Page 25 - The STAT Trade Times September 2022 Issue
P. 25

passenger flights resume but managing
                                                                             capacity is at the heart of the industry and
                                                                             nothing new.
                                                                               "A global slowdown seems inevitable
                                                                             with rising inflation, higher food and
                                                                             energy costs and a cost of living crisis in
                                                                             many countries. Consumers will have less
                                                                             available resources to spend on non-
                                                                             essential items and this will dampen the
                                                                             demand for ecommerce, fast fashion and
                                                                             airfreight. I think that there will be greater
                                                                             enthusiasm for reducing, recycling and
                                                                             reusing, and a greater move towards
                                                                             conscious consumerism.
                                                                               "The stakes of a global recession are
                                                                             high. The United Nations estimates that
                                                                             an additional 71 million people globally
                                                                             will be pushed into poverty. Added to
                                                                             this, there is the impact of climate change
                                                                             which threatens to undo 50 years of
                                                                             progress in development, global health
                                                                             and poverty reduction and which could
                                                                             push more than 120 million into poverty
                                                                             by 2030.
                                                                               "I am quite sure that if and when a hu-
                                                                             manitarian crisis calls, the air cargo indus-
                                                                             try will answer. However, I think that there
                                                                             will be an onus on the industry to show
                                                                             not only how they can help in a crisis, but
                                                                             how they do not contribute to it."
                                                                               On the outlook, Evans was guarded: "A
                                                                             lot will depend on fuel cost, inflation moves
                                                                             and consumer sentiment. ACS continues to
                                                                             go ahead with growth plans, and cargo will
                                                                             be a focus area. ACS is doing everything it
                                                                             can including hiring freshers to train them
            Ozdabak of Air Partner adds: "The                                for the industry."
          pandemic was a learning experience but                               Dursley offers a very positive outlook.
          it mostly highlighted to the world that                            "We have literally just opened a new office
          freight plays a significant role for everyone.                     in New York on 25 August, right in the
          We rely more and more on fast logistics,      ACS continues        centre of Manhattan, both in support of
          the role of charter companies like Air                             our cargo products but also our passenger
          Partner has been elevated and in high       to go ahead with       products, which are expanding rapidly
          demand because of the ability to respond   growth plans, and       around the world.
          and deliver innovative solutions."                                   "We have created four regions within
            Overcapacity is also something to bear   cargo will be a focus   our organisation - the Americas region,
          in mind as over 400 freighters are being                           Europe region, India, Middle East, Africa
          ordered by many different carriers from   area. ACS is doing       region and Asia Pacific region. Within
          B737-800F to the B777F and A350F, Ozda-     everything it can      those regions, we are recruiting additional
          bak concluded.                                                     staff to expand our business and support
            "I think that the pandemic reminded us     including hiring      our customers.
          all to not take anything for granted – least                         "Moving forward, we will see more of that
          of all our ability to predict the future," says   freshers to train them   collaboration as well as additional aircraft in
          Liana Coyne of Coyne Airways. "It is easy   for the industry.      our fleet be that Magma Aviation’s 747s and
          to say that capacity will continue to be                           transitioning to additional aircraft and po-
          an issue over the next 5-10 years as new        Dan Morgan-Evans   tentially 777s to the likes of Bluebird Nordic
          freighter conversions come online and            Air Charter Service  and their 737-800 freighter fleet." 

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