FlyingTalkers By Geoffrey Arend

After a long journey, as both Italian andSwiss railways decided that this Sunday was the best day for network and equipment maintenance, I arrived in Geneva after dusk. On Monday 17th ofMarch at 9 o’ clock, as sharp as a Swiss clock, the FIATA Headquarters’ meeting began with a rather ambitious programme, harbouring the desire to “provide participants with key market trends and trade developments as well as an external outlook in corridors and logistics in an uncertain environment.”Michael McKay kicked the ball with some historical and cultural background for the city of Geneva, a crossroad for the world of trade and an international meeting magnet: 5,000 conferences annually, half a million delegates, 43 high level international organizations based in Geneva . . . shall we name them all? One for all: the Red Cross/Red Crescent. Turgut Erkeskin    President Turgut Erkeskin welcomed 200+ delegates at FIATA’s HQ from 51 countries: “this year, speakers and moderators have been invited from all over the world” to animate several sessions. Among the achievements of FIATA, Turgut mentioned the excellent work with many internationalorganizations, theachievements in FIATA’s digital policy and risk and insurance and cybersecurity policies. He also gave account of a new regional engagement programme, which – for the first time this year – will see FIATA organizing regional meetings in all regions, starting with Zanzibar, then India, Brazil and Prague in the EU. “FIATA remains focused on trade facilitation,” declared Turgut.

Transport Logistic takes off June 2-5, at Munich Trade Centre,with Air Cargo Europe, the icing on a giant logistics confab as a partner event, whichmanaged to combine different interests in logistics in order to attract large crowds from all over the world. No one is quite sure how much audience spillover occurs between the venues, which in the case of air cargo organizersclaims more than 262 exhibitors from 46 countries in a gigantic venue of 15,000 meters. But one fact is undeniable: this is the world’s biggest and most important logistics event, whether you attend as a big company, small Mom & Pop outfit, or even if you are just going to walk around and take in the view.

Baby It’s Cold Outside But not for these high fliers from Air India outfitted in Manish Malhotra-designed uniforms. Here warming this up considerably Air India people made waltzing through Manhattan look easy as the Indian airline launched services via its candy dandy brand new A350s from Newark to New Delhi January 2.

Air Canada Cargo HitsThe Spot"We did indeed modify our freighter schedule to put in placea freighter relief schedule to ensure continuity and provide temporary capacity," reports Matthieu Casey Air Canada Cargo."We support our customers, by including temporary service from Europe. As we AirCanada and Air Canada Rouge resumes flights over the course of the next week.Our Cargo relief schedule will continue to operate and gradually transition back to the regular freighter schedule once our passenger schedule resumes normal operation.

GeoffreyArend of  Air Cargo News (that’s me, folks!) met Jeffrey Van Haeften, Senior Vice Presidentof Commercial, Emirates SkyCargo, just before IATA’s WCS in Dubai in thespringtime.      Originallyit was an interview, but in the end it became something more thoughtful andunexpected and it is best told as a short essay. With our readers’ support wegive you Van Haeften’s views on air cargo, trade events and beyond, in firstperson(s). Jeffrey speaking to Geoffrey . . . “Throughout my career, I have had the pleasure of working with anumber of great leaders and team members, and I have learned key skills fromall of them, whether it is a creative way of problem solving, the importance ofdiplomacy, tools for better collaboration or decisive decision making. In myexperience, the most effective and impactful leaders are convincing but alsoopen to being convinced. They are open to the perspectives and opinion fromdifferent people and welcome healthy debate, as long as all interactions areunderpinned by respect. These are facts that made me what I am today and I amthankful to all these exceptional individuals.” Why in Dubai was the question on our lips and . . . “As home to so many encounters including the event that broughtTIACA back in 1996, Dubai has improved in the quality of industry events. Industry events remain an important part of our calendar, from meeting andnetworking with customers, both existing and potential, to showcasing thelatest we have to offer. One challenge, if we have to find one and this is notexclusive to logistics, is to continue the conversation post-event, especiallywhen it comes to industry-wide discussions or advancements.     Dubai as host city for World Cargo Symposium bringsthe hope of promise to an entire industry by gathering some of the best andbrightest logisticians on the planet. IATA’s World Cargo Symposium is thelargest and most prestigious air cargo annual event and we are very pleasedthat this year’s event will be hosted in Dubai. The themes of digitalisation,sustainability and safety and security are very relevant both for our industryand Dubai, a city which exemplifies the success that can be built on commerce,

Hot topic touching nearly every trade show and ndustry gatherng. Here s what you need to know before those meetngs.

