Each week, CargoForwarder Global’s ‘Spotlight On…’ showcases a particular area within the air cargo industry, to demonstrate the wide variety of careers it offers. Digitalization is the absolute foundation for safe, secure and efficient cargo processes, these days, enabling the swift transfer of data across an international network – from booking requests, through to quotes, real-time rates and capacity information, market overviews, warehouse operations, load planning, tracking, and so on. The potential to digitalize is far from being exhausted. Digital experts are therefore much sought after, particularly given the very differing levels of maturity within the air cargo industry. This week, Sunil Sasi, Consulting Manager at Cognizant, talks about his responsibilities and shares his opinions of the industry.
CFG: What is your current function and company? And what are your responsibilities?
SS: I am a Consulting Manager with Cognizant, currently working with Royal Schiphol Group at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol on Airport Operational Database (AODB) systems and upgrade initiatives. I leverage my aviation and air cargo expertise to support airport and airline stakeholders in driving digital transformation, improving operational efficiency, and enabling end-to-end visibility.
As part of Cognizant’s consulting practice, I have also had the opportunity to work with and advise multiple aviation organizations across airlines, airports, and cargo stakeholders, specializing in air cargo operations and digital solutions.
My role involves bridging operational teams and IT organizations, ensuring that complex operational needs are translated into practical and scalable digital solutions.
CFG: What does a normal day look like for you?
SS: No two days are the same. I am currently involved in AODB initiatives while also supporting stakeholders with my extensive air cargo expertise across Schiphol’s operational ecosystem.
As part of Consulting assignments within Cognizant, I engage with aviation stakeholders to analyze operational challenges, advise on process improvements, and help translate complex airport and cargo operations into effective digital solutions. I also collaborate with airport teams, ground handlers, and IT stakeholders to review processes and operational data, refine system requirements, and support agile delivery.
CFG: How long have you been in aviation, and what brought you to it?
SS: I have been passionate about aviation since childhood, which eventually led me to build my career in the industry. After completing my MBA in Operations and Systems, I worked in logistics before entering aviation through IBS Software.
There, I worked on iCargo implementations for airlines including Turkish Airlines and Air France‑KLM, among other major carriers. I also gained experience with Kale Logistics Solutions’ Galaxy platform. During my tenure with Cognizant, I contributed to Qatar Airways Cargo’s cargo booking portal project, which integrates data from the Croamis cargo management system.
These experiences have provided me with deep expertise in air cargo operations, airport systems, and digital solutions, enabling me to effectively bridge operational and technology teams across airports and airlines.
CFG: What do you enjoy most about your job?
SS: I enjoy solving complex operational challenges and translating real-world aviation and cargo needs into scalable digital solutions. Seeing measurable improvements in efficiency, visibility, and collaboration across airports, airlines, and stakeholders is highly rewarding.
I also enjoy traveling and experiencing airport operations first-hand – for example, watching wide-body aircraft like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 sitting on the stands at Schiphol, observing their turnaround processes, and connecting these real-world operations to the systems I work on.
CFG: Where do you see the greatest challenges in our industry?
SS: The aviation and air cargo industry faces significant challenges with ecosystem integration, legacy processes and systems, and data standardization, often compounded by resistance to change and limited expertise among stakeholders. For example, during the implementation of a new AODB system at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, aligning multiple teams across airport operations, ground handlers, and IT, while transitioning from legacy workflows, required intensive change management, training, and real-time problem-solving to ensure the system delivered transparency, operational efficiency, and seamless collaboration.
At the same time, emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence are creating new opportunities for the industry. AI can help analyze operational data, improve demand forecasting, optimize resource planning, and enable more proactive decision-making across airport and cargo operations. However, realizing these benefits will depend on stronger data foundations and greater collaboration across the aviation ecosystem.
CFG: What advice would you give to people looking to get into the air cargo industry?
SS: For anyone looking to enter the air cargo industry, I would advise building a strong operational foundation and understanding how freight flows across booking, handling, customs, and delivery. Complement this with digital competencies, agile delivery skills, and data analytics, and seek real-world exposure at airports, as hands-on experience is invaluable for truly understanding the complexities of cargo operations.
CFG: If the air cargo industry were a film/book, what would its title be?
SS: “Controlled Chaos: Engineering Precision Behind Global Trade.”
Thank you, Sunil.
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.
