CargoForwarder Global’s ‘Spotlight On …’series showcases a different aspect of the air cargo industry every week to highlight its manifold career opportunities: from airlines to forwarding agents, ground handlers, road feeder companies and all the other ancillary service providers.Yet, without airports, the air cargo industry would not function. And here, too, there are remarkable differences in the airport landscape – be it in size, operational timeframes and the availability of slots, or the services rendered to customers. Hahn Airport, a former U.S. Air Force base, has had an eventful history since its conversion from a military to a civilian airport in 1993. In APR23, the project developer, TRIWO AG took over the airport as a result of insolvency proceedings. Since then, Rüdiger Franke (RF) has been responsible for the airport. How does his day look, and what is his advice for those who want to work in air freight?
CFG: What is your current function? And what are your responsibilities?
RF: In my role as Managing Director and CEO, I am responsible for the operation of Hahn airport.
CFG: What does a normal day look like for you? Or is there such a thing?
RF: There is actually no such thing as a normal day at an airport. We are a company with constantly changing challenges due to rapidly changing conditions and flight schedules. The 24/7 operation in particular, requires flexibility from all employees, including the organization of their work processes and their time management. Coordinating all this is sometimes demanding but pleasing, once accomplished.
CFG: How long have you been in the air cargo industry, and what brought you to it?
RF: I’ve been in aviation for 25 years, but I’ve only really been in the cargo sector for three years. I joined the company with the task of stabilizing Hahn Airport in its insolvency phase and bringing the sales process to a positive conclusion. This was impressively achieved with the takeover by TRIWO AG.
CFG: What do you enjoy most about your job?
RF: Above all, it is little routine but the daily versatility that fuels me, combined with the fact that hardly anything goes according to a pre-set formula. But what also thrills me are the aircraft that land and take off here at the airport, every single day; their distinctive sound and elegance. These are very impressive moments, particularly induced by the largest jetliners such as the cargo jumbos.
CFG: Where do you see the greatest challenges for Hahn and in our industry in general?
RF: The main challenge for Hahn Airport, is to get it back on track, economically. This also applies to the industry as a whole, that is challenged by globalization uncertainties combined with rapidly changing political and global economic conditions, which demand an enormous degree of flexibility from airlines, airports, forwarders, and handling agents. This not only applies to cargo, but to passenger operations, as well.
CFG: What advice would you give to people looking to get into the air cargo industry? Any particular training they should aim for?
RF: A sound education is necessary to understand and grasp the interrelationships existing in this industry. Profound IT and digitalization skills also help to master the logistical challenges in connection with eCommerce, ground handling requirements, customs brokerage or e-booking processes. Therefore, training in these areas is highly recommended to master the daily requirements. A good level of common sense is helpful, too. That makes life easier to handle.
CFG: If the air cargo industry were a film/book, what would its title be?
RF: ‘Bees and ants point the way to success’. I don’t think it’s too far-fetched, but an animal movie about the realm of ants or bees would describe it well. It’s the little creatures, working collectively towards achieving a common goal, that succeed. According to the motto: it’s the group that counts, rather than the individual often driven by selfishness.
CFG: Thank you, Rüdiger, for your insights.
If you would like to share your personal air cargo story with our CargoForwarder Global readers, feel free to send your answers to the above questions to cargoforwarderglobal@kopfpilot.at. We look forward to shining a spotlight on your job area, views, and experiences.
