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| Vol. 21 No. 10 | Monday
March 7,
2022 |
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When the 2022 version of Air Cargo Americas/Supply Chain Americas Show launches this week on Tuesday March 8 after having suffering its 2021 version postponed because of COVID, the event venue will look pretty much the same as always. After all the uproar of the past two years that still continues, more than a hundred booths and 1,500 plus people signed up, with many walk-ins always a factor at this event, can be looked upon as some kind of miracle. For those of us who operate whilst in Miami on coladas and pastries from Vito’s on Curtiss Parkway, the return to this place with its vibrance is always a happy one. It’s about the people there and that this is the only true airport cargo show in the world sponsored by an airport, Miami International. No other airport in the world has a biennial cargo event of this size and dimension that has lasted as long, nor greeted more members of the air cargo industry.
ACA is conducted at The Miami World Trade Center just off the main runways, has always been like Miami itself, thrilling diverse, different, colorful and fun, mixing business and family with that indescribable Latin Spirit of community that so many of us find irresistible. It began as a bienniel event, originally set as an alternative to the TIACA ACF. The two-day gathering has always provided a predictable amount of excitement by keeping close to its roots and aiming for achievable results. It doesn’t hurt that the setting is filled with local color and the go-go heartbeat of Miami, which just seems to get better and sway sweeter to the rhythms of life as the years roll along. While some might find the rail and curtains setup for some display stands a bit old fashioned and unsophisticated, we think those folks when the smoke finally is truly gone ought to suspend disbelief, and sign up for this industry trade show event that allows for everyone to come as they are with as high or low-brow an approach as traffic can stand. ACA is the venue that brings business down to the ground, with deal making like a metaphorical bell ringing almost every minute of the two-day fiesta. Liberal amounts of good things to eat and drink and of course that distinctively warm and always welcome Latin hospitality lubricates the passage of time, later recalled as no more than a nanosecond.
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Here's a question for you: How long does it take for a private jet company that offers a bespoke adventurous experience to air tourism enthusiasts to start an air cargo business? Well, India’s newest air cargo carrier Modair took around 20-odd years. Modair is part of Modish Tradex Pvt. Ltd. and has been in business for over 30 years. It has been providing a wide range of services to High Networth Individuals (HNI) and others: from helicopter services (usually most in demand during election campaigns), private jet bookings, helicopter services for religious pilgrimages (the Chardham Yatra that spans across Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri and Rameswaram and one that every Hindu undertakes once in the lifetime). A 20-year-old Indian Director-General of Civil Aviation approved NSOP (Non Scheduled Operator Permit) holder, Modair recently set up its own technology-enabled air logistics unit known as Modair Express. It aims to connect the country’s Tier-II and Tier-III towns with key cities and ensure same-day deliveries. As Varun Mittal, CEO, Modair told ACNFT, “With the help of a small aircraft, we provide pan India air cargo connectivity from metro cities to Tier 4 cities.” He was candid when he pointed out that “no company is serious to initiate the air cargo process due to limited knowledge and links” and that is why he said it was “the right time to start our venture because our government is very supportive about cargo connectivity.” Having witnessed the demand for air cargo shipments over the last two years, Modair believes that connecting the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) industrial hubs from all over the country could be good business. Atul Jain, Chairman, Modair was clear when he said that the country's air cargo business was poised to take off in a big way with the fast-emerging need of transporting imported goods and medical equipment from one region to another as quickly as possible. He emphasized that “the growth of the 'value buying' segment has been quite encouraging for the air cargo segment.” CEO Mittal elaborated: “Even today, there are many rural areas where we have to use roads to reach the place. For cargo transportation, we have to use roads. It is difficult for airlines to operate their Boeing, Airbus, ATR, Bombardier to the small airports and unmanned airstrips. “Modair has the expertise to utilize such small airstrips to operate midsize aircrafts to solve the connectivity