Air Cargo Transportation 1

Running Head: AIR CARGO TRANSPORTATION: POLET CARGO AIRLINES

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 Air Cargo Transportation 2

Air Cargo Transportation: Polet Cargo Airlines

Introduction

The air transport industry is the area of commerce where freight, mail and

passengers are carried or moved from one place to another by use of aircrafts. The air

transport firms operate programmed airlines and non programmed services as well. This

they do over local, national and regional routes. Aircrafts used range from single engine

to multi engine planes.

Origin of the Industry

In 1910, the first passenger service was started, dirigibles operated in Germany

cities. In 1914, the first scheduled passenger services begun in the US. Several

experiments to fly airmails were carried out in Europe, India and the US just before the

First World War. By mid 1920s, regular airmail planes were in operation. The 1925

enactment of the Air Mail act saw a lot of advancements in the industry and soon private

planes and airlines were in operation. Air commerce act helped in the building of airport

radio navigation (Allaz 2005). Passenger service had begun as early as 1920s but was not

successful. Air mail planes developed much faster and very larger monoplanes were in

operation and could manage to carry at least 15 passengers; example is the ford Trimotor.

The Air Cargo

Alongside the airmail services, commodities were also being shipped by air. This

was basically not the objective of many firms but it came as a necessity as goods had to

be transported from one place to another. The American automobile Private airlines

manufactured by Ford Henry were the pioneers of the cargo industry and they transported

a considerable amount of freight by the late 1920s. About two of the US companies by
 Air Cargo Transportation 3

then operated all-cargo schedules in the Great Lakes region by then, Globe PR Group

(2008).

In 1930s, the air cargo business increased as larger airliners were introduced in

the industry, but air cargo still lagged far much behind. However, for particular groups of

compacted, lightweight and high value items, air transport prevailed as being the most

successful. Typical air cargo in the period before the Second World War included cut

flowers, high fashion apparel, jewelry, pharmaceuticals, movies reels and machinery

spare parts. In certain cases, live animals were also transported (Allaz 2005).

After the Second World War, larger and more efficient airliners were developed

and as such, the cargo operations increased and more all-cargo firms were established.

The freight in the post war era was likely to include everything that was able to fit in the

fuselage of the aircrafts. In the years 1948 and 1949, during the Berlin shift, the military

planes at that time did not only carry food but also transported tons of coal and other

materials for construction. With the increasing frequency, all types of livestock were

transported ranging from zoo animals to thoroughbred horses and exotic horses.

Perishable goods were also transported including frozen foods (Allaz 2005). Heavy

machines and parts of automobile machines also came to form the air cargo and later on

even complete automobiles were carried.

To reduce cases of pilferage and enhance handling, smaller consignments were

generally packed in bigger containers. The overnight delivery of goods was started in

1970s in America and spread very fast to the rest of the world, Globe PR Group (2008).

Competition had reached very considerable heights with each company wanting to

outsmart the other, Polet Cargo Airlines (2009).

As a matter of comparison between the rail, water and truck transport, air cargo

expenses are still very high. Air cargo takes a very small percentage of the volumes of

goods delivered between cities in the entire transport sector. However still many firms

benefit from the shipments by cutting down inventor coasts, handling charges and

warehouse requirements (Allaz 2005).

Polet Cargo Airlines

Polet Cargo airlines are operated under the Polet airlines which also operate

passenger fleets. They include 5 x Antonov for goods and 6 x Saab 2000 aircraft for

passenger around Russia. Poet airline is based in Russia, Voronezh to be specific. The

firm operates cargo flight worldwide, transporting cargo from Voronezh and Sokol

Chertovistskoye Airport is its main base.

