| November 7th, 2006 |
|
leisure
cargo – a Company Profile
In 1990 already LTU – a reknown German holiday airline,
founded in 1955, started to add cargo to its product line.
Soon “airfreight” became a welcome source of additional
revenues as more capacity was available on a new generation
of aircraft at the time. Ralf-Rainer Auslaender, an ambitious,
professional freight-forwarder was in charge of LTU cargo
and through a well targeted sales activity and innovative
approaches to the markets the small team managed to generate
revenues on typical vacation routes. LTU gradually expanded
its intercontinental network during the 90ies and Ralf-Rainer
Auslaender suggested to offer this business model to the other
carriers that were structured similarily and also part of
the Swissair group by the end of 1999. leisure cargo GmbH
– the name was simply transferred from leisure travel
– went into operation on January 1st. of 2000 having
access to the belly capacities of then 6 European vacation
airlines serving the Mediterranean and selected intercontinental
destinations. Since then leisure cargo has not only been profitable
throughout the 6 years but the meanwhile 18 airlines under
the umbrella enjoyed respectable additional income –
at zero cost. leisure cargo has carried 20.274 tons in the
first half of 2006 generating revenues of EURO 26.7 million
with 40 people. Tonnage is up by 17 % over same period 2005
and revenues by 30 %. The majority of staff is working in
the Duesseldorf headquarters, the others in sales offices
in HAM, FRA and in Munich as well as in a few outposts abroad.
While MD Ralf-Rainer Auslaender is covering marketing, sales,
carrier relations, Christian Weidener looks after worldwide
operations including total quality management on the ground.
He selects and appoints handling agents globally for leisure
cargo. The products are sold through a network of handpicked
local agents – mostly owners and profit oriented entrepreneurs
reporting to Ralf-Rainer Auslaender.
leisure cargo – Scope of Services
Once an airline is joining the alliance of the “virtual
cargo carrier” leisure cargo is taking responsibility
for the entire cargo product i.e. marketing, advertising,
sales, customer service, ground handling and after sales service
– including claim-settlements. Key element to properly
allocate the bookings, to keep operational control and to
deliver at destination is “CHAMP II” – the
state of the art version of the IT-program originally developed
by Cargolux. In addition leisure cargo operates a dense network
of scheduled truck- or road feeder services in Europe as well
as in other markets. Aircargo is carried on most of the huge
number of flights in the combined networks of the 18 airlines.
Print media and perishables are prominent commodities –
as are cars and motorcycles. More and more logistics providers
in the global cargo community are selecting leisure-flights
for the carriage of general cargo in the automotive industry
for example and in the computer market. The extremely mobile
management team is almost creating aircargo demand on these
mostly untypical routes and if there is really zero freight
available on a certain segment – leisure cargo installs
feeder- and defeeder services like in the Indian Ocean for
example and in the Caribbean. This dedication to cargo is
not found very often. And in combination with an outstanding
personal relationship with shippers consignees and agents
the airline “without own airplanes” scores. These
service elements have long been lost among the leading carriers
of the world – and the engagement is rewarded. In a
recent poll involving the 55 most cargo-oriented carriers
in Germany performed by a leading trade magazine “Logistic
inside” leisure cargo got the 12th rank – while
the national cargo carrier was voted 19th. This small group
of experts willingly and by nature of the capacity of the
fleet of well over 200 aircraft remains in the cargo segment
below “critical mass” and is evidently doing right.
Customer satisfaction, growth in revenues, tonnage and profits
are measurable proof.
Guenter F. Mosler
Pictured are Ralf-Rainer Auslaender ,
right and Christian Weidener.
|
|
| October 25th, 2006 |
|
| Much more than just the new
kid on the Block We all have to
carefully watch from now on – not to say any more that
we are a number of “European” airlines selling
and serving as leisure cargo – we jumped over the pond
and welcome MaxJet as the first non-European airline to joint
he club as the 18th carrier for the time being.
