http://www.airlinerworld.com 59“That’s what we’ve done: 80% of our
cargo is carried as belly cargo by Air
France-KLM right now. For example,
a 777 can easily carry about 25 tonnes.
Reducing our full freighter capac-
ity, and thereby costs, since 2015 has
improved our operating income.”
De Nooijer rejects suggestions that
Martinair has left the door open to
competitors, notably those from the
Middle East, Russia and China that
have expanded massively at Schiphol,
adding: “Mind you the market has
seen some major changes since 2013.
The Middle Eastern carriers have belly
capacity equivalent to 100 full freight-
ers, while in Asia there’s an armada of
full freighters in the air.
“We decided it was better to withdraw
from the loss-making Asian market
and co-operate with China Southern
Airlines instead.
“Our strength is in Africa, where we
have a 20% share at Nairobi, and we’re
also strong in South America, notably
in Ecuador and Colombia, while Miami
is another important market for us. We
fly flowers, pharmaceutical products,
perishable goods, cattle and some-
times F1 cars, although not as often as
in the past.”
Today, Martinair Cargo operates just
four freighters: three General Electric-
powered 747-406FERs which it flies
on behalf of KLM, and a single Pratt &
Whitney engined -412BCF, PH-MPS
(c/n 24066), the last aircraft still wear-
ing Martinair’s distinctive red and
wh ite liver y.
The lease on PH-MPS expires next
March, and de Nooijer wasn’t con-
firming or denying rumours the jet
might leave the fleet then, saying only:
“There’s no reason for that.”
Even when KLM retires its last jumbo
in 2020, it’s planned that thefreighters will continue to fly with the
Cargo Division: “It’s a relatively young
fleet and they can easily do another ten
years,” de Nooijer added.
Martinair still runs its own flight
academy at Lelystad Airport and is
expanding its Regional Jet Centre,
which maintains the Embraer fleet for
KLM Cityhopper.
Next May, it will celebrate its 60th
birthday. While some have had their
doubts, Martinair is here to stay, de
Nooijer says, as the brand is too much
of an asset to be wasted.
The final words go to Martin
Schröder, speaking at the January
book launch: “I’m enormously proud to
be here together with the people that
made Martinair great and world-
famous. Times do change and I’m
realistic enough to accept this, and
have had many sleepless nights over it.
But I am so proud of you all.”http://www.airlinerworld.com 59Martinair's remaining
owned 747-400F awaits
its next load of cargo
at Amsterdam. AVIATION
IMAGE NETWORK/BAILEYA pallet of boxes is
unloaded from one of
the carrier’s McDonnell
Douglas MD-11s dur-
ing a turn-around at
Amsterdam/Schiphol.
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
JEFFREY SCHAFERToday, the carrier is a
shadow of its former
self, but Marcel de
Nooijer, Executive Vice
President Air France-
KLM, believes the
Martinair brand is an
important asset for the
group and it will not
disappear anytime soon.
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
TIM DE GROOT