“United
Cargo has a deep team of experts at Air Cargo Americas this week,"
said President Jan Krems from United Cargo HQ in Chicago. "Our contingent
in Booth 836 in Miami includes specialists in perishables, pharma, e-commerce
and the other product verticals that are key to the region’s current
and future business.
“The team is led by Jim Bellinder,
who recently took on an expanded role – Jim is now leading our Operations
in Latin America along with his long-time leadership of the region’s
Sales. Jim and the dozen other United Cargo teammates at ACA are eager
to connect with new and existing customers to explore the many possibilities
to contribute to each other’s success in the Americas.”
Bodacious Bellinder himself picks up the
story, and is quite animated when he talks about Miami and Latin America.
“There is everything to draw you to
this part of the world.
“The people, the culture, the heritage
of generations and the Latin Spirit all come together here at Air Cargo
Americas.
“We look forward to a great week as
we greet old friends and meet some new ones,” Jim Bellinder said.
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Still friends, after all
these years, are well-seasoned stand up guys at Air Cargo Americas (from
left )—Vince Ryan VP the Americas for Air Bridge Cargo, Vince is
guiding that carrier’s fortunes through some interesting and challenging
times. Ricardo Jorquera continues building his latest venture as President
of Air Trade Group. Isaac Nijankin helped build Varig Cargo into a global
powerhouse during a time when he both served, and was a guiding spirit
at TIACA, and as a major supporter helping create CNS. “Mr. Ed”
Chism (PAA, EK) the man that made Emirates SkyCargo preeminent in the
USA still keeps his hand in, sharing views of the industry today.
Interestingly with all the panels at this
Air Cargo Americas event of 2019, it is hard to imagine how the brilliance
and experience, not to mention the heart and passion of people like these
fellows and maybe a couple dozen others walking around in plain sight,
were not represented in a session sharing some account of their knowledge
and wisdom.
Air cargo might greatly benefit, as it forges
ever forward into the future, by having a better understanding of where
it has been, is our thought.
The simple fact is, down in Florida where
it is always warm and inviting, brings scores of people (in numbers not
seen at any other air cargo industry event) to the Air Cargo Americas
table who made our industry great decades ago.
Not giving these folks a voice at air cargo
gatherings, we think, is short sighted. It can only be a plus.
Now that air cargo is hosting a major industry
event every year in Miami, (In 2020 TIACA holds its reborn Air Cargo Forum
in Miami) it might be nice (and useful) to hear some other voices at these
events.
Ask yourself this one simple question:
Can we afford to overlook anything that
might help air cargo, as the 21st century gathers speed?
Best example of the air
cargo expertise walking around at Air Cargo Americas is Claude Bijaoui,
pictured here with his son Olivier.
Claude arrived in Miami from France with investment, innovation and enthusiasm.
Here in Miami he pioneered cargo ground handling, which almost single-handedly
put Miami air cargo on the map.
From Miami, Claude founded handling and
GSSA companies around the world.
Claude at 85 is still sharp as they come,
with a quick wit and positive outlook that is by any measure, refreshingly
bright, welcome and needed in air cargo today.
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Long Time
Friends, At Air Cargo Americas . . . Eric Hartmann (L) Vice President
Aviation Services-Agunsa, based in Santiago notes an export “cherries
jubilee” from Chile, as Luis Paredes, Managing Director of Hermes
Mexico listens intently.
Chile recently has been wracked by violent
protests after the government there tried to raise commuter train fares
4%.
Geoffrey |