CargoForwarder Global’s ‘Spotlight On…’ series looks at the many different roles that constitute a functioning air cargo industry. Air freight would not happen without the right aircraft and experts who know what works best for which business on which routes. This week, Ryan Coleco (RC), Commercial Director at Coyne Airways illustrates his responsibilities, why he came to the industry, and what his advice is to those potentially looking to join air cargo.
CFG: What is your current function and company? And what are your responsibilities?
RC: I am the Commercial Director with Coyne Airways in Dubai. We offer scheduled services into Iraq, Afghanistan, Georgia, Armenia, and over 40 destinations in Africa. We are also a charter broker, specializing in moving time-bound and sensitive cargo to hard-to-reach places. My primary focus is to find the best combination of pricing and transit time for our clients’ particular requirements, and to make sure that we deliver operationally.
CFG: What does a normal day look like for you?
RC: A normal day would typically start with checking the latest news updates and then touching base with clients to follow up on pending requests and with operations to check that everything is on track. The latter part of the day is a bit of a mixed bag as it could involve visits to clients, planning flights, data analysis or renegotiating costs with vendors and service providers.
CFG: How long have you been in the air cargo industry, and what brought you to it?
RC: I have been in the aviation industry for over 17 years, and in air cargo for almost 13 years now.
What made me pivot from the passenger side towards air cargo was a fascination with the global impact of the industry. A lot of the destinations that we serve are landlocked and have little passenger traffic and air cargo is a crucial link in connecting those countries to the global supply chain and providing a multiplier effect for the local economy.
CFG: What do you enjoy most about your job?
RC: Tackling complex operational and logistical challenges, and the satisfaction of seeing projects through to completion.
CFG: What do you see the greatest challenges in our industry?
RC: The biggest short-term challenge I foresee right now is with capacity this peak season. eCommerce is driving a lot of demand, but there are moves from regulators to look more closely at shipments and ensure that there is full compliance. It will be interesting to see how that plays out over the next few months.
Long-term, sustainability is a huge issue, and the race is on to make sure that we are all doing what we can to meet the needs of the present without jeopardizing future generations’ ability to do the same.
CFG: What advice would you give to people to get into the air cargo industry? Any particular training they should aim for?
RC: I would say to look for an organization where you have the opportunity to learn as many things as possible in a way that works for you. Generally, in aviation, you have to choose between large companies with formal training programs where you may only learn a small part in a big industry, and smaller companies where you may get hands-on experience with a broader range of responsibilities and skills. Some of it will come down to how best you learn and where you are in your career journey and confidence. I would also seek out mentors and peers, wherever possible.
CFG: If the air cargo industry were a film/book, what would its title be?
RC: “Aerial Arteries”: the air cargo industry has always been essential, especially during emergency situations.
Thank you for your answers, Ryan.
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.
