ISSUE 4 DECEMBER 2009
GERMANY
ProAir’s forward thinking pays off Plus a round-up of cargo, passenger and business air charter news
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FOR PROFESSIONALS IN CHARTER FLIGHT PROCUREMENT
ISSUE 4 DECEMBER 2009
Who is Charter Broker magazine for, exactly? ISSUE 4 DECEMBER 2009
GERMANY
ProAir’s forward thinking pays off PLUS A ROUND-U P OF CARGO, PASSENGER AND BUSINESS AIR CHARTER NEWS
ProAir’s Andreas Wald plans ahead for success in Germany. Story page 15.
David Wright
Publisher
Rod Smith
Editor Production
Kate Woods
Advertising manager
Mark Ranger
Advertising sales
Pauline Watkins
Y
OU MIGHT think that the clue is in the title, and of course you would be right. It certainly is for individuals who would class themselves as a ‘charter broker’. But one thing we are learning as we expand our readership is that this is an even more complicated business than we thought. The real qualification for a free printed copy of our illustrious organ is to be working in air charter procurement on behalf of clients. This means that our reader might equally be a government officer, a corporate travel manager, a freight forwarder or even a charter operator buying in services which cannot be fulfilled with an in-house fleet. As long as the sourcing and organising of air charter flown by others makes up the majority of your working effort, then we are delighted to send Charter Broker every issue.
Many others, who maybe fulfill the roll as a minor part of their workload, can also access the magazine free of charge by viewing the online edition. In fact, we know that many readers actually prefer the on-screen edition. All indications are that 2010 is highly likely to see a recovery in business aviation, freight and group passenger charter, and we will be aiming to deliver news and features of interest and value to anyone in the flight procurement business, whatever your job title. This is one very important ball on which we will be keeping our eye during World Cup year. So, on behalf of all of the Charter Broker team may I wish you a happy holiday season, and a highly successful new year. David Wright david@charterbroker.aero
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Administrator
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Charter Broker 134 South Street, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, CM23 3BQ Tel: +44 1279 714505 Fax: +44 1279 714519 email: info@charterbroker.aero www.charterbroker.aero ISSN 2041-9279 Charter Broker is published six times each year, by Stansted News Limited. Periodicals postage paid at Rahway, N.J. Postmaster: Send address changes to Stansted News Limited c/o Mercury Airfreight International Ltd., 365 Blair Road, Avenel, New Jersey 07001. Company registered in England no. 2224522. Printed by Stones. Charter Broker is sent without charge to qualifying professionals. Please visit the web site to request a copy. The opinions expressed by authors and contributors to Charter Broker are not necessarily those of the editors or publisher. Articles appearing in Charter Broker may not be reproduced in whole or part without the express permission of the publisher. Charter Broker is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or artwork.
DECEMBER 2009
CONTENTS FEATURES
BROKER NEWS
Leading firms prepare for challenges in German market
ACS helps speed aid to flood-hit Burkina Faso Le Bas International expands its ‘vetted’ charter operator referral network
The German market demands forward planning and leading brokers have responded to the challenges. Page 15
Resourceful brokers take on tough assignments Charter Broker looks at some of the diffi cult,complicated or downright dangerous assignments successfully undertaken recently.
Page 6
Air Partner’s successful freight expansion drive leads to promotion
INDUSTRY NEWS
Page 19
Latest Challenger 605 heads for Kazakhstan Cargolux reports rising enquiries for free international relief service Page 20
Western Aviation airlifts seven helicopters using Antonov 124
February 2010 articles: Now the draw is known, charter brokers have intensified the marketing of their services to clients interested in trips to the soccer World Cup in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010. There will be similar business-generating efforts for the rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2011. Charter Broker’s sports focus on these and other events is now planned for the February 2010 issue. There will also be reviews of other business-generating sectors including a more detailed examination of dangerous cargoes.
For advertising rates and data visit www.charterbroker.aero CHARTER BROKER 3
NEWS FROM BACA
EU red tape may be the price to pay K The world’s largest network for air charter professionals BACA represents the interests of commercial aviation companies particularly in the air charter industries and markets. Membership includes air brokers, charter airlines, airports, business aircraft operators, freight forwarders, consultants and others. www.baca.org.uk
4 CHARTER BROKER
NOWLEDGE and expertise is valuable and many charter brokers earn repeat business because they know their local market. The big brokers use their international networks to provide local knowledge and service around the world. So how many charter brokers in the 27 diverse and disparate countries that make up the European Union favour their nation’s continuing membership? For many it is a question of being free to do the best job possible for their clients without being burdened by unnecessary bureaucracy. The British, for instance, insist on their own time zone, many of their own archaic scales of measurement, and (for now, at least) their own currency. But what they do share with their European colleagues is a herd of unelected officials engaging in unbidden legislative activities in Brussels and Strasbourg at great expense. So would UK charter brokers favour breaking away from the EU? Opinion polls show a surprising 40 per cent of the public in favour of leaving and presumably there would be a significant percentage of charter brokers that feel the same. An EU member state can withdraw if it gives adequate warning – there’s an agreed procedure for it, and one country actually did it (those with an itching curiosity can look up who it was, but there are no prizes). But what would be the consequences if a nation such as the UK did quit? For a start, inter-European travel could be more complicated. Many passengers that fly to Europe are going there to study, to stay in holiday homes, to retire, or to work. Without the freedom of movement and activity that Europe currently allows, many of those reasons for travel could be curtailed, or at least seriously reduced. For example, the introduction of work permits, residence permits or visas would be bound to slow the currently healthy inter-European passenger traffic. Air services would probably once again be governed by bilateral trade agreements, and one might think that European operators would not be particularly amenable to letting British airlines run around their countries in the way they do today. On the other hand, the present network of cheap flights within the region is not a product of Brussels, but of a host of individual agreements. EU proponents often claim that Open Skies policies within the EU led to a huge increase in bums on seats, and directly to the growth in low-cost air travel. Yet it is, for example, quite straightforward to fly from the UK with easyJet to Turkey or Switzerland, or with Ryanair to Morocco or Norway – none of whom are EU member states. So the inference is that the growth was business-led and nationally-agreed rather than a result of EU policy; and it’s reasonable to assume that such international collaboration would continue if Britain left the EU.
