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“By ignoring the comparisons and focusing on United Cargo's commitment to our forwarder partners and the industry, Jan Krems is a legend, no denying that and I (as well as many others) have learned a tremendous amount from him.
“I will never have the hair or the karaoke voice of Jan Krems, so no need to take the comparison any further.
“We plan to expand upon and refine the amazing position Jan has secured for United Cargo in the industry,” said Krems team member and 19-year veteran at UA, United Cargo President Chris Busch, pictured above with Jan Krems and FlyingTypers Publisher Geoffrey Arend.
 “Jan Krems was a brilliant leader for all of us at United Cargo,” said Jacques Leijssenaar, Vice President of United Cargo EMEIA and Managing Director of United Airlines, based out of the Amsterdam/Schiphol region.
“Jan recognized the benefits of building a team that worked and especially adding people with greater strengths than he had in certain job functions.
“Jan developed and maintained leadership qualities that inspired everyone, including United’s service partners and customers.”
As a furious weather front and a full moon Tuesday evening October 27 continued, the emotional highpoint of the ACF was felt by several hundred people who braved the weather and stood slightly soggy side-by-side at The Standard Hotel’s Lido Beach Bar under a tent in a beautiful garden to raise a glass and say thanks and farewell to Jan Krems.
As the rain subsided, the full moon over Miami cast long shadows over the scene of friends and colleagues.
There’s something poetic about an air cargo crowd standing cheek to jowl through bad weather to honor someone who spent a career moving goods through unpredictable conditions.
In a way, it all fits.
 “Our beloved industry has said goodbye to my dear friend Jan.
Jan came into my life late eighties at KLM Cargo. From our first contact, it became clear that he was the right guy for the Air Cargo business.
“Working together was a great pleasure. Eager listener, hard worker and successfull with customers. Social skills became very apparent during our many bar, restaurant and golf visits and outings. And now in 2026 he decided that it was time to end his hard working life. Spend time and focus on family affairs. Manon, Max and Boris will be happy to have him around them more often.
Jan can be very proud of all his achievements and success during 40 years of aviation!
I wish him many years of good health and lots of happiness.”
Jan Meurer
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Jan's wife Manon and oldest son Max were there.
Beautiful and reassuring Manon brought the kind of calm you can feel holds things together.
“Jan is going to be all right,” Manon assured.
Jan Krems capped a 40-year career in aviation and air cargo that included 27 years at KLM Cargo / Air France-KLM-Martinair Cargo and over 12 years as President of United Cargo.
At United Cargo, Jan and his team delivered what in 2026 is the largest U.S. combination carrier by cargo volume with revenue performance, solidly double that of its nearest U.S. competitors.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, under Jan’s leadership cargo inspired the entire airline, pioneering the use of passenger aircraft as mini-freighters, directing roughly 17,000 cargo-only flights.
“Jan Krems strengthened freight forwarder relationships and modernized the carrier's global reach and customer commitments,” said TIACA when he was inducted into the ‘Air Cargo Hall of Fame” in 2025.
 Silvio Strathausen, (left) SVP Air & Ocean North America for Forward Air/Omni Logistics with a tinge of sadness said, “It is quite emotional, great to see how many people are gravitating to him to wish him farewell. I have known Jan for probably for probably two decades in different capacities and I’m so grateful first of all for that. But secondly for what he has done for the industry.  He will be genuinely missed, not only in his professional capacity, but also as a friend.”
Brandon Fried, retiring Executive Director, (right) Airforwarders Association added, “I think this industry is going to sorely miss Jan. He has been a ray of sunshine in the United Airlines organization but also for our industry in general. His knowledge, expertise and his willingness to experiment are just unsurpassed. I’m going to miss him, I wish him the best of luck.”
Click here.
 One From
The Heart
Pictured with Jan Krems at his farewell, the outpouring of friendship, love and caring on every sleeve at ACF 2026 were from left Kester Meijer, trade compliance expert from KLM and Jacques Heeremans, IAS Cargo and Roos Bakker.
Roos stands out in a roomful of powerful men as the Chair of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) for 2026–2027.
“The Air Cargo Forum was fantastic,” Roos declared, “very well attended, with a high-level program that truly moves the industry forward.
“Having so many professionals in one place created an energetic atmosphere and plenty of valuable conversations. Personally, I'm glad there was so much focus on the next generation, because they will shape where our industry goes from here,” she enthused. |
Geoffrey Arend
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Vol. 25 No. 46
Vol. 25 No. 47
Vol. 25 No. 48
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