newstodate.aero
Apt 12, 2010 (newstodate): Among the leading cargo GSA providers in Estonia, Air Proxy would like to see the volume of e-bookings increasing in the market.
-The system is in place and we are fully capable of handling e-bookings, but the market remains reluctant, says Maanus Matlik, Air Proxy managing director.
-Lufthansa is certainly the most advanced carrier in this field, but the volume is still far below expectations.
-One factor is that agents still prefer to call by phone to place their bookings and have a personal contact with the operator to settle details. But another factor contributing to the slow penetration of e-bookings in Estonia's airfreight business is that at least 90 percent of all shipments are booked at spot rates, and in this environment e-booking systems are less flexible.
-Even if a booking is made, the eventual rate is still being negotiated and very often adjusted several times which would require several changes of data and rather complex accounting in the case of an e-booking.
-As a GSA, e-bookings would certainly be a benefit to us as it would further cut costs and enhance productivity in times where the organization has already been trimmed to deal with the extremely demanding situation prevailing.
-Airfreight imports dropped by 50-60 percent in 2009, but the demand is slowly rising again, as are also rates. Despite the recent crisis that has still not been fully overcome, we now see signs that export volumes are improving, and I would cautiously predict that 2010 may end quite OK, says Mr Matlik.
Other cargo GSAs operating in the Estonian market to serve some 15 agents, less than 10 of which however active, include Skypartners, Strike and Kales, but the last two companies serve Estonia from offices outside the country.
-The system is in place and we are fully capable of handling e-bookings, but the market remains reluctant, says Maanus Matlik, Air Proxy managing director.
-Lufthansa is certainly the most advanced carrier in this field, but the volume is still far below expectations.
-One factor is that agents still prefer to call by phone to place their bookings and have a personal contact with the operator to settle details. But another factor contributing to the slow penetration of e-bookings in Estonia's airfreight business is that at least 90 percent of all shipments are booked at spot rates, and in this environment e-booking systems are less flexible.
-Even if a booking is made, the eventual rate is still being negotiated and very often adjusted several times which would require several changes of data and rather complex accounting in the case of an e-booking.
-As a GSA, e-bookings would certainly be a benefit to us as it would further cut costs and enhance productivity in times where the organization has already been trimmed to deal with the extremely demanding situation prevailing.
-Airfreight imports dropped by 50-60 percent in 2009, but the demand is slowly rising again, as are also rates. Despite the recent crisis that has still not been fully overcome, we now see signs that export volumes are improving, and I would cautiously predict that 2010 may end quite OK, says Mr Matlik.
Other cargo GSAs operating in the Estonian market to serve some 15 agents, less than 10 of which however active, include Skypartners, Strike and Kales, but the last two companies serve Estonia from offices outside the country.