Saudi Airlines Cargo attains 8% growth.
Source:aircargoweek 2014-2-10 11:53:00
The carrier cited new routes and increased capacity on selected destinations as driving factors for the growth. The total tonnage for 2013 was about 555,000 tonnes, eight per cent more than 2012. Saudi saw its volumes to Hong Kong (China) grow by 18 per cent, UK 10 per cent, Germany 23 per cent, Belgium 83 per cent, the United Arab Emirates 11 per cent and India 32 per cent.The cargo carrier's commercial vice president Peter Scholten spoke to Air Cargo Week (ACW) at the Air Cargo India exhibition and conference, held in Mumbai (India) from 4 to 6 February. Commenting on India, which was Saudi's second fastest growing destination in 2013, Scholten says: "For a long time India has been a very big market for Saudi airlines. This whole area is very, very wide market with real growth in the passenger market, so we have lot of belly capacity in this market."He adds that his airline operates in nine Indian cities with 50 fights a week and that, "they are all widebody aircraft". Across its worldwide network, Saudi sells belly capacity in 145 aircraft.In contrast with India's high levels of belly capacity, Scholten explains that the carrier is underserved with hold capacity in Europe because the airline uses the Airbus A320 there. Instead, Saudi uses dedicated cargo aircraft for Europe and, according to Scholten, "operates 22 freighters a week out of Europe".Talking to ACW about the airfreight market in India and worldwide, Scholten explains that he believes his airline has taken business from seafreight. Bellyflex is the service Saudi is offering with prices 30 per cent less than general air cargo. Instead of delivering in 24 hours Saudi will take up to six days to get the cargo to its destination, for example from Mumbai to the UK. Transported via the carrrier's Saudi Arabian hubs, the airline can decide when it is best for it to transport the shipment to its final destination. Launched in early 2012, Scholten says that Bellyflex has transported seven million kilograms to date.