History of Polet

Polet airlines were established in 1988 and started its operations immediately after

it was launched. In the year 2002, Polet started providing its services to the aero-medical,

farming and aerial photography markets. Anatoly S Karpov is the sole owner of the firm

and also the chief executive officer and the director. The firm has a workforce of 251

employees and owns about 26% of Voronezhavia. (Allaz 2005)

Company Profile

The company’s mission is to continue being the perpetual element in the

worldwide air Cargo industry. The air transport firm, Polet has been in operation since

1988, about 21 years experience dealing in cargo charters and it is currently the top

company in cargo transport. The company also begun its passenger operations in 2003

and it has employed its experience in to enhance competition by venturing into aviation.
 Air Cargo Transportation 5

The company has over the past five years opened and dealt in operations in turbo-props

and business jets (Polet Cargo Airlines (2009).

Services offered by Polet airlines delivery and carry cargo from the following

areas and destinations; St. Petersburg, Ufa, Kustanai, Lipetsk, Minsk, Moscow, Kiev

Zhulyany, Baku, Munich, Antalya, Voronezh, Sochi and Ulyanovsk. These flights include

international and domestic scheduled airlines (Allaz 2005).

Polet airlines operate the following fleet of aircrafts; one Boeing – 767 – 2Q8,

two Yaovlev Yak – 42, three Antonov An – 30 and eight Antonov An – 124 – 100, two

Antonov An - 2, two Antonov – 24, three Antonov An – 30, three Ilyushin Il- 96 and six

Saab 2000.

Polet’s Success Story

Having been in business for the last twenty years, Polet cargo airlines has

developed a great deal from an airplane rental partnership to a very larege major aviation

firm in the world. The firm owns and Polet the unique An – 124 – 100 airplane. These

have been very difficult but remarkable years. The firm managed to create well equipped

and fairly manageable business airlines. Their feasibility study results and prediction

proved to be true when they achieved these realities. Presently Polet has occupied a well

deserved position as an operator that specializes in extra-large and weighty cargo

transport, Globe PR Group (2008).

The firm has a good reputation which has been drawing unswerving partners very

close and also loyal clients. The company’s steady success has by and large been

attributed to the efficiency, reliability and high quality services offered. The manager of

production indicated that over the years that the business has been in operation, there has
 Air Cargo Transportation 6

never been any case of broken contract. The Polet’s ambition to become the world’s

number one service provider in cargo transport has never been a secret. The firm works

openly and very hard. It’s in fact officially registered by the International Civil aviation

Organization, which means it has obtained the licensure to fly all over the world, Polet

Cargo Airlines (2009).

There is always stiff competition in the air cargo transport market and it’s

anticipated to grow even tougher. Nonetheless, achievements to current position and the

firms commitment and determination has embodied in expansion of the business and is

acknowledged by all key international agencies and that why the firm is proud, Globe PR

Group (2008).

Since its initiation, Polet has portrayed its zeal to excel in outsize air cargo which

has seen it develop from a private firm to a renowned international air cargo firm. The

firm is acknowledged as one success stories in the cargo industry. From the beginning,

Polet demonstrated ambition characteristic. At the outset the firm obtained only one An-

30 airplane, which was used to carry freight and personnel to northern gas deposits, the

employees were working on a shift basis (Allaz 2005). As the orders increased from

commercial customers and the army, Polet gained experience and acquire more planes.

By the mid 1990s, the firm begun to rejuvenate its fleets; It acquired two new A-

124 – 100s and opened new goals for the business development. As a consequence Polet

become more engaged in transport of extra-large and super heavy cargo. Outsize cargo

has continued to improve more than the general air freight market Regardless of the fact

that it’s still viewed as something of a niche in the cargo industry. The airlines that serve
 Air Cargo Transportation 7

this particular sector continue to boost their business with the continuing increase of

coverage and perfection of services, Globe PR Group (2008).

In April 1998, a revolution was also achieved by Polet when it installed the new

purpose built rail structure that would ease loading and transport of outsize and unique

one pieces cargoes weighing up to 100 tons. This significantly expanded the company’s

opportunities in the international market implying that Polet Cargo airlines were in a

better position to offer unmatched flexibility, time proficient consignment and ultimate

delivery of sole or numerous huge cargo pieces, Globe PR Group (2008).