The airline in itself is something special already aside from
the technical features concerning cargo. MaxJet offers executives
on both sides of the Atlantic a business class service and
seat – at kind of budget fare. Only 102 passengers obviously
enjoy all the space of the entire Boeing B 767-200-ER on the
seven to eight hour flights to and from New York, Washington
and soon Las Vegas; mind you – this aircraft can otherwise
carry 200 plus passengers in mixed configurations. MaxJet
uses London Stansted as its European hub – probably
the only signal where we talk “budget”. Stansted
is about 40 minutes north from the City – and it can
be assumed that only a few of the passengers on MaxJet have
to use public transport.
An advantage for leisure cargo is obviously the fact that
business travellers do not carry excess baggage normally and
that 102 passengers simply check in less weight than 200 plus.
Our partners in the UK – Global Aviation – has
spotted these details right after getting in touch with the
US business airline and brought the new member into the network.
Cargo was delayed for administrative reasons but since 01
October carried up to 14 tons on each flight which adds up
to 34 tons a day.
The fact that MaxJet flights are based and turning around
in places not to be considered super busy cargo hubs might
help in soon establishing top quality service also relying
on the outstanding road feeder services on both ends of the
routes – and CHAMP II.
Guenter F. Mosler
 |
 |
loading
cargo on MaxJet – something new –
but economically not a mistake at all. |
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| October 17th, 2006 |
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Press-Relations Highlight in Hamburg
It evidently all happened in 1955; Lufthansa began to fly
again after WWII, LTU was founded under the theme “Flying
is for Everybody” and in Munich a group of editors
and journalists dedicated to “aviation” formed
the German Aviation Press Club (LPC). Gradually all space-
and aviation editors, freelancers, press speakers of related
companies became members of the club with three chapters
in Hamburg, Frankfurt and Munich.
The local monthly and countrywide annual meetings are win-win
events on a give and take basis. High ranking actors in
all segments of space- and aviation related companies find
an expert audience when invited to address the club –
and freelancers, editors and publishers are updating their
knowledge about a specific technology, service product or
business model.
This was the case recently in cosy Hamburg Madison Hotel;
Ralf-Rainer Auslaender presented leisure cargo, its roots,
the scope of activities and the continuously encouraging
results. During the discussion it became obvious that even
hard nosed experts were hesitant to believe that a virtual
airline can make money without own aircraft. This gave Ralf-Rainer
Auslaender, Managing Director of leisure cargo plenty of
room to explain in detail how it works and that there are
no tricks but that the secrets are consolidation and absolute
trust. He explained how Munich, Frankfurt, Duesseldorf and
Hamburg sell, how all data are perfectly managed by CHAMP
II and how often Christian Weidener, Director Global Operations
is on the road securing service standards on the ground
in Canada or on Crete. Overall historical and brand new
half year figures for 2006 visibly impressed the press:
leisure cargo revenues generated up 30 % over Jan-Jun 2005
to € 26.7 Mio., tonnage carried is up 17 % to 20.274
clearly proving that productivity is excellent. The profit
achieved also speaks for the business model.
It was a well mixed cargo and passenger press talk as LTU
board member Peter Oncken brilliantly outlined the position
of the carrier today. Its ties with dba and Air Berlin were
elaborated on by the eloquent young executive and his positive
outlook was absolutely convincing. So – as mentioned
above - it was a give and take and Marco Dadomo, Director
Corporate Communications LTU was as satisfied as the speakers
– and the audience.
Guenter F. Mosler
Ralf-Rainer Auslaender, Managing Director
leisure cargo talking about “freight moved on other
airlines’ aircraft” – honestly a new kind
of business model. In the back is LTU board-member Peter Oncken,
right and LTU Communications Director Marco Dadomo.
|
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| September 20th, 2006 |
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New Gateway for South East Asia
An entirely new environment will allow all leisure cargo
shipments to and from Thailand and the region a much smoother
handling than so far. Suvarnabhumi International Airport
opens just 25 km southeast of Bangkok on September 28th
2006 after a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated by His Majesty
King Bhumibol Adulyadej. It took may years to complete the
task but there is no doubt that this is the state of the
art airport of superlatives enabling Bangkok to finally
tackle all airports in the region including Singapore-Changi
and even Hong Kong. The fact simply that everything is “new”
and the location is right in Southeast Asia plus closest
to Europe seems to give the new airport a natural edge.
