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13/06/2019 11:22
The weekly newspaper for air cargo professionals No. 1,037
24 June 2019
Get ready for TIACA 2.0
Steven Polmans sets out his vision
My way or the highway
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tlas Air Worldwide Holdings has claimed victory over unions after Southern Air pilots were ordered to negotiate a new joint collective bargaining agreement, much to the anger of the pilots. On 12 June, Southern Air pilots represented by the Airline Professionals Association, Teamsters Local 1224 were ordered to proceed with the negotiations relating to the merger of Southern Air and Atlas Air. Atlas Air says the decision is a positive step towards a new joint collective bargaining agreement to increase pay for Southern Air and Atlas Air pilots. William Flynn, president and chief executive officer of Atlas Air Worldwide says: “Had the union leaders honoured their contractual commitments when we announced the merger back in 2016, Southern
Air and Atlas Air pilots would have already had their new contract – and a pay increase – by now. We hope the union will agree that it is time to end unnecessary delays and make progress for our pilots.” The decision has angered pilots flying for Southern Air and Atlas Air. Veteran Southern Air pilot Captain Bryan Holmberg, who is also the Southern Air executive council chairman at APA Teamsters Local 1224 expressed disappointment at the decision. He says management’s objective is to avoid real negotiations and “hide behind third party arbitrators” to impose sub-standard terms, adding that if management think the decision gives them an advantage, “they are mistaken”. Holmberg says: “Our pilots are sick and tired of feckless managers interested in lining their pockets at the
Atlas Air pilots ordered to negotiate bargaining agreement
INSIDE KERRY PARTNERS WITH CORREOS
KERRY Logistics will join forces with Spain’s national postal service to establish a joint venture providing end-to-end cross-border e-commerce ... PAGE 2
Pilots slam decision expense of our pilots’ jobs and job security at this carrier.” Atlas Air pilots are also unhappy with the decision. Atlas Air pilot Captain Robert Kirchner, who is executive council chairman for Atlas Air pilots of Teamsters Local 1224 says: “It is unfortunate that the Southern arbi-
CARGO IS GOING WITH BOEING
tration decision results came out as they did. But we are incredulous that he would think he can order us — at another airline that had no part of the arbitration — to merge our seniority list. The arbitrator has no jurisdiction over the Atlas pilots. It’s not going to happen.”
Ian Martin Jones - 1947 to 2019
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ir Cargo Week’s much admired and longest-serving editor, Ian Martin Jones, has passed away after a short illness. He was 72 years of age. Considered by many as a true gentleman in the airfreight media, Jones joined the newspaper in 1998 and occupied the editor’s seat for 13 years, during which time he steered it through the 9/11 fallout and the global financial crisis of 2007/8. He long used his middle name to distinguish himself from the many other Ian Jones’s across many fields. This is how he became universally known as IMJ. Jones had been in the editorial business for half a century, including a 10-year period in Fleet Street and nearly 30 years editing publications covering air, sea and multimodal freight logistics. He was presented with the Seahorse Life-Time Achievement Award in 2012 and he will be sadly missed by those
Seahorse members who knew him. He became editor of Air Cargo Week shortly after its September 1998 launch, having previously edited Handy Shipping Guide. He remained at his post at ACW for 666 consecutive issues. He also edited Air Logistics China and Air Logistics Management. In October 2012, he took on the role of editor at Heavy Lift and Project Forwarding International magazine, where he remained until retirement in 2015. He was born in Wiltshire of Welsh parentage but grew up in London. He attended Henry Thornton Grammar School in Clapham in southwest London. Jones is survived by his sister and second wife, Anne Ruddock Jones, whom he married in 2003. ACW will publish an appreciation of IMJ, his talents and life, in our issue of July 8.
