His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group officially opens Emirates SkyCargo's new terminal, Emirates SkyCentral at Dubai South, Tuesday November 10.
     Pictured left to right— Nabil Sultan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Cargo; His Excellency Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (back row); His Highness Sheikh Ahmed; Thierry Antinori, Emirates Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer; and His Excellency Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs (back right).

Dubai Exclusive—Nothing was about to stop Emirates SkyCargo Divisional Senior Vice President Nabil Sultan as he hit the road on Tuesday, November 10, and moved swiftly down the long wide super highway between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central (DWC) for the launch of Emirates SkyCargo’s new freighter home, Emirates SkyCentral.

     Located in Dubai South (formerly Dubai World Central), the official ribbon cutting and opening of SkyCargo Services featured His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
     Also on hand for the big reveal was Emirates Group Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Thierry Antinori, as a grand party saw local dignitaries and others drop by with well-wishes before returning to the Emirates Chalet at the air show.
     As Sheikh Maktoum cut the ribbon amid traditional good will speeches and gifts, Nabil was jubilant.
     “The opening of Emirates SkyCentral at Dubai South is an important milestone for us,” Nabil said.
     “As home to our 15 freighters, SkyCentral is just beginning at 2.5 million tons annually and can be expanded to achieve our vision of 12 million tons per year by 2050.”
     “Today, Emirates SkyCargo is established across all its operating areas as the world’s leading cargo carrier,” Nabil Sultan added.
     Vice President of Logistics at Dubai South Mohsen Ahmad (right) couldn’t agree more:
     “Dubai South begins an important new chapter toward establishing Dubai’s excellence as a logistics hub,” Mr. Ahmad said.

A Team Effort

     “It is not about personalities; we all do our job and the Emirates SkyCargo Team is superb. Our mission is to build upon success and focus all our energies towards the continued success of Emirates SkyCargo.”
     SkyCargo Divisional Senior Vice President Nabil Sultan is never short on superlatives when talking about the part of Dubai-based Emirates Airline that has been his baby. He has served as SkyCargo’s top executive for the past two and a half years.
     “I would also like to recognize our various teams, along with many of our partners and stakeholders, that have been working very hard over the past 18 months to integrate operations since we moved our freighter operations to DWC in May 2014.
     “We have proven our readiness and ability to deliver and even exceed expectations in every aspect of the facility, as the movement of cargo between the DWC and Dubai International has become a smooth transition enabling us to deliver as promised.”

Up and coming generation with culture for cargo in UAE . . . Budoor Al Mazmi (left) turned a pioneering place in the air cargo business into a posting as top cargo executive at SkyCargo for the entire UAE. Mohamed Hassan, flydubai VP Cargo (right) reports, “With increased flights from DWC, air cargo boarded on flydubai represents about 3% of the throughput of our carrier but about 30% of the annual profit.”

SVP Cargo Emirates Freighters Hiran Perera (right) was flanked by VP Hub Operations Sunimal Fernando. “Dubai South" is a spectacular addition to the world supply chain, enabling ease of movement for all types of cargo, including both freighter main deck capacities and also below deck belly-cargo that continues to arrive and depart in growing numbers from the new facilities.

With plans to go to 12 million tons by 2050 and lots of room to grow, Senior Vice President, Cargo Operations Worldwide Henrik Ambak delivered a knockout presentation of the big, wide-shouldered SkyCenter cargo facility at Dubai South. It was all high tech, from the tracking systems to the rows of reefer madness to an acceptance door with cool chain temps maintained right to the ramp to several dozen large cargo hauling rigs connecting this giant "home of the freighters" facility to DXB. Henrik made it look easy at one of the most advanced air cargo facilities in the world.

A Party Lull

     For an airline that is given to throwing extravagant launch and service start-up parties, there has been a noticeable lull since Emirates SkyCargo held its last cargo press gala.
     But that may just be Nabil. He is confident, if not understated.
     In some respects, his behavior is reminiscent of the American pioneer frontiersman Davy Crockett, whose motto was:
     “Be Sure You’re Right And Then Go Ahead.”
     SkyCargo, it turns out, migrated its entire freighter operation to DWC Al Maktoum International on May 1, 2014.
     So for the past year and a half it has been full force ahead, developing the next world hub for an air cargo operation that some estimate may deliver up to 35 percent of the Emirates Airline total throughput. Everything, it seems, moves up from there.

Phase Two Underway

     Preceding the cargo press gag by almost two full weeks, word came that DWC would commence preparations in 2016 for Emirates Airlines to move operations sometime during the next decade.
     Asked about construction, His Excellency Khalifa Al Zaffin, executive chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, Dubai South, said:
     “We will do a lot of preparations by next year.”
     The passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Dubai South was launched in October 2013.
     To date only four airlines are operating schedules from the new airport.
     “People want to be here (Dubai International) because they can make connections and everyone is there,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.
     “Now as capacity opportunities are becoming more difficult to satisfy, people will have to look at different airports,” he added.

