31st Annual ACAAI Convention – A Report

The 31st ACAAI (Annual Air Cargo Association of India) Convention was recently held in Dubai, UAE, from November 26-29, 2003, at the Grand Hyatt. Industry stalwarts talked on vital topics and emerging issues pertaining to the air cargo industry, which served as a platform for debates and interactive discussions.
The theme of this year’s convention was "Air Cargo Industry – Convergence & Consolidation". The prestigious event was supported by Emirates Airline, Air India, Indian Airlines, Swiss World Cargo, and British Airways. National Association of Freight Logistics (NAFL, Dubai) served as a co-host for the event.
His Excellency Mr. Y.K Sinha, Consul General of India at Dubai, inaugurated the Convention on November 27. Deepak Nayyar, a noted economist and Vice Chancellor of Delhi University, delivered the Keynote speech.
There were about six business sessions besides the Inaugural Session on Thursday, 27th and the Concluding Session on Saturday, 29th. The business sessions witnessed speeches by eminent speakers including Sam Katgara, President of ACAAI.

Business Session I: International Market Place : Is It Truly Global !
Emirates made an opening presentation expounding on their global marketing strategy and how it is being fine tuned to local conditions. The subject was on "GloCal Marketing : A Global Challenge for Cargo".
TCS, a leading Indian IT company, discussed on "The Knowledge e-Conomy : Beyond brand reflects Dubai's vision to become the leading aviation hub of

 the 21st Century. By 2010 Emirates expects to carry 29 million people and 1.5 million tones of cargo a year, one reason why it is now the world's biggest buyer of new aircraft.
But Emirates is not the only Airlines in the Middle East to have a vision of becoming a major player in the International Aviation business. In fact, the Airlines industry in the Middle East and the related air cargo activities do not seem to be much affected by the ongoing hostilities in the world. Airlines in the Middle East, on the contrary, continue to expand.
Emirates may be the undisputed leader in the passenger and air cargo operations in the Middle East, but today it is facing stiff competition from other airlines in the region. Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Saudia Airlines and Royal Jordanian are all actively developing their respective passenger routes and cargo products.
Likewise, in support to the Airlines, airports and related ground handling Frontiers". FIEO the apex body of Indian exports presented the task facing the exporter to meet the intense competition of the global market.

Business Session II: Supply Chain – End to End
A MNC customer articulated on "Managing the Chain : Processes, Parameters, Performance". Air cargo is inherently expeditious and air logistics has to be a key speed performer in the supply chain. The next speaker, Charles Kaufmann of DHL Danzas focused on the importance and role of "Air Logistics : The Key Element in the Flow".
While Philbhert Suresh of Translogistique Services presented the case of "IT: Changing, Connecting, Catalyzing Systemically", David Pierce, EK, a senior air cargo figure unraveled the intricacies of the impulses that promote and drive air cargo in "The Dynamics of Air Cargo : Price, Product or Performance Driven".

Business Session III: Infrastructure – Enduring Impediment
A senior official, K Ramalingam of Airports Authority of India lifted the veil on the developing future status of the major international airports, in particular, Delhi & Mumbai. Ali Al Jallaf, Director, Dubai Cargo Village, shared Dubai Airport’s success story in "Dubai Airport : Exemplar of Excellence".
Samir Shah of ACAAI addressed one of the less covered subjects of "Transaction Cost : The Soaring Ground Reality".

Business Session IV: Compulsions of the Industry
This session focused on some of the compulsions facing the community. The house keenly received the presentation by Boeing, "The Growth Prospects : Volatile, Variable, Vulnerable" on growth prospects for the Indian subcontinent and world air cargo markets.
Indian Airlines elaborated on their perspective and plans for an extensive countrywide distribution network that is unfolding and how it is trying to upgrade the regional gateways into hubs for international freight traffic.
The President of FIATA, Issa Baluch addressed the issue of "Forwarder’s Future : Focus Fast Forward". 
Snehal Parikh, an experienced forwarder, presented a SWOT analysis in "Convergence & Consolidation : A Compelling Case !".

Business Session V: Powering The Product or the Price ?
Austrian Airlines’ General Manager, A. Vargoozky presented on the difficult job of lowering costs, raising yields and increasing profits in "Costs, Yields, Profits: The Elusive Optimum !". 
While Virender Uppal, Chairman of AEPC addressed on "Time Definite: Is it Value for Money or Riding on Hype?". GFX enlightened the gathering in "A Neutral Platform: A Pioneering Innovation".

Business Session VI: Panel Discussion 
This was an interactive session and the panelists were Airlines, AAI, Forwarders etc. The subject of debate was "Positives of Partnership: Profit, Progress, Professionalism".

Business Session VII: Reforming & Restructuring: A Revolution at Work
Traxon enlightened the audience on the whys & hows of the major restructuring that companies and businesses have undertaken across the globe over the last couple of years consequent to globalisation and technology in ‘Business Process Reengineering – Beyond Technology’.
Hitherto, the accent in India has been on price and operations, which needs to reorient to value and service to the customer. A management consultant highlighted the imperatives for this change for each team member supported by flat and responsive organizational structures.

Concluding Session: Convention Consensus
A wrap up of the debates and discussions that look place during the sessions was rendered and a convention consensus was offered and adopted.