Let us start our in-depth consideration of the de minimis regime with a quote published by Ms. Cindy Allen, CEO of Tradeforcemultiplier: “If the option to utilize de minimis was eliminated for goods, large marketplaces may structure the transactions differently for transportation, sale, and entry declaration to reduce costs. They would consolidate the merchandise on one entry per conveyance. They would establish a U.S. based entity, and a U.S. warehouse location, which some of the large online companies have already done. They would then structure the sale to be between the foreign online retailer as the seller, their own U.S. company as the buyer, and the goods would be delivered to the U.S. based warehouse. The sales to the individuals would be considered a domestic transaction as it takes place after the goods have arrived. The regulations state that the seller, buyer and consignee must be reported to U.S. Customs and Border Protection CBP on the transaction. In this scenario the reporting parties would be the foreign marketplace seller, its U.S. company serving as the buyer, and its U.S. warehouse as the consignee recipient. This allows the seller or importer to report the shipment on one entry to CBP, instead of thousands of individual entries. It also reduces the brokerage costs associated with the customs entry.” This is the precise language that emerges from the very careful and thoughtful study provided to us by Cindy Allen.

Here I am between James Brooks the Long Island artist who in 1940-42 painted a huge mural titled, “Flight” affixed on Belgian Linen on the upper walls of The Marine Air Terminal (MAT) at LaGuardia Airport and Laurance Rockefeller who put up the money to save the mural after he learned it was painted out of sight (read on) in 1952.Once upon a time I was hell bent for leather working with my air cargo publication Air Cargo News in 1979 to save The Marine Air Terminal (MAT) at LGA, home base in New York City to Fixed Base Operator (FBO) Butler Aviation, today’s Signature Aviation.The manager of Butler was Vince Costanza and I, as a struggling publisher, was in a kind of kinship with him to save the place by restoring the WPA Mural painted by James Brooks in 1942.Mural was painted over in 1952 by some McCarthy era lunatics from The Port Authority who thought artist Brooks was a communist.But I found the artist and told him if he gave me photographs of the panels of his 237 feet circular X 12 feet high mural titled “Flight,” I would build a floor display in the lobby outside the door of the Butler Aviation FBO, where during the late 1970s at MAT, all the New York City high rollers had a private airplanes at LGA Well Vince and the Airport Manager Tim Peirce (dear hearts) gave consent and support so I built the display.I needed sponsors and always could lean on Vince who would grin and say something like:“Yeah, I can help, we are pumping Kero like crazy.”Last I heard, Vince was selling Bibles in Massachusetts.Of course, the Port Authority here has never spoken to me again!But at the mural restoration/celebration sit down dinner, I arranged in 1980 for all the art colony big wigs to be there, including William Lieberman, Director of Manhattan’s Museum of Modern Art and many others.At that party Laurance Rockefeller walked over and said to me very quietly:“I’d like to stand next to you . . . I know what you did here.“I saw your display one day when I was travelling with my friend Dewitt Wallace,” (founder of Reader’s Digest).Of course, before I could say something stupid like ‘knock yourself out,’ he said, “call me Laurance.”He then continued, “When my brother Nelson was Governor of New York State, he hired Jim to paint a mural for Empire State Plaza.“We checked him thoroughly.“He was no Communist!”Shortly after the party, I received a hand signed picture from “Call me Laurance” with himself taking tea with me at the party.Good to have low friends in high places!

