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WORLD AIRPORTS .COM ACW Digital is sponsored by FREIGHTERS.COM
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The weekly newspaper for air cargo professionals No. 1,170
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7 MARCH 2022
Goodbye Atatürk, hello SMARTIST
BELOVED MRIYA
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INSIDE
MARINO NAMED UNILOAD CEO
UNILODE AVIATION SOLUTIONS has appointed Ross Marino as chief executive officer, effective February 28. ... PAGE 2
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S ...
WHAT more can be done to address gender imbalance in logistics? March 8 marks International Women’s Day (IWD). For the ...
“DESTROYED” A t the time of writing, March 1, the conflict in Ukraine had escalated significantly since Russian troops invaded the country on February 24. On the night of 27 February, Freedom Square in central Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second city, was hit by a Russian strike, causing a huge explosion. EU airspace has been closed since February 27 to all Russian planes. “We are shutting down EU airspace for Russian-owned, Russian-registered or Russian-controlled aircraft,” said Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission. Commercial airlines are avoiding airspace around
Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus following Russia’s invasion. Russia’s biggest airline, Aeroflot, said it would cancel all flights to European destinations until further notice in a retaliatory move on same day. It has also sadly been reported that the muchloved Antonov AN-225, the world’s largest plane, nicknamed Mriya, has been destroyed in a Russian attack, according to Ukrainian officials. “Russia may have destroyed our Mriya. But they will never be able to destroy our dream of a strong, free and democratic European state. We shall prevail!” wrote Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro
Kuleba on Twitter. According to US news outlet, CNN, the Ukrainian state defence company Ukroboronprom, which manages Antonov, on February 28 issued a statement saying the aircraft had been destroyed but would be rebuilt at Russia’s expense – a cost it put at $3 billion. “The restoration is estimated to take over five years and cost over US$3 billion.” the statement said. “Our task is to ensure that these costs are covered by the Russian Federation, which has caused intentional damage to Ukraine’s aviation and the air cargo sector.”
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ECS TAKES ON GLOBE AIR ...
ECS GROUP’S US subsidiary, Miami-based Globe Air Cargo is now responsible for all cargo sales and administrative services connected ... PAGE 5
TURKISH MARKET OUTLOOK
SITTING on the border of Europe and Asia, Turkey has served as a gateway in both directions for centuries. ... PAGE 6
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NEWS
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Marino named Unilode CEO
ROSS MARINO
UNILODE AVIATION SOLUTIONS has appointed Ross Marino as chief executive officer, effective February 28. Marino succeeds Benoit Dumont, who has stepped down from the position. Marino has over 30 years of aviation experience, having worked in numerous senior and executive management roles at leading global ground handling organisations and airlines. He had a 15-year-long career at dnata where he was instrumental in growing the handler into a leading global organisation, and most recently held the position of CEO Europe. Ross Marino, said “I am very excited to join Unilode in the role of chief executive officer and build on the great foundation and growth potential of the business. Unilode’s customer-focused and innovation-driven business strategy makes it well-positioned for continued success.”
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INTERNATIONAL forwarders organisation FIATA and the Bureau International des Containers (BIC) have joined the Cargo Integrity Group. The organisation brings together international freight transport and cargo handling companies with different roles in the supply chain, and a shared dedication to improving safety, security and environmental performance throughout the logistics supply chain.
senior vice president, Jens Roemer. “By joining the group, FIATA reaffirms its commitment to improving the safety and security of sea freight in the best interest of its customers. FIATA is a key component in reaching out to the end customer and making a difference in the implementation of the CIG’s work, while bringing strong safety and security expertise through the collaboration of its WG Sea and Advisory
The group said that FIATA and BIC would bring valuable complementary perspectives, resources and networks to the group, further deepening its competence and scope. Both organisations have already worked closely with the Cargo Integrity Group and will directly contribute to faster and more effective progress in reducing incidents, accidents, and biosecurity issues in the international supply chain. FIATA director general, Dr Stéphane Graber commented: “FIATA has long supported the work of the Cargo Integrity Group and has already collaborated with its stakeholders to promote the CTU [container safety] code through the activities of its Working Group Sea headed by FIATA
Body Safety Security.” BIC secretary general Douglas Owen, said: “With safety and sustainability at the very core of BIC’s mission, topics like cargo safety, proper declarations and the avoidance of pest contamination are clearly of high interest to us. We’ve been supporting the promotion of the CTU code in communications both with our members and externally since it was first published, and most recently sponsored one of the CTU Quick Guide translations. We’re pleased to take this next step by joining the group, and look forward to working more closely with our partner organisations in helping increase safety in our industry.”
