Dec 2016

New one-stop solution to put Hong Kong on the charter map

Nobody knows the charter business in Hong Kong like Hactl does. It’s been handling charter flights since the day it opened in 1976, carrying every conceivable cargo from vintage racing cars to outsize industrial plant... and even plane loads of horses.

Now, it’s teaming up with sister company Hacis to provide a new, one-stop shop service for charter operators and their broker and agent customers. And it expects not only to increase its dominant market share of Hong Kong’s ad hoc charter handling market (which has risen from 23% to 50% in 2 years), but also to lure new business to the airport.

Every potential requirement

Armed with a dedicated charter team comprising seven members , Hactl and Hacis can now provide an all-embracing, customisable service package that includes every potential requirement of airlines and their customers: from slot application, through cargo receiving at any of Hacis’ mainland China depots; cross-border road transportation to Hong Kong International Airport; unloading; logging of condition, weight and piece count; plus any value- added service required, such as labelling. Then, Hacis hands over to Hactl for security screening, pallet building, ramp handling and documentation. The service also takes care of freighter crew transfers and hotac bookings.

While many charters carry peak flows of everyday Hong Kong traffic such as consumer electronics, that simply exceed available linehaul capacity, Hactl and Hacis are also ready and able to handle ad hoc charters for heavy and outsize cargo too, deploying any aircraft type up to and including the giant An124 and unique An225. Where required, Hacis will manage ground transportation of outsize loads including obtaining necessary road permits, and will also commission any special loading and securing equipment. Hactl’s COSAC-Plus system will further enhance the service, providing online information accessible to all parties 24/7.

Hactl will further boost Hong Kong’s role as a charter airport by providing a unique new charter search engine – called “Charter Flight Directory” – which will go live in early 2017.

Help to find suitable aircraft

Hactl will further boost Hong Kong’s role as a charter airport by providing a unique new charter search engine – called “Charter Flight Directory” – which will go live in early 2017. This will help brokers and their customers to find carriers with suitable equipment – from among existing Hactl airline customers. With Hactl’s support, a carrier does not need previous experience of serving Hong Kong.

Says Hactl Executive Director, Vivien Lau: “Far from taking over the role of agents and brokers, we are working with them to satisfy their needs more quickly and cost-effectively – by pooling the resources of Hong Kong with the comprehensive capabilities of Hacis and Hactl. The new Charter Team provides a one- stop-shop service for the charterer and the carrier with a single, all-inclusive price and a single contact point.”

Vivien continues: “We will cater for any cargo, regardless of type, weight and size. Our preferred option will be our customer carriers; but where these do not have the capacity or availability to respond in the necessary timeframe, we can engage with other carriers. As long as the carrier and aircraft are approved by the Civil Aviation Department to operate through HKG, Hactl will work with them.”

When a new charter carrier comes to HKG, it no longer needs to be a local industry expert: because Hactl can be its operations office and its reception desk.

Slot availability no problem

Although Hactl expects the new service to generate more flights through Hong Kong, the slot limitations which currently apply to scheduled services will not impact charters – because their ability to be more flexible about arrival and departure times means they will easily fit into off-peak periods when spare runway capacity is readily available.

Hactl is keen to make the new product known globally, and will soon commence strategic marketing. And, as a further indication of its commitment to the new service, Hactl plans to join the world’s leading charter body, BACA (Baltic Air Charter Association) – so it can network with carriers and brokers around the world.

Concludes Vivien: “This new charter product is about high quality and broad scope of services, and speed and convenience for the charterer. It recognises the time-critical nature of charters – and will provide a hassle- free service that enables charterers to arrange everything through a single contact point, rather than multiple suppliers.”