ECS draws attention to Asia market
The ECS group is now focusing on the Asia market to expand its network. Bertrand Schmoll, Chairman & CEO, ECS Group in his quarterly visit to India, along with Rajendra Dubey, Regional Manager – Indian Subcontinent, ECS Group talks to CARGOTALK about the
Q Does the Indian market has the potential to become a key hub for international cargo?
India has all the tools to become a key market in the world. Here lives an influential population, which is increasing. India is a big country, though only a small part of that population is flying today.
However, I am optimistic about growth because the numbers are surely going to go up in the future and so will the development of trade. Despite the infrastructural affliction, ECS Group in India is developing year by year. The country is changing and going in the right direction; the number of aircraft is rising and that is good for cargo. People are opting for eCommerce and want quick deliveries. Hence, it will boost cargo development.
Q How do you foresee India’s contribution in comparison to your global presence? Are you satisfied with the figures?
It is around five to 10 per cent of the total profit. And, yes I am completely satisfied with the growth because we created everything from scratch and did not buy it, so the development is being great and we have lots of possibility to continue our growth. Moreover, 19 offices and more than 120 staff is an achievement.
Q Please elaborate on the alliance with Air Asia.
Rajendra Dubey: Air Asia, in the domestic sector, is a new development for us. They started from scratch and we are the cargo GSA for them from day one. It is a growing airline. They have five aircraft and are going to add three more aircraft this year. Consequently, we are also trying to reach more than 1,000 tonnes every month on that.
Q Do you find any changes in the airline demands with the changing environment?
Airlines want more dedicated services today and more commitments from our side. Cargo is more important for them than in the past. Therefore, they want more ideas from us not only about how to increase tonnage, but also yield.
These carriers not only want GSSAs to sell point-to-point cargo, but also larger network destinations, so as to increase their revenues. Well, we are all set to face these new challenges.
Q Has the Greece crisis and the decline in euro affected your business?
Bertrand Schmoll: Not at all, even the decline in euro vis a vis the US dollar has helped the business in Europe.
Rajendra Dubey: Likewise, business in India has not declined. We are going to reach the turnover of ` 300 crore now. Last year we closed at ` 110 crore.