IAG Cargo Trials Small Freight Collection Service in the US
IAG Cargo, the single business created following the merger of British Airways World Cargo and Iberia Cargo, has started trialling a unique and complimentary freight collection service, the Cargo Connector. The trial, which is already underway, is dedicated to consignments under 200 kilos and is currently available in New York and Chicago.
The Cargo Connector is the first freight collection service of its kind in the US, offering forwarders the chance to have small consignments picked-up and delivered to IAG Cargo’s facilities at New York’s JFK and Chicago’s O’Hare airports. The streamlined service also includes the required screening. Pick up, delivery and screening are offered at no charge to the customer. IAG Cargo has launched the service to enhance its small weight-break cargo offering in North America by making it easier for customers to book and move their consignments with the group.
In addition, the Cargo Connector offers forwarders greater flexibility and efficiency in the booking process. Indeed, after a customer has used the service once they will automatically be added to the IAG Cargo van’s daily pick-up route. This means customers can book their smaller shipments onsite when the driver arrives at their premises. The drivers will be equipped with mobile devices that will enable them to book quickly and feedback flight details on the spot, giving the customer instant access to any of IAG Cargo’s 350+ worldwide destinations.
The service negates the need for the forwarder to arrange and pay for a separate pick-up of their consignment or to arrange their own vehicle for the airport delivery. As is typical in most major airports, congestion can be the norm. This service allows the forwarder to better use their own vehicle and drivers time, eliminating potential wait times during busy periods. This simple efficiency also has a positive impact the environment, in the decrease of their carbon footprint.
Two vans are currently operating in New York and Chicago to facilitate the service, each making around 20 stops each day. The vans are IAG Cargo branded and specialist drivers have been recruited with the necessary driving and sales experience to handle the onsite bookings. The Cargo Connector is available on Tuesday through to Saturday.
Joe Le Beau, Vice President, North America, IAG Cargo comments: “The Cargo Connector is a significant development for IAG Cargo in the states and a major differentiator. A key part of our strategy is to make it easier for customers to do business with us and this new service is testimony to that. Just one month in, the trial has already exceeded our expectations and we have not only grown small freight volumes with existing customers but also generated bookings with a completely new client base.”
“Depending on the outcome of the trial, we hope to expand the Cargo Connector into a number of other US cities in the future. For instance, LAX would be a natural next step. We believe the service will create a legacy for IAG Cargo to grow its market share in smaller freight consignments in the US by offering a totally unique and cost effective service to customers.”
The Cargo Connector is the first freight collection service of its kind in the US, offering forwarders the chance to have small consignments picked-up and delivered to IAG Cargo’s facilities at New York’s JFK and Chicago’s O’Hare airports. The streamlined service also includes the required screening. Pick up, delivery and screening are offered at no charge to the customer. IAG Cargo has launched the service to enhance its small weight-break cargo offering in North America by making it easier for customers to book and move their consignments with the group.
In addition, the Cargo Connector offers forwarders greater flexibility and efficiency in the booking process. Indeed, after a customer has used the service once they will automatically be added to the IAG Cargo van’s daily pick-up route. This means customers can book their smaller shipments onsite when the driver arrives at their premises. The drivers will be equipped with mobile devices that will enable them to book quickly and feedback flight details on the spot, giving the customer instant access to any of IAG Cargo’s 350+ worldwide destinations.
The service negates the need for the forwarder to arrange and pay for a separate pick-up of their consignment or to arrange their own vehicle for the airport delivery. As is typical in most major airports, congestion can be the norm. This service allows the forwarder to better use their own vehicle and drivers time, eliminating potential wait times during busy periods. This simple efficiency also has a positive impact the environment, in the decrease of their carbon footprint.
Two vans are currently operating in New York and Chicago to facilitate the service, each making around 20 stops each day. The vans are IAG Cargo branded and specialist drivers have been recruited with the necessary driving and sales experience to handle the onsite bookings. The Cargo Connector is available on Tuesday through to Saturday.
Joe Le Beau, Vice President, North America, IAG Cargo comments: “The Cargo Connector is a significant development for IAG Cargo in the states and a major differentiator. A key part of our strategy is to make it easier for customers to do business with us and this new service is testimony to that. Just one month in, the trial has already exceeded our expectations and we have not only grown small freight volumes with existing customers but also generated bookings with a completely new client base.”
“Depending on the outcome of the trial, we hope to expand the Cargo Connector into a number of other US cities in the future. For instance, LAX would be a natural next step. We believe the service will create a legacy for IAG Cargo to grow its market share in smaller freight consignments in the US by offering a totally unique and cost effective service to customers.”