problem as small planes do not require extensive landing space. With the help of this, transportation of goods can be done in 1-2hrs,” said Mittal. “As we know most of the Tier 2 areas in India are still untouched by air connectivity as well as air cargo connectivity. Many big industries are now shifting to small cities with low land cost and are working with very low expense staff. Cargo transportation to these industries is time-taking because they have to use roads to reach the place. These areas, however, are connected with small airstrips. Starting air cargo to these areas will reduce the time and it will save money. We are looking forward to carry 1-1.2 tonnes cargo in each flight.” Modair Express plans to offer a variety of products to cater to pan-India customers although its focus will be cargo solutions between Tier-I to Tier-II and Tier-III cities. The Modair management is well aware of the fact that the Tier-I to Tier-II and III cities face a paucity of dependable service providers. So, Modair has started adding small freighters to its aircraft fleet. These small planes will be equipped to handle, as Mittal put it, “two types of air cargo: general and special cargo. General cargo will include high-value goods, such as electronics, jewellery and pharmaceuticals.” Mittal mentioned that Modair was “initially planning for two aircraft for cargo. Within a time span of 6-8 months, we will be deploying 2 aircraft in each zone. This will make cargo connectivity easy.” Mittal and his team have chalked out plans to create a strong network that will not only attract e-commerce services that demand same-day deliveries but also connect export hubs and sub-hubs. These are initial days and Modair’s work is cut out. Will it be able to survive where a whole lot of Indian cargo carriers have failed? But then, the times are different. The pandemic has propped up the fortunes of air cargo and Modair hopes to reap the benefits. T. Ghosh |
History is alive on the walls of Lambert St. Louis International Airport, depicted in some murals that trace African American airmen who trained at the Tuskegee Institute and soared into combat to help the U.S. win air battles during World War II. “Black Americans in Flight” was painted by St. Louis artists Spencer Taylor and Solomon Thurman to highlight the contributions of African American achievements in aviation from 1917 to the space age. The Tuskegee Airmen are prominently featured in the mural, which features 75 portraits including Eugene Jacque Bullard, Benjamin O. Davis, Jr, Clarence “Lucky” Lester, and Wendell Pruitt, a St. Louis pilot who received a Distinguished Flying Cross after downing three planes and sinking a destroyer. Supporters of black aviators are also featured, including Eleanor Roosevelt and President Harry S. Truman. “Black Americans in Flight” lives at Lambert in its original location in the Terminal 1 Bag Claim. Lambert has taken good care of the 51-foot mural to enhance its visibility, adding a new waiting area that is located directly across from a major concourse exit for arriving passengers and others to pause and ponder this epic time in aviation history. Check it out . . . |
Friends For All These Years Thinking about all the things we do while employed in air cargo, making friends from all over the world is better than anything else. A curious thing occurs when we gather at air cargo events—sooner or later, our humanity takes over. The “mission” gets pushed back and we become much more than the voices and faces and thinking of what passes as air cargo today. This is our life, this career in air cargo. These are our friends who are there for us, like touchstones, whether in Atlanta, Istanbul, Basel, or Rangoon. What a great example of international relationships these air cargo trade shows can be! People from all over the world, connected by the desire to advance the speed of international commerce, meeting in Miami, Florida, for a couple of days in March, under the warmth of the sun. Just when the cold slap of the arctic express is hanging out for one more once up north, we join the birds down south. Don’t miss it. |
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 Vol. 21 No. 7 PayCargo Soars Can Glyn Save TIACA? Chuckles for February 7, 2022 The Owl From a Shot Glass Letters for February 7, 2022 |
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Publisher-Geoffrey Arend
• Managing Editor-Flossie Arend • Editor Emeritus-Richard
Malkin Film Editor-Ralph Arend • Special Assignments-Sabiha Arend, Emily Arend |
Send comments and news to geoffrey@aircargonews.com
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Today
and looking ahead, the wonderful Ivan Barrios who now serves as President
and CEO, World Trade Center Miami has been connected with Air Cargo Americas
for many years, having been extensively involved in trade development
in Latin America and around the world.
Air
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