ECS Group plans more global air cargo expansion

ECS GROUP, one of the world's largest general sales and service agents organisations, plans to increase its global network this year with five new offices in the Far East, India and Africa.

The ECS network incorporates 43 subsidiaries in 30 countries. The group generates 487,000 tonnes of air cargo a year for over 100 airline customers and reports an annual turnover of US$600 million.

ECS sales and marketing vice president Adrien Thominet said: "2010 was a great year for us as we recovered the tonnage and turnover that had declined since the start of the economic downturn in 2008.

"African destinations are very strong at the moment and Brussels Airlines and Africa West's flights are really full. The Far East is also very strong to China and southeast Asia while in the lead up to Christmas, capacity to South America saw flights fully booked one month ahead."

Looking ahead, Mr Thominet sees a slight levelling out of the market in 2011. "We expect to see some decrease in yields on certain routes like the Far East due to carriers adding additional capacity back into their networks.

"To boost Europe's air freight business to the level of growth in other areas, we would like to see more work being done on bilateral exchanges with China and other Far East countries."

To coincide with its planned expansion in 2011, ECS has launched a bold new brand for its four GSA businesses: Globe Air Cargo, Aero Cargo International, Nordic GSA and Gen-Air.
(Source:www.schednet.com)