AIR CARG O WEEK


MIDDLE EAST


BRUN: MIDDLE EASTERN IS EVOLVING SIGNIFICA


“New players are emerging, contributing to the region’s rapid development and transformation.”


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n February 2024, Etihad Airways appointed Stanislas Brun as its new Vice President of Cargo, based at the carrier’s Abu Dhabi headquarters. Brun is responsible for overseeing commercial operations, including scheduled and charter flights, revenue management, and network planning. He reports directly to Etihad Airways’ chief operating


officer, Mohammad Al Bulooki; Before joining Etihad Cargo, he served as senior vice president of


global airfreight at Geodis. Expressing his enthusiasm for his new role, Brun stated on his appointment that it was a privilege to take on the new challenge at Etihad Cargo. Here in a major media interview, Brun talks airfreight matters with the ACW Middle East supplement.


The Middle Eastern airfreight sector is currently navigating several significant challenges despite an overall positive growth outlook. Do you agree with this opinion? I agree with the opinion that the Middle Eastern airfreight sector is currently navigating several significant challenges despite an overall positive growth outlook. Over the last five years, the Middle East has experienced a lot of developments, with some companies showing strong growth while others face considerable headwinds. This period has also seen significant changes in management across major airlines in the region, marking a notable shift and a changing of the guard. Such extensive changes within a short timeframe in a region are quite unusual compared to the relative stability seen in other regions. New players are emerging, contributing to the region’s rapid


development and transformation. Government investments in these countries have further bolstered economic growth and development, leading to the establishment of new airlines and expansion of others with ambitious plans each year. These developments are not confined to the Middle East alone; we also observe airlines in India placing orders for new aircraft and targeting expansion, reflecting a broader trend. The Indian and Middle Eastern air cargo markets are evolving significantly to keep pace with their economic advancements, illustrating both the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.


It is reported by IATA that infrastructure at some airports in the region is struggling to keep pace with the growth in cargo volumes. This can lead to bottlenecks and delays. Do you agree with this observation? Some airports in the Middle East are struggling to keep pace with the growth in cargo volumes, which can lead to bottlenecks and delays. However, there are notable exceptions, such as Abu Dhabi,


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where significant efforts are being made to develop and enhance infrastructure. Abu Dhabi has demonstrated its capacity to manage challenging situations effectively. For example, during recent adverse weather events and heavy air traffic, Abu Dhabi Airport showcased its ability to handle such conditions efficiently. Despite these challenges, the airport maintained its operations efficiently, with the passenger terminal remaining open and flights from other airlines diverted to Zayed International Airport. Etihad Cargo is collaborating closely with Abu Dhabi Airports on a


master plan for a new cargo terminal, which is slated to open within the next two years. This initiative aims to create a state-of-the-art cargo terminal capable of meeting future demands. Current capabilities already allow e-commerce cargo arriving at Zayed International Airport to be cleared within 12 hours, and ongoing investments are set to support increasing air traffic. Abu Dhabi’s proactive approach, with a robust growth plan and space for expansion, ensures that it is well- prepared to handle increased cargo volumes without facing significant hurdles in the foreseeable future. This contrasts with other airports in the region that may not be as advanced in their infrastructure development, highlighting the varied capacity and preparedness across different Middle Eastern airports.


Etihad Airways management said that the airline has embarked on an exciting period of significant growth in its cargo operations in the UAE. Can you outline what sort of growth you are aiming for? Etihad Cargo is embarking on a significant growth phase for


its


operations, driven by substantial investments and strategic initiatives. A key growth area is the pharmaceutical market where Etihad Cargo


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