Spotlight on… Megha Palkar, Member Operations Manager, Cargo iQ

CargoForwarder Global’s ‘Spotlight On…’ series highlights all the very different functions within the air cargo industry, that serve to ensure that all kinds of shipments are carried safely and quickly from one corner of the earth to another. Quality standards and service milestones play a large part in improving and aligning processes and providing transparency along the commodity’s supply chain. That is why CargoForwarder Global asked Megha Palkar, Member Operations Manager at Cargo iQ, to talk about her responsibilities, how she came to the industry, and what advice she offers to those considering a career in air cargo.

Quality standards can be fun, too! Image: Megha Palkar

CFG: What is your current function and company? And what are your responsibilities?

MP: I am the Member Operations Manager at Cargo iQ. Cargo iQ is an air cargo community that works across the sector, ensuring that air cargo is transported with efficiency and quality from origin to final destination by using data and reporting to collaborate with all stakeholders to optimize and future-proof the industry.
We work with all stakeholders – for example: with airlines, freight forwarders, ground handlers, industry bodies and logistics operators, to define the processes behind the air transport of cargo to measure success and continuously improve the value of airfreight for customers.
We are an IATA special interest group.
In the simplest of terms, our members agree to a certain standard of quality, performance targets as a community and measurable benchmarks for continuing improvement and efficiency.
Part of my job is to create these benchmarks and report their activity every month. I also work with them on various collaborative initiatives.
I work on member onboarding and helping the team with finance matters.

CFG: What does a normal day look like for you?

MP: Member Operations includes a diverse range of areas, analyzing the reports that we produce and engaging members with these metrics to make their quality management processes as efficient and transparent as possible.
I support my colleagues with the Cargo iQ training program. I also spend part of my day working on new industry initiatives that may soon be rolling out. This is an exciting time for the sector as the work Cargo iQ does shows the potential for the industry and I enjoy working on how we keep continuous improvement a priority.

CFG: How long have you been in the air cargo industry, and what brought you to it?

MP: After 6 years working in this industry, I see an exciting future and have already learnt so much and gained invaluable experience from across the air cargo sector.
I think 6 years in the middle of a cross-stakeholder organization has been an excellent place to be and learn about the business and the whole supply chain, its priorities and various service delivery models.
I joined Cargo iQ from another department in IATA. I loved my experience working with IATA and wanted to continue developing my professional career within the air transport sector.
I decided to join the air cargo quality sector because I was, at the time, excited to play a part in the future of the industry.

CFG: What do you enjoy most about your job?

MP: The people, their energy and commitment to the betterment of service delivery and performance quality in the industry.
My favorite aspect of Member Operations is collaboration. Not a vague ‘we vow to commit to work side-by-side’, but a proper demonstration of what people can achieve by rolling up their sleeves and getting to work together on the tough problems.
We call it the Cargo iQ Quality Rally. Once again, all stakeholders – e.g. airlines, freight forwarders, ground handlers, industry bodies and logistics operators – come together and work to resolve issues jointly.
For example, an airline notices issues in service delivery or KPI performance in a region or station cluster. They pair up with the relevant ground handler and involve the forwarder to investigate what is happening and what can be done to improve.
The next step is a deep-dive into interdependent processes between these three stakeholders and subsequent resolution, where either each of the parties has to comply with process changes or it is just one or two of them.
Numbers improve by finding the root cause and treating the underlying problem, securing management buy-in if a solution expense is involved.
It is like a multi-party proof of concept within the Cargo iQ community.
A model is formed to resolve similar issues for the rest of the membership; At our working group sessions, these member combinations present their models. The audience votes for the best presentations and innovative topics.
Winners are given trophies, there are quizzes in between (to make sure people are not dozing from jetlag), quirky souvenirs – the whole package. With some healthy competition, it becomes the fun element of our working group sessions!

CFG: What do you see the greatest challenges in our industry?

MP: Transparent information exchange (or lack thereof). Add to that misinformation around initiatives that do exist to bridge this gap. While things get better with time, I hope that we can make it happen as an industry in a cohesive manner.

CFG: What advice would you give to people to get into the air cargo industry? Any particular training they should aim for?

MP: I would say, there are so many avenues to explore, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Join the Future Air Cargo Executives (FACE) program we run at IATA, which is particularly designed for young people in the industry looking to network and grow. The best trainings are on-the-job.
If you are a student, try to score an internship with an industry player. Anything that gives you hands-on experience in a warehouse or field office, is a great starting point. If you are already in, put your hand up as many times as possible to join industry initiatives. Of course, IATA also offers several trainings on the topic of Air Cargo, and if you are registered to the FACE program, you are eligible for a discount!
In 2023, the FACE participants published a whitepaper about ‘what makes Air Cargo appealing to young talent’, as an output of a workshop. Check it out if you are overwhelmed by the sea of options!

CFG: If the air cargo industry were a film/book, what would its title be?

MP: Why shipments fly – the (imported) origins of everyday things.


Many thanks for your insights, Megha.

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.

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