Air Freight Asia 2004 Conference & Exhibition opens in Bangkok

Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, President, Thai Airways International together with Mr. Chanchai Singtoroj, THAI’s Managing Director, Cargo and Mail Commercial Department today attended the Opening Ceremony of Air Freight Asia 2004 Conference & Exhibition.

Mr. Samart Yolpak, Thailand’s Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport chaired the ceremony and was the keynote speaker on the topic, “The Importance of Thailand as a Hub for Cargo Logistics in Southeast Asia”, at Bangkok Convention Center on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.

The 11th Air Freight Asia, held between 18-19 February 2004, was organized by Mr. Nol van Fenema, Payload Asia’s publisher and included exhibits from THAI and representatives from all sectors of the air freight industry and was attended by over 500 senior cargo executives of airlines, shippers (manufacturers, importers and exporters), freight forwarders, airports, as well as aircraft and cargo handling equipment manufacturers.

Mr. Chanchai Singtoroj, THAI’s Managing Director, Cargo and Mail Commercial Department said that the Air Freight Asia Conference Exhibition was held for the second time in Thailand with THAI as the Official Airline. On this occasion, THAI’s Cargo and Mail Commercial Department held an exhibit with displays and presentations on its activities and services at the Suvarnabhumi Airport, which will be officially opened in September 2005.

THAI Cargo at Suvarnabhumi Airport will cover an area of 90,000 square meters with the ability to provide cargo services up to 966,000 tons per year in the first phase, expanding to 1,226,000 tons per year by 2010. In addition, the management of cargo at Suvarnabhumi Airport will be under the Customs Free Zone environment as part of the support for the Thai Government’s policy to make Suvarnabhumi Airport a major cargo hub of Asia. Operation under Customs Free Zone will enable shipments to be freely moved within the area without customs formalities.

In addition, THAI’s exhibit will introduce the implementation of THAI Cargo’s new theme, “THAI Cargo Thai Care” which will focus on a new proactive marketing strategy to become a customer-led organization, with its new vision “Focus on You”. Mr. Chanchai Singtoroj will give a speech on “Thai Cargo Facilities at Suvarnabhumi” providing information on the readiness and equipment investment of THAI Cargo at the Suvarnabhumi Airport under the Customs Free Zone environment, on Friday, 20 February 2004 at 10.00-12.00 hrs.

Air Freight Asia 2004 Conference and Exhibition has been organized every 2 years since 1986 in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region. Its activities include conferences where representatives of the air freight industry could present their views and opinions on all aspects of the industry and its development over the next few years. In addition, exhibition areas are open during conference hours to trade visitors.