It’s unlikely that a Britain outside Europe would have any less clout when, for example, negotiating air service rights with the USA. Indeed the US might prefer to deal with one country at a time, as might many other nations. And the UK surely has enough status (sixth largest world economic power, admittedly with Germany and France ranking fourth and fifth) and global reach to continue to negotiate reciprocal air service agreements with other international partners. In any case, if Britain left the EU, it would still remain a member of the European Economic Area which links all countries in the region for trading purposes, and the European Free Trade Association still exists, although only a handful of nations still belong to it. Most countries who are not in the EU try very hard to adhere to the EU directives for business and commercial reasons. The Schengen Agreement, first implemented in 1985 to simplify border controls between participating countries, was not an EU creation at its outset (too many Community members refused to sign it) and, although its terms have now been enshrined in EU law, it still has members who are not in the Union. So, although Britain is not a full-blown member of Schengen (‘partial’ acceptance – the awkward guys as usual), this is another area in which Britain could continue to participate even if it left Europe. But would charter brokers benefit? Their outlook is international and, if they do business in Europe, they will have to abide by EU rules. Despite all the hot air and Euro-scepticism, I doubt that any party capable of attaining power would dare to take Britain out of Europe. So presumably one can look forward to a future in which we continue periodically to elect antiEuropeans as MEPs, enabling them to achieve nothing in Brussels other than claim expenses and, one trusts, fill occasional airline seats. One just hopes that the European Commission will show more sense in encouraging entrepreneurs such as charter brokers rather than continuing to complicate business with unnecessary red tape. Dick Gilbert, chairman, BACA DECEMBER 2009
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In brief... Sound Moves and Classic in tune for successful Leonard Cohen world tour
IAC develops Middle East medevac focus
Sound Moves of New Zealand reports good feedback after the recent Leonard Cohen world tour arranged through UK charter broker Classic Aviation Services. Icejet dedicated its 19-seater Dornier 328 to the tour which took in cities including Nantes, Paris, Lisbon, Venice, Istanbul, Palma, Vigo and Leon in Spain, Gerona, Monte Carlo, Cologne, Norde and Langesund in Norway, Dublin, Belfast and Tel Aviv. In the UK the aircraft flew into Farnborough and Liverpool airports. The tour was organised by Sound Moves of New Zealand and arranged through UK charter broker Classic Aviation Services. “This is the second time we have used Icejet for a Leonard Cohen tour and it went extremely smoothly,” Philip Thompsett, md, reports.
International Air Charter (IAC) is offering the services of dedicated medevac aircraft to meet growing demand in the UAE and the Middle East region. Elie Abdo, managing partner Middle East, says: “The medevac market here offers considerable potential as the service providers are currently responding to around 30 to 40 requests a month.” International missions, he says, used to mostly involve transports to medical facilities in Europe and the US.
Elie Abdo: potential But the rise in the number of available high standard medical facilities in the Middle East has increased patient options and consequently the frequency of medevac enquiries in the region.
He adds: “Medevac has become a more viable option for the UAE thanks to the influx of modern medical facilities within the UAE and throughout the region. The current size of the local fleet will simply not be enough to accommodate any more surges in demand. As a result we intend to enhance the availability of our global network of medevac aircraft and help augment the market. The growing popularity and affordability of medevac flights means that we have the opportunity to save more lives in the UAE and the region, so we have moved up this segment in our service priorities.”
ASA Group helps relief team get to earthquake victims more quickly The ASA Group recently helped 47 Spanish relief workers and nine crew traveling on a MD-87 earthquake mercy mission to Indonesia. The private charter relief flight operated by Spain’s Swiftair had landed in Mumbai and wished to depart to another destination closer to Indonesia while the passengers’ destination permits were in process. Simon Wagstaff, ceo, Scott Stammers, ASA’s director of operations, and their colleague Pik Bunphalamlert worked in coordination with Jeppesen (Commercial ITPS) and officials at Don Muang airport in Bangkok to meet the schedule. Timely permits, visas and accommodation were arranged for the stranded passengers and crew. Charter Broker
The temporary home tents were up in 48 hours
ACS helps speed aid to Burkina Faso Flood-hit residents of Burkina Faso were living in disaster relief tents within 48 hours of them being readied in the UK thanks to a multi-national relief effort. The project involved an Antonov 12 sourced by Air Charter Service (ACS) and provided by UNICEF with funding from the government of Luxembourg and a crew from the Ukraine. International disaster relief charity ShelterBox flew out 500 ShelterBox tents from the UK’s Newquay airport in the first exercise of its kind since the aerodrome was transferred from Ministry of Defence to Cornwall Council control. The tents and ShelterBoxes, designed to provide emergency shelter for up to 5,000 people, were flown to the capital Ouagadougou. ShelterBox founder and ceo Tom Henderson says: “It was a case of all hands on deck, from the fire service based at airport to our own volunteers, to make sure this much needed aid made it on to the aeroplane. We’re absolutely delighted to have been able to pull this off in such a short time scale and we couldn’t have done
Boxing clever: fast processing so without the commitment and dedication of the team at Newquay.” He adds: “People in Burkina Faso lost their homes during the worst flooding to hit the country in living memory. In total, close to 150,000 people in Ouagadougou were affected by the floods.” The AN12 was loaded with 15 tonnes of aid by ShelterBox and the Bluewatch fire crew based at Newquay. ShelterBox response team member Tom Lay, who assessed the situation at the scene, says the flood damage was the worst he had seen. DECEMBER 2009
broker news Abdo says medevac patients in countries including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar vary from clients requiring urgent repatriation, to victims of serious traffic accidents or children requiring immediate medical assistance due to congenital complications. “IAC aviation consultants have to know exactly what equipment is available and whether it can be matched to the requirements of the emergency. “Medevac aircraft supplied by IAC gravitates towards operators for whom air ambulance is a core business, as experience in this sector means that problems can be anticipated and pre-empted. In an emergency situation, fast repatriation can save a life or limit the risk of long-term health problems.” IAC, he says, ensures that the medevac aircraft it offers hold the appropriate medical licences and medical indemnity insurance and have dedicated specialist medical teams and equipment.
DECEMBER 2009
Le Bas International expands its ‘vetted’ charter operator referral network Le Bas International, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2010, is expanding its portfolio of charter operators. Tracey Deakin, COO, one of three founder partners, recalls: “When the company was established charter guidelines were non-existent, hence we had to create our own flight standards which was prior to the establishment of companies like Wyvern and others offering flight safety standard products. “A great deal of these ‘wishes’ are now incorporated in the latest NBAA best practices guidelines for aircraft with up to 30 seats.” Le Bas International, he adds, has built up a strong widespread business base of charter operators in Mexico, Canada, Russia, the Middle East, Australia and China. But: “We are on the look out for additional corporate inventory that can meet our desired
Le Bas: global business development standards and aims.” With bases in San Luis Obispo, California, and Shannon, Co. Clare, Ireland, the company deals with both passenger and cargo charter. “We specialise in high value commodities, time critical, oil,
gas and mining equipment, heavy and outsize pieces and humanitarian relief cargo,” says Deakin. “We also handle dangerous goods, aerospace requirements, ship spares and livestock.”
Charter Broker
In brief... ProAir and Crystal Cars develop jet and super sports car synergies ProAir and Crystal Cars are developing a close business collaboration which will facilitate the complementary hire of comfortable private jets and super sports cars. ProAir says: “After successful co-operations in the sectors of yachting and golf we are now also in close collaboration with the provider of a special club of super sports cars.” It adds: “The co-operation between Crystal Cars and ProAir will take place on different levels. The idea behind club membership is to enable clients to avoid buying one car in order to drive a variety including Ferrari, Lamborghini and Aston Martin for about 90 days per year.”
Restaurant and hotel group turns to ASA Group for vip services The ASA Group has signed an agreement with luxury hotel group Relais & Chateaux in Asia to provide aviation and vip security services. ASA will offer private charter flights, vip travel and security services for visitors to the hotels. Simon Wagstaff, ASA ceo, says: “We are delighted to be part of this luxury project.” Relais & Chateaux is an exclusive collection of 475 of hotels and gourmet restaurants in 55 countries.
Ben Bewsey, manager UK of Air Partner Private Jets, boards a Phenom 100.
