Emirates SkyCargo chief Ram Menen looks on the bright side

RAM Menen, Emirates SkyCargo divisional vice president, has championed the air logistics industry and driven e-freight initiatives and believes the industry needs to show greater transparency and a more collaborative attitude in the supply chain of the future.

Mr Menen highlighted the success of Emirates SkyCargo despite the downturn and how it achieved through reducing its fleet from eight to seven aircraft, which then included five Boeing 747Fs and the 777F, which proved to be a "very economical aircraft".

The key to the company's 2010/11 volume increase forecast of 20 per cent Mr Menen told New York's Air Cargo News is in getting the right product mix to increase yields and to have the right capacity at the right place all the time. "We are flying ours up to 16 hours a day. So far we have two 777Fs in our fleet with a further two on firm order and four options," he said.

Emirates decision to buy 90 Airbus superjumbos, the A380 has been justified despite its lack of cargo belly space. It has carried 10 tons to Toronto and 14 to London, said Mr Menen. But the A380 freighter variant is likely to be on the "back-burner" for the time being, he added.

Emirates is eyeing Africa for potential, a continent it already boasts 19 destinations following its latest addition to Dakar, and India is holding up demand on its 10 city services.

Mr Menen said immediate front burner items included a weaker euro which may help euro-zone exports if labour trouble do not intrude, coping with disruptions from natural disasters, changing security requirements and greater e-freight compliance worldwide.
(Source:www.schednet.com)