BOEING Commercial Airplanes raked in multiple orders for its freighters at the Paris Air Show, with 737s and 777s proving to be popular ... PAGE 3 WELCOME TO THE 5G FUTURE
WITHIN the working life of many older airfreight professionals, cargo and airfreight equipment would disappear into a block hole ... PAGE 4
INSTANT LOGISTICS
IT has happened again, although this time without so much attendant hullabaloo. Yet another air cargo terminal, described by its ... PAGE 6
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ACWBITES
AIR Niugini will operate flights to Cairns and Hong Kong from October using a B767. The flight from Port Moresby will fill the gap that Cathay Pacific will leave when it ceases flights in October. The Boeing 767 can carry up to 18 tonnes of cargo. SAUDIA Cargo has launched flights to Athens, Greece and Marrakesh, Morocco. The four Riyadh – Athens flights a week use an Airbus A320. The three flights a week between Jeddah and Marrakesh were launched on 2 June, and will operate until 25 October using a Boeing 787. QANTAS plans to fly directly from Brisbane to Chicago and San Francisco, subject to approval of its joint business with American Airlines from the United States Department of Transportation. The routes will be operated by a Boeing 787-9 and are expected to launch by the end of April 2020. JAPAN Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350 XWB. The first aircraft, a A350-900 will enter service on the Haneda – Fukuoka route at the start of September.
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teven Polmans will take over as chairman of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) next month, joined by Astral Aviation CEO Sanjeev Gadhia as vice chairman. Polmans, the director of cargo and logistics at Brussels Airport Company joined the TIACA board in 2016, and served as vice chairman for two years. He will replace Sebastiaan Scholte, CEO of Jan de Rijk Logistics who is stepping down on 1 July. Scholte and Polmans kicked off a fresh vision for TIACA 18 months ago, growing the association’s global footprint and launching an online airport ratings system, the Cargo Service Quality tool. Working with TIACA secretary general Vladimir Zubkov, Polmans and Gadhia have pledged to build on the new framework, putting sustainability and diversity issues at the forefront. Welcoming Gadhia as vice chairman, Polmans says: “He is not only a great guy, he brings a wealth of knowledge and contacts to TIACA and is respected by many, if not all, in our industry. Representing an airline based in a different region in the world also strengthens again our global footprint as an organisation.” Gadhia his aim is to make TIACA more inclusive, and have a sustainable and diverse business model. He says: “I want to consider how we can better promote diversity so that we can grow the Association so that every member of the air-cargo supply-chain regardless of size, nationality, geography, or gender, can be a part of TIACA.”
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Kerry Logistics joins forces with Correos
Say hello to your new TIACA board
CARGO volumes at Hong Kong International Airport fell by 7.3% in May to 405,000 tonnes. Imports decreased 9% with exports and transhipments both declining 7%. Cargo throughput associated with Southeast Asia, Japan and Mainland China decreased most significantly. AIR cargo volumes at Frankfurt Airport grew by 0.6% in May to 185,700 tonnes. Market conditions in May were still negative. with exports down in the Eurozone though foreign businesses did not see such high losses. Airport operator Fraport also says businesses in Germany saw signs of stabilisation.
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Read deputy editor James Muir’s interview with Steven Polmans on the back page
erry Logistics will join forces with Spain’s national postal service to establish a joint venture providing endto-end cross-border e-commerce services from China. Using Kerry Logistics’ experience in origin sortation, line haul and customs clearance, and Sociedad Estatal de Correos y Telégrafos’ expertise in postal and commercial services, the joint venture aims to improve customer service for marketplaces and e-tailers. To fulfil e-commerce parcel security and compliance, a sortation centre will be set up in Southern China, equipped with an automated sorting system and stringent parcel screening and security controls to ensure quick handling and full compliance. The facility, due to open in the fourth quarter of 2019, will cover 18,600 sq m and initially have the capacity to sort 500,000 parcels per day. William Ma, group managing director of Kerry Logistics says: “Utilising our deep understanding of customers’ needs both in China and abroad, Kerry Logistics is confident in meeting the rapidly growing international demands through working closely with Correos.” Juan Manuel Serrano Quintana, president of the board of directors of Correos says: “The new partnership with Kerry Logistics presents a unique opportunity for Correos to capture the outbound e-commerce parcel deliveries from China, which is the largest trade and economic partner for Spain in Asia.”
Avia Solutions to acquire Chapman Freeborn
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via Solutions Group has agreed to acquire 100% of the shareholding in Chapman Freeborn Group, in a deal signed in London on 14 June. The addition of Chapman Freeborn’s business will bolster Avia Solutions Group’s portfolio, a global holding company with 42 subsidiaries engaged in aircraft maintenance, pilot training, ground handling and fuelling, aviation IT solutions and business aviation. Following the acquisition, Chapman Freeborn will maintain its existing product portfolio and continue to operate under the group’s existing brands including subsidiaries Chapman Freeborn Airchartering, Chapman Freeborn
Quote of the week “I would be very disappointed if we were only slightly stronger.”
