Amerijet is in the final stages of attaining the International Air Transport Association’s Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceuticals (CEIV Pharma) certification as it looks to further grow its first quarter 2017 pharma volumes.

This is just one of the initiatives and focuses for the all-cargo carrier, but senior vice president of business development, Pamela Rollins says meeting the needs of customers is ultimately what has enabled it to grow in challenging times.

“Listening to the evolving needs of our customers and proactively adapting to provide the very best service,” Rollins says.

Amerijet has in the past seen seasonal variations in airfreight demand with recoveries taking place soon after, but since the slowdown of the global economy it notes the industry continues to struggle.

Rollins says even in its main service region, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, it sees an economic impact on tourism, and oil and gas in Puerto Rico and Venezuela.  Providing urgently needed transportation to Dominica and Haiti, which have been affected by devastating natural disasters, has been challenging.

Rollins says: “Regardless of fluctuations in our industry, the most important response we can have is to listen to our customers. As they tell us the challenges they face, we work with them to create solutions.

“Because we have an established, personal relationship based on regular communication, when an issue happens, we can adapt quickly by adjusting our schedule, route pairings, and arrivals/departures.

“In response to their needs, we have increased value-added services like door-pickup and delivery, cross-border trucking solutions, packing and crating.”

Modernising systems for customers to save time, move to paperless processes and reduce errors, are other key focuses.

The carrier has been connecting directly to customers through electronic data interchange (EDI) messaging, into their own back-office systems or through Descartes, CHAMP Cargosystems and other providers, which use the Cargo-IMP standard for exchanging cargo data.

It will also soon launch a new website to give better tracking, quotes, bookings, and account information for customers.

Amerijet recently announced a partnership with Starcom Systems to use their Kylos Air GPS Tracking Device, where customers can track and monitor high value and temperature sensitive products on their smartphones, desktops or own tracking platforms.

Next year, it is to invest in two Boeing 767-300 aircraft with more to follow in  2018 and new partnerships in Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand have strengthened its global presence.

Rollins says: “We plan our growth carefully and in conjunction with our customers, to ensure that we maintain the flexible transportation solutions they want and need.”

Amerijet operates Boeing 767 and Boeing 727 aircraft from its primary hub at Miami International Airport and regional hub in Port of Spain, Trinidad serving the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America with direct all-cargo flights.