Air Partner adds VLJ and super midsize to JetCard Air Partner is expanding its 25-hour pre-paid JetCard for private jet charter clients adding two new categories of aircraft within its European service area. The categories – Very Light Jet and Super Midsize – are also included in its new 10-hour Winter JetCard aimed primarily at the ski market. “These two new categories coincide with the fifth year of JetCard,” says sales director David Macdonald. “The selection of jets we offer is the widest available of any jet card today and it ensures our clients receive a service tailored exactly to their needs.” Air Partner is chartering more VLJs, including
Mustangs and Phenom 100 and 300s, to clients on an ad hoc basis. “We are finding that people love flying in these new jets, which are proving popular with those who travel short distances in small groups. The inclusion of the VLJ on the JetCard opens up air charter to a far wider audience at a lower price point,” he noted. JetCard’s popularity with high net worth individuals flying increasingly for leisure use has also been a key driver in the decision to expand the jet categories, said Macdonald. “Our clients holding US and Middle East JetCards can also enjoy using these two new categories when flying within Europe.”
sustainable development projects in rural Zambia (see Charter Broker August 2009). One of the thank you Chapman Freeborn Airchartering messages sent to the Estelle Trust (CF) has donated funds this from Kachele village, Zambia, says: autumn for a further two wind “No words can express our delight pumps to the Estelle Trust, a at seeing the solar pump and Full advert 60 x 190:Layoutregistered 1 3/6/09 Page 1 panels installed this week. Within charity09:56 promoting
CF pumps more money into Zambia’s vital clean water projects
three seconds of switching on the pump, water that is sweet and clean was gushing out.” CF says: “We encourage our clients to support this initiative by donating either a full wind pump or making a contribution towards the sum of a project.” Info: www.estelletrust.org
PROMOTING PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS IN AIR CHARTER BROKERAGE
WWW.BACA.ORG.UK
THE BALTIC AIR CHARTER ASSOCIATION Charter Broker
DECEMBER 2009
Noel Trout Avinode System Architect
Don’t worry. It all comes together online. At the world’s largest online marketplace for air charter professionals, we’ve put it all together. Trip pricing, aircraft availability and thousands of empty legs. Seamlessly linked with ARG/US safety data and leading fleet management systems. We’ve also got easy-to-use charter booking solutions for your own website. All in one place. Start at www.avinode.com.
broker news
Air Partner’s successful freight expansion drive leads to promotion
French connection boosts ACS business Air Charter Service (ACS) reports a good business response after opening a new office in Paris headed up by Benjamin Sinclair. “This is the next step in the European growth of the company,” says Sinclair who has worked in the industry as both an airline pilot and as a broker. Pictured from left are: Joel Fenn, executive charter manager; Tony Bauckham, md; Chris Leach, chairman; Andrew Summers, senior account manager; Axelle Fraissignes, account manager; Benjamin Sinclair, Paris office manager; Glenn Phillips, press officer; and James Leach, marketing manager.
Singapore broker teams up with Elite Jets Recently launched charter broker New Dimension Aviation is working with Dubai-based Elite Jets to build business connections between the Middle East and Asia. New Dimension Aviation is part of a diversified group of companies in Singapore which also owns the security and defence consultancy firm New Dimension Group. Elite Jets says: “The purpose of this strategic alliance between the Dimension
Group Pte Ltd, Singapore and Elite Jets FZCO, Dubai, is to benefit the two companies’ corporate objectives. Under this agreement Elite Jets plans to position and base an aircraft in Singapore to support the jet travel demands of our clients and expand potential new markets.” Its Falcon 7X will be among aircraft servicing travel between Asia and the Middle East and Europe with an initial focus on demand in the Singapore region.
ProAir beats client’s five minute deadline ProAir has contingency plans to deal with the shortage of on-site parking places in Turin which it describes as its second “home base” in Italy after Milan. “Recently our mini van had to be positioned so that as soon as our client called it would take a maximum of five minutes to board the passengers,” the company reports. “We kept the airport and the crew informed and it took less than five minutes after their arrival at the General Aviation Terminal before the aircraft engines were able to start.”
ACS keeps carbon offset going Griva Digeni & Anastasi Sioukri, Pamelva Court, Office 14, 3105 Limassol, Cyprus
Tel: +357 25586898 Fax: +357 25586890 E-mail: - sales@zelaaviation.com www.zelaaviation.com 10 Charter Broker
Air Partner has promoted freight manager Richard Smith to director of group freight. “In just five years with the company, he has transformed the freight division from a small specialised operation serving a handful of clients into the global player it is today,” says ceo David Savile. Air Partner says its freight business has more than doubled in the past five years and is now providing a significant contribution to overall group profits. Based at Air Partner’s LondonGatwick headquarters, Smith heads an expanding freight team with in-house cargo specialists in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and USA based in London, Cologne, Paris, Tokyo, Dubai and Fort Lauderdale.
Air Charter Service (ACS) is celebrating its third year of carbon offsetting after recently renewing its carbon neutral status. The company offsets CO2 emissions through The CarbonNeutral Company.
Richard Smith: major player Further Air Partner Freight office openings are planned with announcements expected in the new year. Smith says: “When I joined Air Partner in 2004, we provided specialised cargo charters to a small number of clients. In developing our freight business, my aim has been to challenge our more long-established cargo charter competitors and I feel we are now a major player in this market.” He adds: “Our strategy is to continue this development and to provide excellent service to DECEMBER 2009
broker news as many clients as possible, globally.” Prior to joining Air Partner, Smith spent 16 years working for cargo charter operators, three of which were spent in Singapore where he managed a chartered Hercules aircraft. Air Partner Freight, Smith says, charters aircraft of every size, from Learjets to the giant Antonov 225 freighter, to fly cargo anywhere, at any time, whatever its weight, size or shape. He adds: “We serve governments, leading industrial shippers and relief and humanitarian organisations. “The freight team provides bespoke air charter solutions responding to a wide range of cargo charter needs from urgent ‘go now’ requirements moving small quantities of automotive spare parts between plants through to the most complex project cargo shipments taking several months to plan.” See also the focus on complex cargoes, page 20.
DECEMBER 2009
CF celebrates 40 per cent ACMI turnover increase
Darren Banham: rise in business
Chapman Freeborn Airchartering has reported a hugely successful first year of business for its 24-hour ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance & Insurance) division. It says turnover from passenger aircraft leasing activities has increased over 40 per cent since the introduction of the Wings 24 team at the company’s London Gatwick headquarters in October 2008. “Wings 24 provides airlines with precise, real time aircraft availability and faster and more reliable ACMI and leasing solutions worldwide,” says Darren Banham, director commercial passenger charters and leasing. “Wings 24 offers airlines the reassurance that office based staff are on hand at any time, both in regional time zones and in our UK head office, to deal with unexpected problems or last minute issues. The team has made a huge difference in getting airlines moving again – and this is reflected in the increasing amount of ACMI business we have done in the last 12 months.” In the past year Chapman Freeborn has supplied a wide range of aircraft for last minute ACMI operations – including A310, B737, B747, B757 and B767 types. “Notable assignments have included providing cover for Transavia after severe storms at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) prompted the low-cost carrier to perform precautionary safety checks on some of its fleet,” says Banham. The Wings 24 team supplied seven aircraft to replace the Netherlands-based airline’s B737-700 and B737-800 to ensure services to airports across Europe were unaffected. Elsewhere, Wings 24 supplied replacement aircraft to assist Royal Air Maroc during industrial strike action, as well as supporting numerous other airlines experiencing technical problems or a shortfall in capacity due to routine maintenance checks.
Charter Broker 11
In brief... IAC further strengthens team of aviation consultants in Dubai The Dubai office of International Air Charter (IAC) has added two new aviation consultants to their Middle East broking team. Nesrin Alhawary will concentrate on the steady growth market area of
Nesrin Alhawary corporate inter-regional travel, and Sandeep Hada has been enlisted to bring his expertise in the Asian market which is currently experiencing a huge growth surge.
