Alan Peat
THE FUTURE of the airfreight business lies in it being networked in an integrated logistics services system, Lufthansa Cargo chairman Jean-Peter Jansen told FTW's Alan Peat in Frankfurt recently.
From the scheduled carrier point of view this entails both a vertical partnership with other airlines; and a horizontal partnership with forwarders, he added.
In this day of cyber-connection, it also requires a complete IT (information technology) relationship.
Of special importance for our future, said business administration director, Walter Gehl, are the activities we have already introduced in the sphere of e-commerce, more intensive use of the Internet, and technological integration with our business partners.
The Internet has vastly accelerated the computer-to-computer business relationship which was started by EDI (electronic data interchange) - and does it without all the strict standards and controls that were imposed by EDI, according to Jansen.
This, Gehl added, will lead to Lufthansa making a big investment this year in a large-scale project which will allow booking of all the company's products via different electronic channels. This is scheduled for launch by the last quarter of this year.
The door is also open to e-commerce - where a completely integrated logistics chain is a vital element when products and materials are involved, according to Jansen.
This has seen Lufthansa Cargo and Deutsche Post - the world's largest airfreight logistics operation - entering a joint venture in e-commerce and supply chain management under the new e-logic company.
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