GSSAs soar to new heights
The worldwide market share of air cargo General Sales and Service Agents (GSSAs) exceeded 25% and continued to grow in 2023, particularly in certain weight-break categories and in various world markets and regions, detailed analysis by WorldACD Market Data reveals. The GSSA market continues to evolve, with GSSAs taking on an ever-increasing range of functions […]
Ireland’s Premier GSSA, IAM, joins ECS Group
Ireland’s largest and leading GSSA has become part of the world’s leading GSSA, ECS Group. With International Airline Marketing (IAM), ECS Group gains an established, respected subsidiary with a successful track record spanning almost 35 years. With the signing of the acquisition agreement, on October 16th 2023, Ireland’s largest and most successful GSSA has become […]
Adaptability in America’s GSSAs sector
Two decades ago, a General Sales & Service Agent’s (GSSA) primary focus was solely on the sales of airline services. However, in contemporary times, the role of a GSSA has seen remarkable transformation, driven by shifting customer demands, technological advancements, and global disruptions. “The utilisation of digital marketplaces is becoming increasingly common, although they are […]
2022: A year of augmented success for ECS Group
ECS Group’s Augmented GSSA concept has brought in new markets, significantly more business, and answers the needs of an evolving customer base. 2022 has been a year of foundation and firsts. Having officially launched the Augmented GSSA concept along with the new, streamlined ECS Group branding in October 2021, the company focus this year has […]
ECS INSIDE gets the right people in the right place
ECS INSIDE, one of the ten Abilities on offer in ECS Group’s Augmented GSSA concept, ensures a ready supply of qualified staff at any required location: ‘The right people in the right place’ is its tagline. Recruiting skilled, local staff is often the biggest delaying factor that air cargo companies face when looking to expand […]
Network Aviation Group’s new HQ is officially open
Network Aviation Group has officially opened its new global HQ. To mark the occasion two guests, Dr Jaclyn Bell and Aled Griffiths, who are both ambassadors for the charity fly2help cut the ribbon to open the newly refurbished building alongside the Group’s board of directors. This also provided the opportunity to present a cheque to […]
ECS Group’s unique data processing service
Time and effort are required to verify, capture, and process AWB data, or send information to the Customs authorities; time and resources that could be used to focus on sales and customer interaction. ECS Group established expert teams in 2019 and has since then carried out dedicated data administration for a number of its airline […]
Speedwolfe: Carpe Diem
If ever there was a corporate motto penned for Speedwolfe it has to be Carpe Diem, described as making the most of the present time and giving little thought to the future. Speedwolfe is a London-based GSA run by Simon Wolfe and Richard Hartmann, with a combined 64 years’ experience in the air cargo industry. […]
ECS Group protects market share in challenging times
Despite the market falling at double digit rates, BCS Air has been able to maintain its market share, managing director João Ferreira tells Air Cargo Week. He says both imports and exports have fallen at double-digit rates, with the former affected by political and economic transition, which should resolve itself, and the latter due to […]
ECS Group welcomes Wexco to the family
Wexco, a major player in the Australasian GSSA market has joined ECS Group, strengthening its network in Asia Pacific. Founded in Australia in 1979 and extending into New Zealand in 2003, Wexco has a strong presence in the Australasian market, which ECS Group says was a crucial factor to make the acquisition. Bertrand Schmoll, chairman […]
Three years of smiles at AVS GSA in Thailand
Having joined the ECS Group network in 2016, managing director of AVS GSA Thailand, Chirasak Chandratat is delighted with the partnership. The subsidiary of ECS Group for Thailand is the GSA for 12 online airlines, one offline and in charge of total cargo management for two airlines, Nok Air and NokScoot Airlines. Two more airlines […]
A whole New World for GSAs
The US is something of a terra incognita as far as general sales agency is concerned, says local country manager at ECS Group, Francisco Hernandez. “In my eyes, the GSA markets in the US are in a very primitive stage compared to the rest of the world. There are still many untapped opportunities for airlines […]
Professional service, the Italian way
After two years of outstanding growth, Cismat will not let standards slip, CEO Francesco Traverso tells Air Cargo Week. He says that 2017 was an “outstanding year” and that 2018 was “even better” with growth of 24%. Growth was very strong from the last quarter of 2016 for the whole air cargo industry, continuing throughout […]
ECS Group’s Bertrand Schmoll joins TIACA board
ECS Group chairman, Bertrand Schmoll has been elected to board of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA), making him the first GSSA representative. He was elected at a TIACA board meeting in Singapore last month as part of ongoing plans to grow the management team. Since joining ECS Group in 2000, Schmoll has made a […]
Air Logistics Group builds on strengths after 25 years
In its 25th anniversary year, Stephen Dawkins, chief executive officer of UK-based Air Logistics Group (ALG) is in a position to examine the prospects for the wider GSA industry and where his business sits in the industry. He says: “The wider GSA industry continues to grow in a very positive direction as it has done […]
TCE ‘revolution’ launched by ECS Group
