bmi expresses itself

 bmi cargo launched its first express cargo product, 236xps (by the way 236 is the number for bmi’s airwaybills) earlier this week on Monday October 2.
   bmi said a 90 minute cut-off with guaranteed space and is available on all outbound longhaul and shorthaul services from the UK including the domestic network.
bmi’s cargo business development manager, Paul Sherritt said:
   “236xps will provide our customers with even faster and more efficient handling of their cargo resulting in 90 minute delivery close out, guaranteed capacity on the booked flight and competitive freight charges which are inclusive of airline handling.”
   bmi said that 236xps has been designed to cater for the time-sensitive market ensuring both known and unknown consignments as well as packages in dry ice which can be efficiently handled at the 90 minute delivery close out time-frame.
   Sherritt continued: “By using our direct services across the UK for both our shorthaul and longhaul networks our customers can save many hours by avoiding alternative indirect routings whilst being assured they are receiving a high quality service.”
   Darren Beamer, bmi’s cargo special product sales manager the brain behind 236xps said:
   “For quality and service we are confident that the 236xps product is unbeatable.”
   Darren doesn’t stop there.
   He says if anybody wants to discuss things further he is willing to take it outside.
   Having also started the bmi Special Products 5-a-side football team Beamer is now looking to challenge any customer to a match.
   “236xps may be unbeatable but I am not so sure about the football team.”
   For the record bmi is the second largest airline at London Heathrow.
bmi operates nearly 1,700 flights a week to: Aberdeen; Alicante; Amsterdam; Antigua; Barbados; Belfast City; Brussels; Chicago; Copenhagen; Dublin; Durham Tees Valley; Edinburgh; Esbjerg; Glasgow; Groningen; Hanover; Inverness; Jeddah; Las Vegas; Leeds Bradford; London Heathrow; Manchester; Moscow Domodedovo (from this month October 2006) Mumbai; Naples; Nice; Norwich; Nottingham East Midlands; Palma de Mallorca; Paris Charles de Gaulle; Riyadh; Toulouse and Venice.

Wolfgang Retires And Endures

     There are a few people in this air cargo industry who take good care of any job assigned to them by the company.
You know the type.
     When another of that ilk decides to pack it in, it is reassuring to many that he or she decides to fade but not disappear.
     Take the case of Wolfgang Plantholt.
     A highly regarded personality is saying goodbye to the everyday air cargo business after 30 plus years at Air France/KLM here in Frankfurt.
     But after that Wolf will re-arrange himself to help young airfreight forwarders, airline-agents and handling experts by offering his services for on the job training classes at the Frankfurt Airport Academy (FAA).
     Founded by Karl-Heinz Geier and now managed by Mrs. Elke Wasser, FAA has gained a solid reputation for delivering first class people while filling a shortfall in air cargo.
     But Wolfgang has always offered his time, experience and brains to promote and assist the European airfreight industry.
     As the Air France/KLM Cargo product came together into what is now the most profitable airline combination on the planet, we observed our witty and eloquent man working his best to create an atmosphere of trust and understanding through intelligence and patience.
     No histrionics either.
     For many years Wolfgang has been a pillar of the Frankfurt-based Aircargo Club (ACD).
     Herr Plantholt is also a voice of reason at BARIG, the board of airline representatives in Germany.
     That organization of 110 airlines headed by Martin Gaebges will benefit we think as Wolfgang has promised to stay on contributing for (at least) another year.
     Maybe what we contribute after the commercial career should also be trumpeted as our legacy to air cargo.
     Big ideas and profits are one thing.
     What we give back to others and bring to the next generation is something else.
     That is the way to describe Wolfgang Plantholt.
     He has always been something else.
(Guenter Mosler)

A Revival Golf Tournament

    While duffers add up their scores marking a return of sorts, it looks like another annual sportive highlight will be added to the FRA calendar.
    For about 15 years Japan Air Lines Cargo headed by Mitsumaso Ohi sponsored a golf tournament primarily for agents but also handling partners and other friends every summer.
    With the move of Ohi San to Yusen Cargo, the event evaporated.
    So much for things hanging by one person.
    Enter ATC’s Ingo Zimmer (standing smiling-right) and Tobias Jaeschke of GSSA ATC (standing left) and it was not too difficult to convince some golf-lovers that following the little white pill around the links before winter takes hold sure beats a poke in the eye.
    So off Golf Club Idstein located about 40 kilometers from FRA and outside into the Indian Summer weather, and finger food at the first hole, small talk throughout the round, and a delicious German dinner to top off the brief encounter.
    Congratulations to both Asiana Cargo and ATC.
    Wonder if strokes are taken off yet for winter rules?