When Building 260 originally appeared in 1962 at Idlewild Airport Cargo (today JFK) in New York the place heralded a new era for air shippers with all the bells and whistles to advance air cargo to an unheard of new plateau.   When that very same building empty and unused for decades bit the dust and was removed a while back, air cargo romantics lamented the final chapter in the the rich history of the pioneering all cargo airline, Seaboard World that bought and paid for the original Building 260 whilst based at JFK from the dawn of modern air cargo until SW disappeared into Flying Tiers Line in 1980 and FTL was swallowed up by Fed EX in 1989. Well what goes around comes around and here and now in 2025 Building 260 that pioneered the first all -cargo SW B747Fs in the history of the world is back and maybe better than ever as Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), advances air cargo handling innovation and sustainability at JFK, opening the first new cargo terminal built at the airport in 30 years. Mike Simpson, Chief Executive Officer, Gateway Services, Americas at WFS, is jubilant: “WFS is proud of its 41 years of service to our customers at New York JFK. Building 260 with 350,000 square feet of floor space marks a new era for WFS and air cargo.” “Building 260 sets new standards for efficiency and safety and is a showpiece not just for JFK’s aviation ecosystem, but to the air cargo industry worldwide."

  The man who has been the singular Pied Piper of local air cargo clubs, trade associations like AfA and IATA, CNS and now FIATA, and seems to always be there for everybody else, Air Forwarders Association’s Brandon Fried is pictured in an endearing moment at home with Rhodes, the grandson blessing delivered to Brandon and Kim 14 months ago. But while “baby its cold outside” this week and into the foreseeable future Brandon Is back on the on the road again this doing what he has done best for decades, appearing out on the hustings in support of industry organizations and air cargo clubs.  Brandon Fried brings to these gathering leading edge news and views whilst supporting the proposition that organized air cargo activities anywhere in the world are are a worthwhile endeavor and deserve his full support. This week Brandon delivers “the emmis” appearing at the JFK Air Cargo Association luncheon in New York on Thursday January 30 and next week Brandon addresses the Orlando Florida Air Cargo Association Wednesday February 5.Ask him what are the speaking subjects and his answer is immediate : “As you know, there’s much in our industry to talk about,” Brandon says gently. When it comes to what’s hot, what’s not and what is the latest news this industry advocate arrives and delivers the goods to his audience like a breath of fresh air. All of this activity and a very busy schedule continues whilst Brandon is readying Air Cargo 2025 , the must to attend  big kahuna air cargo industry gatherings scheduled for Dallas Texas March 2-5 .Before all of that the erstwhile Brandon shares some thoughts:“I’m honored to play a role in the success of our Annual Air Cargo Conference that has been a cornerstone event in our industry for over 30 years,” he declared. “Our success is driven by a dedicated group of partner organizations, including the Air Forwarders Association. the Air & Expedited Motor Carriers Association and Airports Council International – North America. All have worked tirelessly to make this a must-attend event.“Also, I’m thrilled to share that we are surpassing exhibition hall and sponsorship expectations and are on track to set a record for attendee numbers—making this year’s conference bigger and better than ever. “It’s an exciting time, and I can’t wait to welcome everyone to Dallas in March!”, Brandon Fried exclaimed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6Ggp3TJjuE

Dear Hearts & Gentle PeopleHere are a group of people that everyone should know about when the question is asked ,”where in the world does air cargo reach out and help others asking for nothing in return?”.This recent snapshot includes some folks serving on the board of Cargo Human Care (CHC). They are (from left) Dr. Thomas Berger, Gerhard Meyke, Dr. Wolf Cyran, Fokko Doyen, Sieglinde Reinhard, and Arno Pfeiffer.Cargo Human Care was founded in 2007 by Lufthansa Cargo employees in cooperation with doctors from all over Germany.Today and non-stop for nearly 18 years CHC has supported . humanitarian and medical aid projects in Kenya, primarily around the Nairobi area.

Here is a Great Lady of Air Cargo India . You dear listener are invited to take a 12 minute break and enjoy someone who in addition to helping to build ATC -Aviation into the premier choice for GSSA in India.is also a complete original. Her name is Jane Vaz and what she does for women in air cargo and for the air cargo community of India is simply wonderful.

Welcome to today’s Flying Talkers Broadcast……. We are here to tell you today FlyingTypers was delighted to attend the Air Cargo Forum 2024 in Miami, which admittedly was built to be more than an exhibition. The promise was fulfilled, no doubt….. We will have more after this brief time out that brings word from today’s sponsor…..  Pay Cargo.