Steven Polmans, TIACA chairman, on his hopes for the organisation in 2021
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OBC, Intradco Cargo Services, Logik Logistics, Magma Aviation and Wings 24. Gediminas Ziemelis, chairman of the board at Avia Solutions Group says: “This acquisition is part of our strategic plan to expand our presence in key sectors, and significantly strengthens the capabilities of our group.” Russi Batliwala, CEO of Chapman Freeborn says: “Joining forces with Avia Solutions Group will provide us with a greater level of business scale, resources and expertise to accelerate growth and deliver our services to an even wider client base – all while preserving our unique company culture and ongoing commitment to charter market innovation.”
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PAS 2019: Cargo is going with Boeing
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oeing Commercial Airplanes raked in multiple orders for its freighters at the Paris Air Show, with 737s and 777s proving to be popular. GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) got things started by ordering 10 737800 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF) with 15 more purchase rights. Richard Greener, senior vice president and manager of GECAS Cargo says: “Our leasing customers are very pleased with the versatility and reliability of these freighters. It’s enabling operators to replace ageing freighters and meet the rapidly growing express cargo market.” This was followed by the news that online retail giant Amazon had agreed to lease another 15 737-800s from GECAS, adding to the five already in service. The aircraft will fly in the US out of Amazon Air gateways. Dave Clark, senior vice president of worldwide operations at Amazon says: “These new aircraft create additional capacity for Amazon Air, building on the investment in our Prime Free One-Day program. By 2021, Amazon Air will have a portfolio of 70 aircraft flying in our dedicated air network.” ASL Aviation made 10 firm orders for 737-800BCFs with 10 purchase rights. Hugh Flynn, chief executive of ASL Aviation Holdings says that having operated two leased 737-800BCFs in Europe, the company is very happy with the performance. He says: “The aircraft is highly efficient and right-sized for our developing operations on behalf of our express cargo customers who are experiencing growing demand. The 737-800BCF will also give us access to new markets.” Airlines were also busy ordering 777Fs, with China Airlines signing up for six. Following the deal, Hsieh Su-Chien, chairman of
ACWBITES VIRGIN Atlantic has selected 14 Airbus A330-900s to replace its A330ceos from 2021, with options to further expand its fleet.
China Airlines commented: “As we transition our freighter fleet to the 777Fs from the older 747Fs, this will enable us to deliver worldclass services to our customers more efficiently and reliably.” Qatar Airways also committed to five 777Fs in a $1.8 billion deal witnessed by Qatari minister of transport and communications, His Excellency Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti. Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways Group says: “It will increase our 777 Freighter fleet by a full 20%, enabling us to further develop our business and offer new customers the chance to experience a truly first-class logistics service. This is an order that will propel our growth and, I firmly believe, confirm us as the leading cargo operator in the world.”
JULIAN Jäger and Günther Ofner have been reappointed as members of Flughafen Wien for another five years. The new term at Vienna Airport’s management company will start on 1 October 2020 and last until 30 September 2025. STINE Westby has been appointed airport director for Oslo Airport, taking over from Øyvind Hasaa. Airport operator Avinor has not decided the exact time for the exchange of roles but expects it will be in either August or September. THE British International Freight Association (BIFA) is reporting “massive interest” for a recently-launched online training course that focuses on Customs declarations.
