot of things over the years, but the gathering has never been slow or late at providing a first class venue for networking.
     Credit CNS President Tony Calabrese for making sure there was plenty of time (and space) for these executives to feel they had discovered the perfect spot to cut a deal all by themselves.
     “When I started at CNS, the airlines and the forwarders, even the airlines and airlines barely spoke to each other.
     “Our best work has been bringing the industry together.
     “There is nothing like CNS Partnership anywhere in the world,” Tony Calabrese said.
     Although he had shepherded this conference so many times, CNS 2006 would see a new wrinkle as the daily conference sessions took place.
     “We set up 50 plus tables of ten places each in the meeting hall and assigned luck of the draw seating to everyone.
     “The idea is to keep people from congregating with co-workers or best friends.
     “Here at CNS we want to stimulate the conversation, the floor discussion, even debate.”
     No doubt word that 2006 had some of the better discussion panels was moved along by Tony Calabrese’s initiative.
     “Next year will build on what we learned here,” Tony said.
(Geoffrey)

Best Press At CNS

     Oliver Evans, President of Swiss WorldCargo would have probably preferred to be anywhere else other than in the 90-degree heat as the sun beat down upon a gathering of press for the Annual Swiss WorldCargo Update at CNS Las Vegas.
     But if there is one truth, it is Swiss tradition.
     And every CNS Partnership since the beginning has included a Swiss Cargo press conference.
     And forget about what people tell you about hot in the desert being “dry hot.”
     Hot is hot, period.
     Evans loosened his tie, rolled up the sleeves and prepared to meet the press armed only with an infectious smile, a bottle of water, and a sense of place that many people in air cargo could not even imagine exists.
     All through an hour of Q&A about Swiss WorldCargo and Lufthansa, Oliver smiled and replied to everything and everyone; finishing each sentence, acknowledging every nuance.
     By the time the sun finally disappeared behind the crest of the building and a light breeze moved the air around, the deal was done.
     Swiss WorldCargo had delivered the best of about a dozen or more press conferences that took place at CNS Partnership 2006.
     It wasn’t so much what he said.
     It’s what Oliver Evans didn’t say that made this encounter a winner.
     Mr. Evans didn’t say that everything is hunky dory. The world of air cargo anywhere surely is not all that great in 2006.
     He didn’t say that every encounter with Lufthansa is a joy either.
     He patiently explained all the new connections and deals and adventures that are “allowing Swiss World to provide services that were unimaginable,” during the dark days of financial upheaval at the airline during the past years.”
     “Our agreement with Lufthansa Charter is working well by extending our options and allowing us to think in broader terms.”
     Oliver continued with a wink at Chris Fink (managing director Lufthansa Charter, sitting at the table) “although we still have to receive the check for our first charter deal.”
     Oliver did not say he was happy that a star member of his team, Reto Hunziker had jumped ship to take a major role at Jade Cargo (described here).
     Evans said he was thrilled.
     “You must be willing to help people better themselves,” Oliver Evans said.
     But the best thing Oliver Evans didn’t say at the Swiss WorldCargo Press Conference at CNS were a lot of introductory words to heat up the people sitting around the table.
     “I really don’t have much to say that you don’t already know,” was his opening sentence.
     Brilliant!
     In the desert heat with slot machines and poker tables, those simple words after the day to day unimaginable hell of living and managing his cargo business as Swissair spun close to annihilation revealed all you need to know about a great leader and born survivor.
     This guy Evans knows where he is and seems glad to be there.
     The reporters asked and asked as the temperature went up and up.
     But the code for cool had been struck.
(GDA)


Kevin Builds Asiana

     Steady Kevin Cummiskey has been an Asiana Cargo innovator for almost as long as there has been an Asiana Cargo.
     In 2006, the general manager sales and marketing The Americas, looks back at a distinguished career at the Korean flag carrier founded in 1988, and ahead at plenty to look forward to as global business develops.
     “Asia/Pacific carriers while experiencing about 4.7% passenger growth, saw air cargo rise 7.6 percent in March and 6.1 percent during the first quarter, according to AAPA figures (the trade association of 17 international airlines based in the region).
     “Of course just like everybody else fuel and security has impacted our business, but Asiana’s catchement area and well-defined cargo program directed by S.K. Lee continues to attract attention and repeat business.
     “We are all quite excited about the cargo code-share deal that began last month between Asiana Airlines and All Nippon Airways for cargo routes operated by both carriers between Korea and Japan.
     “Everybody wins with this arrangement as we share cargo space and flight numbers on a total of 18 weekly freighters.
     Asiana's eight weekly frequencies operate from Seoul to Osaka, Tokyo, Nagoya and Sendai utilizing Boeing 747-400Fs with ANA's 10 weekly flights from Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya to Seoul using Boeing 767-300Fs.
     “What the arrangement means to Asiana shippers is greater flexibility as Asiana now serves the Seoul-Narita sector, and operates to a total of four destinations in Japan (Seoul/Narita, Seoul/Osaka, Seoul/Nagoya, Seoul/Sendai) with nine freighters a week in addition to four frequencies already flown.
     “Expect even more cooperation of this kind in the months and years ahead driven in part by maturing alliances, (Asiana and ANA are partners in Star Alliance) and also the need to broaden service arrangements in our effort to deliver the best possible delivery to our customers.”
Contact kc@flyasiana.com


