European Cargo Services (ECS) Group, already one of the world's largest General Sales and Service Agent (GSSA) organisations, plans to increase its global network in 2011 with five new offices in the Far East as well as India and further expansion of its presence in Africa. The ECS network already incorporates 43 subsidiaries in 30 countries. In total, the group generates 487,000 tonnes of air cargo a year for over 100 airline customers and reports an annual turnover of US$600 million. After a highly successful year in 2010, it now intends to grow its operational footprint into more new markets. Adrien Thominet, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing, said: "2010 was a great year for us as we recovered the tonnage and turnover than had declined since the start of the economic downturn in 2008. Our client Brussels Airlines, for example, achieved an average load factor performance with ECS of over 93% and this was a similar story with other major customers including Aeromexico, Africa West, Corsairfly, Ukraine International Airlines and Garuda Indonesia. African destinations are very strong at the moment and Brussels Airlines and Africa West's flights are really full. The Far East is also very strong to China and Southeast Asia while in the lead up to Christmas, capacity to South America saw flights fully booked one month ahead." 2010 saw many highlights across the ECS network, he added. With its decision to relaunch daily services ex Europe in mid-2010, Garuda Indonesia awarded ECS a Europe-wide GSA contract to maximize the potential of its bellyhold freight capacity. In addition to the Netherlands, other major cargo generating markets for Garuda Indonesia include France, Germany and Scandinavia. As well as Dubai and Jakarta, ECS is now marketing Garuda Indonesia destinations across Asia and Australasia, including Bangkok, Beijing, Darwin, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Jeddah, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, Nagoya, Osaka, Perth, Riyadh, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo. ECS also commenced representing US Airways in the UK, supported four new destinations launched by Brussels Airlines, reshaped the Africa West cargo product and further extended its relationship in Europe with China's Hainan Airlines. Preparation work was also completed ahead of the opening of a new office in Hong Kong and consolidation of the ECS network in the Middle East. Looking ahead, Thominet sees a slight leveling out of the market in 2011. "We expect to see some decrease in yields on certain routes like the Far East due to carriers adding additional capacity back into their networks. To boost Europe's airfreight business to the level of growth in other areas, we would like to see more work being done on bilateral exchanges with China and other Far East countries." To coincide with its planned expansion in 2011, ECS has launched a bold new brand for its four GSA businesses; Globe Air Cargo, Aero Cargo International, Nordic GSA and Gen-Air. (tw/mar)