newstodate.aero
Nov 03, 2016 (newstodate): Current cargo statistics from Estonia's Tallinn Airport do not immediately support the highly positive views recently expressed by the airport's Chairman of the Board - but the airport does have a vision...
-It is correct that current figures do not seem to promising, but we are convinced of the airport's huge potential in the air cargo business, says Priit Koff, Tallinn Airport Head of International and Public Relations.
-So far we have not had a focus on air cargo as a priority, rather seeing ourselves as landlords offering space and infrastructure to the players in the market. This is changing now as we are mapping the situation in talks with stakeholders in the cargo industry to find out how they see the future, what they need, and what projects they are engaged in.
-One very promising case is the cooperation between Estonian Post and S.F. Express in the Post11 venture that is already yielding results. Tallinn Airport is currently seeing two to three weekly freighters carrying e-commodities from China for distribution via Tallinn Airport to markets the region, and with the forthcoming boom this November, flights may go up to one or two per day.
-On the airport's side we are completing the extension of the runway from 3,070 to 3,480m, making it the longest in the Baltic region, and new apron areas and aircraft parking stands will be added as well towards the end of next year. We have ample space for building a distribution center as well as hangars if this is what the market requires.
-In short, we are moving towards taking an active role in developing air cargo at Tallinn Airport in competition with neighboring countries, and we will participate actively in promoting Tallinn as a strong cargo hub in the years to come, says Mr Koff.
In 2015, Tallinn Airport handled a total of 16,156 tonnes, still 18.7 percent down on the preceding year. And during the first nine months of 2016, the trend remains negative with a decline in volumes by 15.1 percent, y-o-y, to 9,504 tonnes.
-It is correct that current figures do not seem to promising, but we are convinced of the airport's huge potential in the air cargo business, says Priit Koff, Tallinn Airport Head of International and Public Relations.
-So far we have not had a focus on air cargo as a priority, rather seeing ourselves as landlords offering space and infrastructure to the players in the market. This is changing now as we are mapping the situation in talks with stakeholders in the cargo industry to find out how they see the future, what they need, and what projects they are engaged in.
-One very promising case is the cooperation between Estonian Post and S.F. Express in the Post11 venture that is already yielding results. Tallinn Airport is currently seeing two to three weekly freighters carrying e-commodities from China for distribution via Tallinn Airport to markets the region, and with the forthcoming boom this November, flights may go up to one or two per day.
-On the airport's side we are completing the extension of the runway from 3,070 to 3,480m, making it the longest in the Baltic region, and new apron areas and aircraft parking stands will be added as well towards the end of next year. We have ample space for building a distribution center as well as hangars if this is what the market requires.
-In short, we are moving towards taking an active role in developing air cargo at Tallinn Airport in competition with neighboring countries, and we will participate actively in promoting Tallinn as a strong cargo hub in the years to come, says Mr Koff.
In 2015, Tallinn Airport handled a total of 16,156 tonnes, still 18.7 percent down on the preceding year. And during the first nine months of 2016, the trend remains negative with a decline in volumes by 15.1 percent, y-o-y, to 9,504 tonnes.