Los Angeles Air Cargo Association (LAACA) Air Cargo Day at the Proud Bird Grand Ballroom just off the main runways takes off next Thursday May 9. Doors open at 1100. The air cargo event of the year at LAX goes until 15:00 and is free! Bruce McCaffrey Did Not Back Down   “The air cargo price fixing saga of 2005 was a-gas. "A mellifluous malodorous episode in the history of air cargo”. A story without a happy ending is recalled in 2024 as we mark ten years since Bruce McCaffrey died February 25, 2014 at age 71 in Bradenton, Florida, from complications of renal failure. Here are sme further thoughts and a story to not be forgot.

The airline & the people and the airline that planted a giant Redwood Tree At Schiphol Cargo in Amsterdam may be gone, but here both are fondly remembered. Sometimes what cargo does together can grow everyone's situation for the better, is the message here nearly 55 years later.

As Summer 2024 Reruns continues here from 2023 we remembered our dear friend and business colleague Jo Frigger who died April 19, 2021. Today as before this 50 years plau business in USA continues as a family affair ,headed up by Chairwoman Karin Frigger, VP Compliance Sven Frigger and VP Digital Transformation Jenni Frigger.

From April 11 , 2022 Amar More founder and powerful force in the world today from Kale Logistics Solutions of India lays out his plan ,with innovative ideas and clear creative thinking that have withstood the test of time. Now in Summer 2024 Kale is growing by leap and bounds worldwide. It’s simple : The Kale Solution eliminates paper and keeps cargo moving faster. Here we go up close and personal so you can listen and learn all about it!  Later join Joe McBryan Founder and Canadian air cargo pioneer of Buffalo Airways in Yellow Knife. Ice Pilots on television immortalized this guy but his family and love of what he does keeps the story coming with a wide variety exciting airplanes from out of aviation’s past. Hang onto your hats!

As India inches closer to the ambitious target of 10MMT of air cargo handled per year by 2030, one question that is being asked is: Why are there so few freighter operators from India? One of the major reasons is the high belly capacity available in India. Around 80 percent of cargo traffic is carried on passenger aircraft. Today, Blue Dart apart, there are only a handful of freighters carrying the India flag. August 15 brings a great golf tourney as the 19th Annual Dan Ferrante gathering takes place at JFK International Airport.

     When Sirius would appear in the sky just before the sun, in July, that marked the beginning of the very hottest days of the year.     The Romans referred to this period as "dies caniculares" or "days of the dog star," which was eventually translated as just "dog days."     Too hot to handle?     Now that the world seems warmer and that last trade show of the first half of 2024 was over at PVG last week, we are counting the ‘Dog Days’ as July 4th in America approaches Thursday wishing all A SUPER SUMMER 2024!     At home we look at our four-legged friends with some passion whilst they continue to do what they have always done best as great spirits looking up every time, we enter the room and no matter what, asking us the same question with longing in their eyes:     “What’s up?” they always want to know.     Lulu, our faithful companion (pictured here), could not be described as a wonder dog, that’s for sure.     No heroics on tap for July 4th either.

Okay put down those margaritas for a moment, and read what was said at a great air cargo gathering last week in Cancun, Mexico. Look for the entire transcript of these comments in FlyingTypers  at www.aircargones.com. Here is Kale Logistics Solutions  self-generated initiative, branded Clear View Americas.  Our view is that Clear View is fresh, while other industry events these days seem tired. First Session: Collaborative Growth in the Air Cargo Industry – The Vital Role of Partnerships and Airport Leadership.  Speaker: Michael Webber, CEO Webber Air Cargo Inc. “In terms of total air cargo business HKG exceeded 4 M tons. MEM, PVG, & ANC exceeded 3 M. MIA holds 82% of the air cargo market share from U.S. to Latin America Cultivating Partnerships: Americas top four international gateways: MIA, LAX, ORD, JFK. While ATL ranks far up the line for passenger, ATL ranks far down the line in air cargo due to the reduced amount of cargo carriers that land/take off from ATL. Today in a world where information is king, a major challenge is lack of communication; airports must communicate with the full logistics supply chain – airlines, cargo handlers, regulators, forwarders/brokers, truckers, material vendors, etc. “The action must be a partnership to be successful," Mike Webber decalred.