Sandeep Hada Alhawary has worked for a variety of airlines including Gulf Air and Etihad Airways. She says: “The IAC team here already has a strong presence in the market and I am here to re-enforce this.”
CF showcases services at China JetExpo Chapman Freeborn Airchartering’s Beijing office in Beijing has chosen the China Hangzhou Business & Private JetExpo, taking place from 21 to 23 January 2010, to showcase its services. Attendees, it says, will be drawn from China’s wealthiest citizens, most successful corporations, and Chinese government procurement teams. 12 Charter Broker
Martin Lener of Tyrolean Jet Services (right), received the BACA Global Excellence Award from Justin Bowman of Air Charter Service with tv presenter Clare Balding who hosted the awards.
BACA rewards excellence at awards ceremony The Baltic Air Charter Association (BACA) celebrated its 60th anniversary at London’s historic Guildhall in November. The association presented Excellence Awards to companies in many areas of air charter, with the votes being cast by BACA members – true recognition from their peers. Guests at the awards ceremony, hosted by tv presenter and sports journalist Clare Balding, also raised UK£2,800
The winners were: Best Passenger Charter Airline Jet2.com Best Cargo Charter Airline Volga-Dnepr Airlines Best General Aviation Operator Gama Aviation
London’s Guildhall was the venue for BACA’s charity Under Trees Schools, which supports education in Southern Sudan.
Best Airport Farnborough Best Handling Agent Inflite Jet Centre Stansted The Global Excellence Award Tyrolean Jet Services
CF arranges series of charters to ensure success of Russian satellite launch Chapman Freeborn Airchartering (CF) provided a series of charters to northern Russia to support the launch of two satellites from Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The work involved seven flights for engineers and European Space Agency (ESA) representatives over a two-month period as preparations intensified to launch the widely-anticipated SMOS/Proba-2 on 2 November this year. Flight operations started on 31 August with an initial TU 134A
charter to fly 21 specialists from Moscow about 1,000 kilometres north to Arkhangelsk to oversee the arrival of satellite equipment into Russia from France. CF’s Andy Black says: “Following customs clearance and loading of the satellite for onward transportation by train, the group flew ahead to meet the cargo at Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a Russian spaceport situated in the Arkhangelsk region.” In the following weeks CF provided six further Tupolev
charters culminating in a final flight on the day of the launch for a vip delegation including the head of the ESA and senior figures from the organisation, as well as directors from Eurockot Launch Services and Thales Alenia Space. The charters from Moscow’s Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo airports were closely managed by CF’s Bart Lorijnen and Anton Frolov, with operations to Plesetsk requiring special clearances from both the Russian military and Federal Security Service. DECEMBER 2009
broker news Forward thinking part of fast parcel service
Turnbull heads TCC’s first overseas office
Neil Turnbull
Julian Burrell
London-based The Charter Company (TCC) has chosen the UAE as the location for its ďŹ rst international ofďŹ ce. Julian Burrell, md, says the office, based in the Dubai airport free zone, forms part of a developing network of worldwide ofďŹ ces and strategic partnerships. He adds: “The ďŹ rst strategic partnership was formed in 2006 with New York-based Exclusive Charter Service, which services The Charter Company’s clients ying in the US. The Dubai ofďŹ ce will enable us to better serve long established clients in the Middle East as well as our European client base ying to the region for business and leisure.â€? Neil Turnbull, who will be based in Dubai, takes up the role as president of Middle East Sales and heads up an experienced team of European and Arabic charter brokers. Burrell says: “With around 30 per cent of our private charter business already coming from the Middle East region it made sense to choose the UAE when it came to expanding the business.â€? The Charter Company, an aircraft charter brokerage, was established in 2005 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Twinjet Aviation, which was founded in 1982. In 2000 Burrell joined Twinjet Aviation as a charter manager, and was responsible for the day-to-day charter management of a eet of aircraft, including an ACJ. In 2004 he was tasked with setting up The Charter Company.
www.diewildenkaiser.com
Quick thinking by ProAir’s Joerg Sickinger, who heads the company’s Learjet operation, helped the company to successfully deliver a small parcel from Brno in the Czech Republic to Cluj in Romania. Sickinger alerted the crew while the commission was still in the offering phase to be ready to respond immediately. ProAir, which owns a Learjet 31A, says: “We received the order, the crew were already at the aircraft, and in less than 13 minutes, they made the aircraft ready for take off. “This involved rolling the aircraft into its parking position, loading the cargo, paying landing charges and obtaining current weather reports. Everything was in place to ensure we kept our promise to carry out the delivery of the cargo in three hours from the receipt of the request and the delivery in Cluj.�
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broker news
PrivateFly gets family to the church on time PrivateFly.com recently helped a New York and Edinburgh-based publisher get to his sister’s wedding on time after he was let down by a scheduled airline. Robin Mukherjee and his young family realised that delays at New York’s JFK airport meant they would miss their connecting flights and the wedding service on the Scottish island of Islay. “My children were due to perform bridesmaid and page duties and we needed a speedily arranged aircraft charter to save the day,” says Mukherjee. PrivateFly.com ascertained that Mukherjee and wife Angela, along with their three young children, could take a later departure to Glasgow but that would have meant missing their flight connection to Islay, leaving them stranded on the mainland while the wedding was already in full swing. Mukherjee says: “To compound our travel problems, the usual ferry service wasn’t available due to high winds on that day. But I was determined to find a way to make it to the wedding.” PrivateFly provided competitive quotes and made the booking that provided the vital connection. “We were able to board our flight at JFK safe in the
The Mukherjee family crisis solved by (left) Adam Twidell’s PrivateFly.
knowledge that the BN2 Islander operated by Hebridean Air Services would be waiting at
Glasgow airport,” Mukherjee reports. “It was a dramatic crossing but we had an experienced pilot who had flown an air ambulance for many years. Not only did he make a masterful landing in high winds but we were able to keep dry by boarding inside the hangar. We arrived before the wedding began and it turned out to be a wonderful day for everyone. The kids thought the journey was all a great adventure!”
The family travelled back to Glasgow on the same aircraft the following day. Some of the other guests also hitched a lift. “It was a memorable way for everyone to leave the island as we flew over the church on the departure,” Mukherjee says. Adam Twidell, founder and director of PrivateFly, says: “We were delighted to be able to help the Mukherjees make it to the wedding on time.”