Aside from the fact that passengers will find an elegant
and practical surrounding in the huge new terminal at Suvarnabhumi
– all cargo activities are going to take place in
a Customs Free Zone enabling all concerned to freely move
between the facilities and to assemble or reconsolidate
consignments. It happens to a cargo manager only once in
a business lifetime that the lights are switched off here
leaving everything behind and to start from zero next morning
in a well planned and laid out building of incredible size.
Semi-automated, with many cool stores of different sizes
and temperatures. Never again cargo in tropical rain or
heat outside. Top design and provisions for upgraded security
– you name it – Thai Cargo has it.
leisure cargo Director Operations, Christian Weidener, has
just recently renewed our cargo ground handling contract
with Thai Cargo – one, the mayor of two airfreight
terminal operators – the other being BFS Bangkok Flight
Services, a joint venture of WFS and Bangkok Airways.
All concerned along the air cargo chain in Thailand are
convinced that the new airport will clearly improve service
quality, for all carriers in inbound- outbound- and transit
shipments. See this newspiece therefore as an invitation
to trust your shipments to or from the region to leisure
cargo. We are well prepared and in good hands at the new
gateway of Southeast Asia.
Guenter F. Mosler
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|
| Here
we got the two airfreight experts in Thai Cargo management
deeply involved during the past couple of years in
the practical input to the terminal planning. Mrs.
Suvimol Bualerd – a sharp cookie – as
Americans would put it and Kamarat Supprasit. Everything
cutting cost, improving quality and security in the
new neighbourhood was at least influenced by both. |
Every
cargo manager dreams the world around to get such
a brand new toy. Thai Cargo got a spacious, very practical,
safe and well equipped with extras, brand new cargo
terminal at Suvarnabhumi – and we are going
to share the benefits. |
|
Actually
this picture needs no legend but our external PR consultant,
Guenter F. Mosler, somehow made it to take pictures
around the airport amidst the countdown for the grand
opening. The largest airport worldwide, the highest
tower (132m), the latest IT technology and overall
layout. Enjoy ! |
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| August 28th, 2006 |
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| Auto TV
PMI
On a Sunday afternoon when common people
do a multitude of other entertaining things German TV Station
“VOX” gathers the automobile buffs in front of
the screen. The 45 minute show deals with almost every facet
of sportive cars, driving, behaviour and places to go; “Auto-Motor-Sport”
is a must for all whose hearts beating like “cylinders”.
It took some preparation, of course, and Dagmar Willeke, leisure
cargo Sales Manager DUS+HAM, was patient enough to follow
and attend all the shoots and repetitions connected with a
TV-show after she had initiated the contact. Well –
she got it and we all were rewarded. A fine sports car was
taken to Mallorca from Germany by its owner on a LTU-flight
and the story went along the preparation, the trip itself
and the delight of driving around on the paradise-like-island
in a convertible. A story well done and as mentioned above
an audience that is as knowledgeable as enthusiastic about
having the beloved machine with one anywhere – if possible.
The sales pitch for leisure cargo was clear; yes, we can take
cars up to a certain size on a number of aircraft in the leisure
cargo fleet on selected routes at a very reasonable rate.
It was a good PR-job, it was nice to look at the movie, but
- what really counts - is that immediately after the TV-show
we had an unusual number of inquiries and bookings.
Outstanding job – worth to be repeated elsewhere.
Guenter F. Mosler
|
|
In front of an LTU-aircraft
at Dusseldorf International, the VOX-reporter describes
loading procedures and safety measurements applied when
cars are flown on a leisure cargo service. |
Here is another one of the
toys taken to Mallorca by their owners. leisure cargo
Sales Manager PMI Claudia Schacht is checking details
on this precious Ferrari bound to Germany. |
|
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| July 24th, 2006 |
|
kind of fishy !