Airway Bill’s Page 3
AVIATION technology start-up Airspace Experience Technologies (ASX) has signed a memorandum of understanding with TPS Logistics to study electric take-off and landing wing-lifted (eVTOL) aircraft in the logistics supply chain. Detroit-headquartered ASX is developing its tilt-wing eVTOL aircraft, the MOBi-One, while TPS Logistics is working on facilitating logistics and freight transport by leveraging cloud based, customisable technology with actionable business analytics to help customers streamline their logistics operations. Vertical take-off and landing is covered by rotorcraft such as helicopters with limited range, high energy costs and noise footprint. ASX says that leveraging existing automotive EV technology and mass production techniques will significantly reduce the cost of its eVTOL aircraft compared to existing products. By using TPS’s analytics and data, ASX says it will further refine MOBi-One specifications to align with different cargo and profiles as well as optimise aircraft range and payload requirements. Jon Rimanelli, co-founder and CEO of ASX says: “Studies estimate that by 2035, global air travel based inspections, goods, and passenger services have the potential to be a $74 billion market. Almost 60% of that market will be driven by commercial goods and services transport and we are excited to work with TPS Logistics on jointly disrupting the urban air logistics sector.” Parker Stallard, executive vice president of TPS Logistics says: “By leveraging our deep knowledge in logistics data and business models, we can ensure that the specifications of the ASX aircraft will support emergency response and other logistics services more efficiently and cost effectively than traditional helicopters.”
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TRACK-AND-TRACE
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Track (verb) - to observe or plot the moving path of something, often instrumentally (Websters)
Track-and-trace’s 5G fu
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ithin the working life of many older airfreight professionals, cargo and airfreight equipment would disappear into a ‘black hole’ once it was despatched. Often its location could only be confirmed when it reached its destination. Fast-forward to the second decade of the 21st century, and how many airfreight professionals, especially younger Millennials, would tolerate such gaps in their supply chain knowledge? There are two main divisions in track-andtrace utilisation. The first allows shippers and forwarders to keep track of their goods within the supply chain. The second allows those who own or lease airfreight equipment to know
where their assets acutally are within the chain. According to Gartner, the world’s leading research and advisory company, track-and-trace technologies enable a product or consignment’s status to be captured through the value chain, and to retrospectively identify and verify its path. Solutions typically include elements for: associating products with unique identifiers (UIDs); capturing events at various points in the supply chain; performing analytics; and, reporting on the information. Some solutions include messaging to share information with regulatory agencies or trading partners and some also support capabilities for product authentication while in specific airfreight circumstances, the position of a ULD or
consignment can be tracked. One development for ULD owners, airlines and lessors is the rise of track-and-trace associated with the units and what this will mean for ULD operations, is the arrival of 5G. Technologists, politicians and newspaper headline writers are getting very excited over 5G, the next (fifth) generation of mobile communication technology, which succeeds the current LTE (4G) environment. Often in the news, 5G can be seen as the solution to almost all of the communication problems in 2019. Almost every major player in communication technology has announced the development of 5G capabilities: Huawei, Intel, and Qualcomm to name as few, as well as network providers such
ata sharing specialist Nallian has launched the Global Pharma Tracker - Early Adopter Program, the world’s first data sharing platform for endto-end tracking and monitoring of temperature-controlled pharma shipments. Providing what the company describes as “unparalleled levels of transparency and visibility”, the programme empowers pharma actors to efficiently detect, act upon and ultimately prevent costly temperature excursions - currently causing billions worth of product loss every year. The global pharma air cargo supply chain
involves many partners: shippers, carriers, ground handlers, forwarders, cold chain service providers and airport authorities. In this fragmented supply chain, detecting excursions and defining why and where they happened is today a complex, time-consuming and manual process. The Global Pharma Tracker Platform integrates logistics, temperature and quality data from this fragmented supply chain into a single, real-time view. This gives all stakeholders access to an enhanced data stream, providing valuable insights into their cargo flows and end-to-end
visibility across the network. It empowers them to efficiently and unequivocally answer questions such as ‘where did the excursion happen?’ and ‘what caused it?’. Historical performance analysis will ultimately allow the adoption of a pro-active approach that prevents excursions from happening in the future.
as AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone and China Telecom. It is estimated that 5G will become active globally next year or in 2021. There have been 5G trials and deployments in various areas of Qatar, the US, the UK, Spain, Scandinavia, the Baltic states, South Korea, Australia, South East Asia, and Lesotho already. When it is running, the 5G network will support devices connected to the mobile internet for track-and-trace services in urban areas, especially for last mile deliveries.
