Each week, CargoForwarder Global’s ‘Spotlight On…’ looks at a different segment of the air cargo industry, to show just how varied the many careers can be within it. Freight forwarders come in all shapes and sizes – and size can make a difference when it comes to purchasing power and capacity access, which is why a group of medium-sized German freight forwarders came together and founded a cooperative freight forwarding alliance back in 1999: IGLU Air Cargo Gmbh. This week, its Managing Director, Nouri Neller, shares his experience, talks about his role, and gives advice to those looking to enter the industry.
CFG: What is your current function and company? And what are your responsibilities?
NN: I am Managing Director of IGLU Air Cargo GmbH. IGLU is a community of independent, mid-sized freight forwarders, built around a simple but powerful idea: that companies who might otherwise compete, can achieve far more together than apart. Our mission is to generate tangible synergies for our members – from joint purchasing and procurement through to a shared digital platform and expanding cooperation opportunities with airlines. My role is to drive that mission forward across all its dimensions: strategy, business development, member relations, and the ongoing work of building something that genuinely makes our members stronger. In practice, that means I wear many hats, often simultaneously. Which, come to think of it, is not unlike air cargo itself.
CFG: What does a normal day look like for you?
NN: A normal day? After more than 20 years in this industry, I’m still waiting to meet one. Mornings usually start with a strong coffee and an inbox that has already been busy while I was sleeping – because air cargo, like the world it serves, never truly switches off. From there, each day brings its own combination of member conversations, operational puzzles, strategic decisions, and the occasional situation that requires thinking on your feet. That unpredictability is, honestly, a big part of what makes the job so energizing.
CFG: How long have you been in the air cargo industry, and what brought you to it?
NN: I have been in air cargo for over 20 years, though I didn’t arrive by the most direct route. Before this, I served in the Bundeswehr [German Armed Forces], where I learned that logistics, structure, and calm decision-making under pressure are not optional qualities – they are the job. After that, I spent time in the automotive industry, where time-critical supply chains are very much a way of life. Air cargo was the natural next step: it brought together everything I had come to value – speed, precision, international complexity – and then turned the dial up a few notches. I have never looked back.
CFG: What do you enjoy most about your job?
NN: The freedom to shape things. I genuinely thrive in an environment where no two days look the same and where the role demands both strategic thinking and hands-on problem-solving. There is real satisfaction in finding a workable solution when a situation looks impossible — and I’ve learned to equally value the moments when things don’t go to plan. Failure, handled well and reflected honestly, is one of the best teachers this industry has to offer.
CFG: Where do you see the greatest challenges in our industry?
NN: Two things stand out. First, talent: attracting the next generation to an industry that is genuinely fast-paced and fascinating, but perhaps not always visible to young people exploring their options. We need to tell our story better – and more loudly. Second, digitalization. Not the technology itself, which exists and keeps improving, but the cultural shift needed to truly modernize what is, at its heart, a relationship-driven and traditionally minded industry. That transformation requires patience, persistence, and tolerance for the occasional two-steps-forward-one-step-back moment.
CFG: What advice would you give to people looking to get into the air cargo industry?
NN: Come with curiosity and stay flexible – in this industry, the unexpected is the norm, not the exception. A grounding in logistics and supply chain management is a solid starting point, but I would not underestimate soft skills: the ability to communicate clearly across cultures, stay composed under pressure, and adapt quickly matters as much as any formal qualification. And don’t be put off if your background looks unconventional. Some of the best people I’ve met in air cargo started somewhere else entirely – the military, manufacturing, hospitality. The skills transfer. The mindset matters most.
CFG: If the air cargo industry were a film/book, what would its title be?
NN: ‘Mission Possible: Just Barely’ – a story of pressure, precision, and the occasional logistical miracle. [Smiles]
Thank you, Nouri!
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.
