Airports are focused on investing in sustainable growth.

The Air cargo industry is seeing new trends in perishables, pharma, and e-commerce. What challenges do you predict, and how can we address them?

It’s essential to be prepared for any challenges in the air cargo industry, especially with the growing demand for perishables, pharmaceuticals, and e-commerce. Nowadays, people expect their packages to arrive quickly and without any issues, but it can be challenging to ensure everything goes smoothly. I’ve learned that e-commerce is about speed, but perishables and pharmaceuticals need special attention to ensure they stay safe during delivery. To make sure everything runs smoothly, companies need to keep up with new technologies and follow all the rules. By having a strong quality management system, they can make sure everything is processed quickly and reliably.

It’s imperative to keep track of cargo when moving around, especially in industries like pharmaceuticals, where things need to be held at the right temperature. These industries must document everything when transporting perishable cargo outside of temperature-controlled environments to ensure they follow regulations. Even e-commerce companies can have a hard time keeping track of shipments during customs procedures because there are too many of them. Boosting productivity in the realm of cargo management and organisation for enterprises can be achieved through the implementation of cutting-edge technology.

As technology becomes increasingly important in business, we’re collecting and processing more data than ever. But that also means there’s a greater risk of cyber-attacks. To keep ourselves safe, it’s important to teach our employees how to be careful online, use secure communication channels, and closely monitor our processes through regular checks and reviews. By taking these steps, we can significantly reduce the risk of any cyber incidents.

Considering the pressing issue of global warming, the air cargo industry needs to recognise its ecological impact. It’s a big issue that affects us all. We can make a difference by keeping track of things like carbon emissions, waste, and water usage for every shipment. It’s crucial to closely monitor the environmental impact of the industry so we can identify areas that need improvement. Let’s work together to make a positive impact on the world.

We understand that the air cargo industry faces many challenges, and teamwork is the key to overcoming them. To achieve this, airlines, airports, regulators, technology providers, and industry associations must work together towards a common goal. By embracing new technologies, following industry best practices, and fostering innovation, we can achieve a more efficient, secure, and environmentally friendly Logistics system. We need to work together to make this a reality.

VINCI Airports is dedicated to an international environmental strategy to achieve zero net emissions throughout the network by 2050. Can you share the policies you plan to implement to achieve this objective?

VINCI Airports are at the forefront of driving the environmental transition of airports. Its unwavering dedication to achieving environmental targets has earned it international recognition since 2015. The entire airport network is fully dedicated to the cause of minimising carbon emissions and collaborating with local authorities to facilitate decarbonisation efforts in the airport industry. This objective is their topmost priority. This transformational ambition permeates all projects, investments, and innovations, from the contracting to the operating phases.

To this end, VINCI Airports have implemented various policies, including achieving zero waste to landfill by 2030, reducing water consumption to 50% by 2030, becoming a pesticide-free asset by 2055, and reducing carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. In addition, the company is implementing LED and photovoltaic projects while collaborating with communities on local projects.

The implementation of these measures is an important step towards the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Lyon is well on its way to meeting its target by 2026, thanks to the successful implementation of its first forest carbon sink project. The project is expected to sequester more than 500 tonnes of CO2 when the plants are growing. VINCI Airports is optimistic about its ability to create a more sustainable future for airports.

Starting on April 1, 2024, truck drivers will be restricted to working a maximum of 960 hours of overtime per year as per new government regulations in Japan. This could cause disruptions to logistics and supply chains. What is your opinion on this matter?

The logistics industry is going through some significant changes that require thoughtful consideration. We understand that new regulations are on the horizon that will affect three crucial areas, each with its own challenges. We empathise with the fact that the distances that trucks travel will be reduced, making other modes of transport such as boats or trains more vital, and transportation routes at the Narita international air transport hub may need to be reorganised, which could lead to some bottlenecks and saturation at some facilities. Therefore, we will keep a watchful eye on this.

We also know there is a shortage of truck drivers, and the industry is considering offering higher wages to attract more workers. However, this could increase transportation costs, and new transport options may also emerge. Moreover, we sympathise with the fact that there is currently more labour competition in the market.

Lastly, we acknowledge that Japan is utilising advanced technologies to enhance the trucking industry’s efficiency, particularly in areas like wait time management and planning. Therefore, we want to emphasise how essential it is for everyone in the industry to work collaboratively to ensure these new technologies are implemented and put to optimal use.

We understand that these changes will impact the entire Logistics industry. As a result, we need to remain vigilant and do everything possible to keep operations running smoothly. We believe essential tools and practices will be critical in helping the industry navigate these changes and avoid any significant disruptions.

At present, VINCI Airports are focused on investing in the sustainable growth of the airports it manages. How do you plan to leverage the synergies with other business lines within the VINCI Group to achieve your goals in the foreseeable future and do you think technology will play a crucial role in it?

We understand how crucial it is for the VINCI Group and VINCI Airports to work together in synergy to achieve sustainable growth in the airport industry. VINCI Airports’ expertise in understanding industry needs, combined with the VINCI Group’s construction expertise, has helped create advanced facilities that incorporate cutting-edge technologies such as BIM, IoT, and low-carbon concrete.

VINCI Facilities provides valuable equipment from the beginning of the project to help with maintenance or energy consumption. We are proud of the VINCI Environment Award that we have received and Leonard, a platform for innovative projects that focuses on construction, mobility, and energy sectors. VINCI’s size allows us to collaborate with external stakeholders, such as airlines, industry partners, local communities, and government entities. We collaborate with stakeholders to develop sustainable growth strategies that align with their needs and priorities, creating lasting partnerships and shared value. We believe technology is crucial in enabling data-driven decision-making, operational efficiencies, and innovative practices that promote environmental sustainability and enhance passenger experiences and efficiency in the air cargo industry.