Using track and trace
The days when cargo was swallowed into a black hole are long gone. According to web-
Nallian launches Global Pharma Tracker - Early Adopter P
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Early adopter program
Following a successful Proof of Concept and Pilot phase, in collaboration with Pharma.Aero and their user group, including leading pharma
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shippers, handlers, airport authorities, forwarders and carriers such as Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, MSD, Brussels Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Mumbai Airport, Brussels Airport, Changi Airport, DHL Global Forwarding, the Global Pharma Tracker Platform is now made available “to pharmaceutical actors who are keen to gain full control of their pharma shipments and set the standard for global pharma visibility.” Jean Verheyen, CEO Nallian says: “We are excited to bring the benefits of our open data sharing platform to the pharmaceutical industry. “Proven to generate transparency and efficiency across local cargo communities,
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TRACK-AND-TRACE
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ebsters) Trace (verb) - to discover by going backward over the evidence step by step (Websters)
future
site track-trace.com, some 197 airlines have air cargo track-and-trace solutions. Almost on the same scale, the website offers a list of 182 countries where postal tracking of parcels is possible. According to Marc Schmitt, CEO and co-founder of Evertracker, an AI and IoT platform for process automation in logistics, there is a rethink needed for some aspects of track-and-trace. In a blog he wrote: “You must rethink trackand-trace but especially supply chains. You need to integrate a solution that can provide full visibility of all processes and can manage and steer processes autonomously. “Clients aren’t interested in following every package constantly through a network - they are interested in receiving the best services and a seamless process. Think about it from a private perspective: how often are you checking the status of packages that you’re waiting for? Usually only if they are delayed. “So, adding real-time tracking wouldn’t solve the problem of improving the shipping process as such. “However, if you can control the entire process by getting full visibility and implementing a smart platform technology, that automates processes, then you’re able to increase the experience of your clients.”
ABC and Unilode in world’s first digitised main deck container
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irBridgeCargo Airlines and Unilode Aviation Solutions have deepened their long-standing Unit Load Device (ULD) management partnership with the rollout of the world’s first digitised main deck containers, which are
co-branded dedicated AMA/AMD fire-resistant containers (FRC) equipped with a Transmitting Portable Electronic Device (TPED). The containers, which are manufactured by Nordisk Aviation Products, have been designed with the usage of the latest technology in fire
The next 10 years
By 2029, there will be a new era of connectivity and location-based information processing which could transform tracking technology and location-based services. Widespread use of GPS receivers and RFID tags in products reduces the risks of theft and loss since items can be tracked from location to location as well as from further away. By 2025, most products and parts will be equipped with tracking technology to fuel blockchain-based provenance as well as trackand-trace systems. A decade from now, track-and-trace will be integrated into every part of the logistics world and powered by a confluence of GPS, RFID, LTE networks and 5G, allowing the supply chain to locate anything, or anyone, in real-time.
pter Program
expanding these to a global network such as the pharma supply chain is a logical next step in our ambition to bring the benefits of digitisation and collaboration to the global air cargo industry. “Users of the Global Pharma Tracker will leverage the benefits manifold: internally, within their local community, across validated pharma corridors and ultimately across the global network. “With a cost of $35 billion caused by temperature excursions, we trust the Global Pharma Tracker represents a major opportunity for the industry.”
barriers for aviation and are equipped with TPEDs based on Unilode’s award-winning Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE 5.0) technology. The containers enable the tracking of the location of the ULD and the cargo being carried and the transmission of status updates on parameters such as temperature, humidity, shock and light. The first half of the new digitised AMA/ AMD fire-resistant container fleet will be delivered by Unilode by the end of June and the rest in September to give AirBridgeCargo Airlines time to test and introduce them gradually into its operations. “The deployment of co-branded digitised containers not only broadens our cooperation with Unilode Aviation Solutions but also introduces one of the most revolutionary phases of cargo digitalisation. “We are delighted to be on this path with our valued and trusted partner which is the expert in ULD management and has adopted a forward-thinking approach towards the introduction of IoT into the air cargo industry. TPED is the kind of technology that tightly aligns with our customers’ expectations, especially when it comes to transportation of special cargoes – pharmaceutical products, perishable goods, valuables, and others,” says Sergey Lazarev, general director of AirBridgeCargo Airlines. Benoît Dumont, CEO of Unilode Aviation Solutions added: “At the end of 2018 AirBridgeCargo Airlines and Unilode announced their collaboration for the extensive usage of TPEDs for pallets and containers. The introduction of the digitised AMA/AMD fire-resistant main deck containers is another stage of both companies’ joint efforts to bring enhanced IoT solutions into the air cargo industry with the purpose to simplify the data-sharing process and make it more transparent and reliable for all stakeholders in the aviation value chain. The rollout of Unilode’s reader infrastructure in our repair network and our customers’ key hubs is progressing and all the benefits of Unilode’s digital transformation project will soon be enjoyed by both Unilode and its customers.”