ACS goal is to find a good match Air Charter Service’s team of “international” footballers (pictured) is challenging sides from airlines and other companies to friendly matches. ACS’s Glenn Phillips says: “We have had a football team for about six or seven years now – it started off as five-a-side, and now we have an 11-a-side team. Over the years we’ve played clients, airlines and other suppliers. We are not the best, so we particularly welcome any other below average teams.” The squad includes members of the sales teams from the passenger and cargo departments as well as marketing and accounts. Phillips says: “We include World Cup winning nationalities in the team – aside from the English players, Argentina, France, Germany and Italy are represented! We practice in south west London but will travel to match venues within a reasonable distance. We would be happy to play five-a-side or 11-a-side.” 14 Charter Broker
DECEMBER 2009
Cover story – Germany
Industrial strength makes Germany key for charter There are certain countries whose sheer volume of economic activity demands a broker presence and Germany is one of them. The recession may have hit overall business levels but the professionals that organise charter services report bespoke products and services are helping some firms maintain and increase market share.
december 2009
Germany is a vital hub for most international air charter brokers with hundreds of private and commercial charter companies keen on passenger and cargo referrals. Brokers and freight forwarders report that it can be difficult to obtain traffic rights at short notice for aircraft that are not registered in Europe. This can lead to German generated cargo being flown from airports outside the country. But organising professionals point out that Germany is well-placed for doing business with the important major economic powers of China, Russia and India as well as the European Union marketplace and the up-and-coming continent of Africa. This means that very few international brokers can afford to leave Germany out of their global development plans. Names that do business with business air charter operator DC Aviation, for instance, include Oxygen 4, Chapman Freeborn, Air Partner, Hunt & Palmer, Air Charter Service, International Air Charter and European Skytime. DC Aviation GmbH, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, which was formed as a result of the merger of Cirrus Aviation and DaimlerChrysler Aviation, is adding to its long haul appeal by bringing two Legacy 650s into operation, one in the final quarter of 2010, and a second aircraft in 2011. It is good news for brokers that do business with the company such as European Skytime whose commercial manager James Shotton confirms that Germany is one of Europe’s most important hubs. “A great deal of our business is private passenger charter focusing on obtaining the most cost-effective and efficient service for UK clients to visit Germany or carry out business there,” he says. “We have our own aircraft as well as being a brokerage and this gives us increased options and advantages.” Charter Broker 15
“...product development key to success”
Air Partner Germany has enjoyed 12 years of growth European Skytime was launched in 1999 and is based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. It owns a Learjet 40XR and a 45XR, both year 2008, which are operated on the UK AOC of Manhattan Jet Charter. Both aircraft are based at Farnborough airport and are cleared for otherwise restricted operations at London City and the popular Alpine destinations. “These aircraft are proving extremely popular with clients and charter hours are good in what has been the first 18 months of ownership,” Shotton says. Germany’s economic muscle, he confirms, makes it one of the most important countries for business. “We regularly source aircraft in the UK and at other
Members of ProAir that have helped develop business in Germany.
Your 24 hour partner for personalised and competitive charter solutions Urgent air charters for automotive industry worldwide Outsize and heavy cargo air transportation Relief and project flights Charter Service Niklas GmbH · Klosterweg 33· 55239 Gau-Odernheim Fon +49 (0)6733/948963 · Fax +49 (0)6733/948901 · 24h +49 (0)170 4213358 e-mail bniklas@cs-niklas.de · www.cs-niklas.de · SITA HHNCSXH
16 Charter Broker
times in Germany depending on client requirements and aircraft availability. European Skytime also does cargo although its major focus is on the executive passenger side.” But aircraft available for long haul private passenger charter is only a part of a much larger picture. Germany is a good source of broker business for charters ranging from demanding specialist sports commissions to the intricate transport of some of the world’s heaviest cargoes. It is a truism that, to stay in business and retain turnover, charter brokers have to plan years ahead and accept that it might be at least 12 months before cash investment and hard work pays off in terms of business volumes. Corporate budgets are often decided in October for the following year so many of the clients’ travel budget business decisions will have been taken before the start of 2010. ProAir provides a prime example of a broker which has developed a diverse business base in Germany. ProAir’s gm Andreas Wald (cover picture) says the company spent around five years building its reputation as a specialist cargo company before taking the decision to develop its passenger charter capability. That decision brought its reward with advance bookings well before the global economic downturn hit cargo freight demand. Executive and group flights for incentive trips and events charter held up better and ProAir benefited. But Wald warns the downturn for group charter flights for events and incentives in 2009 will have an effect in 2010. “Executives have made their decisions now for next year. This will be reflected in the number of bookings that the charter broker industry will enjoy in the coming year.” ProAir, which will celebrate its 14th year in business in 2010, first established its reputation by efficiently carrying out assignments for the automotive industry, one of Germany’s most important manufacturing and service sectors. But ProAir then took the bold decision to diversify, investing in its own fleet and broadening its expertise which has stood it in good stead during the global economic recession. For passenger and cargo charter ProAir has its own fleet of three managed and one owned aircraft. The managed aircraft are a CJ1, CJ2+ and a Challenger 601 which complement the company owned aircraft, the Learjet 31A. Wald says the hard work of building ProAir Aviation as an independent company is paying off with enquiries coming in from the marketplace. “Prospective clients know we are serious about building the fleet and providing a service.” Elmar Monreal, md, says the Learjet 31A is perfectly suited to meet demand for short and medium distances. Pluses include its baggage space, its 1,100 nm range and cruising speed of 475 knots. ProAir has december 2009
gained certification for France’s Chambery and London City. “Our skiing clients are particularly pleased because Chambery, near Albertville, is situated conveniently among mountains,” says bdm Markus Ciravegna. “And our business clients are happy with the added convenience of London City for meetings in London’s financial district.” “ProAir has welcomed on board the elite of German football including the players and officials of Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt, VfL Wolfsburg, Hertha BSC Berlin, 1. FC Nuernberg, and the Austrian Championship runners-up Red Bull Salzburg,” says Ciravegna. Apart from regularly servicing the demand from several football clubs, ProAir has also built business with biathlon, ice hockey and volleyball teams. Charter clients have also included Formula One world champion Mika Haekkinen. Wald points out that private charter is a market where customer expectations of service are extremely high and the recession has ramped up these expectations. Top footballers do not want to be bothered with formalities and details. “Once they have finished the match they want to get to the aircraft and take off,” Wald says. “We negotiate with handling companies and airport security so they do not need to queue with other passengers and can walk through and go without being delayed. You must know your customer and their requirements which can change. The more you find out the better you can serve them. Some clients like to arrive very close to their final destination even if that means a smaller or less
december 2009
luxurious aircraft. Others might like to have the space for on board business conferences and work and make up for any time lost traveling from the airport to the final destination that way. Usually the client will want to arrive as close as possible to the end destination. Germany has a good number of small airports, many with runways that can accommodate jets as well as turboprops.” ProAir staff, he says, know that small touches are important – such as knowing that vip Chinese clients like noodle soup to be on the menu. Celebrities add excitement and colour to the routine. ProAir staff have kept cutlery bent on board by Uri Geller who was flown by Learjet from Cologne to Salzburg. Ciravegna says: “The spoon has a special place in the ProAir ‘collection of trophies’.” Other celebrities ferried by ProAir’s private jet crews include Kylie Minogue. “The pilot and co-pilot were very
ProAir personnel staff the check-in desks in Hanover. Pictured from left are: Kim Witschas, Kerstin Mindermann, Kathrin Schuessler, Andreas Wald and Joerg Sickinger.