The Sultan of SkyCargo

     Nabil may have been the new face of leadership at SkyCargo when he assumed command of one of the fastest growing airline freight businesses, but his appointment also signaled a step change in Emirates Airline leadership.
     From that point forward it became apparent that the culture for the airline is alive, well, and growing in UAE. Local talent is moving up the ranks at EK and rapidly making that journey.
     Born in Dubai and educated in Dubai and the United States, Nabil holds a Bachelor of Computer Science and Management Information Systems from the University of Portland, Oregon.
     So along with traditions learned from generations at home, Sultan also has a bit of an American sense of humor when he smiles and declares in mock exasperation:
     “Every day it rained in Portland after a life in the desert!”
     Nabil Sultan looks comfortable in his clothes and apparently is enjoying the ride of his life.
     That said, Mr. Sultan is bright and in touch. With hair slightly graying and eyes holding a straight and level gaze, he leaves no doubt when he says:
     “Now we will carry things further.”

Still The Paperwork Jungle

     “Assuming leadership, I was immediately aware and surprised at the overwhelming amount of paper it takes to move air cargo.
     “Especially coming out of the passenger end of the business, where the migration away from paper has been swift and complete in many aspects of that business.
     “No doub,t even though we have taken giant strides and in fact can be viewed as a best-case scenario toward creating a paper-free environment for air cargo, in 2015 the complexity of the industry can only be better served by streamlining processes, taking costs out, and adding value for the customer.
     “But much can be realized by making every effort in every aspect of the logistics supply chain toward a paperless environment.
     “Of course, I learned at several smaller stations coming up in this business that when it comes to change and dealing with government agencies and bureaucracy, we still have a long way to go.
     “My take is that we have to work even harder at this point to change the cargo mindset,” Nabil Sultan said.

Love An Airline

     “In many ways,” Mr. Sultan says, “no matter how you approach it, Emirates is an inspiring airline.
     “We offer the trading community a very efficient global resource that constantly translates into direct value to the customer.”
Geoffrey

     Recently the doors at IATA Cargo seem to be revolving, at least when it comes to air cargo executives.
     A couple of years back Jens Tubbesing departed the CNS presidency almost overnight, and without warning.
     Then Des Vertannes said he was quitting his post as IATA head of cargo, a position this great air cargo pro had called “the job of a lifetime” prior to his departure.
     Now Warren Jones was apparently kicked out of his position as U.S.-based president of IATA Cargo Network Services (CNS).
     Two letters here reveal a glimpse at the most recent dismissal of Jones.
     Actually, CNS’s loss may be TIACA’s gain.
     Warren Jones is a hard worker who doesn’t take no for an answer and frankly has shown over the years that he believes in the impossible.
     Shortly after he assumed the post as cargo development manager at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta Airport, we were standing on a downtown rooftop looking at a Coca Cola sign, and Warren said to me:
     “We will host TIACA ACF and it will break all records.”
     Well some years later, when Atlanta did host the event, it did exactly that, delivering millions into the TIACA coffers.
     “I was in shock when I was told I was out by Glen Hughes,” Warren said.
     “I loved my job.
     “I recall that even my dear Mom was upset and shed some tears.
     “She knew what that CNS job meant to me,” Warren Jones said.

Dear Geoffrey,

     Today, IATA posted the President of CNS position for applications.
     This is only a few months after Warren Jones supposedly stepped down.
     I have learned that Mr. Jones did not step down but was fired for Performance Reasons.
     When I called Mr. Jones to confirm, all he could tell me legally was that yes, that was what he was told, but to this day he has not been told exactly what that meant despite his numerous attempts to find out.
     When investigating further with my other contacts at the CNS Advisory Board, we were told that they also had been completely left in the dark on the issue, with no communication from IATA, and [they] only had received a letter (attached below) from Warren Jones to Tony Tyler asking for an investigation on his dismal.
     We do know Mr. Jones was very successful in his two years at CNS and was well liked in the industry as he had been brought up in it.
     From his days at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to his days at CNS, he made every effort to bring the industry together and create awareness for an industry he truly loved.
     Warren sent me a copy of his letter as a reference in case Tony Tyler wanted to hear from people that mattered in the industry, and not the bean counters of the IATA executive board.
     He did not call or email me.
     Simply put, IATA does not care but for one thing: money.
     I do wish Warren all the best on his new role at TIACA as they are an organization that gets it and truly believes in the role of air cargo.

