News / Handlers speak out while industry tries to reclaim ground from integrators

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A strong call for handlers to have a voice in the industry came first thing this morning from a red-eyed  BJ John Batten of Swissport. Ignored by IATA, squeezed by carriers and yet an essential part of the supply chain, he finally put handlers firmly on to the industry’s agenda. Good communication, security and harmonisation are key to the industry’s future, he said.

Etihad’s Chris Notter wanted to see action. Next year, he said, things would have to be different. Let’s co-operate to grow the cake, compete on how to slice it. Both Swissport’s Alan Wright and Mercator’s Sandeep Fernades pointed out that the integrators were stealing market share, and it was time for the “non-integrated” industry to claim it back, by having the same systems, communications and standards that the integrators have. Fernades made the point that by using the internet as a system alongside existing ones, the indstry could communicate better and save cash. And, for the first time, an RFS provider was included in the panel. Sebastiaan Scholte of Jan de Rijk Logistics also wanted a voice. He pointed out that, like airlines, RFS were asset-rich businesses, in which load factors were important – and yet that was dependent on the handlers (with which they have no contract).

Notter said there should be no more ground hog days. By next year, there must be an Air Cargo Manual, and a tripartite council for carriers, handlers and RFS. There must be a safety management system, and improvements in electronic communications and training.
The Loadstar will be keeping track of their progress. Will they be able to achieve real progress – or is it just more talk?

The Loadstar will report on the final outcome of IATA’s symposium next week…Thanks for reading!