Coastair builds out Liège base

THE BELGIAN HUB

CARGO HANDLING • AS GLOBAL AIR FREIGHT VOLUMES CONTINUE TO INCREASE, AIR CARGO SPECIALISTS ARE EXPANDING THEIR CAPABILITIES. COASTAIR IS USING ITS LIÈGE HUB FOR THE PURPOSE

PROVIDING ANSWERS FOR the transport of dangerous goods and being able to then offer solutions and services to fulfil client needs is key to Coastair’s approach to air freight. The Belgium-based business operates out of Liège airport and specialises in worldwide airlift solutions on scheduled service and full charter flights.

“Our staff eat, drink and sleep cargo; they have the cargo virus in their blood,” states Coastair. All of the departments within Coastair have staff that are trained to handle and advise on dangerous goods “from sales to acceptance to warehouse staff,” says Ronny Samaey, managing director of Coastair. “At this stage, we use IATA trainers to provide courses to our staff, which can be done locally at Liège airport.”

Skyhouse, Coastair’s 2,500-m2 second-line secured warehouse at Liège airport, opened recently. “Skyhouse is located at the airport logistic centre, avoiding trucking congestion at the airport handlers,” says Samaey. “We do not have offloading delays and we have very experienced warehouse staff to build and optimise pallets. We have a truck-loading system for 10+20ft build-up pallets, our own weighing system and more.”

AMPLE STORAGE Samaey describes Coastair’s approach to training as “old school” whereby each staff member is required to undertake frequent training sessions using the IATA programmes. As for dangerous goods shipments, Samaey feels there is no substitute for the personal approach and being prepared: “We believe the physical checks are the best way to really confirm the shipments are ok.”

Samaey continues: “Sometimes we have the same products going to the same destination, but I would say it really differs from week to week based on the demands at the final destination. All dangerous goods can be screened in-house (EDS/EDD/ETD/ VCK) and the type of dangerous goods will dictate what screening method is to be used. We do not accept explosives of any kind and – for the time being – no radioactive shipments are going through the warehouse.”

Occasionally dangerous goods are either not declared or something has been incorrectly documented. When this occurs, Samaey explains: “We immediately contact our client or shipper and the full shipment is placed on hold until everything is corrected with the required certificates and labels. This client will then be held accountable for their dangerous transport.”

As has been seen throughout 2019, global air freight is increasing in volume. To handle the increase in demand from shippers, Coastair has been expanding and partnering with complementary services to provide the best options for clients. For example, a new partnership has been instigated with routes into China to expand the possibilities for those seeking Coastair’s expertise.

“Coastair now has four different operational services: Imperial Cargo Airlines, our African flights to Lagos, Accra and Johannesburg; Aviaflex, the cargo supervisors at different airports; Skyhouse, our new secured warehouse; and, of course, Coastair as a cargo/charter brokerage covering worldwide shipments from A-Z. All these companies are able to be compatible with each other which allows for the smooth delivery of services for one another. Being active in different cargo areas helps us to create more time and possibilities for our clients so they can focus on their core business,” says Samaey. HCB coastair.be