ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2024 - 19

RIGHT:
The Lessors
Panel.
LEFT: The Operators Panel.
In a question posted to panelists and attendees on the
projected growth of the air freight market in the next five
years, the consensus among the audience indicated an
estimated growth rate of 3% per year.
highlighting the symbiotic relationship
in driving success in the freighter
conversion market.
A prevailing trend highlighted
during the panel was the anticipated
growth of the freighter business, with
substantial demand for replacing aging
aircraft expected in the coming decade.
This growth trajectory is expected to
streamline the number of lessors in the
market to a core group of experienced
participants, further solidifying their
positions in the sector.
Operators Panel
Moderated by Joerg Andriof, chief
investment officer at AFG, the
Operators Panel featured insights from
Paul Rasquin, director of fleet planning
at Cargolux Airlines International
S.A.; Eshel Heffetz, CEO of Challenge
Airlines; Ali Sedat Ozkazanc, CEO of
MNG Airlines; Edvinas Deminius, CEO
of Smartlynx; and Unndór Jónsson, vice
president of sales and marketing at Air
Atlanta Icelandic.
The panel explored the impact of
geopolitical events on operations, with
Cargolux highlighting adjustments
made to routes to and from China in
response to the Ukraine-Russia war.
The panel noted that air freight has
become more attractive compared
to shipping, driven by increased
demand and higher yields resulting from
geopolitical events.
Operators shared insights on the
biggest challenges faced in the current
landscape, including engine availability
and the planning of downtimes, with
a specific focus on additional engine
inspections on Pratt & Whitney engines
due to possibly flawed components.
The availability of personnel at airports
and pilots emerged as a key concern,
signaling a potential challenge in the
future. Currently, the availability of MRO
capacities is also considered a critical
area that operators need to consider.
Additionally, a polling question
posed to the panelists and attendees
centered on the projected growth of the
air freight market in the next five years.
The consensus among the audience
indicated an estimated growth rate of
3% per year, underlining an optimistic
outlook for the industry's expansion.
Carolin Krause and Christian Fabig of EFW
contributed to this article.
* AUTUMN 2024 * 19
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2024

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