The new product-oriented print - and banner- advertisement
appearing in a number of international and German media
by leisure cargo is perfectly targeted and – it raises
one´s appetite. The original idea comes from Frankfurt
Sales Manager Ralf Riksen who opts for illustrations and
statements reflecting on commodities carried on leisure
cargo flights. And he insists on as much authenticity as
possible. Well – here you got it – one of the
leisure cargo carriers brings fish to Europe from Banjul.
The respective German version of the ad is more on the witty
side; an old German tongue-twister “Fischers´
Fritze isst frische Fische …” is worked into
the advertising message. There will be more ads in the future
speaking about real products and commodities – and
leisure cargo Management has decided to publish two versions;
a German one for the home-market and an English one to be
placed in international media. Difficult now to decide which
one of the two options should be used in the prestige Swiss
publication “ITZ”; this magazine is published
in three languages at the same time, i.e. English, French
and German. leisure cargo ads will be printed in English
there.
To the benefit of all of our visitors on this site we would
like to mention the fact that leisure cargo ads have actually
three different target groups: as image ads they signal
to the general audience, directed towards agents and shippers
it´s the product side that shall be communicated,
and they should also catch the interest of airlines not
being in the cargo business so far.
Enjoy the ad – and comment please as VD Design Manager
Volker Droege in Hanau/Germany did a fine job again in actually
placing “… a fly on the dish …”
and still make it desirable with that cold dry Riesling
etc.
The ad started to be published in mid July 2006 after the
soccer world cup and will run for about one quarter –
the banners will be in motion soon.
Günter F. Mosler
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|
| July 17th, 2006 |
|
“Meeting the Press – “
Step by step leisure cargo is gaining global public attention
and that of the trade press as well as a consequence. Geoffrey
Arend, founder, publisher and editor in chief of both, the
1975 US-original “Air Cargo News” and the eZine
“Flying Typers”, recently paid leisure cargo
Management a visit.
Mr. Arend had an interview with the Managing Director Ralf-Rainer
Auslaender who he referred to as a “genius entrepreneur”
for creating and realizing the unique leisure cargo business
model. The interview is going to be published in Flying
Typers these days and as a background story in Air Cargo
News later. Geoffrey also spoke to Christian Weidener, Director
Operations, about how incredible it seems – even to
an expert in airfreight – to be able to streamline
ground service quality at one high level at close to 200
stations worldwide.
It was a remarkably intense and interesting get together
as Geoffrey Arend - a Herald Tribune reporter before –
is deeply engaged in the air cargo and aviation industry
since the seventies. He has published numerous books on
aviation in general, on airports and has written outstanding
company portraits. He was awarded by the US-government for
his effort to save the Marine Terminal at La Guardia Airport
from demolition in the eighties . This facility was base
for the famous Panam Flying Clippers in the early days of
intercontinental air transport.
The personal contact is based on several articles Mr. Arend
edited and published about leisure cargo since about one
year. At the end of the visit in downtown Dusseldorf at
Schumacher-Brewery Geoffrey mused: that he really loves
and admires the idea of the “virtual airline”
producing revenues exceeding € 50 million last year
without operating one single aircraft.
Günter F. Mosler
The snapshot taken in Christian Weidener´s
office at Dusseldorf International Airport does suggest a
bit of the intensity of the conversation about air cargo between
Geoffrey Arend (right), Ralf-Rainer Auslaender (central) and
Christian Weidener.
|
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| May 24th, 2006 |
|
leisure cargo Hattrick
Around the FIFA-World Cup, taking place in 12 German cities
this summer, we have started a new phase of our advertising
campaign. With slightly varying motives and the respective
messages we show flag on banners in three internet-publications
and print advertisements in a dozen trade magazines around
the world. The three young ladies – goals all of them
I hope – symbolize the internationality of leisure
cargo and together with the flags of some partici-pating
countries we just express our welcome.
