ATC Aviation is expanding its presence across Asia as the region becomes an increasingly important driver of global air cargo growth.
Following a recent visit to Seoul, Chief Executive Officer Ingo Zimmer underlined Asia’s strategic importance as a region and a key part of the international General Sales and Service Agent’s growing regional network.
“Asia is a very important market for us, and we believe much of the future growth in air cargo will come from there,” Zimmer said. “We intend to strengthen our position throughout the region and support our Asian team by drawing on ATC Aviation’s global airline relationships, local market expertise and more than 40 years of industry experience.”
Worldwide GSA, with more than 30 years’ experience and an extensive presence across Asia and the Pacific became part of the ATC Cluster. Other members of the ATC Cluster are Platinum in the US and Pacific Feeder Services in South America.
Today, the ATC Cluster represents approximately 100 airlines in 42 countries, employs more than 300 people and generates annual revenue exceeding €500 million. Alongside its cargo GSSA representation, ATC Aviation provides passenger GSSA services in selected markets, as well as trucking, import and export support and technology-related services.
New airline partnerships reflect global momentum
ATC Aviation’s regional expansion is supported by new airline business in several international markets. Recent additions to its customer portfolio include Delta Air Lines in Germany and WestJet in Brazil, together with Air Europa in South Africa and Finnair in the United States.
“These partnerships demonstrate the value airlines place on our combination of international reach, dedicated representation and in-depth local knowledge,” Zimmer said. “Every airline has its own network, capacity and commercial objectives. Our role is to understand those individual requirements and provide the focused support each partner needs to grow.”A central element of this approach is ATC Aviation’s dedicated-team model, under which each airline has a clearly defined point of contact through the company’s “head of product” structure. This allows individual strategies to be developed for each carrier while safeguarding confidentiality and avoiding commercial conflicts.
“Dedicated representation requires greater investment than a conventional shared-sales structure, but it also creates greater value for our airline partners,” Zimmer explained. “It enables us to give each carrier individual attention and build a strategy around its specific priorities.”
The model is already well established within the group. In Switzerland, for example, ATC Aviation represents competing carriers including Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways through separate teams and offices, ensuring that each airline receives independent and fully focused support.
AI and semiconductor logistics open new opportunities
ATC Aviation expects demand linked to artificial intelligence, semiconductors and related technology supply chains to become an increasingly significant source of air cargo growth. AI-related shipments are developing rapidly, particularly from major Asian technology markets such as Taiwan, and are helping to offset some of the current softness in cross-border e-commerce volumes.
“AI-related cargo has already reached a significant scale and is an attractive product in terms of density,” Zimmer said. “The movement of technology associated with AI will continue to grow. AI is the future, and the air cargo industry must play an active role in supporting these supply chains.”
The company also expects e-commerce demand to recover as businesses and consumers adjust to changing customs and regulatory conditions. Online retail has become an established part of global consumption and is therefore expected to remain an important component of the international air cargo market.
Technology backed by local expertise
ATC Aviation supports its commercial activities through a centralised data environment, Power BI and market information from different sources. These tools enable the company to monitor cargo flows, identify changing demand patterns and make informed commercial decisions. Digital booking and automation also play an increasingly important role throughout its operations.
However, ATC Aviation regards technology as a complement to experienced local teams rather than a replacement for personal relationships and market knowledge.
“Data is extremely important, but air cargo remains a people business,” Zimmer added.
“Airlines still need experienced professionals in the market who can speak directly with customers, understand local conditions and respond quickly when demand changes.”Building on its established positions in Europe and the Americas, ATC Aviation sees Asia as the next major stage of its international development. The company plans to continue investing in its regional organisation, broadening its service portfolio and connecting Asian markets more closely with its global network of airlines and customers.
