FT102626

#INTHEAIREVERYWHERE

Vol. 25 No. 46	Monday October 26, 2026

     Our guest today is Chris Busch, President United Cargo. His LinkedIn profile tells us that he is an “accomplished leader with a proven track record of delivering results and new solutions within several different industries and functional areas of responsibility. Experienced with transforming, re-structuring and motivating teams and possess aptitude for quickly adapting to, understanding and succeeding at new tasks/heightened levels of responsibility.”
     This is the man who succeeds Jan Krems at United Airlines; even for an accomplished leader this is a big step forward, considering the role Jan Krems played in our industry for decades.
UA ACF Booth211      No wonder our first question was case in point:
     “Following an absolute icon of air cargo, Jan Krems, how do you plan to navigate your way through expectations and comparisons?” Chris Busch’s answer stands out as a statement of peaceful confidence: “By ignoring the comparisons and focusing on United Cargo’s commitment to our forwarder partners and the industry. Jan 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.”
     Quite, there is surely no need to vie for the karaoke title in 2027; but we wanted to know more about the man, before we get to the business questions.
     Chris answered our request stating he was born in Rochester, NY and grew up in a small town east of Rochester. If you really want to sound glamorous, you could say that you grew up in Greece, but that – Mamma Mia – really sounds so ABBA . . . Accordingly let us stay in Rochester for a minute.
     Rochester, NY is quite a remarkable town. This is what you can assemble from Wikipedia regarding its industrial footprint:  “Rochester is the birthplace or home of many notable companies including Eastman Kodak, Xerox, Bausch & Lomb, Wegmans, Constellation Brands, Gannett, Paychex, Western Union and Ray-Ban. In part due to their influence, the region became a global center for science, technology, and research and development. This has been aided by the presence of several internationally renowned universities, notably the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).” This connects well with another question that was kindly met by our guest of honor: “Undergrad:  BS Engineering and Management from Clarkson University; MBA Operations and Finance from University of Rochester, Simon Business School.”
     To say we were dying to ask Chris Busch what kind of pedigree you need to have to become President United Cargo is perhaps an understatement, but . . . Fact is (and surely our fault) little did we know about this experienced professional and his prior employment. The answer was flawlessly complete:
     “I started in Manufacturing: Management Development program with Cooper Industries; held roles in Manufacturing Engineering, Quality and Supervision; After grad School I joined a small logistics company providing appliance home delivery and installation services for a large retailer and then moved to an Aerospace company as a financial analyst. I then moved to Chicago, started with United as an Analyst working on Cargo Handling and Trucking and have loved Air Cargo ever since.”
     If it is not first love, it could be the love of your life, so it seems, but we wanted to investigate a bit deeper. Chris Busch is not the first top-tier executive we interview and in time we have learnt that after breaking the ice cap there is much to discover for a curious mind. So we asked: “Was air cargo your employment of choice as a profession?”  Chris’s answer is simply wonderful in its candor:
     “Not originally, but I always had an interest in finding solutions and supply chain management.  I even met my wife, Elizabeth, in a Supply Chain Management class in Grad School.
     “We moved to Chicago for her career and I found a role at United. From day one, I really enjoyed connecting with people around the globe, travelling and being part of the global supply chain – with events over the past several years, it shows the critical nature of global supply chains.”
     We know at least one famous person who lived in Rochester and would have considered Chris’s choice with great favor for obvious reasons: Susan B. Anthony.
     As it happens, by seconding his wife’s career, Chris Busch took a decisive step in advancing his own. Kudos to both for this wise decision. As we are hovering above Rochester one way or another, we might as well mention that Cab Calloway was born there in 1907 and George Eastman changed photography forever looking at the same lake and its rather cold waters.
     Let me stop this Pindaric exploration to return to our hero of the day and his work. We asked bluntly:
     “Do you consider air cargo a job or a profession?”
     With no hesitation CB answered, without a sigh:
     “Just completing my 19th year in air cargo, I see it as a profession. The beauty of what we do is that you can take many paths to be part of air cargo, whether it is real world training starting in a warehouse, specific university programs or finding your way into it, like I did, after roles in different industries. There is a common theme amongst the majority of air cargo professionals . . . enjoyment and belief in the importance of relationships and trust.”
     What a wonderful way to make my question sound interesting!
Chris Busch      We decided to ask Chris to focus a bit more on United and the work ahead: “Does taking over United’s Cargo organization present a challenge?”
     Food for thought:
     “Some might think following Jan would be challenging, and it will be, but in the sense of challenging ourselves to see what more we can accomplish.  For me, taking over United Cargo is an opportunity for the United Cargo team members, Sales Partners, Service Partners and me to not only continue the success of United Cargo, realized over the past several years, but to strive for the next level.  We have not reached our ceiling. Jan Krems is literally a Cargo Hall of Fame member, and the industry will miss him, but the UA Cargo Team is ready for the opportunity.”
     It was like we were telepathic, we wanted to ask about the Team and hoopla the team appears . . . “What contributes to the success of the United Cargo team? How do you keep team spirit going?”