This short note is just meant to draw the attention of leisure
cargo customers and our friends as well as internet-visitors
to the subject. The first publication was in mid May in
AERO International published by Jahr in Hamburg –
issue number 6/2006 – page 83. Our models are from
China, Eritraea and Germany, the setting and decoration
is again vd-design in Hanau/Germany. The graphic designer
Volker Droege did the shoot on a Sunday afternoon with his
brandnew Nikon 100-digital camera. We all do hope that you
like the ad.
Günter F. Mosler
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| May 16th, 2006 |
|
“…
new kid on the block showing muscles …”
SKYeurope and Bratislava
Again, dear readers, I want
to refer to my homepage www.guemos-corner.de
because in my introduction I mention that I was born in Ratibor
in Upper Selesia – now Poland. This is not far from
Bratislava – just across the scenic Carpates. So –
I felt really cozy in this busy and entertaining capital of
Slovakia. It is the home of an airline of many superlatives:
geography, business strategy, spread and dynamics. I have
been around airline headquarters since 1957 and developed
a “nose” for what´s going on – and
I confess that my visit to Bratislava last week was very impressive.
Leisure cargo is an almost unique
example of entrepreneurial creativity and ingenuity. 17 European
airlines join forces in marketing and delivering an outstanding
almost global cargo product. Skyeurope was
founded by two entrepreneurs par excellence in 2001: Christian
Mandl and Alain Skowronek. The fast growing airline went public
in September of 2005 and shares are listed and traded in Vienna
and Warsaw since then. Skyeurope and leisure
cargo found each other in mid of 2005 and analysts
as well as practitioners see the cooperation not only fit
but kind of perfect and promising.
Skyeurope is still referred to as the
low cost carrier in South Eastern Europe with a tourism orientation
but gradually the airline is growing into a position of an
ideal city-pair carrier “connecting the dots”.
From the start- up four, then five bases were chosen in the
region i.e. Bratislava, Budapest, Warsaw, Krakow and Prague
and meanwhile 37 destinations are served scheduled in 19 countries
on 70 different routes. The fleet is growing and modernized.
16 Boeing B 737 did the job until last month – in the
meantime 2 B 737-700 have been received and put in the air.
This is a first batch of a total of 32 to be delivered between
just now and 2010. Together with this new generation aircraft
“NG” a catchy and timeless stylish new livery
has been given to the fleet (see picture contributed by leisure
cargo – GSA, Ton Smulders in Amsterdam
– great!).
The catchment area of the airline is spread over eight countries
with 75 million inhabitants and the demand for international
travel is growing as fast as is the propensity to fly. Skyeurope
scores records in all areas and must simply be referred to
as most prosperous air carrier at home east of the German,
Polish, Czech borders. Passenger wise smart solutions have
been realized with bus shuttles between Vienna and Bratislava
for example or Krakow and some key cities like Katowice and
Gliwice.
One of the reasons for the tremendous success on the passenger
side of Skyeurope´s business is the
overall poor infrastructure to travel by train or car. And
this is the key also to the slow growth in the Skyeurope/leisure
cargo airfreight business. While passengers
are inclined to avoid bad roads and slow trains, cargo, not
caring at all about bumps, is moved to and from as well as
around in the region on trucks obviously offering far lower
rates than by air.
The promotion and sale of the leisure cargo
network out of the immediate neighbourhood of Skyeurope
is in the hands of Miro Zabka backed by a re-known purely
cargo GSA organization - Globe Air Cargo.
We are all aware of the breathtaking
growth rates of the overall economy in the key countries of
South-eastern Europe. We all know that Slovakia and Slovenia
have managed to find foreign investors better than other countries
and we should consider the fact that there is unchanged this
movement “South-east” for practically all technical
jobs – not only in the automotive industry.
Well – here is my message
to all of the visitors of our homepage who do business in
or with the Skyeurope countries; have another
look at your overall logistics costs. Packing, insurance,
storage, damage, customer satisfaction, bound capital and
interest rates are some of the items one had to master to
become an “air cargo consultant” with Lufthansa
in the sixties. The facts remain – tools might have
changed – and speed has.
