newstodate.aero
Apr 21, 2010 (newstodate): Leaving speculations about the long-term effects from the current volcanic cloud aside, Danish airfreight forwarders are "cautiously optimistic" after this year's first quarter.
-Based on experience shared among forwarders at our very recent meeting in the airfreight group of the Danish Freight Forwarders Association, it is safe to say the the general mood is "cautiously optimistic", says John Sorensen, chairman of the group.
-Both export and also import volumes are rising again, seen against the low levels one year ago, and forwarders tend to expect a sustained recovery.
-Airfreight rates are still low, and never in my 43 years in the industry have I seen levels like this, for instance minus one Danish Krone per kilo export airfreight to Shanghai!
-While rates increases are already seen, many customers are still not willing to accept this and shop around among forwarders for better bargains that are still available in the market. In the end, all of us have to accept the fact, however, that there is no stable business without a fair level of profitability, and the airline have really been bleeding for many months now.
-Forwarders may also have lost revenue from the latest period with an industry at stand-still due to the volcanic ash cloud. But in my view, this is a short-term effect that will level out once the industry gets moving again. The airlines are worse off and have really been suffering for a sustained period, says Mr Sorensen.
-Based on experience shared among forwarders at our very recent meeting in the airfreight group of the Danish Freight Forwarders Association, it is safe to say the the general mood is "cautiously optimistic", says John Sorensen, chairman of the group.
-Both export and also import volumes are rising again, seen against the low levels one year ago, and forwarders tend to expect a sustained recovery.
-Airfreight rates are still low, and never in my 43 years in the industry have I seen levels like this, for instance minus one Danish Krone per kilo export airfreight to Shanghai!
-While rates increases are already seen, many customers are still not willing to accept this and shop around among forwarders for better bargains that are still available in the market. In the end, all of us have to accept the fact, however, that there is no stable business without a fair level of profitability, and the airline have really been bleeding for many months now.
-Forwarders may also have lost revenue from the latest period with an industry at stand-still due to the volcanic ash cloud. But in my view, this is a short-term effect that will level out once the industry gets moving again. The airlines are worse off and have really been suffering for a sustained period, says Mr Sorensen.