IAM breaks own record, predicts continuing growth
IAM - Ireland's leading cargo GSSA - has broken its record for cargo uplifted in a single month.
In March 2005, the company moved 7% more export cargo than in any previous month in its 15-year history.
The result beats its previous record, established in September 2004.
The new IAM record was set against a shrinking total market - Irish exports by air fell 15% in January and February compared to the same period of 2004.
IAM's own February figures were up 6% on 2004, representing 18% of the total market; this compares with 15% market share throughout early 2004.
Now IAM is predicting further growth as Austria's recently-introduced three-times weekly direct flights from Dublin rise to six per week in June, and American Airlines' brand new Dublin-Chicago service - already achieving 100% load factors after its first few days of operation - has been joined by the airline's new Shannon-Boston services which started on May 2.
Meanwhile Air Canada re-starts daily B767 services from Dublin and Shannon to Toronto in June.
Says IAM's MD Ian McCool: "It's great to see all this direct capacity coming to the Irish market. The growth we are seeing centres on the USA , South Africa and South East Asia, but our policy of working with quality carriers is paying off across all markets. While the Irish market may be struggling to counter the loss of some high-tech manufacturing in the short term, it seems to be focusing on quality of service to assist in penetrating discriminating markets like Japan."
"Demand for All Nippon's daily next-day service from Dublin to Narita has grown steadily in the past six months, and looks set to continue this trend."
Later in 2005, Nippon Cargo Airlines will boost capacity when it brings its B747-400F aircraft into Europe, operating to Tokyo with nine freighters per week.
IAM will connect the Irish market to these flights using its nightly express road feeder services.
McCool says the extra capacity will be well-supported, as Japanese carriers are recognised and rewarded for their high service standards.
He continues: "Freighter capacity is also very much in demand, and China Airlines' ex-Manchester services to Abu Dhabi and Taipei are proving very popular. This is now the world's largest scheduled B747-400F operator, and its growing network reflects this."
Meanwhile IAM's recently-launched handling arm - ITC Handling - is opening up new opportunities on both exports and imports.
Says McCool: "We are now a true one-stop-shop for any airline needing a cargo presence in Ireland, whether they operate on-line or off-line. And we are able to handle their inbound freight as well as their outbound freight. The potential is vast, and we are really excited."
IAM represents 11 leading airlines, and forms the core of an expanding group which now includes cargo handling, air cargo road transportation, aviation training and travel agency activities.
It is the Irish member of EGSAC - the consortium of independent cargo GSSA companies, and Europe's largest cargo GSSA network.