Günter F. Mosler
|
|
Passengers
on board, cargo hold doors properly locked – an
NG – Boeing 737-700 ready to go from Amsterdam
Schiphol to Brastislava. Still some free capacities
in the belly for cargo. |
What
a delight to see and hear the girls in the call center
of Skyeurope. Six, maybe 7 languages, a spirit hardly
to be found elsewhere in Europe. A winning team; an
outstanding partner in leisure cargo – extending
the coverage east step by step. Here we have –
from left – Ralph Preclik, Chief Product Officer,
Jason Bitter, Chief Operating Officer, Christian Weidener,
Director Operations leisure cargo and Zuzana Augustioakova
nee Dzamková, product executive – and somehow
liaison officer between Skyeurope and leisure cargo. |
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| April 24th, 2006 |
|
“We got to make visits – to get results
- !”
If you have seen my mixed business/private homepage www.guemos-corner.de
you know that I have been working for Aerolineas Argentinas,
Lufthansa and TWA in managerial sales- and service positions
for quite some time. I suggest you take a couple of minutes
to observe the behaviour of any given “Station Manager”
of one airline operating to your airport, check the entourage
around him at any time and to try to spot his influence
and effectiveness outside on the ramp. Try now to entrap
the responsibility that is summing up on the desk of the
worldwide Director Operation in the headquarter of that
given airline responsibe for an entire network. Now –
I do not dare to multiply the numbers like stations served,
numbers of flights etc. the mere fact that 15 grown-up European
airlines
have to be handled on the ground efficiently, fast and according
to TQM-manuals raises a simple question: “How does
leisure cargo achieve these goals at any place, any time
and continuously - ?” Here´s one answer; Christan
Weidener, Director Operations, is continuously travelling
to check the procedures at the many stations and to improve
by exchanging ideas with the local actors - last year alone
he boarded planes 120-times plus. All readers will agree
that this is just too dense a schedule and that relief is
needed urgently. Agnes Allnoch has joined troops in fall
of last year as Assistant to the Director Operations and
after thorough familiarization she is going to gradually
take over responsibilities in some markets.
For the first time since I am given this column I had the
opportunity to travel with Christian Weidener and Agnes
Allnoch on one of their field visits. We picked Palma de
Mallorca and Madrid for obvious reasons; the three-times-a-day
hub of Air-Berlin alone at PMI, allowing passengers and
our cargo to reach any point in Spain and Portugal from
almost anywhere in Europe. And the steadily growing Air
Madrid Network across the Atlantic.
The speed and precision cargo transfers are performed at
on the ramp at Palma are impressive. What calls for special
attention is the coordination of actions at different flights
on the ground making the hub really a clockwork run by our
handling agent Ineuropa Handling - a local subsidiary of
the Acciona-Group - managed by Joan Perelló Ginard.
In Madrid our GSA for mainland Spain CRS Airlines Representatives
is taking a high degree of responsibility in helping to
coordinate the work of our handling agent WFS – Worldwide
Flight Services and in supervising the activities on the
ramp.
All in all I must admit that the trip has helped me a lot
to understand the seamless working together of the several
agencies and that this at times can actually be better to
the benefit of all concerned than to look at one single
big
label in sales & services for a highly specific product
as is leisure cargo.
