American Airlines Cargo designated No.1 status in U.S

London, New York, Feb 29: Investment in technology and product development has paid off for AA Cargo as they have been named best US scheduled cargo carrier by the Global Institute of Logistics.

(PRWEB) February 29, 2004--Following a detailed correlated research and selection process into leading providers of scheduled air cargo in the United States, the Awards Committee at the Global Institute of Logistics (GIL) has designated American Airlines Cargo as the recipient of its US Scheduled Air Cargo Provider 2004" recognition. The comprehensive study conducted by the research Department of the Institute over the last year draws for a significant part on a quality-ranking system based on responses provided by

concerned parties within the US and Global freight forwarding sector.

The purpose of the study was to set forth criteria and procedures for developing and maintaining a wider classifying blueprint for assessing the key principles governing material flow in the global manufacturing sector. The study highlights the unity of different functions on the supply chain together with inventory management, capacity utilisation and 'movement, which reflect the basics of logistics.

As globalisation drives air cargo volume to new heights, companies continue to ship smaller lot sizes more frequently to speed product cycles and avoid extra inventory expense. Air cargo and expedited services allow buyers to choose from a variety of value-added services that make air cargo a strong player in managing today's expedited supply chains.

The study sought to establish which organisations displayed an ability to react most quickly to the changing face of logistics and make the most significant contribution to delivering customer-oriented product solutions.

The outcome of the study saw American Airlines Cargo emerge as the unequivocal choice of the Awards Committee in the US scheduled air cargo sector.

American Airlines has, despite industry-wide challenges, successfully positioned itself for the future with their 'Turnaround Plan. The main features of the plan include lowering costs to compete, giving customers what they value and building a foundation for the future.

In the Cargo division, the company is delivering customer-oriented product solutions. They have completed the worldwide rollout of a new express freight product, ExpeditefsSM. Results for the product have been encouraging, with sales peaking in February and service reliability numbers at over 97%. The cargo division sees this product growing as the express market continues to expand over the next 5 years.

American Airlines Cargo has demonstrated a clear ability to use e-connected solutions to the benefit of its customers. AACargo.com is perhaps the most complete portal of its kind in the industry, offering shippers every tool necessary to compute, ship and track a package across the state or around the world. Shippers can log in to view detailed tracking on all their shipments, receive electronic status notification, chat with AA shipping personnel online, compute fuel surcharges or arrange door-to-door delivery.

By providing track and trace capabilities via AACargo.com and its automated phone system, AA Cargo has provided customers with access to real-time shipment information. Online booking with Global Freight Exchange (GF-X) provides an easy way for our customers to book shipments on American. The electronic booking capability will be available in April through the portal to its registered users.

American Airlines Cargo is focused primarily on near-term cost efficiencies and accordingly has developed and maintained a solid relationship with many oneworldTM carriers. The key relationships are with those carriers whose networks provide the most end-to-end solutions to the customer.

Commenting on the Institutes decision, Kieran Ring of the Global Institute of Logistics said: American Airlines Cargo is a deserving winner of this accolade. They have worked to interpret and deliver air-cargo solutions for a rapidly evolving logistics market. Their investment in technology, including the ease of use of their web portal and membership in the Global Freight Exchange, means that customers can easily interact and forecast the exact scheduling for their freight, in real time.

In establishing American as the benchmark, we would encourage other scheduled carriers to imitate their operation. Logisticians rely on this sector to move 60% of all air-cargo shipped in the U.S annually. The greater the investment by the carriers, the more efficient solutions we can provide to our customers."

In response to todays announcement Mr. David R. Brooks, President of American Airlines Cargo said: Over the past five years American Airlines has invested in initiatives that our customers have asked for including technology, product development, and customer service," said Dave Brooks, president of AA Cargo. We are pleased to be recognized for our efforts in these areas, and remain committed to providing the best possible service to our valued customers."

About the Global Institute of Logistics

The Global Institute of Logistics is the global forum for the 3rd Party Logistics (3PL) industry. The forum serves its members by providing the platform for discussion and debate on the issues affecting the third party logistics industry, both regionally and globally.

Membership is drawn from the world's 3rd party logistics community and is by invitation. Participants are organisations who have met the necessary standards for membership.

The Institute acts as an intelligence-gathering agency and disseminates this information in the form of daily news reports and briefings via this Website and our quarterly journal "RELAY".

The Institute promotes third party logistics to end-users through its circulation of regional and global reports. Our reports examine the changing face of the logistics industry and include profiles on leading regional 3PL's. These profiles are supported by case studies demonstrating logistics in action and illustrating the cost-cutting, sales-building achievements of the world's best 3PLs.

For more information visit www.globeinst.org

About American Airlines Cargo

American Airlines Cargo, a division of American Airlines, Inc., provides more than 100 million pounds of weekly cargo lift capacity to major cities in the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Latin America and Asia.

As the worlds largest airline, American provides one of the largest cargo networks in the world. With cargo terminals and interline connections available across the globe, American provides scheduled cargo service to the worlds largest shippers and logisticians. Industry-leading customer service, product and technology offerings allow AA to deliver premium shipping services that are flight specific and guaranteed.

For more information visit www.AACargo.com.