Each week, CargoForwarder Global’s ‘Spotlight On…’ looks at a particular segment of the air cargo industry through the eyes of an individual working there. It is difficult to imagine the industry at a time when there was no digital backbone to it – when not just AWBs were purely physical documents, but also flight planning, loading, and the admin relating to all other processes was carried out manually, on paper. Digitalization began in earnest in the late 1970s and early 1980s, though at very different speeds across the industry – leading to the highly complex and fragmented tech maelstrom that it finds itself in today. Yet, the opportunities that advanced tech now offers, have the potential to finally bring about the vision behind Unisys’ portmanteau which name derived from the words ‘united’, ‘information’ and ‘systems’. Its Director for Travel and Transportation Solutions, Sabari Ramnath, takes us through his working day, and shares his views and advice.
CFG: What is your current function and company? And what are your responsibilities?
SR: I am a Director for Travel and Transportation Solutions at Unisys. My role is to lead strategic development, address industry/client challenges, and transform them into practical, technology-driven solutions.
CFG: What does a normal day look like for you?
SR: My normal day begins with a plan. Over time, I’ve learned that my energy follows a ‘V’ pattern – high in the morning, dipping in the afternoon, and rising again in the evening. So, I shape my schedule around it: strategic work in the morning, lighter tasks in the afternoon, and key meetings in the evening. This rhythm keeps me productive without burnout. For me, it’s not about doing more, but about doing things at the right time.
CFG: How long have you been in the air cargo industry, and what brought you to it?
SR: I’ve been in the air cargo tech industry for 20 years, and it has been a journey of constant learning and growth. What brought me here is the curiosity to know how air cargo moves goods, connects economies, and enables trade. But what keeps me here is the opportunity to shape meaningful change in an industry that truly drives outcomes.
CFG: What do you enjoy most about your job?
SR: What I enjoy most about my job is the journey of problem-solving and discovery. When a client faces a challenge and I provide a solution that not only works but also excites them, it’s the most rewarding feeling. For me, every day is about discovery – waking up to ask what new problem can I solve, what new insight can I learn? By night, if I’ve answered those questions, the day has been worthwhile. This cycle of solving, learning, and creating value is what I enjoy most – it transforms work into purpose.
CFG: Where do you see the greatest challenges in our industry?
SR: The greatest challenge we face today is enabling seamless collaboration across this highly diverse ecosystem. Every shipment is a relay of responsibility – handed from one party to another, across borders, systems, and compliance frameworks. When these links are strong, the chain moves cargo efficiently. But when even one link is weak, the results are delay, cost escalation, and customer dissatisfaction.
What makes this challenge even more pressing is the pace of global trade and the rising expectations of customers. Shippers want transparency, regulators demand compliance, and markets expect agility. Meeting these demands requires us to break down silos, embrace data standardization, and foster trust between stakeholders who often compete but must also collaborate.
If we can solve this challenge – if we can unite in diversity – the payoff is transformative: faster flows, reduced waste, higher profitability, and most importantly, a stronger value proposition for the customer.
CFG: What advice would you give to people looking to get into the air cargo industry?
SR: My advice: start small, stay hungry, love more. Every role, big or small, teaches you how this global air cargo runs. Stay curious, invest in learning – regulations, digital tools, or trade practices – and above all, bring passion to the table. Passion fuels perseverance, and perseverance is what turns a job in air cargo into a lifelong career.
CFG: If the air cargo industry were a film/book, what would its title be?
SR: I would name it Rush Hour: like the movie, this industry is fast, unpredictable, and full of drama – yet when diverse partners collaborate, chaos transforms into seamless action and shared success.
Thank you very much, Sabari!
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.
