Each week, CargoForwarder Global shines its ‘Spotlight On…’ a different area of the air cargo industry and illustrates the manifold career opportunities available through the voices of those working in it. Freight forwarders have a vital function in the air cargo supply chain, acting as expert intermediaries between shippers and airlines (and other modes of transport) to ensure the efficient, cost-effective, and compliant movement of goods across the world. One freight forwarder has developed its role further and, among other services, has embraced the shift to sustainable logistics, focusing on green initiatives and eco-friendly air cargo solutions – even going as far as including its aim in its company name. This week, Alexey Zotov, Managing Director of Air Cargo Green Capabilities S.a.r.l., explains his role and shares his views and advice to anyone considering a career in air cargo.
CFG: What is your current function and company? And what are your responsibilities?
AZ: I am the Managing Director of Air Cargo Green Capabilities, part of ACN Group, a role that sits at the fascinating crossroads of global commerce and environmental innovation. My core mission is to pilot the air cargo industry’s transition to sustainable operations. I translate ambitious global climate targets into actionable, technical roadmaps for airlines and logistics partners. My team and I are responsible for everything from evaluating and sourcing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for long-haul freighters to implementing carbon-neutral handling solutions for e-commerce fulfillment hubs, ensuring our vital global network evolves responsibly.
CFG: What does a normal day look like for you?
AZ: ‘Normal’ is a fluid concept! My day is a whirlwind of global orchestration. It might begin reviewing the emissions profile of a dedicated e-commerce charter from Shanghai to London. Then, I’m in a virtual summit with aircraft manufacturers discussing next-gen, fuel-efficient freighters. Afternoon calls involve negotiating SAF offtake agreements with producers. I also spend time analyzing data from our green warehousing pilots. The rhythm is a constant blend of high-level strategy with nitty-gritty operational details, all while juggling time zones and fostering collaboration between traditionally separate teams.
CFG: How long have you been in the air cargo industry, and what brought you to it?
AZ: I have navigated this exhilarating industry for 20+ years. My entry began on the commercial and marketing side, captivated by the sheer magnitude of moving critical goods – from lifesaving pharmaceuticals to vital automotive parts – across continents overnight. The initial attraction was the complex, high-stakes puzzle of global trade. I stayed because of the incredible, fast-paced energy and the people; it’s a world of pragmatic problem-solvers. Today, my passion is fueled by the new challenge of evolving this essential network for a sustainable future.
CFG: What do you enjoy most about your job?
AZ: The greatest thrill is building the bridge between legacy systems and a bold new future. After 15 years driving commercial revenue of Cargo Airlines, I now use that operational knowledge to design the ‘how’. I love taking a conceptual goal like ‘net-zero’ and engineering the tangible pathway – the fuel contracts, the new technology partnerships, the operational tweaks. It’s profoundly rewarding to be a catalyst, turning environmental responsibility from a cost center into a core component of resilient, modern, and competitive global logistics.
CFG: Where do you see the greatest challenges in our industry?
AZ: The monumental challenge is the triple constraint: meeting the explosive, 24/7 demands of cross-border e-commerce, achieving aggressive decarbonization targets, and doing so within razor-thin economic margins. We must fundamentally redesign a system built for fossil-fuel efficiency while it’s operating at full throttle. This requires unprecedented collaboration across the entire ecosystem – from fuel producers and regulators to airports, forwarders, and consumers – to align on standards, investments, and perhaps a recalibration of the true cost of ‘next-day’ delivery to the other side of the planet.
CFG: What advice would you give to people looking to get into the air cargo industry?
AZ: Embrace the industry’s behind-the-scenes magic! Start anywhere – in operations, sales, or IT – and be relentlessly curious. Understand that you’re joining the central nervous system of globalization. Build relationships; this is a people-business where trust is currency. Develop a thick skin for volatility and a passion for solving puzzles under pressure. Most importantly, bring fresh perspectives, especially in tech and sustainability. We need innovators who can help rewire this essential industry for its next century of flight.
CFG: If the air cargo industry were a film/book, what would its title be?
AZ: ‘The Invisible Web: A Logistics Symphony.’ It would be a sprawling, real-time thriller with no single hero. The plot follows a single urgent parcel across the globe, interweaving the high-stakes decisions of pilots, the frantic coordination of handlers in midnight hubs, the digital dance of customs bots, and the strategic gambles made in corporate boardrooms. It’s a story of precision, chaos, human grit, and brilliant technology, revealing the breathtakingly complex and often unseen lattice that keeps our modern world connected and supplied.
Many thanks, Alexey!
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.
