FT041417

#INTHEAIREVERYWHERE

Vol. 16 No. 36	Friday April 14, 2017

     “Africa, a continent with 54 countries and more than 200 languages, has tremendous potential and is a very important market,” Qatar Airways Cargo Chief Cargo Officer Uli Ogiermann told FlyingTypers.
      “Air freight in this continent has been growing year-on-year and we have seen some solutions to several challenges that previously impeded the continent’s export-import trade.
      “Improvements include: liberalization of air traffic to stimulate the economy and further increase the demand for air cargo; expedited customs clearance processes including customs rules and regulations; competitive production costs; skilled labor; better infrastructure; and improvements in ground transportation.”

Aerial Pathways To Glory

      “The air cargo industry in Africa has a great future thanks to its youthful demographic and rising e-commerce demand.
      “However,” Uli cautions, “infrastructure and regulatory challenges remain in many countries across the continent.
      “Despite this, air cargo is making a positive contribution to the economy in Africa through job creation, economic development, and the global distribution of the continent’s products.”

Words About Qatar Airways

“Qatar Airways Cargo offers a selection of products and solutions that are ideal for the region, such as QR Pharma for pharmaceuticals and healthcare products, QR Fresh for perishables, and QR Live for the transportation of live animals.
“We continue to focus on launching new products and enhancing our existing products such as QR Mail, which addresses the rising e-commerce segment, and QR Express, which offers industry-leading rapid delivery for time-critical shipments,” Uli Ogiermann said.

Where Aircraft Meet Demand

“There is also growing demand in the charter business, especially in the fields of construction, oil and gas, and livestock.
“To absorb this increasing demand, Qatar Airways Cargo is almost doubling its charter flights year-on-year as its freighter fleet grows,” Uli insists.

Africa Back To The Future

      “Trade in Africa varies from one country to another,” Uli said, adding:
      “Kenya and South Africa, where the enhanced infrastructure helps boost business import and export trade, are the largest airfreight markets.
      “We also see huge flower exports out of Kenya, especially in the months leading up to Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, when the export of cut flowers rises tremendously.
      “That being said, there are significant imports and exports to other destinations in Africa.
      “Perishables form the majority of our exports from Africa, and in 2016 we shipped more than 43,000 tons of perishable cargo alone out of Africa.
      “In total, we offer more than 2,300 tonnes a week of combined belly and freighter capacity to and from the African continent.”

The Offering

      “Qatar Airways Cargo operates freighters to seven destinations in Africa and offers belly-hold cargo space to more than 25 destinations in the African continent.
      “Our rapid expansion in the continent is also due to our continued investment in the expansion of our fleet.
      “We expect to receive more aircraft this year, expanding from 20 to a total of 22 freighters by 2017, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to developing one of the strongest air cargo fleets in the skies.”

Get A Horse

I grew up in Toledo, Ohio, about 60 miles from Detroit, the city where all the cars were built. Some of my family even worked in the automobile business; one of the oft-repeated remarks when a car broke down (which was fairly common during the early years) was “Get A Horse!”
      Of course, horses were the heavy haulers of goods and families until the internal combustion engine came along and was finally perfected during the 1940s, after which horses gradually faded from the transportation scene.
      Although they are still used today by mounted police and, in a highly developed state, as thoroughbred racers, horses in the modern world no longer rule.
      We were thinking about horses the other day as Qatar Cargo moved 50 thoroughbreds to Eppley Field in Omaha, Nebraska for the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping and FEI World Cup™ Dressage Finals.
      “We pride ourselves in providing the highest standard of service for our equine guests, on the ground and in the air in line with IATA’s Live Animal Regulations,” Uli assures.
      The Boeing 777 freighter provided a comfortable journey with an ambient temperature of 12-15 degrees celsius in the horse stalls and 11 grooms tending to every need.
      In Doha, Qatar, Airways Cargo’s Live Animal Facility offers an equally sophisticated environment with air-conditioned holding stalls, a paddock, and on-site veterinary personnel.
      In 2016-17, Qatar Airways Cargo transported over 2,300 horses, a 10 percent increase over 2015-16.
      So into the gateway to the West, Qatar Airways “got a horse.” From all reports, the animals jumped for joy once in Omaha.
Geoffrey

Key Focus

      “Accra in West Africa and Cairo in North Africa are a key focus for Qatar Airways Cargo.
      “We operate sixteen passenger flights to Cairo each week, offering 208 tons of belly hold cargo capacity to and from Cairo.
      “Qatar Airways Cargo also operates twice-weekly Airbus A330 freighters to Accra, providing more than 120 tonnes of cargo capacity into and out of West Africa.”

Next Up

“We will be launching passenger destinations Libreville and Douala in West Africa in 2017/18, offering belly-hold cargo space to and from these important African cities.”

How To Win In Africa

      “Poor infrastructure and communication challenges,” Uli said, “increase the operating cost and make it difficult to compete in the continent.
      “Rapid advances in technology will give a significant boost to Africa’s business growth, but much work needs to be done by both African companies and governments to translate opportunities into tangible economic benefits.
      “The lack of a true ‘open sky’ policy in some markets makes it difficult to penetrate local businesses and provide competition for established legacy carriers.
      “Only when these barriers are broken will we witness Africa grow to its full potential,” Uli Ogiermann said.
SkyKing

   Spring is here and as April inexorably turns into May, IATA’s Cargo Network Services (CNS) team is busy making final preparations for the big 27th CNS Partnership Conference to be held at Grande-Lakes Orlando, Florida, from April 30-May 2.
      While anticipation builds as the air cargo industry heads for another opening, CNS President Lionel Van Der Walt is at full pitch to deliver the best Partnership ever.
      “With just 20 days left until the start of the event, we are really excited to note that we already have 547 attendees registered, a new record for CNS.
      “If registrations continue at this rate, we expect well over 600 people to join us in Orlando this year.
      “Our grand traditional ‘Golf Day’ is almost sold out, so this should also prove to be a huge success.
      “Now all we need is for the weather gods to smile upon us and provide a cool, sunny Florida day to ensure a spectacular round of golf and some great networking and quality time as we kick off CNS Partnership at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club.”

