Vol. 10 No. 79                       THE GLOBAL AIR CARGO PUBLICATION OF RECORD SINCE 2001              Friday August 12, 2011

 

     Short speeches, tasty food, swinging music and lots of bilateral talks: Celebi’s recent inauguration party, attended by more than 200 invitees at Frankfurt’s Cargo City, was a memorable event. The cause for celebration was the official opening of the Turkish cargo handling agent’s first warehouse in Germany.
      Celebi has rented a 15,000-square meter warehouse plus additional 8, 800 sqm office space at Rhein-Main airport.
     “This facility suffices to manage an annual throughput of up to 240,000 tons without problems,” explains Samim Aydin, (left) Celebi’s President Ground Services, Europe. His enterprise invested 4.5 million euros to equip the building with the latest technology, in order to enable the utmost automation of processes.
      “The expenditure will pay off, because we can offer our customers a best practice quality.” Every single item leaving the facility has been x-rayed prior to being loaded on board of an aircraft, Celebi’s manager assures. In addition, a number of boxes and packages are hand controlled by the warehouse staff “whenever we believe this to be necessary for one reason or another,” Aydin outlines his firm’s uncompromising security philosophy.
     Currently, Celebi’s largest client is U.S. carrier United Airlines. “The data confirm a 98.8 average handling performance here at our Frankfurt facility for all U.S. bound shipments flown on transatlantic routes by our partner,” says the manager after consulting his files.
     They date back to last December, when Celebi started operations offering handling activities at Rhein-Main, but waited until now to present the results to its biz partners and the media. “Our aim is not to challenge the big boys here in Frankfurt, but to gain as much as ten percent of the air freight handling market at this spot,” says the agent’s President Global Cargo Cemil Erman, of his enterprises’ strategy.
      In addition to United, which offers as many as seven daily passenger flights to Frankfurt, his colleague Aydin names Continental Cargo and Balkan-based regional carrier Moldova as clients. “We are in advanced talks with a number of European and Asian airlines,” he adds. One of the big global cargo airlines seems to be absent from his list of potential clients. “We don’t want to be dependent on one major capacity provider because if he decided to change his handling agent or if he should scratch Frankfurt from its route map we would run into a huge problem.” Instead, the Istanbul-headquartered service provider targets a healthy mix of different airlines.
     According to the Celebi managers, Frankfurt is considered to be a door opener to the German and European market. Next to come, announces Cemil Erman, are stations in Cologne and Düsseldorf. Further, his enterprise is eyeing the UK and Russia to offer handling services at some of the cargo hubs there.
     Until recently the enterprise, founded in 1958 by Ali Cavit Celebioglu, concentrated its air freight activities at the Turkish airports. Meanwhile an international expansion is under way, documented by cargo handling subsidiaries in Mumbai (Bombay), Delhi, Budapest, and now Frankfurt. In addition to ground handling the privately owned enterprise offers a variety of different services, including activities in the fields of maritime, security, tourism, transport, and catering.
Heiner Siegmund/Flossie

 


Ram Menen
Divisional Senior Vice President Cargo
Emirates Airlines

     I was on a flight from LHR to LAX. The flight got turned around as we were entering Canadian air space and was diverted to Cardiff, Wales, U.K.
     Inflight, we had no clue what was happening. All we were told was that the aircraft was turning back; U.S. air space was closed as it was compromised. It was after we landed in Cardiff that I came to know about the horrific acts. My initial reaction was of disbelief and then the reality hit that an airplane was used as a weapon and the thought that crossed my mind, apart from sadness, was that this will change the way the aviation industry operates!
     This has not only changed the air cargo business but also has affected commercial aviation/transportation as a whole. Flying will never be the same again!
     Safety and security, for Emirates SkyCargo, has always been high priority within our operations. On top of our own stringent security processes, we have worked with the industry and have made sure that we are in compliance with all (the constantly changing!) requirements that the various regulatory authorities have imposed on our industry.
     Every element involved in the supply chain industry has to take responsibility and accountability for securing the cargo while in their custody. The Secure Freight program, which is facilitated by IATA, is a good way forward. Prior information/intel will also play a key role in securing the transportation chain—to this extent e-Freight will help achieve this objective.

 


