AF-KLM Cargo's 2023: more capacity, but less volume and revenue
The commercial relationship between AF-KLM and CMA CGM Air Cargo netted some €20m ($21.6m) in ...
© Richair
By Alex Lennane
The air cargo industry has expressed disappointment that Air France-KLM is to stick to its decision to ground its 747 combi aircraft.
Stan Wraight, president of Sasi and former head of cargo sales and marketing for KLM, wrote to Ben Smith, chairman AF-KLM Group, and Peter Elbers, president KLM, urging the group not to ground its combis.
He argued that, with cargo capacity so thin on the ground, their revival was the carrier’s moral responsibility.
“The world will thank you in the end, ...
Comment on this article
Donald Strand
March 30, 2020 at 6:48 amSo many experts telling KLM Cargo how important the combi is. The advice is offered from those without knowledge of the cost structure around the Combi. Commentary suggests that there is an opinion that shippers/forwarders are prepared to pay rates to keep this aircraft in the air. This is not the experience at all. Shippers and forwarders constantaly commoditize the combi capabilities and indeed DO NOT pay enough to keep the cargo orientated passenger aircraft flying.
In the end there are huge capacities available via the integrators (FedEx, DHL, UPS) and also the globa freighter fleet. Dropping the hugely expensive 747 hardly impacts the global capability.
This is rather naive, uninformed commentary and careless reporting.