Airline Handling International March 2009

Publish Date: 01/03/2009

Publication:  Airline Handling International

We speak to Pim Stam, Domain Procurement Officer (DPO) Ground Operations, and Jaap van de Linde, DPO International (a.o. Handling Outstations), at KLM, who explain that they are integrating many domains in the field of procurement. As the down cycle takes hold and the US majors are forced to realign their operations with market demand, we interview Gwyneth Williams, Managing Director International Airport Service, Continental Airlines, about the airline’s ground handling priorities. Further, we find out about the handling prospects in the Asia Pacific region which is well served by airlines and is the scene of some of the fastest growing airport development in the world. John Balfour, Partner in Clyde & Co, speaks to us about the market for ground handling services in the member states of the EU and whether competition law alone would have been enough to realise both the obligation and the spirit of liberalisation. On the conference front, we find out what the handlers’ role in the shape of the downturn will be from the "Future of Air Transport" event in London. IT companies tell us that biggest area for change is likely to be more integration between all the different types of systems used in the airport environment and Adolfo Morales, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, North America, for Worldwide Flight Services, answers our questions. Finally Abdul Rahman S Al Hilali, Managing Director of Saudi Arabian Airlines – Ground Services, talks to us along with Chris Jackson, Global Vice President Airline Logistics at DHL Exel Supply Chain.