New www.deltacargo.com features enhanced graphic, easy to navigate features that packs the entire offering into an easy surf ’n cruise.

     The revamped site has a new look and feel and is built with user-friendly design elements for self-service mobile and tablet usage. Customers can book their cargo transport needs from anywhere, at any time – and on any device.
     The website now allows individuals without a Delta Cargo account to conveniently book pets and other live animals online throughout the world. The site makes it easy to submit electronic Air Waybills, a global initiative in which Delta is an industry leader. (Air Waybills are an equivalent to a passenger ticket.

When rolling out their “Cabin OK” initiative on June 9th, IATA promised again to solve what they felt was a pressing problem throughout the industry: The lack of space for cabin baggage.

     The initiative “proposes the introduction of a cabin bag size for storage in overhead compartments as well as under the seat that would be accepted by participating airlines, for aircraft of over 120 seats.
     “All bags approved as size-compliant will bear an IATA Cabin OK logo which will enable the staff of participating airlines to recognize them.’
     Before going much further we must say up front that the IATA website currently carries these words about Cabin Bag OK:
     “IATA has paused rollout of Cabin OK to reassess the initiative.”
     Here is what happened.
     What’s felt to be an annoying and time-consuming hassle by most affected travelers also has a number of legal, operational, and safety-related ramifications the traveling public might not realize.

Shifting Lithium Below Decks?

     Because of the high fire risk associated with some types of Lithium batteries and Lithium-battery powered gadgets, all spare Lithium batteries not installed in devices must be carried in carry-on baggage, as well as some devices such as e-cigarettes prone to start fires.
     The rationale behind this is that the cabin crew can more easily control fires in the aircraft cabin than they could in the inaccessible cargo holds.
     This means if baggage an air passenger intended as carry-on is loaded in the cargo hold for want of sufficient space in the overhead baggage bins, such baggage may not be in compliance with legal requirements applicable to the transport of certain dangerous goods by passengers.
     IATA’s rather unilateral measure was to uniformly reduce the maximum recommended size of cabin-baggage and mark carry-ons meeting their new specifications as “Cabin OK.”

IATA Word Up

     “The development of an agreed optimal cabin bag size will bring common sense and order to the problem of differing sizes for carry-on bags. We know the current situation can be frustrating for passengers. This work will help to iron out inconsistencies and lead to an improved passenger experience,” said Tom Windmuller, IATA’s senior vice president for Airport, Passenger, Cargo, and Security, in an IATA press release June 9th.
     “Working with airline members of IATA and aircraft manufacturers, an optimum size guideline for carry-on bags has been agreed that will make the best use of cabin storage space. A size of 55 x 35 x 20 cm (or 21.5 x 13.5 x 7.5 inches) means that theoretically everyone should have a chance to store their carry-on bags on board aircraft of 120 seats or larger.”

Furor Erupted

     While IATA “has worked with airline members of IATA and aircraft manufacturers,” they have apparently forgotten to consider what the passenger might actually think.
     As mentioned at the top, a storm of consumers and consumer advocacy organizations predominantly in North America made IATA reconsider quickly and officially “pause” their “Cabin OK” initiative June 17th, following a “clarification” on June 12th in the turmoil of negative feedback—such as Sen. Bob Menendez of NJ, who called the initiative “another industry ploy related to baggage fees.”

Reality Check

     While such a ploy can be ruled out as well as any association between IATA and the manufacturers of hand luggage, the problem at hand is real enough:
     There is insufficient space in the overhead bins to accommodate the baggage of all economy travelers.
     The “maximum size carry-ons” of currently 55x45x25 cm (22x14x9in) are less of a problem than the increasingly popular backpacks—often with attachments of various forms and sizes—because irregularly shaped baggage requires more space. Furthermore, airlines in the last years have squeezed more and more seats into aircrafts, increasing 777 and 747 economy-class configurations to 10 seats per row instead of 8 or 9 as before.
     The issue is particularly serious with some LCC’s flying in all-economy configurations such as Ryanair (FR), although most of these LCC’s are not even IATA members and are driven by changed baggage policies of airlines who now charge even for the first checked-in bag. They also reduce overall baggage allowances, and many are moving towards the trend of airlines’ and airports’ “ancillary revenue.” Bags with duty-free merchandise usually go on top of the normal baggage allowance.
     On some flights, the problem is aggravated by winter coats, which passengers can no longer keep on in narrow seats and overheated cabins.
     Families with children making use of the additional allowances for infants and toddlers needs, especially where infants up to two years fly without their own seat, also reduce available space.
     Reducing the recommended baggage size by 38 percent, as proposed by IATA, is not a solution. The outcry of the flying public against IATA’s well-meant but poorly researched Cabin Bag initiative will also serve as a wake-up call to IATA as well as some of their member carriers.
     Some airlines, such as Thai Airways (TG), have upped the check-in baggage allowance to 30kg in economy and 8kg for carry-on; and customer loyalty at TG is far above industry levels.

Boeing Steps Up

     A better way to assist in resolving the issues has been brought forward by aircraft manufacturer Boeing, who changed the configuration of the overhead luggage bins on its newest planes in a way that allows current maximum-sized rollaboard suitcases to be stowed sideways.
     Some journalists have worried that passengers in first and business class, being boarded first and allowed more baggage, take away luggage bin space for Aunt Martha flying in economy.
     But not to worry; the reduced number of seats in first and economy makes for plenty of overhead luggage space—even on single-aisle commuter aircraft, 2-2 instead of 3-3 configurations considerably ease the pressure.

