WCA supplement PG 1&4 25/3/09 11:29 Page 1 Independents gain recognition at last Better deals for freight agents as carriers court WCA members for business THE value of independent freight forwarders to the world’s cargo airlines is at last being recognised, as more airlines attempt to engage with WCA Family members. Previously accused of arrogance regarding their dealings with medium and small-sized forwarders, the cargo airline executives that attended the World Air Cargo Event, held alongside the WCA Family Week in Bangkok from 18-20 February, were full of praise for the network. Des Vertannes, executive vicepresident cargo, Etihad Airlines, said: “We have had a most productive two days, we have found new forwarders in our key markets and concluded a number of important deals.” He added that he was “amazed” at the volume of networking meetings conducted between WCA members and concluded that with the downturn in the Chinese market, the Sino-International Conference in June was a perfect opportunity for agents to find new partnerships and create more business. Des Vertannes, Executive vicepresident cargo, Etihad (on right) conducts one of many productive meetings with WCA members (below) at the Etihad stand in February Ingo Roessler, vice-president cargo, Royal Jordanian Airlines, added that he was very impressed with the attendance of hundreds of forwarders. “We managed to fill four aircraft in one day thanks to the productive meetings with WCA members. This has been one of the most productive air cargo events we have ever attended.” With WCA pushing closer cooperation with airlines, the Family members are increasingly recognised as important partners for the airlines and freight forwarders are beginning to see more preferential rates as a result. “Airlines working more closely and forging better relationships with independent forwarders can only benefit the industry as a whole,” added Roessler. This new enthusiasm generated amongst airlines for the role independent freight agent will be a direct benefit, as WCA membership becomes an industrywide ‘seal of appoval’ for conducting business. With airlines scrambling for business, Ingo Roessler: Vice-president cargo, Royal Jordanian Airlines was delighted at the volume of business generated with WCA members airline executives are rapidly discovering the value of dealing directly with independent forwarders. The combined volumes of WCA Family members would place the network as the eighth largest forwarder in the world. At a time of global downturn this is one fact airlines now feel they cannot ignore. The role of the WCA Family is now recognised by airlines, IATA and a whole range of government and trade bodies. As a result, WCA Family-organised conferences are now firmly established as must-attend events for freight agents. With airfreight volumes dropping alarmingly in January and February, airlines are more willing than ever to create preferential deals for independents.