At Vatry, never a day goes by without the hustle and bustle of activities associated with partner Avient. In choosing the airport as its operational hub for Europe’s northeastern quadrant, Andrew and Samantha SMITH—respectively General Manager and Sales Manager—made a strategic, carefully considered decision which has proven as wise as it is ripe with potential. Samantha confirmed their choice, stating as follows: “Avient chose Vatry International Airport as its European hub owing to the airport’s convenient geographical location which provides easy access to all areas within the European Union and because Vatry facilities are open for business 24 hours a day. In addition, the trucking service to and from Vatry provide customers with comprehensive cargo services.”

In the air cargo sector, the Avient name is synonymous with burgeoning trade between Western Europe and Africa. The majority of incoming shipments of fresh produce from Africa indeed arrive via Avient. It is therefore not surprising that the company continues to adapt to the growing diversity of demand in this specialized sector of activity. In addition to the crates of fresh fish, fruits and vegetables transiting through Vatry on a daily basis, other non-standard items have begun to appear in ever increasing numbers on import manifests. These include cut flowers which, as we mentioned in the last edition of our newsletter, constitute a rapidly growing market segment for Avient. “With phytosanitary, customs and veterinary inspection services available round the clock at Vatry, we can be certain that fish and flowers arriving from Africa are processed immediately and arrive at destination in the best possible condition,” Samantha Smith went on to explain.

But development at Avient does not stop with Africa. Negotiations for business in markets elsewhere—especially Asia which currently ranks as the most dynamic market in terms of air cargo development—are spurring the company expand even further with a view to satisfying an increasingly eclectic base of clients eager to ensure that their cargo is processed in the best possible conditions. In late 2004, Avient took delivery of the first of two DC10 aircraft now based at Vatry. The second, which only recently began flying under the Avient name in late August of this year, rounds out company capacity while providing for ongoing expansion.

With the acquisition of this second aircraft, Andrew and Samantha seek to take the company to new heights. Not out of any desire to achieve personal glory—all too often ephemeral at best—rather out of a genuine desire to satisfy, even surpass the expectations of a demanding and determined customer base. In addition to the combination of flexibility and drive required of all team members, Avient staff go out of their way to support and advise customers which doubtless accounts for the airline’s commanding success to date.