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ACW 7 MARCH 2022
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FIATA joins Cargo Integrity Group
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INTERNATIONAL WOMAN’S DAY
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
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hat more can be done to address gender imbalance in logistics? March 8 marks International Women’s Day (IWD). For the supply chain sector, this past year has brought some positive change in gender balanced workforce. Last June, a Gartner study, which surveyed 223 supply chain organisations from February through to March 2021, found 41% of the supply chain workforce were female, up 2% from 2020. However, there’s still a way to go. Men currently hold around 70-85% of jobs in supply chain management. The Gartner study points out that retaining midcareer women and progressing them to senior roles is one of the biggest problems facing the industry. Is enough being done to address these issues? Emma Murray, chief executive officer and founder of UK-based Meantime Communications, and co-founder of Women in Aviation and Logistics thinks not enough is being done yet. “Things are improving for sure, but we still don’t do enough to celebrate success and showcase role models to encourage the next generation of leaders. Often efforts feel disjointed and that is a shame. “This is a fantastic industry with so many opportunities. If we pull together, we can make a change. I have complete faith we can achieve this if we work together.” Clare Bottle, CEO of the UK Warehousing Association, agrees that even though IWD raises awareness of these issues, the industry needs to think beyond just a single day. She says: “I think we need to be more imaginative about where we recruit from, to overcome all kinds of stigma and bias and tackle the labour crisis in our sector. “As well as recruitment, it’s really important that the industry is actively retaining and developing talent throughout women’s entire careers, and providing the right support at each life stage,” adds Sharon Davies, vice president of regulatory and public affairs for DHL Express Europe, who was recently made MBE for logistics services. “DHL has a programme to support the advancement of women in the business. It focuses on three main areas – connecting, inspiring and developing – and includes a range of initiatives from mentoring to career workshops,” she explains. Aviation and logistics is certainly not short of female experts but it is sad to see there are still panels at conferences with little diversity. But Patricia Odida, cargo optimisation, pricing and revenue manager at Kenya-based Astral Aviation is optimistic that this is not done deliberately. She says: “I want to believe it is because women are still fewer than men in aviation logistics and those who are there lack visibility, meaning the people planning the conferences may not be aware of their expertise. “When more women in the aviation industry are given visibility for their achievements it will encourage more women to consider logistics as a career.” Davies also agrees visibility is important. “Candidates need to see other successful women in the roles they’re aspiring to. “Equally important is for women who have established their careers to spend time talking to others at different stages of their career paths. Whether that’s at industry events, formal mentoring, or just taking a moment to catch up over a coffee, sharing experiences and advice can be incredibly rewarding for both
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FEATURE parties,” she explains. With this in mind, Women in Aviation and Logistics, which Murray launched with Céline Hourcade, founder and managing director of the aviation and logistics transformation programme, Change Horizon, recently created a database of female professionals able to speak at industry events. The organisation has also established a mentorship scheme for young female logisticians.
An unlikely path? Odida and Bottle both agree that logistics was not an industry they
would have imagined themselves working in when at school. “I had never thought of working in the aviation sector while I was in school as I did not know much about it, apart from that there are pilots and flight attendants,” says Odida. “I wanted to be a teacher but ended up applying for a vacant customer service position in the cargo section of the national carrier and liked it and from then on, I never looked back.” Bottle says:“When I was at school I wanted to be a writer. Now I realise the ability to write well is an asset in almost every job. It’s a shame logistics is still not really talked about in schools, or perhaps more young people would choose it.”
