Tholen - Service provider Adelantex from Brussels specializes in air transportation of fresh products. According to Frank van Gelder from Adelantex the strike taking place this week and Monday will have a disastrous effect on air transport. "The reason is simple: right now is the peak season for vegetables, fruit, fish, meat and flowers that are transported by air. On top of this, Mondays are the most important transport days, and the holidays are in December. The supply of two peak times are being completely ruined."
Rising Costs
Costs are going up. "By making back-up plans for our clients, we must work with other airports using new solutions. We do not know yet how much more this will cost us, but December is one of the most important months for us and we are losing 2 important days. Actually we're losing four days because products are no longer coming in on Sunday either." Many customers are receiving the shipments late. "An example of December 1st is when a flight had to be diverted to Amsterdam. Phytosanitary inspection took place much later and eventually the products were only a day and a half late to the market. We transport a lot of fresh products, therefore many things need to be considered at once. It makes the likelihood of claims much larger. You also have to pay your personnel more because they are working longer as you have to keep the clients informed. In all it ends up costing a hefty sum."
Undesirable
The impact on Belgium could be huge. "Something like this always damages the image. A company can survive one strike, but I can imagine that if multiple strikes occur customers are less likely to choose that country. This harms these companies. Against our own will we are not able to provide logistical solutions during busy seasons because of the striking."
20 years ago Adelantex opened an office in Brussels. They are also stationed in the Luik, Oostende, Schiphol and Leipzig airports.
For more information:
Frank van Gelder
Adelantex NV
Building 701
BE-1931 Brucargo Zaventem
Tel: +32 2 752 88 00
Fax: +32 2 752 88 22
www.adelantex.com
sales@adelantex.com