South With Steven

      Steven Connolly departed Aeromexpress cargo, based at LAX after 31 years but reappears down the road on the Imperial Highway as “Señor AeroUnion,” Sr. Vice President- Aerotransporte de Carga at LAS this week.
      AeroUnion is an all-cargo airline based in Mexico City, Mexico operating A300B4 freighter services between Mexico and the USA.
      Pictured with Steven (right) is Fernando Rodriquez Galvez director general (the boss) of Aerocharter de México was founded in 1973 by Mr. Rodolfo Ramos.
      “We are 100% Mexican owned and operated with the purpose of providing strategic services to the airline industry in México.
      “AeroCharter provides a range of support prodcts on the ground in Mexico to AeroUnion and more than 20 international carriers that fly to and from different countries in the world.
      “AeroUnion flies our dedicated full freighters daily Mexico City-Guadalajara-Los Angeles offering prime time schedule via three A300B4s.
      “Load factors have been running about 92%.”
      Is there room for more freight we wonder?
      “That’s where I come in,” Steven Connolly smiles.
Contact: sconnolly@aerounion.com.mx

Glad To Be EL AL

      “I am so glad to be here,” said Isaac Nijankin, Cargo Sales Manager North America EL AL.
      Mr. Nijankin, who combines great business acumen with a sense of joy for life and friendships, created, built and directed the fortunes of Varig Cargo during a 38-year career at the airline.
      In fact after he departed JFK Hangar Seven, they closed the place up.
      But in a positive and low key way for longer than anybody was able to remember, Isaac was instrumental in his support for both of the great American-generated air cargo industry organizations as CNS and TIACA came into the mainstream of air cargo business during the 1970’s onward.
      “It was tough when it ended at Varig, real tough.
      “I love the business, cherish my friends and wanted to continue.”
      At EL AL Isaac says he is fielding a newly privatized carrier with an open attitude willing to move in different directions.
      “There are developing services and partnerships to places in Eastern Europe and elsewhere.
      “We have only just begun to write this story,” he tells the reporter.
      “Everyday is an adventure, Shalom!” Isaac Nijankin smiles.
inijankin@elalusa.com
 

Plans, Planes, Permission

     “I’ve got plans and we’ve got planes.
     “Now we just have to get permission.”
     Swiss-born Reto Rudolf Hunziker is Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing for Jade Cargo International has taken off on the journey of a lifetime, as the Shenzhen International Airport based JV all-cargo carrier begins service to Amsterdam next month.
     Reto who is well known for his years aboard the Swiss World Cargo team cannot wait for tomorrow.
     “The opportunity to bring our total cargo product to the world market is exciting.
     “But I know the people and also the market so the transition to an all-cargo carrier is a good one.”
     The Jade Cargo International Company Ltd. was founded in October 2004 as a joint venture between Shenzhen Airlines, Lufthansa Cargo AG and DEG-Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH.
     The Company's headquarter is located in Shenzhen (SZX), a fast-growing industrial hub in Pearl River Delta of Guangdong province in China.
     Jade Cargo International is about to blaze a trail above the mainland as the first cargo airline in China with foreign ownership, and six brand new Boeing 747-400ER (Extended Range) Freighters.
     The airplanes, with a list price value of $1.3 billion, are scheduled for delivery beginning in 2006 through January 2008.
     During its initial phase, Jade Cargo will operate from Shenzhen (SZX) to Amsterdam and elsewhere as indicated.
     In the next phase Jade will expand to meet further customer requirements in Europe as well as the United States.
     “We are thinking about Atlanta and some other USA gateways,” Reto said.
     www.jadecargo.com or reto.hunziker@jadecargo.com.


Jack Works Airline Set Up

     Once upon a time Jack Zembeck was “Mr. Air Cargo” at America West, establishing the cargo department at the airline.
     Today he is an executive wizened by decades in transportation who is leveraging what he knows, to individuals and companies at start up and otherwise, as part of the Las Vegas-based company JWP Group LLC.
     “It’s interesting but what we know and can do with our experience can actually put somebody with the bucks and a dream into the airline business.”
     “In 2004 JWP Group handled the ATOS certification for Primaris Airlines, a new entrant flag airline in record time, nine months from formal application to certificate award under CSET rules.
     “The combination of an outstanding relationship with government certification officials, and the highly experienced group of professionals at JWP Group were the key reasons for this success.
     “We established operations, procured aircraft, hired personnel, and negotiated key contracts for Primaris Airlines.”
     Earlier in 1998-2002, all members of the JWP Group were instrumental in the certification and operations of Las Vegas-based National Airlines, a Boeing 757 domestic carrier that included 17 aircraft.
In 2005, JWP Group led the certification of RL Aviation LLC, a U.S. Part 135 Gulfstream IV and Bell 430 operator in record time, five months from start to finish.
Contact jzembeck@jwpgroup.net