Charter Broker 17
Car manufacturers are a big business focus in Germany
“...Hahn airport is an important hub with low handling costs”
Air Partner’s Peter Springinklee 18 Charter Broker
happy when they learned their passenger was Kylie Minogue,” says Ciravegna. She was collected by a 12-seat Challenger 604 from the UK’s Farnborough airport. Group charter demand in 2008 ranged from the Biathlon World Championship in Ostersund, Sweden, to a car manufacturer convention in Alicante and from a meeting of 350 employees in Nice from Warsaw and Cracow to groups using Innsbruck in Austria as a business venue. ProAir has also expanded internationally and now has offices in Moscow, Zurich, and in the UK as well as Germany. But the company still has strong roots in the automotive sector. This year it celebrated what it calls “the biggest and longest event in its company history.” Wald says: “The experience will stand us in good stead for future complicated assignments.” Volkswagen’s ‘Polo Congress Wolfsburg 2009’ involved 24 flights in eight days and 3,500 booked passengers. Kerstin Mindermann, who handled the project management in Hanover, says: “A total of 8,500 dealers, importers, service and sales managers, as well as sales assistants from 90 countries, become better acquainted with the new VW Polo in Wolfsburg. A total of 300 vehicles were available for the daily test drives to Schoeningen im Elm.” A distance of 60,000 kilometres was covered with the new VW during the three weeks of the event. For the dealer congress Volkswagen established a brand world comprising a pavilion of 2,220 square metres and 810 tons in an exhibition area of 15,000 square metres, doubling as the meeting place for the dealers during the evening event. ProAir, in co-operation with the event agency Grass Roots Germany GmbH, supported VW with domestic shuttle flights to and from Stuttgart, Ingolstadt and Frankfurt-Hahn. The passengers used Boeing 737, Airbus A319 and MD 87 type aircraft. ProAir’s Kathrin Schuessler, Kim Witschas, Joerg Sickinger, Andreas Wald and Stefan Giebel were responsible for ensuring a smooth check-in at the airports while another team at ProAir’s
Stuttgart airport headquarters headed by Markus Ciravegna made sure the flights ran smoothly. Mindermann says: “The equipping of the aircraft with the company corporate design, the signposting with logos at the check-in and superb catering at the gate areas in both Stuttgart and Ingolstadt were just a few of the key aspects covered. With this big and responsible project ProAir has proved that it can handle even the biggest event exactly in accordance with the client’s specifications. Everything ran like clockwork both in and out of the office.” ProAir believes that 2010 will be tough. However it has put in a lot of hard work in 2008 and 2009. “This will stand us in good stead in the coming year,” says Wald. “However, charter operators and brokers will have to work very hard this year if they are to help ensure that business levels rise satisfactorily in 2011 and 2012.” Peter Springinklee, Air Partner’s country manager for Germany and Austria, confirms that Air Partner is developing its business in Germany on both the cargo and vip passenger side. “Although air cargo is, in overall terms, a decreasing market we have experienced a good booking situation through our cargo team in Cologne. This is the team which is responsible for covering Germany, Austria and Eastern Europe. We are also processing ongoing enquiries and bookings for vip passengers. It was pleasing to be awarded a large vip programme for transport to the US. We have fixed flights for a very large and complex programme to meet the requirements of a commission from the automotive industry. “ Springinklee says Hahn airport is an important hub with low handling costs and a very good infrastructure. But he points out: “Other – mainly secondary – airports like Leipzig have developed a good freight product. On the passenger side, many clients still ask for hub-airports like Frankfurt, Munich, Dusseldorf or Berlin, to allow good central connection for international guests.” He reports that Air Partner Germany has this year managed to exceed targets. “With many active divisions within aviation we managed to overcome the difficulties other companies may have experienced,” he says. Air Partner Germany, he adds, has enjoyed more than 12 consecutive years of growth in Germany. “During this time we have developed, together with our clients, products that were demanded by the marketplace as well as products that were offered within the group and have been amended to fit the local needs.” Brokers and freight forwarders predict that Germany’s importance as an international air broker hub can only increase over the coming years with the country set to do rising business levels with other economic powerhouses such as India, China and Russia. However, the key to increasing market air charter broker share in Germany could lie in planning ahead and in developing bespoke products and services that keep pace with constantly evolving demand. CB december 2009
industry news
In brief... Western meets helicopter challenge Dubai-based Western Aviation, launched in 2005, recently air lifted seven helicopters between Europe and Asia using an Antonov 124. The company says its core business of private jet charter for vip clients has been diversified with cargo, air ambulance and commercial aircraft charter operations. Western Aviation is a part of Dubai based conglomerate ETA Star Group which has around 140 branches and associate offices in 21 countries.
India tackles problems India is working hard to meet the challenge of developing its business aviation sector. A dedicated business aviation event to be held in New Delhi on February 24 and 25, 2010, is attracting huge global attention, according to the organiser MIU Events. It says there will be a strong focus on how to tackle problems including red tape and lack of infrastructure.
Third ACJ ordered
From left to right: Christophe Pelet, head of Comlux Transactions; Ray Jones, svp sales, Bombardier Business Aircraft; Ettore Rodaro, cco Comlux; Vladimir Kim, chairman Kazakhmys, and Richard Gaona, president and ceo Comlux.
Latest Challenger 605 heads for Kazakhstan Comlux is bringing another Challenger 605 into operation taking the number of Bombardier aircraft in its fleet to 11. “Comlux successfully began six years ago with the Challenger 604,” says Stephen Laven, ceo Fly Comlux. He adds: “The addition of a new Challenger 605 to our fleet supports our main objective of always operating brand new aircraft, offering the best value for money to our VIP clients. “The aircraft will be operated from our facility in Kazakhstan. From Central Asia, it will be ideally placed to serve European destinations and the growing charter market in Asia.”
Fly Comlux’s fleet includes three Challenger 605s, two Challenger 850s, two Global 5000s, two Global Express and two Global Express XRS jets. Comlux, which is expanding in Malta and has offices in Zurich, Moscow and Almaty, specialises in widebody, long-range aircraft operations and its services include aircraft management, sales and acquisitions, cabin design, completion and maintenance services. Laven says the Challenger 605 features a particularly wide stand-up cabin and is equipped with the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite and an all new cabin electronic system.
The Omni Aviation Group expects to bring a third ACJ into service early in 2010. Configured for 19 passengers it marks an upwards progression in luxury complementing 29-seat and 48-seat ACJs already in service.
Malta’s aircraft ambitions Malta is finalising legislation for an Aircraft Registration Act that will complement both its financial expertise and the tax incentives it provides foreign entrepreneurs and businesses.
FAI claims record
Meridian’s office pledge Meridian Air Charter president Dennis O’Connell says Aircell broadband connectivity installation on its Falcon 2000s “truly completes the concept of having an office in the sky.”
Pre-clearance starts The US Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney was at Shannon airport in Ireland recently to greet the first transatlantic passengers benefiting from the new pre-clearance service to the US. DECEMBER 2009
Cargolux: free humanitarian deliveries
Free service expands Cargolux reports rising enquiries from charter brokers looking to utilise its free of charge standby service for local and international relief organisations. The airline accepts relief goods on board its freighters whenever space is available. Charity shipments are flown to destinations in Africa including Chad, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Togo, the Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Burkina Faso. Cargolux also sends relief goods to India and Georgia. All shipments are flown on B747-400s to the nearest Cargolux gateway, then trucked or flown by interline carriers, to the final destination. Cargolux staff in office departments also assemble aid boxes all year round and process customs documentation.
FAI rent-a-jet AG claims fleet expansion has made it the world’s largest medevac and casualty evacuation operator. Chairman Siegfried Axtman points out that FAI´s fleet has just welcomed a fourth Learjet 60 and will be expanded again by two more Challenger 604s in January 2010.
Mexico’s XRS first Aerotresalia has brought the first Global Express XRS to be operated from Mexico into service. It will be based at Toluca international airport. Charter Broker 19
Complex cargo
Resourceful brokers take on tough assignments Brokers can earn money in good and bad economic times by being prepared, and qualified, to undertake difficult, complicated or downright dangerous assignments. In the first of a series Charter Broker looks at some of the more daunting tasks successfully undertaken recently. February’s Charter Broker will highlight the skills of experienced operators and detail legal requirements.
