1. Head of Worldwide Cargo
AIR CARGO AT
A TIME OF
NATURAL DISASTER
Nalin Rodrigo
Head of Worldwide Cargo
SriLankan Airlines
TSUNAMI
26th DECEMBER 2004

3. WHAT
THE PEOPLE
NEEDED

4. Immediate Needs Meeting Needs … Secondary Needs
Desalination Equipment
Water
Sorting & Storage
Re-construction Equipment & Material
Distribution
Food
Cooking Utensils
Volunteers
Sourcing
Medication
Shelter
Transportation
Clothes
Vehicles

5. LENDING A
HAND

6. Synchronizing Efforts
The Key Players
Recipients
Donors
Key players working together to reach the needy on time.
Government Institutions
Non Governmental Organizations
Aircraft Operators
Military
Brokers

7. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF
AIR FREIGHT

8. A Solution The ability to reach the needy.
Feeding a hub (fixed wing large aircraft).
Delivering from a hub (float planes & helicopters).

9. THE
CHALLENGES

10. Temporary Storage & Warehousing Issues Ground Transportation Sorting
Working Against Time
Cutting Through Red Tape
Managing Public Relations
Emotional Issues
Costly Solution
Sourcing Aircraft
Fuel Shortages
Directional Imbalances
A Sudden Increase of Loads and Resulting Congestion
Limitations at Airports
Ramp Congestion
Shortage of Loading/Unloading Equipment
Security Issues
Customs

11. SHARING
SRI LANKA’S
EXPERIENCE

12. Moving Large Volumes of Goods Daily
Over 100 metric tonnes per day moved to affected areas
Ground Transportation
Direct transfers from aircraft to trucks
Reaching consignees with emergency teams
The Military’s Coordinated Efforts
Efficient distribution network of the military used to reach all areas
Liaising with Government Bodies
To minimize red tape
Warehousing & Storage
Use of a partly completed cargo terminal
Emptying hangers & ULD yard for extra storage space
Re-arranging stores to accommodate incoming loads
Encouraging quick clearance of commercial goods with incentives
Customs and Security Issues
Sorting of Goods
Outdated medicines
Excess supply of clothes
Matching Materials with Needs
Arrival of Relief Goods
Volunteers
Volunteers from DXB for ground handling operations
Air force volunteers for loading/unloading
Staff volunteers
Shortage of Equipment

13. HOW WE
SURVIVED

14. Covering the Investment
A Learning Experience
Covering the Investment
Tsunami Warning Equipment
A Dynamic Website
A Lead Organization
As a commercial carrier:
We could have experienced large gains with the surge in demand
BUT…..
As the national carrier we had to prioritize:
FOC carriage for the first 10 days:
(over a US$1 million investment)
Cost based pricing
Logistics contracts for re-construction projects

15. REGAINING
SRI LANKA