Sun & Fun

“As usual,” Lionel said,” we always strive to provide attendees with some entertainment and a little bit of fun at the end of the conference.
“This is much deserved considering the intense business meeting schedules that most of us have there.”

Neon Galaxy

“Without giving too much away,” Lionel confides, “we have planned an evening that underscores the running text of our days of sessions: ‘Preparing for Tomorrow’s Reality.’
”

Sounds Of The Sphere

“Our gala dinner we will be a brief encounter in another world meant to teleport attendees to a futuristic masquerade, filled with an endless variety of entertainment.
“Imagine Jeff Bridges in a Tron-like world filled with Cirque du Soleil style entertainment.”

Let It All Hang Out

      “It will be a fun filled evening where you get to choose accessories to accentuate your futuristic personality before entering this colorful neon casino galaxy.
      “Expect something totally different!” Lionel assures.
Geoffrey

     Travelers sitting inside an aircraft may very soon be looking outside their airplane window during normal ramp activity pre-flight, watching cargo airmail being loaded as the jet way to the main deck retreats and doors are closed and locked.
      All pretty normal stuff until someone announces that the batteries are completely charged and the aircraft is ready to rotate.
      Boeing HorizonX and JetBlue recently backed Zunum Aero, a company founded in 2013 by Amish Kumar and located in Kirkland, WA. Forbes Magazine recently branded the upstart as “The Tesla of Aircraft.”
      The company is reportedly working to create a hybrid electric aircraft designed for regional flights with plans to fly by 2020.
      The aircraft would have a range of 700 to 1,000 miles.

Off the Road

According to Zunum Aero, the idea is to get more cars off the road. The company also says short haul flights with aircraft of 10 to 30 seats are a viable alternative to road & rail.

Time Is On My Side

Time is also a selling point here. Zunum’s prediction is that the aerial usage of electric drive systems will help reduce 40 percent travel time on busy commuter corridors, or up to 80 percent on routes that have less traffic.

Noise, Costs, & the Air

      Zunum claims costs will be reduced by between 40 to 80 percent and that could drive cheaper fares, making short hop travel by air an attractive alternative for commuters otherwise sitting in traffic while polluting the atmosphere.
      Hybrid aircraft versus kerosene-powered regional jets would reduce emissions by 80 percent, Zunum points out.
      Zunum Aero also promises to reduce ambient aircraft operation noise by 75 percent, which the company reasons would make operations both more attractive and readily available for more hours to serve communities at smaller regional airports.
      More: www.zunum.aero
Geoffrey

     Decorated with numerous road signs, the well-known road transport hall at the Museum of Transport in Lucerne, Switzerland, (a quick one-hour jaunt from Zurich) welcomed a new collection of classic trucks that once roamed wide and free all over this part of the world.
      A new mezzanine houses an extensive display of two- and three-wheeled vehicles. The upper floor is home to a large-scale presentation of the former Swiss brand ‘Monteverdi,’ ensuring the collection remains in Switzerland rather than being sold off piecemeal.
      “SEE YOU,” a mirror world presented by the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (bfu), is designed to draw in the crowds on the ground floor.
      The exhibitions housed on three floors in the Road Transport Hall have been refreshed with a focus on historical as well as modern vehicles whose fascinating designs can be admired at close quarters.
      We also loved and recommend the Restaurant Piccard, where you can get a glass of wine and a tasty meal.
      We had the lamb shanks over risotto on one visit and “Flammkuchen,” a Swiss/French pizza made with a very thin, feather light crust, on the next visit.
      Why take a voyage of discovery on an empty stomach?
      Works for us.
More Info: https://www.verkehrshaus.ch/en/museum/road-transport
Geoffrey

If You Missed Any Of The Previous 3 Issues Of FlyingTypers Access complete issue by clicking on issue icon or Access specific articles by clicking on article title
Vol. 16 No. 33 Lady Lynne Steps Up At IAG Cargo Chuckles for April 5, 2017 Lightbox for April 5, 2017 Trump Effect Pt. 4 - Trump & The Airlines Two For Asia	Vol. 16 No. 34 Swiss WorldCargo Positive For 2017 Chuckles for April 10, 2017 India Exports Nano BREXIT Impact CEVA Mix & Match Matrix	Vol. 16 No. 35 India & Malaysia Ramp Accord Chuckles for April 12, 2017 ABC A to Z Wags The Dog Alexandra Brands Swiss WorldCargo

Publisher-Geoffrey Arend • Managing Editor-Flossie Arend •
Film Editor-Ralph Arend • Special Assignments-Sabiha Arend, Emily Arend • Advertising Sales-Judy Miller

Send comments and news to geoffrey@aircargonews.com
Opinions and comments expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher but remain solely those of the author(s).
Air Cargo News FlyingTypers reserves the right to edit all submissions for length and content. All photos and written material submitted to this publication become the property of All Cargo Media.
All Cargo Media, Publishers of Air Cargo News Digital and FlyingTypers. Copyright ©2017 ACM, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
More@ www.aircargonews.com

100% Green