IAG Cargo: ‘The Van Duuren-Interport airfreight drivers always arrive on time, because the aircraft doesn’t wait’

In the world of airfreight, delivery times have become more important than ever. In the last two years, thanks to the good collaboration between IAG Cargo at Heathrow and Van Duuren-Interport, the drivers have always been on time. ‘We have very high expectations of our suppliers and the Van Duuren-Interport 100% performance figures are excellent,’ says Jane Eldridge of IAG Cargo.

“IAG Cargo transports goods daily to 350 locations worldwide,” states Eldridge. As IAG Cargo Supply Chain Operations Manager she is responsible for all the operational performance for outsourced supplier programmes. ‘We arrange the transport of perishable products and medicine, but we also deal with other consignments. For example we have moved 2 Pygmy Hippos, 112 Alpacas and also 5000 kgs of tobacco seeds. Earlier this year we transported 500 kgs of the Royal Wedding edition, lifestyle magazines from the UK to the US.

Security Awareness course

Van Duuren-Interport looks after the transport from Switzerland to the depot at Madrid–Barajas Airport for IAG Cargo. Airfreight transport is specialised work, for which a logistics service provider has to be well qualified, believes Marcel Haleber of Van Duuren-Interport. ‘We are part of the aviation security chain, and this brings a number of obligations,’ he explains. Both our planners and drivers have participated in security awareness courses that are repeated every year. It goes without saying that we use sealed trailers.’

Apart from the security chain, the varying volumes demand a great deal of knowledge and experience, according to Haleber. ‘When the volumes are large, it is easier to be on time with full trucks than with groupage consignments. Although we sometimes have to pull out all the stops, we are also able to provide a high level of service with smaller amounts of freight.’