The Niklas and Hahn teams celebrate success together 20 Charter Broker
Charter brokers in the frontline of transporting difficult and dangerous cargoes must be prepared to deal with eventualities ranging from armed soldiers to angry strikers. Bernd Niklas, md of Charter Service Niklas GmbH, says that, in certain parts of the world it pays to carry cash just in case airport ‘royalties’ are renegotiated at gunpoint. “One particular commission to organise the transport of outsize machinery was difficult in itself but there were added ‘negotiations’ as we tried to load the cargo,” Niklas recalls. “I had arranged everything in advance with the airport including royalties and non-objection fees etc. Everything seemed to be agreed. But when I was supervising the loading my client and I were surrounded by armed soldiers and it took delicate negotiations, and a large amount of additional US dollars, before the airport chief enabled the re-clearance.” Difficult problems can surface in more dangerous and war torn parts of the world but even routine commissions on behalf of industries in Europe can put brokers in physical danger. “We have had situations where our driver has picked up items for delivery by truck to factories and then been attacked by workers on strike,” Niklas says. “You have to be prepared to deal with almost anything ranging from aircraft being stoned by people wielding slingshots to having to organise contingencies when fuel proves to be unavailable at airports.” But Niklas says that, although charter brokers might have an important role to play, they are only a cog in the wheel. “We are not as important as the forwarding agents who nominate us to arrange a charter flight or the shipping company that requires assistance. However, often it is teamwork that makes the seemingly impossible, possible.” Charter Service Niklas was involved when Frankfurt-Hahn was the host airport for the transit of a generator for a gas power plant in Armenia, including loading frame, which weighed in at a record 189.98 tonnes and was put aboard an Antonov 225, the world’s largest cargo aeroplane (Charter Broker, October 2009). Niklas says that charter brokers never stop learning from daily challenges but the experience accumulated over the years benefits clients. “Flights of medical machinery and equipment around the world need the greatest care. Such cargoes are very delicate and, because of their fragility, must be handled like eggs.” Charter Service Niklas has learnt from arranging flights such as that of the brand new BMW Oracle racing yacht. “Only the AN 124 could carry it but even then placement was tight. Weight was not the problem: the length and the width of the yacht called for some special solutions. We have arranged flights where security was paramount such as the transport of euros to several places inside Europe. Every single pallet was moved under controlled conditions involving armed police and double checks on airport workers prior to loading. The heaviest euro shipment was approximately 100 tons of coins with AN 124 and thereafter the aircraft went down in size to several flights with Fokker F27, Falcon 20 and Learjet carrying high value notes.” December 2009
Lufthansa Cargo Charter: used to difficult assignments Charter Service Niklas, he says was the first broker to work out how to load two CH53 helicopters and all their equipment into one Antonov 124. “It is now normal to do a double load,” Niklas adds. For air charter brokers in today’s fast-paced world, arranging flights at short notice to anywhere in the world is routine. This might include emergencies involving professionals ranging from doctors to dog handlers or commissions ranging from TV and broadcasting trucks to European champions league games. One day it might be day-old chicks, another it could be the demands of Formula One racing cars and equipment, racing fuel itself or time-sensitive election material for an African country. Air charter brokers have to team up with airline experts and freight forwarders to gather the knowledge, capabilities and skills in order to achieve the best and most cost-effective results in fulfilling their clients demands whenever it comes to difficult cargo. Volker Dunkake, head of global sales and services at Lufthansa Cargo Charter, points out that a broker must have project management skills and the experience to bring about a bespoke solution. “It is not a question of simply getting the best price for flying a cargo from departure point to destination,” he says. “Teaming up with the right partners and team expertise play an important role. The skills required are often multi-faceted as well as multi-modal.”
Relief goods As it is a part of the Lufthansa Cargo Group, the charter arm has direct access to a large group of experts in many places around the globe. “This of course makes a difference to others”, Dunkake says. “Delivering 115 tons of relief goods to Rangoon with a full Jade Boeing 747-440ERF, without a main deck high loader available at the destination for example, would not have been possible without the expertise and creativity of our experienced loadmasters.” The Lufthansa charter arm will always charter the right aircraft needed for the job. But, all things being equal, it says it makes sense to utilize an aircraft from the fleet of its parent company whenever it can provide aircraft that is best for clients. The same criteria applies to Shenzen-based Jade in which Lufthansa has a 25 per cent stake and for Aerologic, the joint venture between DHL Deutsche Post and Lufthansa Cargo based in Leipzig. “Joining up all the group internal knowledge and other partners’ capabilities enabled us to move a 46 ton piece on a B747-400ERF, where no one ever deemed it to be loadable. But, despite the ‘group aircraft first’ policy we do select third party aircraft for much of our business to fulfill customers needs.” Dunkake adds. december 2009
Bernd and Roswitha Niklas: complex tasks are the norm
Lufthansa Cargo Charter uses a range of aircraft from Cessna 172 through to the latest Airbuses available up to the super size Antonov 124 and 225. One difficult commission carried out with relative ease was the transport of heavy machinery on an Antonov 124 from Switzerland. “There were a number of problems involved but that’s what we specialise in solving,” says Dunkake.
Freight forwarders Although the global recession has left its mark, Dunkake believes there are special business opportunities in airfreighting project cargo and event related equipment for concerts, works of art, exhibitions, or transporting racing cars for charter experts. “We do get the majority of our enquiries from freight forwarders who are almost invariably involved in the process. Especially for complex solutions quite a few of our enquiries come direct from clients who appreciate the air cargo expertise we have built up over the years. We know how to apply and develop bespoke solutions to really challenging tasks by using our unique access to the services and facilities of the group and those of our partners.” Dunkake believes that commercial cargo charter reached a peak in 2007 and that it will take time to recover, perhaps taking until late 2010 or 2011 to move back up to 2007 levels. “The very high levels were driven by trade from Asia with Europe and North America. China, India and Russia remain important.” The importance of Asia is demonstrated by the appointment of David Albaiceta as gm in the Asia Pacific Area for Lufthansa Cargo
With over 40 years experience of cargo flights and with crews on standby year round, Skydrift is ready to fly to most European and North African destinations at short notice. Our EMB110 Bandeirante aircraft with huge 180 x 143cm cargo door is ideally suited for palletised cargo and awkward shaped pieces of cargo.
Cargo Chartering with Skydrift Air Charter Transport problem, large or small? Don’t hesitate to give us a call
+ 44 (0) 1603 407424 – 24 hours www.skydrift.co.uk email: ops@skydrift.co.uk
The Bandeirante holds up to five standard euro pallets, or items up to five metres in length. Aircraft and automotive spares, pharmaceuticals, drilling equipment, day-old chicks, munitions, etc are examples of the cargoes routinely transported by Skydrift. Skydrift holds a Dangerous Goods License including Radioactives and Munitions and the DEFRA Small Animals Transport License.
