Seref Kazanci, Senior Vice President of Turkish Cargo – Serbia is our gateway to the Balkans

(Seref Kazanci) Turkish Cargo, member of Turkish Airlines, has intensified its presence in the Balkans. After two years of regular flights from Belgrade, a line from Nis was established recently.

Seref Kazanci, Senior Vice President of Turkish Cargo, says in his interview for eKapija that they see Serbia as a central gateway to the Balkans, which is why they've decided to make our country the only cargo flight destination in the region.

– We are very satisfied with our results in Belgrade, which is why we've increased the number of lines from one to two a week, and we've planned the Nis Airport as a regional hub for neighbouring cities such as Sofia, Skopje, Podgorica and Tirana – says Kazanci in his interview for eKapija.

eKapija: What were Turkish Cargo's business results in 2015? What are its projections for 2016?

– Our 2015 targets of growth have been successfully accomplished. As the cargo carrier with the largest international network in the world, we have opened new destinations and increased our performance. Though the stability of global economy in the first half of 2016 affected the air cargo market, starting from the 3rd quarter of the year as the real sector picks up its pace, we continue our growth with 10 new passenger and cargo destinations.

eKapija: Turkish Cargo covers 291 destinations. Which routes are the busiest? Which ones do Serbian businessmen find the most interesting?

– The busiest and most interesting routes for Serbian markets are Far East, Africa and American destinations.

eKapija: Even though airline cargo transport is facing all the issues related to the world economy, it is still experiencing a certain growth. In your opinion, where does the biggest potential for the development of the sector lie?

– Growing global economy occasionally has such stable time spans, and it is a normal process. Though reasons vary, a short period of stability follows growth; however, during these periods, global economy lets the previous growth sink in and after the recess, continues a growing trend. The end of the 2016 shows that the recess is over and the growth is ready to start again. During this period, Asia’s increasing performance of export is a strong driving force, as well as the long-awaited export attack of Europe, which increases expectations as well as being the good news.

eKapija: What kind of impact do changes in airline cargo transport have on international trade balance?

– All the changes in the international trade directly affect cargo sector; hence, cargo carriers prefer growing, steady economic environments. As the growth slows down and decreases, cargo carriers get affected by it negatively. Cargo sector, which grows in parallel to real sector, prefers an increase in international trade.

eKapija: You have had direct flights from Serbia since 2014. How satisfied are you with the results?

– We have 14 narrow body passenger flights weekly and freighter service to Serbia twice a week.

Besides belly capacity of passenger flights with scheduled freighters Turkish Cargo is the single provider of Main Deck capacity inbound and outbound of Serbia and we are very satisfied with outcome. That’s why we’ve increased our connections from one to twice a week.

eKapija: You have decided to establish flights from Nis as well. What were the reasons for opening a new regular route?

– We’ve planned Nis Airport as a regional hub for neighboring cities such as Sofia, Skopje, Podgorica, Tirana. We are flying to these destinations with narrow body passenger flights and when there is a need for main deck capacity we’ll bring these destination’s cargos to Nis. Also with this freighter we’ll provide time efficient direct service for exporters of South-Eastern Region of Serbia.

eKapija: What are your plans in the Balkans market?

– We see Serbia as a central gateway for Balkans. That’s why we’ve selected Serbia as a sole freighter destination in Balkan Region. Even though we’re flying almost every important city of Balkan Region with passenger aircraft, Serbia is the single country which we are flying with freighter. And thanks to our strong truck network all over the Balkan region we’re feeding our freighters in Serbia.

eKapija: The construction of a merchandise and transport center in Belgrade was mentioned as an option earlier. Is the idea still current?

– As Turkish Cargo we are trying to provide our customers the best service quality and always evaluate new developments and ideas for our customers satisfaction.

Marija Kambic

The contents of the Special Edition Newsletter “Transport and Logistics – Efficient Support to Business” can be found HERE.

Turkish Cargo İstanbul

Predstavništvo Turk Hava Yollari a.o. Beograd

Turkish Airlines Turska

Aerodrom Konstantin Veliki Niš

A.D. Aerodrom Nikola Tesla Beograd

Special Edition Newsletter Transport and Logistics Efficient Support to Business

eKapija special edition newsletter

Seref Kazanci

Turkish Cargo

air freight transport

air cargo tranposrt

Sofia

Skopje

Tirana