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in aviation and logistics? Bottle: This is a great career option for people who enjoy working with others and problem solving. There are plenty of opportunities for progression too - go for it! And please join The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport’s Women in Logistics organisation too. Murray: I would give everybody the same advice. Logistics keeps the world moving, without it, as we all just found out, everything from a trip to the bathroom to getting a COVID jab becomes difficult. It’s a privilege to be part of this world and it’s exciting, global, and absolutely full of opportunity. Go for it!
Odida: The aviation sector is big, and has many facets and it is an interesting sector to be in. It requires passion and is satisfying when you like it. It is an exciting career worth thinking of and worth joining. I would encourage more women to look at what area they have a passion in and to consider pursuing it. Davies: Go for it! This is such a broad and stimulating industry to be a part of. For anyone who’s not sure how to get started, try talking to people already in the industry, in my experience people are often very willing to lend their support or share their insights.
“Aviation and logistics is certainly not short of female experts but it is sad to see there are still panels at conferences with little diversity”
Globe Air Cargo Miami partners with Azul Cargo
ECS GROUP’S US subsidiary, Miami-based Globe Air Cargo is now responsible for all cargo sales and administrative services connected to Azul’s entire US business and will assist the carrier with flight operations. Azul operates an A330 passenger and passenger-to-freighter fleet out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Orlando International Airport (MCO), to Viracopos-Campina International Airport (VCP), Brazil. It operates nine times a week, and is licensed to carry all commodity types. In addition to steering and growing Azul’s cargo business at its online gateways, the GSSA says it has clear plans to develop offline US destinations with dedicated Azul sales representatives. “We are thrilled to represent Azul which is a fast growing and very dynamic Brazilian carrier with a lot of ambition. We have established a dedicated team here at Globe Air Cargo, to support and develop Azul Cargo’s US business to Brazil and look forward to creating synergies with our ECS Group colleagues representing Azul in Argentina and Europe,” commented Danny Olynick, regional vice president North America for Globe Air Cargo. He continued: “We aim to maximise Azul’s revenues and support it in accessing new destinations across the US, both online and offline. What is particularly attractive about Azul is its focus on e-commerce cargo across Brazil: a fascinating expanded network challenge that we are more than happy to participate in.” Juliano Martins, international cargo sales manager at Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras added: “In Globe Air Cargo, we have found an established, experienced partner for our US business, and can expect a similar success to that we enjoy with other ECS Group partners.”
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TURKEY
TURKISH MARKET OUTLOOK
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“Not only air freight but also intermodal and minivan freight increased too”
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itting on the border of Europe and Asia, Turkey has served as a gateway in both directions for centuries. For this reason, even with the disruptions that have plagued the industry for the past two years, air cargo performance in the country of two continents has been strong but it’s not been plain sailing says Sefa Erol, manager and co-founder of Turkish fowarder Norther Global Logistics. “At the moment, the consumer confidence index is at its lowest rate since 2004 and business confidence has decreased significantly due to the volatility of currency, inflation, and a steep increase in prices,” explains Erol. “Therefore, it is difficult to say that the market confidence in Turkey is strong. However, after the new year, business confidence has increased slightly.” The major development of the new Istanbul Airport has eased capcity restraints but Erol does not think that it has brought more interest and investment in the country’s cargo sector. He puts this down to “pandemic-related issues”, which he says have decreased confidence in the development. These pandemic related issues are still affecting the Turkish market, but Erol notes that this is “not as much as at the beginning of the pandemic.
