2010: The road to recovery

The unforgettable year of 2009 was hard on each and every one of us. A worldwide economic recession challenged our businesses and left us with a total cargo volume of 1,286,372 tonnes, representing a -17,9% decrease compared to 2008. More than ever we made it a priority to support our marketplace in these difficult times. On the positive side, 2009 also marked the launch of Schiphol SmartGate Cargo. In order to anticipate future growth and remain internationally competitive, our investments in innovation must keep one step ahead of the market. We see a hopeful year ahead of us, in which the partnerships with our marketplace will help to keep Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Europe’s preferred airport.

Collective efforts
The success of the Schiphol pavilion at the Air Cargo Forum in Kuala Lumpur led us to decide to continue this means of promoting our marketplace overseas. In 2009 we collectively promoted our air cargo hub with many of our business partners at both Intermodal in São Paulo and Transport Logistic / Air Cargo Europe in Munich.

This year we will once again host a Schiphol pavilion at Air Cargo China in June. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is also part of the Holland pavilion at Intermodal in São Paulo in April, for which we will seek collaboration with partners keen to do business in Latin America. For further information, please contact Carolijn Schoofs at schoofs_cam@schiphol.nl.

Innovation in logistics
Staying one step ahead is crucial to guaranteeing long-term growth. With this aim in mind, 2009 saw the launch of Schiphol SmartGate Cargo. Schiphol SmartGate Cargo involves the integrated monitoring of goods leaving the EU from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, allowing rapid and efficient clearance. It is a unique public-private collaboration between Air Cargo Netherlands, the Dutch Customs Authorities and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The launch of the Cargo Checkpoint pilot project in September generated the first results for Schiphol SmartGate Cargo. Working together with KLM Cargo we can now monitor the progress of this drive-through checkpoint for air cargo, which fits the Schiphol SmartGate Cargo concept. The year 2010 will see tendering procedures for new equipment, the evaluation of pilot projects and the further development of concepts.

In collaboration with KLM Cargo, Rhenus and ACN, we initiated a workforce to stimulate e-freight implementation at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. On 27 January 2010 we will host the first e-freight implementation seminar. Our ambition is to become Europe’s number one e-freight hub. This seminar is intended to help companies implement e-freight in their operations. For further information, please contact Saskia van Pelt at pelt_s@schiphol.nl.

Schiphol-Southeast welcomed Panalpina in 2009 as one of the first logistics service providers to get direct access to the cargo apron. Schiphol Real Estate also started construction of the new Rhenus building at Schiphol-Southeast in 2009, which is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2010. With direct access to the cargo platform, Schiphol-Southeast is fast becoming a centre for logistics service providers. We are the only airport in Europe to offer this great efficiency advantage to logistics service providers.

Expanding our network
Although the economic turmoil hit our industry hard, our network of cargo destinations has remained stable. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol proved to be a solid air cargo hub in times when many airlines had to concentrate and integrate their services and cut back on capacity. KLM and Martinair integrated their network providing a balanced and strong basis for our international network. Nippon Cargo Airlines expanded its cargo network by adding three new freighter services from Schiphol to Nagoya. Lufthansa Cargo started a direct cargo service between Amsterdam, New York and Chicago. AirBridgeCargo added Milan, Almaty and Tokyo to its network. And Yantai was added as cargo destination to Jade Cargo’s network. Also, 2009 saw the start of Sundt Atlanta Skybridge at Schiphol, connecting Amsterdam to Oslo, New York and Miami. Jett8 Cargo Airlines resumed operations at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in 2009. We also welcomed Etihad Crystal Cargo for a part of 2009. LAN Cargo and China Southern Cargo renewed their cargo fleet by starting with B777F operations at Schiphol.

In 2010 we will continue putting our efforts into retaining and further expanding our main port network of cargo destinations through bilateral negotiations with government bodies, promotional activities and business case development. One very important step taken in this connection is the freeze on airport charges in 2009. Also, in 2010 there will not be an increase in our charges. This measure will serve to strengthen Amsterdam Airport Schiphol’s position in relation to other major European air cargo hubs.

ACF 2010
As the host of TIACA’s 2010 International Air Cargo Forum, we started preparations in 2009 by presenting sponsorship opportunities and forming a Committee of Recommendation. So far, Kales Airline Services, Air France Cargo-KLM Cargo and the City of Amsterdam have confirmed their participation as sponsors and co-hosts. Key industry and public-sector leaders have stepped up as active ambassadors for ACF 2010 by joining the ACF 2010 Committee of Recommendation, chaired by Mr Jos Nijhuis, CEO and President of Schiphol Group. For a complete update and further information, please contact Carolijn Schoofs at schoofs_cam@schiphol.nl.

ACF 2010 is our opportunity to leave the international air cargo industry with an indelible impression of our dynamic, innovative and efficient air cargo hub.

Creating Connections
As part of our strategy to promote Amsterdam Airport Schiphol as Europe’s preferred cargo airport, we have updated our existing mix of promotional tools by launching an online advertising campaign, a new brochure entitled ‘Cargo Connections‘ and a new-and-improved website on www.schiphol.nl/cargo.

In 2010 we will once again carry out a Customer Satisfaction Survey to investigate how our customers rate our airport in terms of quality, efficiency and transparency.

In 2010 we expect to see a recovery of the air cargo market, with an expected 1% growth for cargo at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. We are excited about the opportunities 2010 has in store and look forward to creating further valuable connections with you!

The Schiphol Cargo team.