Marco Vezjak, Jacques Leijssenaar, Mirco Renfer, Helen Kristensen, Mark Albrecht, Manu Jacobs

You Gotta Have Heart
     “We call it the Cargo Heart.
     “The United Cargo team truly is passionate about the work we do and the cargo industry.  We are all focused on delivering a great customer experience and are committed to supporting one another in the achievement of our objectives. And of course, we also like to have fun. Keeping this spirit going the past several years and into the future continues to be based on everyone having a voice and giving people the freedom to make decisions that are good for our customers and United Airlines.”
     Somebody said ‘what about the business’? Here we go, and it is not anyone’s answers . . . We inquire: “The air industry is bigger than it was a decade ago, but is it a better one?”   CB: “When I look at cargo and compare it to other industries or the passenger side of United, cargo is not as advanced from a technology perspective. Certainly, more advanced than 10 years ago and all parts of our industry are focused on technology. The key is implementation of technology to support/improve efficiency of what makes air cargo great, not technology for the sake of technology.”
     Yes, but how does the immediate business future look to you? [CB]: “By areas of the world, we are observing some traditional airfreight-based spikes in demand for certain products, but also nontraditional outside influence spikes in markets based on global conflict and political actions. The immediate future looks to hold strong demand for airfreight, especially from the APAC region, but the one thing we all know is air freight outlook can change rapidly.”
     On a global basis, are certain regions more competitive than others? Why?
[CB]: “Yes. Air cargo is heavily influenced by supply and demand, and several of the factors are not controllable by the air cargo professionals. Certain aspects are, but air cargo supports global trade. Shifts in trade policy, where products are manufactured or changes in passenger aircraft networks influence the competitiveness of different regions.  The key is to be ready to respond to these changes and as much possible to stay ahead of them.”
     With the expansion globally, what is short/long term strategy? [CB] “Continue to provide great service and partnership to our freight forwarder customers and deliver results to United Airlines. We continue to invest both in technology and customer experience. On the technology front, we are focused on the ease of doing business with United Cargo, creating efficiencies for our team members and our customers. We continue to look for ways to improve the customer experience and the delivery of reliable service.”
     Time is up. Let us close with amenities.
     Are you having any fun?
     [CB] “Extremely busy with work and family, but always having fun.  Our industry provides a nice balance of working hard, having fun and enjoying what we do.”
     We were getting a bit jealous of this serene approach so we pulled a quick one: “What do you regard as the biggest thrill of your career? Are there others worthy of mention?”  No joy, serendipity stepped in . . . [CB] “Every day is a thrill especially with the new role and the opportunities to find solutions, connect with customers and the UA Cargo Team and to continually improve, I feel that I was a part of United’s biggest accomplishment and success story during COVID.”
Chris Busch     If you manage to get accomplishment and success during COVID, perhaps you could try with the Federal Reserve, who knows, eventually a real challenge? We dared: “What do you do to relax? Favorite city? Favorite joke?” We received a placid statement that could not leave us more reassured:
     [CB] “Spend time with my wife and 2 sons, coaching my youngest son’s basketball team, watching both boys play lacrosse. Working out, playing basketball, golf, the occasional pickle ball match and outdoor activities.”
     As baseball concludes in America and Chris steps up to the plate in Miami this week at the TIACA Air Cargo Forum, we send good luck and a bit of travelling music from the heart for the road ahead. Click here to listen.
Geoffrey Arend/Marco Sorgetti

Ruben de Silva, Bruno Aires, Rita Rosario Garcia, Ramsin Abrahams      Ready, set, go!
     In a blast from the past, a big golden moment we recall at TIACA ACF 2024 we caught up with the TAP Cargo team (above) that included Ruben da Silva Jorge, who leads sales for North America, Bruno Aires, the global senior director for cargo, Rita Rosario Garcia, cargo & mail product and service director and Ramsin Abrahams, the U.S. country manager for cargo, (Rita won’t be at TIACA this time).
     Their takeaway from that show was pretty straightforward: it was busy, they met the right partners, and they used the time to sync up with their GSSAs and align priorities for what might come next.
TAP ACF 2026 Booth 214      Well for nexus October 29, 2026, TAP Cargo is set to launch a new Lisbon–Orlando trade lane, with three weekly A330 flights.
     Now it’s new options for forwarders and shippers for ‘fresh eager to please’ cargo capacity out of Orlando connecting directly into TAP’s Lisbon hub, which in practical terms means expanded reach to markets not only across Europe, but also across South America and Africa via Lisbon.
     For logistics teams, where do you go from that hub is the point: one flight doesn’t just get you from A to B, it gets you into a system of onward links, schedules, and interline possibilities.
     Orlando, if you checked lately, is no longer a one-trick pony with mouse ears either!
     Central Florida, it turns out is a diverse base that includes healthcare and life sciences, technology, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, perishables, and the ever-growing world of e-commerce.
     Add a cargo-friendly capacity via a wide-body route into that kind of economy and you’re not just carrying general cargo; you’re handling shipments that can deliver a menu hosting different requirements, especially when it comes to speed, security, and temperature control.
     TAP into Pharma products, and other medical cargo. What’s important here isn’t just the label, it’s the support structure behind it: a specialized team, partner stations, and both active and passive temperature-controlled solutions that can be tailored depending on what the shipment needs.
     TAP Into TAP Express and TAP Fast Track.
     The names are similar, but the intent is different, so it’s worth separating them.
     TAP Express is essentially the standard priority choice for shipments that are urgent or high value.
     TAP Fast Track is positioned as the higher-touch option. It combines priority in the air with priority on the ground, and it comes with dedicated operational follow-up coordination through the whole chain of custody.
     TAP into TAP at Miami ACF in Booth 214, and alongside the group we mentioned earlier, you’ll also see Claudia Bandeira and Branden Veliz with a brave new message.
     If 2026 looks or sounds any better when you finish with this dynamic TAP Team with lift, lanes, and options for the market, you may want to get down with the sound and rap TAP on wood!
GDA/SSA