Giving Pause

     In its announcement to pause the implementation of “Cabin OK,” IATA’s Tom Windmuller admits, “this is clearly an issue that is close to the heart of travelers. We need to get it right. Today we are pausing the rollout and launching a comprehensive reassessment of the Cabin OK program.”
     While that is encouraging, the last sentence of IATA’s press release contradicts what Mr. Windmuller has said:
     “Cabin OK is a guideline for an optimally sized cabin bag, not an industry standard. Cabin OK does not seek to define a maximum size for carry-on bags, which is something each airline does individually. And no consumer will be forced into buying a new bag as a result of this voluntary initiative.”
     If IATA member and non-member airlines follow the recommendations of “Cabin OK,” the passenger will either have to buy a new bag for the purpose of carry-on or have to stay home.
     For whatever its worth, FT would like to make a suggestion to help resolve the problem:
     Everyone involved in the “Cabin OK” initiative at IATA should make his or her business trips in the next 12 months in economy class only. In this way they can gather important intelligence without additional, costly task forces and be able to contribute firsthand experience of the issue at hand.
     Up, Up, & Away!
Jens

After an exceptionally good start to 2015, we were aware of the challenging market situation again in the second quarter.
  Volumes for the first six were stable at Lufthansa Cargo.
  Looking ahead we are adjusting our routes to be flexible and able to react quickly to changes in demand.

In a press release last week, FRAPORT, proprietor and operator of Frankfurt airport, disclosed the sale of a 51 percent stake of its cargo handling subsidiary, Fraport Cargo Services (FCS) to competitor Worldwide Flight Services (WFS).

     FRAPORT has been searching for a potential partner to team up with since late 2012, but until now always ruled out selling a majority share.
     While FCS is the leading handler at FRA (and not just by tonnage and importance of customers), neither FRAPORT nor FCS are active in cargo handling at other locations—something the now closed deal will aim to change.
     This symbiotic partnership gives WFS access to prized FCS expertise in Cargo Handling and the prime handling facilities at Cargo City South at FRA, and obviously both FRAPORT and FCS see the opportunity for further synergy, and to strengthen their international exposure.
     WFS already has considerable market strength through its locations, and its subsidiaries such as Bangkok Flight Services (BFS) and Africa Flight Services. It is believed that it intends to finance the expansion and updating of the handling facilities to retain and strengthen FCS’s position at FRA.
     Competitors of the new FRA Handling giant are self handler Lufthansa Cargo (which also offers 3rd party handling), LUG Aircargo Handling, Celebi Cargo (which just last year acquired the handling business of the former Aviapartner Cargo), and Swissport.
     The possible sale of a 49 percent minority share of FCS to handling giant DNATA fell through in late 2013, allegedly because FRAPORT minority shareholder Lufthansa strongly opposed giving a Middle Eastern handler firm access to the German market.
     WFS, acquired by private equity firm Platinum Equity in May 2015, is aggressively expanding its reach. This acquisition will enable WFS to hit the ground running in the difficult and highly regulated German market.
     Diana Schoeneich, one of FCS two managing Directors, left FCS in March and took up a new role with competitor LUG. A WFS representative will likely fill her position.
     While the deal so far is a classic win-win situation for both WFS and FRAPORT, eventually the success of the combined enterprise will depend on its ability to bring their workforce aboard, and not only retain but also strengthen service quality. A sizable number of employees—on whose unparalleled handling expertise much of FCS business depends—have worries that further cutbacks and saving plans are to come.
     “We’re about to have had it. Working for Flughafen Frankfurt AG (the predecessor of FRAPORT) was a privilege, but benefits and salaries have been cut back with the outsourcing of cargo handling to FCS, and staff gradually replaced by subcontractors. It’s just not the same anymore, and we’re tired of making contributions without any incentive,” a 25-year veteran employee told FT, on condition of anonymity.
Jens

   Yossi Shoukroun has become CAL Cargo Airlines’ new COO in Liege, Belgium, as Rami Marom stepped down on July 7, 2015.
Rami had been part of the ground operations team at CAL since January 2006.
   “Liege is currently the operational center of gravity of the group, and will be further strengthened once new routes are established,” CAL said.
   “Yossi is managing director of CAL's wholly-owned ground handling company, Liege Air Cargo Handling Services (LACHS).
   “He has been a part of the CAL team for over 11 years, based in Liege.”

   Touching the world . . . Among the best examples of bringing the beauty of our world down to earth are the tactile hyper globes created in Hamburg, Germany, by Globocess AG, which today stand in hotels, museums, and meteorological institutes.
   Projectors and prisms project up-to-date satellite images of the earth’s surface and clouds.
   The earth’s movement is simulated in real time and software provides constantly updated pictures from outer space.

   The World of Aviation . . . Pan American World Airways utilized this beautiful globe of the world as the centerpiece for its legendary flying boat base at Dinner Key (Miami-Coconut Grove), Florida, during 1933-45.
   Ten feet in diameter, the globe is 31.5 ft. around and weighs 6,500 Lbs.
   In 1960, the globe was moved down the road near Dinner Key to the Miami Science Museum (MSM) where it is the centerpiece of the grand lobby.
   In 2012 the globe was restored to its former glory to show its original (1933) colors & geography.

   The Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, flare up green, yellow, and pink near the Vedauwoo Recreation Area on a recent Monday night between Cheyenne and Laramie, Wyoming.
   The Northern Lights are the result of collisions between gaseous particles in the Earth's atmosphere and charged particles released by the Sun.
   Variations in color are due to the type of gas particles that are colliding.

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