CARGO 2000 ADDS KLM TO MEMBERSHIP

CARGO 2000 ADDS KLM TO MEMBERSHIP

   Cargo 2000, a group of about 30 airlines and freight forwarding firms with an eye to improve the efficiency of air-cargo transport, has added KLM Cargo to its ranks.

   The group’s membership suffered a decline when it was perceived by some members that it was considering to develop a one-size-fits-all approach to electronically managing air-cargo data. Many companies preferred to maintain their own systems.

   Ron Cesana, Cargo 2000’s new project director, has dispelled much of that belief by emphasizing the group’s desire to change the process behind how air cargo is handled to benefit shippers. Cargo 2000 recently joined with the European Shippers’ Council to foster closer relations with air-cargo shippers.

   “We are clearly focused on what our customers need,” Cesana said. “Everything we work towards must ultimately produce benefits for the customer.”

   This change has brought members back to Cargo 2000 this year, as well as new players. Panalpina, Korean Airlines and Alitalia recently joined as full members and Nippon Cargo Airlines became an associate member.