     India has taken a significant step to strengthen its standing in international air cargo with the operationalization of a new transshipment framework that allows eligible shipments to stay securely packed during transit, thereby removing the requirement for mandatory piece-level security re-screening at the connecting airport.
     Air India began the proof of concept (PoC) on the Chennai–Delhi–Frankfurt corridor on June 20, 2026. The government approved an expansion that could reach five Indian origins and three European destinations, adding to the potential reach of the initiative beyond the original pilot route, after encouraging results.
     The reform tackles a long-standing operational constraint in India’s ambition to be a global cargo hub: the extra time and handling involved when cargo arriving at an Indian airport has to be unpacked, screened piece-by-piece and reassembled before being transferred to an onward international flight.
     The updated process allows eligible cargo to remain safely packed in the same unit load device (ULD) for the duration of its journey, subject to prescribed security controls. The framework aims to speed up transfers while maintaining security and improving cargo integrity by reducing the need to break down and rebuild shipments at Delhi.
     The initial results suggest that the changes could make a material difference to the competitiveness of Indian cargo connections.
     Air India reported that average daily cargo volumes on the Chennai–Delhi–Frankfurt corridor increased from 2.2 metric tonnes to 4.5 tonnes during the pilot period. Between June20 and August 20, the airline transported 300 tonnes of cargo from Chennai to Frankfurt through Delhi.
     More significantly for freight forwarders and shippers, average cargo connection times at Delhi fell from 36–48 hours to between five and eight hours.
     Air India's Flown-as-Booked performance also improved from 76 percent to 100 percent, with the airline reporting no cargo loss or damage during transit. Freight forwarders, including DHL, Dachser, DVS and Kuehne+Nagel provided positive feedback on their experience.
     The results point to benefits beyond faster transfers. More predictable connections can improve shipment planning, reduce uncertainty for customers and help airlines make better use of available belly-hold capacity.
     The pilot was authorized by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which is using the exercise to validate the revised process as the supporting infrastructure is progressively developed.
     Following government approval, Air India is extending the framework to eligible shipments originating in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai, connecting through Delhi to Copenhagen, Frankfurt and London Heathrow.
     The expansion links several of India's major manufacturing, technology and commercial centres with important European cargo markets. It also gives freight forwarders additional opportunities to route shipments through an Indian gateway rather than relying exclusively on established transshipment centers overseas.
     The government has identified domestic-to-international transfers as the immediate focus. The longer-term plan envisages extending the framework to international-to-domestic movements and international-to-international transshipment through Indian airports, subject to regulatory approvals.
     This could result in a significant increase in the cargo flows managed by India. However, the scale and timing of that expansion will depend on regulatory clearances, infrastructure readiness and the ability of airlines and ground handlers to maintain consistent operating standards.
     Air India estimates that Delhi alone could attract more than two million tonnes of additional annual transshipment cargo across more than 95 addressable international air cargo corridors.
     That figure represents potential rather than traffic already secured. Capturing such volumes would require competitive schedules, sufficient handling capacity, dependable connections and close coordination between airlines, airport operators, security agencies, customs authorities and freight forwarders.
     For India, the opportunity is to turn its substantial domestic cargo market and geographical position between East and West into a more effective international connecting network.
     The new framework could also benefit e-commerce operators, warehousing providers, ground handlers and other logistics businesses by making cargo movements through Indian airports faster and more predictable.
     The Chennai pilot has demonstrated what can be achieved on one corridor. The expanded network will test whether those gains can be replicated across more origins and destinations, while preserving the security controls on which the reform depends.
     If the model can be scaled reliably, it could help India compete more effectively for cargo currently routed through overseas hubs. The challenge now is to turn a successful proof of concept into a consistent, nationwide transshipment capability.
Tirthankar Ghosh

     Air Cargo Chronicles—A new series presented by Air Cargo News Flying Typers, tracing the evolution of air cargo from the beginnings of flight to the present.
    Canadair CL-44D4 “swing-tail” freighters in 1960 pioneered large commercial aircraft able to accept outsized cargo.
     Prime operators were The Flying Tiger Line with a fleet of 16, Seaboard World Airlines and Slick Airways.
     For more air cargo history:
Introduction click here.
Air Cargo Debuts In 1910, click here.

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