Isaac Nijankin, best known around the world
as an industry builder and the visible face of Varig Cargo for more than
37 years died Friday evening peacefully at home in Long Island, New York
surrounded by family including his wife Monique, his two boys David and
Jacques and their families. He was 82.
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On hearing the news, Ram Menen said, “It
is very sad to hear that our old friend Isaac Nijankin has passed on.
He was a great guy and a good friend. I have fond memories of his active
participation and support during the early days of the formation of TIACA.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Monique, Jacques and his near dear.
May the good Lord bless his soul and may his soul rest in peace.”
Isaac was always there during the critical
formative years of modern cargo and the early 21st Century, during the
time when the most important organizations that built air cargo and came
up with processes and trained in those procedures also helped to establish
the special can-do attitude of air cargo people everywhere, as most recently
evidenced in the global COVID vaccine airlifts that took hold and not
only saved lives, but also kept the airline companies going as well.
Isaac was part of that special group of
executives who led the way forward in the 80s and 90s at almost every
major air cargo organization including CNS IATA and the group that re-formed
The International Air Cargo Association, (TIACA).
Why Isaac mattered is that he served by
example at a time when the air cargo industry was in its developmental
and seminal stage.
Some years after retiring from Varig Cargo,
Mr. Nijankin moved to the executive suite of El-Al Israel Airlines in
New York City serving for a time as the carrier’s General Manager
North America.
Although he probably could have kicked back
to his native Argentina or for that matter to Brazil, two places where
his fluency in Spanish and Portuguese would have made him right at home,
Isaac and his lovely wife Monique at that point were confirmed “born
again” New Yorkers.
“We love the great city, God Bless
America,” Isaac said at the time.
Isaac Nijankin began his career as part
of Varig’s cargo staff at JFK International Airport. He rose through
the ranks to Director of Cargo, North America and Asia.
Isaac Nijankin received his college degree
in Business Administration and Accounting at the University of Argentina
in Buenos Aires.
Isaac was not only fluent in Spanish, Portuguese
and Italian, but also had a working knowledge of French and German.
Sometimes people are so committed to the
work that they do you can’t really tell where the person leaves
off and the job begins.
Isaac Nijankin, to air cargo in general
and to Varig Logistics in particular, was that kind of individual.
Varig always did a great cargo business
during the era of Isaac.
Perhaps more telling, Isaac lasted boy and
man, serving atop a major international airline for 37 years.
Isaac kept his hand in and always kept up.
Isaac Nijankin will always be recalled as
“Mr. Air Cargo.”
Last time we spoke he said: “Air cargo
has always been a critical component to the supply chain; from its inception
it has always been the "go to" solution in getting time-sensitive
and time-critical shipments (i.e. vaccines and PPE, pharmaceuticals, donor
organs) to their destinations, efficiently and expeditiously.
“As companies realize the continued
growth of air cargo and how it benefits the global community, we should
concentrate our effort toward developing ways air cargo can better adapt
to supply and demand activity.
“Right now and into the future, air
cargo should remain center stage reaping the benefit of enhanced visibility
and profits for a long time to come.
“Despite the global ordeal and the
terrible suffering and loss of life, we battled through what feels to
many as the perfect storm.
“But with compassion and determination
and reaching out to each other and lending a helping hand, air cargo will
do what it always does as we will find a way with heart and soul to deliver,”
Isaac told me.
But having fun for Isaac was also not far
from the agenda.
Isaac had an easy, often no-holds barred
booming laugh!
Whether the pressure was on or off there
was always room at the table and I loved him for that.
Although it hurts like hell to say goodbye,
let’s celebrate Isaac the way I remember him, like he lived his
life.
I think Charlie Rich was singing about Isaac
in his song “Mohair Sam”. Click here.
I hear Elvis had that song in the jukebox
in the living room at Graceland. Crank up the volume as you listen.
Rest in Peace always, dear friend.
GDA |