Development into a key player on the huge and heavy cargo transport market and

carrying out market research, lead to the discovery of an enormous potential and demand

for consistent and specialized huge cargo delivery service in Canada and the US. To

follow these tracks the firm applied officially for the licensure to do its operations with its

Antonovs in US. The US approved this application and business immediately begun.

Furthermore the company’s expertise was approved by the Canadian civil aviation

authorities, Globe PR Group (2008)

Another critical factor that distinguishes Polet from its competitors is the fact that

it ventures in diversity. The firm is involved in space technology. So far Polet is the only

firm that operates An-1254-100 which was licensed by space agency from Russian. This

transports satellites and satellite rockets. The acquisition of four planes An-124-100 was a

very big event in 2000 in preparation for the launch. Basically it’s wise to think that when

a firm has a fleet of An-124-100, for contract, then it is likely to draw close big charter

clients. The entire consignment or even individual properties can be carried weighing up

to 50 tons, Globe PR Group (2008).

The firm is dedicated to continued innovation on large air cargo transport. The

firm is leading in its operation and has recently launched six platform loading equipment

contrary to what its competitors use (the three platform loading equipment system). In a

very short notice, this equipment can be hauled into a plane in order to go and care for

any type, size or weight of heavy and huge cargo to whichever location (Allaz 2005).

In certain cases, there is usually dire need of loading extremely heavy

consignment. Polet cargo has developed fully qualified load masters, one of the reasons

it’s a head of its competitors. These personnel will be sent to the client’s place where

individual drawing can be created so as to make sure that loading demands are fulfilled.

If such instances, Polet has always guaranteed the safety of all the parties involved and

even their commercial concerns. The firm assures that the equipment they has and the

large planes, it’s possible for them to haul twelve 20 feet or six 40 feet area cargo aboard

an air plane with very little special effort, Air Freight Asia Update (2009).

Customers

Polet air cargo has been very active over the past years. The firm has developed

good reputation across the world and has in return attracted very loyal customers. The

customers which Polet has worked with include the biggest companies on the planet. The

clientele comprises of several companies or organizations that are a representation of all

types of industries. The company’s base includes over 1000 customers throughout the

world. These customers include; Matsushita Co,Volkswagen AG,Volkswagen AG Toyota,

Fliteline, Wartsila Corporation, Lufthansa, Astrium ,Rolls-Royce European, Space

Agency, Roskosmos and Schenker among others

The firm has experienced a growth rate of 10% since last year in the consignment

of outsize items alone. The same kind of growth or even better is expected to be seen in

the near future. This is because the firm has done a market research and projected the

increase in trade. This is attributed to the fact that when people see how reliable the firm

has been, the speed with which they deliver the services and the security involved as

compared to other forms of cargo transport or even the competitors in the same air cargo,

the customers will definitely be ready and eager to use the new An-124-100 airplanes

(Allaz 2005). The firm has advertised these services and there is a growing awareness

among the corporate clients who take into consideration these unique capabilities.

Corporate Activities

Apart from the typical business dealings, Polet cargo airplanes has been very keen

to be involved in several humanitarian missions on behalf of the united Nations as well as

other relief organizations and the state. The company feels it has a moral obligation to

give back something to the society. The firm does this by several forms of action; the firm

is always quick to respond by airlifting food, supplying and rescuing equipment into

disaster affected area. In 2005, the firm experienced a tough situation where two different

places in the world wanted their services (Allaz 2005 Polet & Cargo Airlines 2009). The

farm’s workers panicked by in a short while they managed to make necessary

adjustments and attended to the two cases.

