newstodate.aero
Oct 30, 2009 (newstodate): Times are rough in Sweden's cargo handling business, and a leading provider, Cargo Center at Stockholm Arlanda Airport has cut staff to rein-in costs.
-We have been forced to lay off one-third of our staff and take other measure to cut any unnecessary costs, says Lars Keding, Cargo Center Managing director.
-We have lost some 30-35 percent in cargo volumes, compared to last year, but while imports remain at a very low level and show little change, the decline in export volumes is now easing somewhat.
-In a normal year we would see volumes picking up by September and October, but this year the trend is less marked and certainly delayed.
-There is more to this, however. While we see tonnage down by 30-35 percent, the number of shipments is down "only" some 20 percent, indicating that we can expect more, but smaller shipments.
-Maybe this indicates a gradual return of some of the air cargo market lost to maritime transportation during the frenzy period when everything was on the rise. The market may be returning to a situation where time becomes again more crucial than volumes, and orders are shipped as they are booked rather than handled via stores and inventories.
-Anyhow we need to prepare for the return of better times to come and not compromise quality and service. If we dig too deep we will be ill-prepared to handle market demands as they grow again, says Mr Keding
-We have been forced to lay off one-third of our staff and take other measure to cut any unnecessary costs, says Lars Keding, Cargo Center Managing director.
-We have lost some 30-35 percent in cargo volumes, compared to last year, but while imports remain at a very low level and show little change, the decline in export volumes is now easing somewhat.
-In a normal year we would see volumes picking up by September and October, but this year the trend is less marked and certainly delayed.
-There is more to this, however. While we see tonnage down by 30-35 percent, the number of shipments is down "only" some 20 percent, indicating that we can expect more, but smaller shipments.
-Maybe this indicates a gradual return of some of the air cargo market lost to maritime transportation during the frenzy period when everything was on the rise. The market may be returning to a situation where time becomes again more crucial than volumes, and orders are shipped as they are booked rather than handled via stores and inventories.
-Anyhow we need to prepare for the return of better times to come and not compromise quality and service. If we dig too deep we will be ill-prepared to handle market demands as they grow again, says Mr Keding