The creation of TCE by ECS Group – standing for Total Cargo Expertise – is a GSSA revolution, says Adrien Thominet, CEO of ECS Group, who claims it is the first structure of its kind to be created within a GSSA. ECS Group is reinventing itself with the innovative launch of a brand new service […]
25 years of success for Air Logistics Group
Air Logistics Group is entering its 25th year in the air cargo industry, having grown dramatically since it was founded in 1994. The team consists of over 230 airfreight professionals spanning 88 offices in 48 countries, making it one of the largest and most recognisable GSSAs in the world. It has over half a billion […]
Positive growth throughout Asia Pacific
For Air Logistics Group (ALG), South East Asia remains a good place to do business. The GSSA has been enjoying bullish growth in the region, explains ALG CEO Stephen Dawkins. He says: “Our performance in South East Asia so far in 2018 has continued to show consistent year-on-year improvements against 2017 which was an exceptional […]
Finnair Cargo picks Air Logistics Group as GSSA for China
Finnair Cargo has appointed Air Logistics China as its general sales and service agent (GSSA) in Mainland China. The Air Logistics Group company started working with Finnair Cargo in Nanjing on 1 August, and the agreement in Guangzhou, Xi’an and Chongqing will be effective from 1 September. Finnair Cargo sales director for Asia, Tomi Asikainen […]
Outsourcing and consolidation is the future
Where once cautiousness in outsourcing business prevailed among carriers and a high degree of fragmentation were hallmarks of the GSSA industry, times have changed according to industry players, Donald Urquhart reports. “Now more than ever,” airlines see outsourcing of cargo as a sensible option in terms of cost saving and incremental revenue, says Air Logistics […]
Finnair Cargo picks Inter Aviation Services as GSSA for Belgium
Finnair Cargo has appointed Inter Aviation Services (IAS) as its general sales and service agent (GSSA) in Belgium. The GSSA agreement takes effect from 1 June 2018 and IAS will provide full cargo sales, marketing, customer service, administration and operational support. Finnair Cargo sales director for Europe, Anja Poyhonen says: “I’m pleased to announce the […]
Ukraine Airlines picks ECS as exclusive GSSA for India
Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) has chosen ECS Globe Air Cargo India as its exclusive GSSA in India. ECS Group’s Indian branch office has been supporting UIA throughout the Indian sub-continent following the airline starting flights between Kiev Boryspil Airport and Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on 1 May. The airline is operating three flights a […]
New contracts get AIA Cargo off to a flying start
AIA Cargo has had a busy start to 2018 by securing new GSSA contracts going with double digit volume and revenue growth in the first quarter. It has been appointed exclusive cargo GSSA for Air Arabia Maroc, Air Baltic, Imperial Cargo Airlines, El Al and United Airlines in a number of countries. The AIA network […]
ECS Group expands with partnership between GAC and IAG Cargo
ECS Group is further expanding its international presence with a partnership between Globe Air Cargo NL and IAG Cargo. Globe Air Cargo NL (GAC NL), a major player in the Dutch GSA market and member of ECS Group, has forged an operative partnership with IAG Cargo to expand and optimise its service for freight customers. […]
Saudia Cargo picks ATC as its GSSA for South Africa
Saudia Cargo has appointed ATC Aviation Services as its general sales and service agent for South Africa from 1 May 2018. The Saudi Arabian airline provides airfreight services to more than 230 destinations and its freighter fleet consists of Boeing 747-8s, 747-400ERFs, 747-400BCFs and 777Fs, in addition to belly capacity in passenger aircraft. The carrier […]
ATC Aviation strives to remain a modern company
The whole air cargo industry had a very strong year in 2017, but ATC Aviation managed to beat that by having what chief executive officer Ingo Zimmer (pictured) describes as a “perfect year”. Not only did ATC benefit from increasing yields and strong demand, particularly in November and December where there was a lack of […]
Air Namibia picks Strike Aviation as cargo GSSA for the EU and UK
Air Namibia has awarded Strike Aviation Group the cargo GSSA contract for the European Union and the United Kingdom. The Namibian flag carrier operates daily flights between Frankfurt and Windhoek using an Airbus A330-200 with a capacity of 12 tonnes. Strike Aviation president, Frank Ziesemer says: “We are very proud to become the Cargo Representative […]
Finnair Cargo appoints R-BAG as GSSA for five European countries
Finnair Cargo has appointed R-BAG Group as its general sales and service agent (GSSA) for five central European countries. From 1 May 2018, R-BAG will provide cargo sales, marketing, customer service, administration and operational support across Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia and Austria. The airline says the agreement is a timely development as Finnair […]
Opportunities arising for ECS Group to reinvent itself
As the airfreight industry continues to grow, ECS Group chief executive officer, Adrien Thominet (pictured) sees a great opportunity to reinvent itself. In 2017 ECS noted a “nice increase” of freight volumes, mostly driven by pharmaceuticals and e-commerce, while demand was increasing faster than capacity, which helped yields. Several indicators confirm that exports, particularly for […]
1GSA adds Vietnam to growing network
1GSA – the recently-launched independent general sales agent (GSA) network – has appointed Transviet Promotion Limited as its exclusive member for Vietnam. Transviet Promotion was launched in 1996, and is Vietnam’s leading GSA organisation, active in both cargo and passenger operations. It has five bases in Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi and Da Nang, and 55 […]