In the event of natural calamities like the case of tsunami, where Southeast Asia

was destroyed; Polet has also taken part in many other relief efforts to feed and rescue the

victims of the US hurricanes and earthquakes like the case of the Pakistani tremors. The

planes are used to bring hundreds of tons of cargo including food, drugs, trucks,
 Air Cargo Transportation 10

excavators and other equipment relevant to the tasks to be carried out, Air Cargo News

(2009). During such operations, the Polet personnel work bearing in mind that many

survivors rely on them to deliver the foodstuffs, medical equipments among other things

as soon as possible. The company hence takes so much pride in this great responsibility

to assist and save lives (Allaz 2005).

The Polet Team

Polet as a company, it has always endeavored to meet customer satisfaction. To

keep up with competition and just remain in the business as the best air cargo transport

service provider. For this to be achieved, the firm needed a very strong, committed and

enthusiastic team which would work to the success of the firm by meeting the highest

standards. Polet is also known worldwide for having achieved such as team.

The firm is headquartered in Voronezh and Moscow in Russia. It has sales and

marketing office that is based in Limassol Cyprus, whereas the firm operates and

maintenance are based in Ulayanivsk Russia, Polet Cargo Airlines (2009).

In 2002, Polet opened a new commercial office in New York just as part of its

attempts to bring in special air transportation services and the exclusive capabilities of the

Antonov 124 planes. The major purpose of this commercial office is to manage the

markets of Canada and the US, Air Freight Asia Update (2009).

The firm proudly reports that the Polet cargo airlines workers have a mutual

respect relationship amongst themselves and also towards the management. This has

managed to keep the firm together to function as a team. The most important aspect for

consideration is the positive working environment which enabled the employees to

overcome obstacles. Considering that Polet is now a multinational company running

offices all over the world, the management team has been able to keep the workers as

close as possible, Air Freight Asia Update (2009).

The firm has a strong manager and that is why most of the success the firm has

had had been attributed largely to the Director General Anatoly Karpov. Kerpov has

steered the firm since its inception through tough economical times. He has a good

background in the field of aviation since from 1973 he had been working in different

departments, Air Freight Asia Update (2009). In 1997, he took over the leadership and

steered the Air Launch aerospace. This was not to cut cost but created and a way of

ensuring environmental friendly machines.

Conclusion

Polet cargo airplanes have been very successful in operating as fleet of Antonov

24 aircrafts. This has made it as major aviation firm that benefit Ted the society

profitably. Since the firm has been in the air cargo market as a very active player, Polet

cargo airlines have obtained valued experience in the air transport of heavy, exclusive,

enormous cargo with the highest levels of standards. To assure the clients of its safety and

efficiency, the firm has been evaluated by the association of International Air cargo and

officially registered to fly planes all over the world. More improvements are expected to

be made because the air industry looks promising to the future as its now flourishing in

every aspect of it, say infrastructure of expanding the fleet. Between the year 2008 and

the first quarter of 2009 the industry experienced the rise of a lot of new all cargo airline

whereas existing firm are re-investing in cargo sector. At this point in time it’s a great

opportunity for Polet cargo airlines to act as a forum to a very productive market that will

offer a lot of business opportunities.

References

Air Cargo News (2009). Polet Airlines new IL-96 plans retrieved on 6th August 2009

from

http://www.worldaircargoevents.com/news_detail.aspx?footer=1&news_id=1076

Air Freight Asia Update (2009). Polet to Start Scheduled Freighter Services. Vol 2 no. 3

MICA (P) 179

Allaz C. (2005). History of Air Cargo and Airmail from the 18th Century. Google

Consultant.

Globe PR Group (2008). Day of Russia in New York. Official Ceremony Globe PR

Group Inc. retrieved on 6th August 2009 from http://globeprgroup.com/pr/day-of-

russia-ny-2008/ceremony.html

Polet Cargo Airlines (2009). Company Profile. Polet Cargo Airlines. retrieved on 6th

August 2009 from http://www.poletairlines.com/team.html and

http://www.poletairlines.com/programs.html