Around this time of year, air cargo settles into a lull; it’s a whole season, really, when the furious schedule of trade show events that began in early February hits the pause button, and summer rules.
     When we add up the number of three-day stints spent in a strange hotel attending a show, so far in 2014 it amounted to two 3-day-stints at IATA—WCS & CNS, an AGM in Istanbul for TIACA, the Airforwarders Annual Conference in Orlando, plus some other airport based gatherings—most notably the JFK Air Cargo Day and a lovely couple of days in SJU with EMO Trans.
     The major takeaway from all of these trips centers on what we heard from the always astute and varied group of remarkable executives, who either attended only some of the aforementioned or, like us, were present for them all.
     In 2014 there are two schools of thought about air cargo events:
     One thought is that there are simply too many air cargo trade shows; the other is that too much is never enough.
     We fall somewhere in between those two sentiments.
     For us at least, there is always an interview or speech that changes everything and makes us glad we heard it.
     Also, despite the nature of instant communication in the cyber-age, it is becoming abundantly clear that as we move forward, the face-to-face human interaction can be revealing and quite helpful as we attempt to tackle and master swift changing markets and shifting business patterns.

     Along the discovery trail, down in Puerto Rico we spoke to Ian Ahern, (above) managing director for EMO Trans Australia.
     “There are still plenty of opportunities to build new business even as the Asian market currently fluctuates a bit, and at EMO we happen to live next door to one of these developing markets.
     “For example, Papua, New Guinea has become a market that is in rapid need of almost everything, driven by vast gas fields under development.
     “Infrastructure is minimal and although costs are quite high (in addition to other normal business challenges), this is an exciting market. The government has embarked on many new development projects and along with Air Niugini is broadening the culture for expansion of air cargo across the country.
     “At the same time, EMO Trans Australia is involved—almost alone—in developing transportation connections via Port Moresby to facilitate bringing all manner of consumer goods and oil equipment into the country.
     “The task of developing a market in this case is both exciting and daunting, because basically there is nothing there and everything has to be brought in.
     “But we know in a broader sense in every case there are markets out there if you are willing to search for them and then roll up your sleeves and make things work,” Ian Ahern insists.
Geoffrey

(AA Hong Kong Exclusive)—In case you missed it, last week was a big week—American Airlines Cargo launched a pair of flights from Dallas/Forth Worth to China, adding substantial cargo services.
   American Airlines CEO Doug Parker told reporters the carrier’s new routes to Asia “aren’t gambles — they are investments in our future.”
   “It’s an extremely important part of the globe,” Parker said.
   “We’re a global carrier.
   “It’s an area that’s strategically important to us. So we view them as investments for the long term.”
   AA Cargo is in the air flying to Hong Kong and Shanghai via B777s (B777-300ER is pictured here at the gate on Friday after arrival in HKG) as two top gateways receive service.
   President of American Airlines Cargo Jim Butler describes the new services as a “major milestone for us.”
   “Building our presence in Asia is a key component of our long-term network strategy.
   “Including these two new routes, we’re now able to connect Asia to 68 different cities across Latin America, creating hundreds of routes where shipments can start and end their journeys.”
   Hactl handles American Cargo at HKG with representation by GSA Antares International.
   At PVG, American Cargo is handled by (PACTL) and represented by GSA Pan Asia Express.

    Qatar Airways opens Miami, and Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez, left, CEO of Qatar Airways H.E. Mr. Akbar Al Baker, center, and Director of the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, Emilio T. González like what they see.
    The press conference is all smiles as the new Miami-Doha service began on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, as its 6th U.S. Destination.
    QR is the only non-stop service from the Middle East to Florida, USA.

   Here comes more of the same . . . Alitalia is closing yet another bailout deal; this time it is selling a 49 percent stake to Etihad Airways for 400 million Euros.
   Writing in Forbes Magazine, Marcel Michelson wonders who might need a flag airline, while also predicting the deal will only delay Alitalia’s demise.
   “It may be time for Italy to swallow national pride and let go of Alitalia.
   “The music stopped for the dolce vita, but it did not notice.”

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