IAG Cargo has upgraded Premia, its premium handling facility at Heathrow, to offer an improved service for products such as Constant Climate and Prioritise.
Enhancements include:
– Over 50 per cent improvement in loose handling capability.
– New export/import offices to accelerate pick-up and delivery of small express freight.
– Enhanced operational procedures and optimised use of space.
Tony Nothman, head of operations UK and overseas, said: “Our investment in Premia means we can continue to grow our share of the premium products market, confident that we have the capacity and capabilities to meet our customer commitments.”
* The International Air Transport Association is forecasting an improved outlook for air cargo.
Its Airline Industry Forecast 2014-2018 shows that international freight volumes are expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 4.1 per cent over the next five years. Emerging economies, particularly in the Middle East and Africa, will be the fastest-growing markets.
Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general and CEO, said: “This year, more than $6.8 trillion worth of goods, equivalent to 35 per cent of total world trade by value, will be transported around the world by air.
“So it is welcome to see a forecast for a return to growth for the air cargo sector after several years in the doldrums. An average of more than 4 per cent growth for the next five years would be a marked improvement on the performance of recent years.”