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It rarely happens that Mr. Gino Vanspauwen, Managing Director/CEO of Ostend-Bruges International Airport, gives an interview. For Mr. Ian Putzger, he gladly makes an exception. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Terminal illness ? Second-tier airports are finding the going tough as carriers consolidate their operations at established hubs. But lower costs and innovative thinking may still save them, says Ian Putzger. … Strength in a particular segment makes a difference. For Ostend-Bruges International Airport, a significant factor alleviating the downturn was the fact that most of its inbound traffic hails from Africa, a region that saw strong interest from air cargo carriers, says chief executive officer Gino Vanspauwen. Throughput improved significantly towards the end of 2009, although overall volume for the year was still down 10.6%. “It’s too early for a prognosis for 2010. We’ve heard from MK and other airlines that there may be a small revival,” Vanspauwen says. The downturn has not fundamentally changed the airport’s strategy, nor its focus on cargo; however, the emphasis is on defence. “Of course we would welcome new carriers, but our main focus is on preserving what we have,” Vanspauwen says, adding that a major plank in the airport’s approach has been close cooperation with its four “home carriers” – MK Airlines, EgyptAir, ANAWorldAirways and Meridian Airways. … ---------------------------------------------------------------- Source : Airline Cargo Management, March 2010, Volume 9, Issue 1, p.32 |