He says: “Recently, Covid cases have increased again in Turkey. However, most companies adapted to home-office hybrid working and also shift systems, which helped them to improve their operations efficiency even with Covid related issues.” Some issues are harder to control, the seafreight disruption being a major one. “Issues in seafreight forced most logistics companies to find new ways of transportation. “Not only airfreight but also intermodal and minivan freight increased too. Because of the high cost of the airfreight, NGL offers minivans for express deliveries and intermodal transport for standard deliveries instead of airfreight. Of course, not all deliveries can be made with intermodal and minivan. In such cases, we proceed by air. “We try to minimise the negative effect of these disruptions by finding a suitable alternative transportation and complementing this with good customer service. “However even with this, our seafreight turnover has decreased and delivery dates are obviously postponed,” says Erol. What’s the greatest threat to air cargo growth in Turkey? Erol believes economical volatility trumps all other issues. “To have a healthy logistics operation, import and export balance is very important,” he says.
FEATURE
Goodbye Atatürk, hello SMARTIST
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urkish Cargo has moved all its air cargo operations from Atatürk International Airport to SMARTIST and is now settling into its new home at the Istanbul Airport’s mega cargo facility. After its opening in 2019, passenger flights were shifted from Atatürk Airport to the new Istanbul Airport but Turkish Cargo continued its freighter operations at Atatürk. Turhan Ozen, chief cargo officer at Turkish Airlines said: “With SMARTIST, our new home, we are ready for the future more than we have ever been before. “During the last three years, we carried out a highly substantial operation in both of our hubs. While we made use of our freighters at the Ataturk Airport, we benefitted from our passenger aircraft and the preighter capacity at the Istanbul Airport. “We performed approximately 30 thousand flights, 23 thousand of which were performed by making use of our freighters and six thousand of which were by preighters. We transported more than 4 million air cargo shipments, 2.5 million tonnes of which were transported from/to the Ataturk Airport and 1.8 million tonnes of which were transported from/to the Istanbul Airport. “Now, we are gathering the air cargo operations which we have been carrying out triumphantly on a “dual hub” basis without compromising our service quality, under a single roof at the Istanbul Airport. “Thanks to SMARTIST, our new home with all of its processes equipped with autonomous and robotic systems, we as Turkish Cargo, the air cargo bridge of Turkey, are now ready for the future more than we have been ever before.” SMARTIST will achieve an annual capacity of four million tonnes. Once all phases are complete, it will cover an area of 340,000 sq m.
The facility is equipped with smart technologies such as augmented reality, automatic storage systems, robotic process automation and unmanned ground vehicles. As part of the relocation operation, which was overseen by the senior executives of Turkish Cargo, TGS and the moving company at the Relocation Control Centre, 160 services were performed by 50 trucks. During the operation, the moving trucks covered a distance of approximately 16,000 kms, equal to the distance between Turkey and New Zealand. During the move, 4125 pieces of equipment, owned by TGS and Turkish Cargo, were relocated.
“SMARTIST will achieve an annual capacity of four million tonnes”
Ferrovial to acquire 60% of Dalaman Airport
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pain-based infrastructure operator, Ferrovial, through its Airports division, has reached an agreement with Turkish infrastructure company YDA Group to acquire a 60% stake in the company that manages the Dalaman International Airport concession, in Turkey, for €140
million. YDA Group, which has been operating the asset since 2006 and will retain a 40% stake, has undertaken major upgrades to the facilities. Completion of the deal is contingent upon the customary approvals for this type of transaction, including clearance from the Turkish authorities. It is expected to be completed in the first half of 2022. YDA Group was awarded a 26-year concession to operate the airport in 2014, and that was subsequently extended to 2042. The concession agreement included the construction of a new international terminal that came into service in 2018. Luke Bugeja, CEO of Ferrovial Airports says:“YDA Group has extensive experience with building and operating infrastructures under the P3 formula in Turkey, making it the ideal partner for this project. Ferrovial continues to advance without losing sight of opportunities in our strategic markets.” “We are delighted to welcome Ferrovial as a partner. This strategic alliance represents a unique opportunity to bring together the combined expertise of both companies in the Turkish aviation sector,” said Hüseyin Arslan, chairman of YDA Group. “The synergies derived from our geographic complementarity will connect our customers to new destinations, while offering significant growth potential for both Dalaman and other markets. We are convinced that this partnership between two groups with a global presence in the aviation business will further contribute to our success.”
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