|
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| At the ramp
in Palma de Mallorca. Far more than just the holiday
destination it was only a few years ago. A super-active
passenger-and cargo hub especially for Air-Berlin
and leisure cargo. Shortest transfer times at highest
precision – excellent job done by the “Ineuropa-team”. |
Christian Weidener,
center, lining out procedures for a specific flight
and discussing them with Francisca Planas, Office
Supervisor Ineuropa, left, Joan Perelló Ginard,
Cargo Centers Manager, Ineuropa, second from right
and the Director Airport Services of the parent company
“acciona” – Thomas Peake de Ferari. |
|
|
| Miguel
of CRS-ramp-coordination giving last check on a pallet
ready to go on the Air Madrid flight to Bogota. Our
GSA for Spain is having an eye on the local transfer
activities at MAD. |
“Mission
completed” – The hard working group is
posing in front of the brand new Cargo Center at Madrid
Barajas for the photographer at the end of a thorough
field visit. The picture shows from left to right:
Agnes Allnoch, Assistant to Director Operations, Jordi
Piqué, General Manager of the GSA for Mainland
Spain CRS Airlines Representatives who came to MAD
from Barcelona for the meeting, Christian Weidener,
Director Operations and Juan Carlos Molina, CRS Station
Manager MAD and host of the group. |
Leisure Cargo Director Operations,
Christian Weidener, left and Thomas Peake de Ferari,
Airport Services Director of "acciona" with
a sample of the line-up of Air-Berlin aircraft on
the tarmac at PMI around 14:00 h. Three times a day,
seven days a week - quite impressive - we think. |
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| March 31st, 2006 |
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| Ambitious
take-off into new Year based on 2005-figures
Dusseldorf-based virtual airline leisure cargo achieved excellent
results in 2005, ambitiously accelerating the Company’s
approach towards new challenges.
Since February 17th 2006 Deutsche ba – dba and leisure
cargo parent airline LTU are related through a 60 % share
in LTU, held by Intro-Verwaltungs GmbH. Both carriers see
a wide field of synergy opportunities and announced already
to combine winter schedules 2006/2007.
In 2005 five touristically-orientated airlines had joined
the group of carriers under the leisure cargo umbrella i.e.
Air Berlin, NIKI, Hapagfly, Skyeurope and Thomas Cook Belgium,
raising the total number of closely cooperating aircarriers
to 15.
Another source for the outstanding performance of leisure
cargo is – according to Managing Director Ralf-Rainer
Auslaender – the new new routes that member Air Madrid
has added in 2005 and that LTU operated to JFK all year. The
lean leisure cargo management has continuously created new
revenue sources on routes where there is not too much demand
for airfreight in general.
Leisure cargo in Germany and its global agencies have managed
to carry 22 % more freight or 40.172.502 kg on flights of
the 15 airlines than in 2004. The revenues generated increased
by 21 % to EUR 50.6 million, allowing to pass the EUR 50 million
mark for the first time in the sixth year in operation. High
productivity and careful cost management helped to increase
pre-tax profits for 2005 by 46 %.
Payroll has almost remained at the level of 2004. The applied
IT-system “Champ II” has been brought to state
of the art configuration and the road feeder service network
has further been refined in Europe as well as in the United
States and in Central America. Presently leisure cargo manages
daily 1200 tons of available capacity on more than 200 aircraft
of 15 German, Spanish, Italian, Swiss and Austrian as well
as Belgian and Slovakian aircraft, serving close to 160 destinations
in Europe, around the Mediterranean, in Asia and the Americas.
Leisure cargo is of course pleased and proud about last years
results – and obviously the mandate carriers, too. |
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| February 23rd, 2006
|
|
Supporting “Saxonia”
– Connections
 Only
few regions in Germany can presently be referred to as “booming”.
The geographic center of the country around Leipzig, Halle
and Dresden is a positive exception. Both airports LEJ and
DRS enjoy additional passenger demand from their respective
expanding catchment-area for leisure- as well as business
travel. Both airports are operated by a joint company. The
aircraft- and automotive industry in Dresden is growing
and the key growth factor for aircargo in LEJ seems to be
the central hub-construction for DHL. Interesting routes
have recently been added by our mandate carriers Air Berlin
and Hapagfly as well as LTU. More of the multinational and
German aircargo agents have opened stations here and timing
was ideal early in the year to pay the region a well prepared
visit. Target for Director Operations Christian Weidener
and Manager Cargo Sales Ralf Riksen from Frankfurt was to
look after handling quality standards and to promote the
additional capacity now available for export- and import
shipments. Top priority during the talks was given to the
PMI-hub so smoothly operated by Air Berlin and the growing
number of fast and reliable AirMadrid connections from and
to Latin America. Transshipments through Punta Cana and
Puerto Plata as well as Florida into Central America were
presented in detail. The facts Christian Weidener was able
to comment on routes not so familiar yet – like Mombasa,
Zanzibar or Mauritius – were a welcome add-on to the
sales efforts. Portground is a reliable and flexible handling
partner for leisure cargo and it was agreed upon to visit
the market again in early June – combining the trip
with a reception and party for all business partners in
the region.