Charter Broker 21
Charter, bringing in broad logistics working experience in Thailand and other Asian countries. Albaiceta, a Spanish national, who succeeds Eric Erbacher, also speaks fluent German, English and French. In addition to these major trade lanes being very much driven by consumer habits there is demand for special solutions driven by investment into infrastructure, Dunkake points out. “In many instances, these projects happen to be carried out in areas where global trade has not as yet left too many footprints and transport infrastructure has not reached a mature state. This is what the experts at Lufthansa Cargo Charter deal with, very often being brought in only at the last minute.” Clients, he says, would benefit from involving the Lufthansa Cargo Charter team and their partners at an early stage, smoothing the preparation and advance sourcing of the aircraft and services needed. Detailed early planning could also, he points out, save on cost. “This professional aspect of our industry’s approach could be improved by improving dialogue with the eng i neer i ng a nd const r uc t ion companies and making the air cargo services more attractive for our customers,” Dunkake says. Cargolux is another company looking to develop business in Asia. It has launched Cargolux Italia, a fully certified Italian carrier operating a Boeing 747-400F. “Based in Milan, the airline will initially serve the MilanHong-Kong route, while eyeing further expansion in Asia once the Hong-Kong operation has reached its cruising speed. Cargolux Airlines International is acting as sole GSA for Cargolux Italia,” says Robert van de Weg, svp sales and marketing.
Complex loads pose problems that Volker Dunkake’s team specialise in solving
“Detailed early planning could save on costs”
Motor sport
ISSUE 4 DECEMBER 2009
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GERMANY
ProAir’s forward thinking pays off PLUS A ROUND-U P OF CARGO, PASSENGER AND BUSINESS AIR CHARTER NEWS
www.charterbroker.aero 22 CHARTER BROKER
Safety is paramount and, although time is always a scarce commodity, the drafting of loading proposals with the airlines or transport proposals for different aircraft types have to take place quickly. The demand is 24-7, 365 days a year, and brokers have to be ready at short notice to be on site to handle arranged flights or provide a door-to-door escort service. Cargolux did 157 ad hoc charters in 2008 and would welcome more enquiries from air charter brokers. It numbers racing cars and fresh food among its strengths although Cargolux points out it seldom receives requests from brokers to move perishables. Following the 2009 Le Mans 24-hour-race, Cargolux took responsibility for returning two Corvette C6R GT1s from Le Mans back to their workshop in New Hudson, Michigan. The shipment was trucked from Le Mans to London Heathrow, then delivered to Cargolux’s London office and trucked to Luxembourg. From Cargolux’s head office in Luxembourg, the two Corvettes were flown on board one of the company’s B747-400 freighters to Chicago O’Hare and trucked from there to the P&M workshops at New Hudson.
The Corvette race car weighs about 1,200 kilos and has a horse power of 590, a length of 178.7 inches and a width of 78.7 inches. Cargolux worked with First Air of the UK, a specialist in arranging international freight forwarding and transport planning for motor sport and other specialized areas, and was undertaken for Pratt & Miller of the United States which is prominent in the automotive, commercial, military and aerospace industries. Airlines as well as brokers need to be flexible. Cargolux switched to Mariscal international airport in the Ecuadorian capital of Quito after being based at Latacunga’s Cotopaxi for almost eight years. The Government of Ecuador decided to revamp Latacunga to include a new passenger terminal, a new warehouse and refurbishment of the runway. Mariscal airport is situated inside the city, in the Andes of northern Ecuador and surrounded by high mountains. It was built more than 73 years ago, underwent major works in the 1970s, and is located on a plateau at the western side of the valley, 2,813 metres above sea level. “Its particular requirements means that Cargolux crews had to undergo special training on the company’s 747-400 simulator.” The first flight into Quito saw flowers loaded and then a stopover at Bogota airport in Colombia, to collect yet more flowers destined for Luxembourg. Cargolux says the global economic downturn has seen a noticeable change in the volume of fresh produce being sent by air in general. “Obviously people are consuming less imported fruit and vegetables, especially the more expensive tropical fruits like mango DECEMBER 2009
Teamwork is the key to success and papaya. But, in general, perishables have declined less than general freight. In order to best accommodate perishable shipments, Cargolux invested in cooling capabilities, state-of-the-art aircraft and training and hiring the best people.” Brokers will also note that, as well as racing cars and perishables, Cargolux is also a member of the Animal Transportation Association and adheres to its principles for the humane transport of animals. Three Bornean orang-utans boarded CV 7317 in Auckland, New Zealand, under the care of their attendants and the Cargolux Auckland staff, for their flight to a new home in the United States. First stop was Los Angeles where the orang-utans ‘Indra’, her daughter Intan and her father ‘Horst’, remained in quarantine for one month, before continuing their journey to their final destination Busch Gardens Zoo in Tampa, Florida, where they joined four other Bornean orang-utans in the zoo’s captive breeding programme. Other more usual commissions included involvement in the transport of two offsize pieces, heavy drilling equipment with spare parts on a Cargolux flight to Abu Dhabi and an EC145 helicopter made in Donauwoerth in Germany to Singapore.
Cargolux Airlines International SA, based in Luxembourg, bills itself as the largest all-cargo carrier in Europe. It currently operates 14 B747-400 freighters and is the launch customer of the B747-8F, with the first aircraft to join the fleet in the second half of 2010. “The company has 13 of this new generation aircraft on order, plus ten purchase rights and two options.” The business potential of transporting time-sensitive, difficult or dangerous good has been recognized by many charter companies. Chapman Freeborn Aviation Services (CF) has completed the air transport of 30 portable housing units from Ras al-Khaimah, UAE, to Kabul, Afghanistan, in support of relief projects in the Yakatoot area, east of the capital. CF’s Dubai office coordinated five AN-124 charters on behalf of the US Embassy in Kabul, transporting six 40ft housing containers on each rotation. Each housing unit comes ready-constructed with bedrooms and basic amenities, and the new facilities will be put to use by the World Health Organisation and other specialised agencies of the United Nations. Lloyd D’Souza, cargo charter specialist at CF’s Dubai office, says: “This was a challenging project which required coordination between our Dubai office, our operations team and staff at Ras al-Khaimah airport to ensure the units were delivered in a timely fashion. But I am pleased that the assignment gave us the chance to demonstrate why we have built a strong reputation for excellent service.” Even in the most difficult of economic times there is money in arranging the transport of difficult or dangerous cargoes or arranging complex assignments, especially where notice is short. A by-product of the economic downturn is that more charter brokers and charter operators are prepared to put in the spadework that will help ensure business options in the bad times as well as when demand for less-exacting assignments is plentiful. CB
Career Opportunities Next issue: February 2010 Final bookings: January 28 Experienced Charter Broker – Gatwick
If you are looking for senior sales, operations or management staff, then you can reach every charter broker in Europe and the Middle East by advertising your vacancies here. All adverts appear in the printed and digital editions of Charter Broker, and we can advise on the best advert size from your text. DECEMBER 2009
Smart Aviation is an established Charter Broker based in Gatwick with a prestigious client list and a reputation for providing excellent solutions to client requests. Due to another successful year an experienced Commercial Aircraft Charter Broker is required to join our successful sales team. The position requires a Commercial Aircraft Charter Broker who has a strong background in broking.
For details of our fully inclusive pricing, or if you have any questions at all, please call or email me
Mark Ranger +44 (0) 1279 714509 mark@charterbroker.aero
You will be expected to establish long lasting and successful relationships with all your clients. This is a target orientated position and so an ability to use initiative and be highly motivated is essential. You will supply cost effective options for your clients and achieve first class customer satisfaction. This is an excellent opportunity for the right individual to establish themselves within the aviation industry with an already successful company. The salary is competitive with a generous commission structure. To apply please email your cv to
charlotte@smart-aviation.co.uk
or call for an informal discussion on 01293 551244
All applications will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.
CHARTER BROKER 23