     When you think about it, although some might like to argue the point, climate care and environmental issues rank a distant third to Y2K and e-freight in terms of industry attention in the air cargo business.
     Certainly, after the past couple of years when survival was the big headline item, many of the ‘should, could, would’ items of doing environmentally sound business in the 21st century have been left between the recycle containers and drafted future plans.
     So guess what?
     Somebody has finally got the enviro-ball rolling as Lufthansa Cargo moved climate care from back burner to front burner.
     “A first step and prerequisite for each cargo airline, ground handling agent, or forwarder for future reductions of greenhouse gas emissions is a thorough analysis of their different origins and sources today,” states Bettina Jansen, Head of Environmental Management at Lufthansa Cargo.
     “Only with these data on hand can any enterprise precisely identify saving potentials and invest purposefully in new techniques, advanced training of their staff, ground infrastructure and equipment for enhancing processes,” states Jansen.
     There are basic tasks, though, that many carriers have so far neglected or knowingly circumvented.
     A highly amazing fact, for the European Union demands 20 percent emissions reductions, below 1990 levels, from all industries by 2020.
     Germany, France, and the UK have even called on Brussels to up the target to 30 percent and urge the member states to implement cost-effective clean energy and forward-driving environmental strategies.
     “Aviation is publicly seen as a major CO2 contributor, so the industry better hurry up to achieve the goals set by the administrator and hence turn its rather negative image to positive.
     “We have set ourselves ambitious goals and do our utmost to reduce the impact of operations on the environment.
     “By 2020, we at Lufthansa Cargo want to reduce the emissions by 25 percent,” says Harald Zielinski, Lufthansa Cargo’s Head of Security and Environment.
     A major concern will be the emissions trading scheme that the EU announced for implementation next year.
     “It is not regulated what the money will be used for – there are only recommendations by the EU,” says Bettina.
     “As Lufthansa Cargo, we demand that the charges claimed will be appropriated for enhancing environmental projects in the aviation industry and not misused to flow into any other financial pots,” Mrs. Jansen emphasizes.
     She also strongly opposes Brussels’ single-handed approach for implementing the trading scheme only for the European sphere.
     “This will distort international competition and discriminate against cargo carriers like Lufthansa and others flying in, out and within the EU due to higher environmental expenditures,” Bettina Jansen states.
     In this respect, Harald Zielinski is in full accord with IATA’s demand to incorporate aviation into emissions trading schemes, but it should be on a global basis in order to guarantee the industry a level competitive playing field.
     “Lufthansa is doing intensive research regarding the use of biofuel in our routine operations.
     “The necessary certifications are currently ongoing,” Bettina Jansen said. The further pursuit of the biofuel strategy for substituting fossil energy will, however, only make sense if no extensive lands are required for the biomass production, deforestation is prevented and wild habitats and agricultural lands staying untouched.
     “A growing number of our shippers define very clear environmental criteria in their tenders,” applauds Bettina.
     This encourages not only her and her team but also the airline for which she’s doing her job.
     “In all matters concerning ecology, Lufthansa Cargo is on the way to becoming a trailblazer,” states Bettina Jansen proudly.
Heiner Siegmund

 

 

Nijankin Returns
Miami Air Cargo

     New at Panalpina Miami, Jacques Nijankin as Operations Manager Corporate Key Accounts is now responsible for the air export and import to and from the U.S. with LATAM, EMEA, and ASPAC for one of Panalpina's largest global accounts.
     “It is a very pivotal position to say the least, but I am very happy and always welcome a new challenge,” Jacques said.
     Jacques, a well known Miami air cargo executive in his own right, is also son of the legendary Isaac Nijankin (Varig later EL-Al).
     Isaac, among other things was instrumental in pioneering modern era Brazil global air cargo during 30 plus years at once mighty Varig.
     It should be recalled that the culture for air cargo runs deep in the Nijankin family.
     Father Isaac’s lasting contribution to the global industry is still felt today.
     During the 1990’s Isaac did yeoman work and put the considerable heft of Varig Brazil to work for the betterment of air cargo by supporting and working to build TIACA at the critical point of its rebirth start up.
     “I am simply just happy to be continuing in the air cargo business that has been a love of our family all my life,” Jacques said.
     Contact: Jacques.nijankin@panalpina.com
Geoffrey

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     The best airport breakfast is at Frankfurt International Airport’s Intercity Hotel in Cargo City Süd.
     Everything about this experience is just stellar, including “hackfleisch,” which is served daily as an elegant, piquant combination of bratwurst and spices, beef and raw sweet onion served as a tartar (mett).
     The hackfleisch sits innocently enough near the cold cuts on the breakfast buffet.
     But I promise, one bite will tell you why you have taste buds.
     The room of Restaurant Fluggi is bright and cheerful in colors that say good morning, and it is usually filled with Asiana crew who bring a certain feeling of the excitement and expectation of flight.
     But oh! The food…
     Eggs any way you like them, always hot and fresh, and coffee freshly brewed from several machines in any configuration you can imagine.
     Crepes, pancakes, waffles and stewed tomatoes, rice, bacon, sausages and oatmeal, a dozen cheeses, cold cuts and breads winding around and half way up a column that stands in the middle of everything.
     Broad windows offer a view outside while you are dining that is also super; one of the most important aviation artifacts is on display for the public, alive and well at this lovely, small hotel.
     It sits in the center of an outdoor garden: a column with a stylized globe of the world, bands of aircraft encircling it, atop which a bird of peace holds in its beak a gilded olive branch.
     The view is both beautiful and inspirational.
     Once upon a time in 1933, until the redevelopment of Frankfurt International Airport, this column (although a bit higher) was situated in the center of all the action at the FRA outdoor restaurant.
     Credit Anton Wüstefeld for both building a better breakfast than many people have ever seen in a public place and creating a dreamlike atmosphere of relaxation and enjoyment.
     Herr Wüstefeld is general manager of Intercity Frankfurt in Cargo City Süd.
     He is no pushover either.
     This place sings from its spotless rooms (small, compact and efficient) and corridors to its immaculate restaurant Fluggi, to the airport’s most inviting and cozy saloon, The JU52, with its old airline pictures and artifacts and Harry, JU52’s legendary bartender.
     Simply put, Anton works like hell and takes nothing for granted.
     Last time we were there, Intercity Cargo City Süd was packed, with meetings happening all over the place.
It seems word is getting out.
     So can a Berlin Airlift era USAF hotel find a spot in the hearts and minds of the 21st century world?
     Intercity has done just that and in the rubber stamped era, this place looks better every day.
     And what a breakfast!
Geoffrey/Flossie

 

     Summer In The Rear View Mirror . . . Illinois, USA Billboard in 1955, when that pale blue Chevy Bel Aire Coupe cost USD$2026 and gasoline 25 cents a gallon and a DC-7 crossed the country at 389mph.
     Today a 747-400 that flies 3,500 statute miles (5,630 km) and carries 126,000 pounds (56,700 kg) of fuel will consume an average of five gallons (19 L) per mile. A similar Chevy today costs USD$25,000 and petrol on the ground costs about USD$4.00 per gallon.

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