Picture: Gunter Schüler, Aircargo Manager for our
handling partner Portground GmbH at Leipzig-Halle Airport
(right) and Christian Weidener, leisure cargo Director Operations
on a tour of the facilities at LEJ.
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February 9th, 2006
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“We
are in the papers – and on screen”
Shortly after the leisure cargo worldwide sales meeting in
Dusseldorf we have informed our business friends in another
news report on this homepage that we are going to present
our product-line in a global advertising campaign during 2006.
Well – it has started. A young sales lady in a Port
Louis, Mauritius eye-optician-shop tells readers that –
yes – all the fashionable items she has on stock come
in by airfreight. The ads can be seen already in Flying Typers
– the global E-zine of Air Cargo News, New York, and
“inforwarding”, the leading global air-cargo info-system
from OAG UK. Gradually the ads will be appearing in a number
of re-known trade-papers – but - the future products
to be featured – and actors of course remain a secret
until then.
 We
just wanted to hint you on our informative campaign and hope
you like the message - as well as the model.
Just have a look
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| January 23rd, 2006 |
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Cambodia
Of course are we not to be compared
with a multinational conglomerate of corporations – but we
do act global and consider worldwide needs our concern. We are too
much of a modest “virtual airline” in order to loudly
announce how much charity we do or developing aid. But – when
it comes to the point we are there. Our long time and good airfreight
customer Bob Frieser – Managing Director of a Netherlands
based vegetable- and fruit trading company –
“Belimpex”, gave us a hint. He got engaged in a Dutch
Third World Project helping to plan and build an elementary school
in a real forgotten part of Cambodia. We joined forces with him
and the group and it is so rewarding to see, that hundreds of kids
no longer have to walk miles and miles – or just to skip school
– but that it has become reality. The new school has opened
its doors with just a modest metal plate indicating the key sponsors
– among them is leisure cargo.
The two pictures
show the site as it looked not long ago and the recent official
opening ceremony. We do not want to elaborate much on the subject
– just confess that it is a good feeling to have helped where
help was needed badly – and now.
January 23rd, 2006
“ACD Ralf Riksen”
In these “Cyber Times”
we are all missing a little more interhuman relations in our daily
business-life. Communication is widely reduced to crippled language
in electronic mails, call centers or mail boxes. We rarely are lucky
enough to have the desired party on the telephone – forget
“I am looking into your eyes – baby.”
One of the last few bastions where shop- and smalltalk in the German
airfreight industry are kept up and cultivated - is the ACD-Aircargo
Club Germany. The club welcomed Wolf-Dietrich von Helldorff, a full-blooded
freight forwarder as its new chairman after board-elections in January.
The only other new delegate on the panel is Wilfried Hartmann.
But before the departure of the last chairman, Wolfgang Korte, he
and his board members fulfilled a last duty – granting membership
to our Sales Manager in Frankfurt, Ralf Riksen. He fits remarkably
to the „airliner group“ in the club - adding 15 carriers
under the leisure cargo umbrella at once. Managing Director Ralf-Rainer
Ausländer as a long time member commented “welcome to
the club”.
Ralf Riksen, center and
Wolfgang Korte in a lively chat after the election of the new board.
In his brief presentation Ralf Riksen appreciated the honour and
promised to do his best to the prosperity to this worldwide unique
43 years old working club.
Archives Press 2005 |
Press 2006 |
Press 2007
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