ECS signs total cargo management contract with TUI

Travel group TUI, which runs five airlines and owns 150 aircraft, has signed a total cargo management contract (TCM) with ECS, the global general sales and services agent (GSSA).
Airlines with the Germany-headquartered holiday specialist serve over 300 destinations in 75 countries and operate an average of more than 3,300 flights a week.
A spokesperson for ECS said that TUI’s network and “market power” mean that it can expect “significant cargo activity and rapid exponential growth”.
Added the spokesperson: “TUI has jumped at the chance to achieve this. Thanks to an exceptional integrated sales network – 90% of the TUI network is covered by ECS sales offices – and its strong business partnerships, ECS Group fully intends to maximize the potential of this one-of-a-kind company.”
With its aircraft fleet, primarily B787s for long-haul flights, TUI offers a wide range of services and products, including TUI Pets, TUI Mail, TUI e-commerce, general cargo, perishables, aircraft on ground (AOG) and human remains.
ECS said that the partnership with TUI “paves the way for one of the largest sales networks in the industry”.
The GSSA aims to develop a “high-quality interlines offering” beyond TUI’s main hubs in Florida, the Caribbean/Dominican Republic and Mexico (Cancún) that will serve as links between Europe, Central America and Latin America.
It also connects Asia and Africa, particularly North Africa, with a "significant" number of links in Morocco and Europe.
Adrien Thominet, chief executive of ECS Group, said: “TUI has enormous potential in terms of air freight, and we’re honoured to be able to represent them when it comes to cargo.
“Just like us, TUI has a truly worldwide presence. Together, we have a unique, exceptional and complementary network. It’s a winning combination.
“And we fully intend to use all our expertise to give TUI the role it deserves in the air freight industry – the role of a major and essential player.”
Through this contract, ECS Group intends to represent both TUI and the company’s entirely separate cargo identity.
Via its Total Cargo Expertise (TCE) product, ECS has a newly created department that is dedicated solely to managing TCM contracts.
ECS will provide “Interlines solutions, fully dedicated business intelligence tools, customised communications and management of all security, quality and safety aspects – all orchestrated by a newly formed team of experts”.