Descartes Acquires CORE Transport Technologies
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escartes Systems Group, a leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, has acquired Core Transport Technologies NZ, an electronic transportation network that provides global air carriers and ground handlers with shipment scanning and tracking solutions. CORE has been connecting commercial airlines, ground handlers and the wider logistics community with trading partners and government postal authorities around the world for more than 10 years. Customers use CORE’s network to accurately track international mail, parcel and cargo shipments as well as US domestic mail and par-
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cel shipments. CORE’s solutions leverage mobile technologies and data analytics to help customers automate processes and increase operational efficiency. “As US domestic and international e-Commerce continues to grow, more demands are being placed on carriers and their partners to deliver efficiently and report events in real-time,” said Ken Wood, EVP of product management at Descartes. “We continue to look for opportunities to add customers, solutions and content to our Global Logistics Network to help our customers manage the life-cycle of shipments,” said Edward J. Ryan, Descartes’ CEO
ACW 24 JUNE 2019
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IAN MARTIN JONES 1947 - 2019
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Instant logistics: by the people, for the people Ian Martin Jones
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t has happened again, although this time without so
much attendant hullabaloo. Yet another air cargo terminal, described by its proprietors as a “vanguard logistical centre”, seems to be having its birthing problems. This time it’s the Ptas 12.5 billion (US$86 million) air cargo centre at Madrid Barajas airport. The centre wants to be the biggest airport hub in southern Europe, and the site is certainly in the right place. Madrid has a potential and the available space for growth matched by no other major European airport. But that growth capacity, it seems, is being threatened by the fact that Iberia’s multi-talented computer system is having problems conversing with the one-track mind of the cargo centre’s computer. Senior cargo centre staff have admitted that between 2,000 and 3,000 pieces of air cargo went missing during the opening period in April - most of which has now been recovered. To facilitate the smooth running of the terminal a certain amount of the work in between the two computer systems is still being handled, quite literally, by the reintroduction of people to the process. Not far from Madrid Barajas is the huge, sprawling, 1.8 million m2 MercaMadrid complex - a place run entirely by people. If you combined London’s Smithfield and Billingsgate markets, injected a frenzy of money trading and a futures trading floor , then rolled them into a final entity, that is far bigger then the sum of its separate parts - that’s MercaMadrid. The fish market alone is the second largest in
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This was Ian Martin Jones’s first editorial column after he took over from Martin Roebuck as editor in the issue of 14 December, 1998
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the world - and it all really bustles along at a fair pace. Mostly in the hours of darkness a passionate Latin-tempered workforce - suffering in the summer from the effects of heat and in the winter from Madrid’s unexpectedly low temperatures - hurls an assortment of produce in at one end of the complex, performs a breakbulk exercise, sorts it, shifts it, executes currency conversions and finalizes transactions with a physical dexterity and verbal panache to match any of the world’s great footballing referee worriers. Then the process centres on selling the produce to an equally agitated and animated crowd, gathering it together into new consolidations, money or promises change hands and the produce speeds towards the exits. Within hours of its first arrival on the scene the perishable goods are hurtling down the motorway on its way to a market of over eight million consumers. And there is not a computer in sight, everything is written on paper or is part of an honour process; produce moves on well-oiled but often squeaky wheels in small wooden boxes that yesterday’s porters have handed down to today’s users. The amazing bit - it really works. Perfectly. And MercaMadrid has functioned this way for decades. How? The obvious answer is that MercaMadrid is full of people. It’s full of a baffling array of procedures, but it’s people that can be found running each and every one of them. Obviously, it would be a logistics problem-solver’s dream to get his hands on this place. But this is exactly what it does not need.
