newstodate.aero
AUG 31, 2004 (newstodate): As Maersk Air terminates its air services between the Faroe Islands and Denmark by the end of October, the timeline for decisions on the future situation for air cargo draws near, too.
-The withdrawal of Maersk Air's cargo capacity from the market will leave a vacuum, and we have yet to see if it will be filled by Atlantic Airways or another party, says Joel undir Leitinum, Eimskip Sales and Marketing Manager.
-If Atlantic Airways can fill the void by adding extra frequencies, that will be be fine, or if another party enters the market that would be fine as well as it would secure competition in the market, he says.
-Any talk of shippers to offer commitments as a precondition for an air transport provider to establish a service is, however, difficult. The airlines must take the initial risk, but I am personally convinced that provided the capacity is there and the price is right, the volumes will be there, too, says Mr Leitinum.
-Already today we have more import volumes than can be lifted on existing airfreight services. But the stance of the airlines has been that commitments from exporters must first be granted before more capacity for import can be offered.
-Depending on time of the year and the market, 20-30 tonnes of fresh fish are exported per week by ship to the UK. Part of this volume is next trucked into UK airports for onward flights to various markets. We could see more of this export volume airlifted out of the Faroe Islands, provided a service at the right and competitive price was available, he says.
-The withdrawal of Maersk Air's cargo capacity from the market will leave a vacuum, and we have yet to see if it will be filled by Atlantic Airways or another party, says Joel undir Leitinum, Eimskip Sales and Marketing Manager.
-If Atlantic Airways can fill the void by adding extra frequencies, that will be be fine, or if another party enters the market that would be fine as well as it would secure competition in the market, he says.
-Any talk of shippers to offer commitments as a precondition for an air transport provider to establish a service is, however, difficult. The airlines must take the initial risk, but I am personally convinced that provided the capacity is there and the price is right, the volumes will be there, too, says Mr Leitinum.
-Already today we have more import volumes than can be lifted on existing airfreight services. But the stance of the airlines has been that commitments from exporters must first be granted before more capacity for import can be offered.
-Depending on time of the year and the market, 20-30 tonnes of fresh fish are exported per week by ship to the UK. Part of this volume is next trucked into UK airports for onward flights to various markets. We could see more of this export volume airlifted out of the Faroe Islands, provided a service at the right and competitive price was available, he says.