Cargo Overseas and the volcanic ash cloud.

As airlines embargoed and ceased flying to airports across South America and Australia last month it was interesting to see how many additional bookings Cargo Overseas had on their consolidation services.   As those forwarders who use gateway systems continued to deliver in on their block-space agreements Cargo Overseas showed their versatility, thinking outside the box to avoid inconveniencing our customers.  As word got around that Cargo Overseas were still flying to Buenos Aries and Sydney forwarders and shippers alike called and made bookings on our services.

Airfreight to Buenos Aires.

Every 2 days American Airlines were notifying the forwarding community in the UK that Argentina was embargoed, British Airways were offering flights 3 weeks in advance and even then there was uncertainty that they could move it.  The picture across many carriers was the same.  Buenos Aires was difficult to reach by air even paying premium rates.

Cargo Overseas though continued to ship with a 3 day transit.  TAM Airlines service via Guarulhos was the answer.  Most freight-forwarding companies avoid movements via Brazil with their notoriously difficult customs procedures but Cargo Overseas handle shipments into Brazil all the time.  Using our relationship with TAM Airlines to continue to operate into Buenos Aires for us was the logical option.  We continued to serve Buenos Aires, not just with our cargo but other freight forwarders as well.

Airfreight to Sydney and Melbourne.

Sydney was embargoed twice and Melbourne once but as the airport closed to flights Cargo Overseas continued to move our weekly consolidations without any interruption.  This time it was Royal Brunei and their service into Brisbane that came to our rescue.  As regular supporters of Royal Brunei we knew that they could handle our consols, trucking across to Sydney via Brisbane which was never closed.  A service which allowed us to continue to service Australia as we have always done without increasing rates or delaying our consol.

It is not often that you increase your business when an airport is embargoed but this exactly what Cargo Overseas did.  If you are pro-active and think outside the box as Cargo Overseas does you can prove your worth as a supplier.