Name Witheld

Copy of letter Mr. Jones sent to Tony Tyler, IATA Director General & CEO

Dear Mr. Tyler,

     I am writing you in reference to the termination letter I received on June 10, 2015. As the letter states my termination is for Performance Reasons.
     I do not believe that this is reflected in my performance reviews, and in fact the opposite is shown on a consistent basis. I would like to discuss this with you as a matter of urgency, as I fail to understand why I have been terminated when I have met my objectives and targets over the last two years. My recent PAs reflect this along with the recent pay raise and bonus I received on April 1st, 2015.
     During my latest IATA Performance Management Year End review, I was assigned six key objectives that I was rated on, they included:

    •  2014 CNS Budget- Employee rating: Consistently Meets. CNS delivered a net income in 2014 of $1.2 million and where Mr. Hughes’ comments were in agreement as in fact the final financial numbers show a big improvement vs. budget.
   • CNS Annual Conference and Outreach Programs- Employee rating: Consistently Meets
   • For the 2015 CNS Partnership Conference- A revenue budget of $220,000 was set for CNS and in reality, $256,000 was produced along with a record attendance.
   • CNS CASS operations: Partially Meets. While the goal of reduced checks was achieved, issues with the migration in October created challenges that were successfully overcome in the 1st quarter 2015.
   • Deliver e-AWB global penetration of 22 percent and in the U.S. 17 percent. Employee rating: Exceeds. In the U.S., a final of 22 percent e-AWB for the U.S has been achieved.
   • Lead IATA Cargo’s securities and safety goals. Employee Rating: Consistently Meets
   • People Management: Employee Rating: Consistently Meets

     Overall rating, Partially Meets. Manager comments; Overall I think 2014 was a good year, with some noteworthy successes in the CNS Conference and eAWB penetration level. The CASS migration did have some issues that impacted the market but those issues were quickly resolved. The Exec. Board did raise some concerns with regards to how the Advisory Board was managed and I am pleased to see these are being addressed.

     This PA along with my two previous PAs reflected a solid work ethic and because of my efforts, I was awarded a Performance bonus of $2,500.00 and a 3.00 percent merit salary increase on April 1, 2015. This is the 2nd bonus and salary increase I have been awarded as I received the same in 2014.
     I came to CNS in April 2013 full of energy and with a passion for air cargo and was appointed after two previous CNS presidents failed in a four-year period. The first task I was asked to do by PPD GVA was to knit together the CNS team and to work on the cargo agenda provided to me by IATA. Additionally my role at CNS is to work with the U.S. air cargo industry on key issues and to communicate with the Advisory Board, which comprises fifteen industry leaders; they along with me work on issues that directly affect them and the companies that they work for, but more importantly the industry they represent. There is regular communication on a monthly basis with the Advisory Board, but we have seen little response on our communications from the CNS Executive Board with the only feedback from the Executive Board being Glyn Hughes and J.C. Odele.
     The CNS Executive Board comprises intellectual people who serve IATA and the industry well, but they are not in a role where they use business relationships on a daily basis. They direct staffs, and they manage goals and objectives. I was hired by Des Vertannes for my ability to put people 1st, which is #1 on IATA’s Core Values. This is what I do; I work with our cargo industry to create opportunities, to promote the IATA/CNS air cargo agenda, and to help people understand the role of air cargo and the value it gives to our members. I am very passionate when it comes to my job and helping people, and my reputation and performance in the industry clearly show this.
     The members of the CNS Advisory Board have from day one supported me and pointed out areas within CNS they feel are important to the industry. From e-AWB and lithium batteries awareness to developing the next generation of air cargo professionals (FACE), these board members have expressed their confidence and the board members listed here are ready to discuss with you the value I bring to the industry and IATA/CNS. They include:
Mick Fountain- Chairman Advisory Board and CEO of Toll Logistics
Robert Kimotek- Vice President Carrier Procurement, Americas DHL Global Forwarding
Jan Krems- President, United Cargo, Vice President, United Airlines
Ray Curtis-Vice President Sales and Marketing, Delta Air Lines
Brandon Fried- Executive Director Airforwarders Association
Jim Butler-President Cargo America Airlines Cargo

     While these are just a few members of the CNS Advisory Board as there are fifteen in all, everyone listed above has expressed their support and concern over this development.

     Moving forward, I look back on the work we have accomplished at CNS in the last two years, and with that, the great success stories.
     eAWB penetration in the U.S. market of 22 percent in 2014
     Migration to a $1.6 million IATA owned CASS-USA electronic payment and presentment platform
     Reduction in paper checks as payment by 60 percent
     2015 State of Florida Training Grant $430,000
     2015 State of California Training Grant $100,000
     2016 State of California Training Grant $200,000
     Two consecutive years of successful CNS Partnership Conferences
     Wide industry awareness on CNS/IATA on cargo issues
     In scholarships awarded since 2014 $17,500

      These are just a few things accomplished here at CNS that we are proud of. I think the top accomplishment I can speak about is anytime I speak to the industry or public on the value of air cargo and what IATA/CNS is doing for you. When you get a chance to show your passion for an industry you love and when you get to present and have the privilege to explain to the audience what the IATA/CNS logo means in excellence, commitment, and dedication, people do listen. This is what I do at IATA/CNS, I ask you to question the reasons behind this termination, and reinstate me to my position. I believe that if you will to allow me to work through the creative differences with the Executive Board and to continue the work I have started, we will be well positioned to lead CNS for the years to come. We will then accomplish the goals they set and that are clearly for the good of the air cargo industry.

     I am available via phone or if needed, able to fly to meet with you in person to discuss.

     Thank you for your time and consideration today.

Warren Jones