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HE PRETENDS TO KNOW WHAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT
Polmans gets ready to lead TIACA 2.0 As chairman, Polmans says his main areas of focus is the association’s finances, partnerships and the organisation of the ACF. He says: “I hope that in two years time, when I hand over to the next chairman, the organisation is stronger, a healthy organisation so the next chairman and board can do it without spending too much time in TIACA.”
With a lack of clear vision, the industry was losing faith in TIACA. It has taken a concerted team effort to turn the situation around and incoming chairman Steven Polmans is confident of a bright future.
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fter three years on the board of TIACA and almost two years as vice chairman, Steven Polmans is relishing the opportunity to serve as chairman of the association. Speaking to Air Cargo Week at air cargo Europe, the director of cargo and logistics at Brussels Airport Company admitted that The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) had been through a difficult spell, but is confident that the outlook is much brighter. When Polmans joined the board back in 2016, he admits the association was facing challenges but with the hard work of the TIACA team, changes have been made for the better and it is ready for what he calls TIACA 2.0. He is grateful that his boss at Brussels allows him to spend time working with TIACA. Polmans says: “On the one hand he knows it is good for Brussels and it gives visibility and enhances the marketing value of the airport as well, creating a networking opportunity. On the other hand, he also knows that if I don’t get some room to do these kind of things that I really like to do for the industry, for the broader public then I might leave the company.” The main challenges when Polmans joined
Strengthening the brand
the board was not having a clear vision. He says: “Everyone knew TIACA as the organisation who organised the Air Cargo Forum and the networking, but in five or six years we lost a lot of that, and we did not really have an answer to that.”
Regaining confidence
This resulted in companies losing confidence in TIACA, not knowing what it stood for, which gave TIACA an image problem. The association’s finances also become “really bad”, burning through the cash reserves meaning the situation needed to be turned around as a matter of urgency. The situation is much better now. Polmans says: “I think we’ve really secured the finances. We are more focused with our partners, for example organising the ACF with Messe München in Miami. It has put us in a healthier financial situation and helping us as TIACA, instead of organising these events, we can spend time on our members and what we want to do for the industry.” It has been a team effort, with Polmans working with outgoing chairman Sebastiaan Scholte,
saying the two came as a package deal. The two had the benefit of knowing each other well. Speaking the same language and being close neighbours made it easier to work together, and not being the other side of the world from each other was an added bonus. Having been vice chairman for a bit under two years has been a useful experience for Polmans, saying: “As an airport you are already overviewing a bigger part of the logistics chain. You’re not just in one segment.” Air Cargo Belgium was created three years ago to help partners collaborate and increase efficiency. Polmans says what Air Cargo Belgium is doing locally, TIACA is doing on a global scale. He says: “It extends the work and is also in line with each other. We’re not doing something completely different but it builds on what you’re doing already but on a higher level. With our network it really gives visibility, you meet new people, you have discussions.” “TIACA regularly meets organisations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization and the World Customs Organization, and meeting them on TIACA’s level puts you in a much stronger position than as an airport or local organisation,” Polmans adds.
A strong face and brand is another thing Polmans hopes to give TIACA. “I really think we need to come up with a very clear story, and I feel that TIACA is ideally placed and recognised as the organisation to be the strong face and story that we want to tell to the world in the months and years to come.” One area to improve TIACA’s finances was the ACF. Having spent years moving around the world the biennial event will stay in Miami from next year. The decision has disappointed some TIACA members, who believe that as a global organisation, the ACF should move around the globe. Explaining the development, Polmans says: “You have seen that if you always stay in the same location, you build up a reputation, you build up knowledge and experience, you have buying power. If you travel around you are always starting from scratch and you have unpleasant surprises, you have hidden costs so it’s really difficult to compete and still make good money and value for our members.” The ACF will be in one location, but the Executive Summit will move around, with the first one being held in Budapest, Hungary. The plan is to keep it outside of the Americas to show TIACA is still a global organisation. Polmans is confident that after the recent tough times, TIACA will be in a stronger position by the time he hands over the reins, telling Air Cargo Week he would be “disappointed” if it was not. He says: “I would be very disappointed if we were only slightly stronger. I really think that the momentum we have built, we have to build on that and there is no slow way forward. The industry is moving and changing very quickly, and we as an organisation have to do the same.”
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