Each week, CargoForwarder Global’s ‘Spotlight On…’ looks at a different segment of the air cargo industry, to illustrate the broad variety of careers it offers. Airlines are obviously essential to air cargo, though not all airlines have the same focused approach when it comes to carrying freight – particularly if their main business is getting people to and from their holiday destinations. Yet Condor has broken out of the typical leisure carrier mold and has specifically targeted the cargo business over the past few years. With growing success. This week, Johanna Tillmann (JT), Spokesperson at Condor, talks about her role, her experiences, and shares advice to those thinking about joining the air cargo industry.
CFG: What is your current function and company? And what are your responsibilities?
JT: I’m spokesperson at Condor. My job is to communicate what’s happening across the company, whether that’s fleet modernization, new destinations or developments in our cargo business. I work closely with journalists, support interviews and help explain what’s going on behind the scenes in a way that’s relevant and easy to understand for different target groups.
CFG: What does a normal day look like for you? Or is there such a thing?
JT: Not really! Every day is different, which is one of the reasons I enjoy the job so much. Some days are all about media interviews or preparing announcements, others are spent working on long-term communication projects. And in aviation, you always have to expect the unexpected, so being flexible is simply part of the job.
CFG: How long have you been in the air cargo industry, and what brought you to it?
JT: I started my career in aviation more than ten years ago, at Lufthansa Cargo, and it didn’t take long before I was hooked. I was lucky to work with colleagues who were incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about what they did. They took the time to explain the business, answer countless questions and share their enthusiasm for aviation. I’m genuinely grateful for that, because it shaped my career and sparked an interest that has stayed with me ever since.
Cargo has always fascinated me because most people never see what happens in the background, yet it’s such an essential part of global trade and connectivity. That’s also why I was so pleased to see Condor expand its cargo business so successfully over the last few years. The introduction of our new long-haul fleet has opened up great opportunities, and it’s exciting to see cargo becoming an increasingly important part of Condor’s business. Once again, I’ve had the privilege of working with colleagues who bring so much expertise and passion to what they do. For me, that’s one of the best things about this industry.
CFG: What do you enjoy most about your job?
JT: Definitely the people. Aviation brings together experts from so many different fields, and I learn something new almost every day. Whether I’m talking to colleagues in Cargo, Engineering, Flight Operations or Commercial, everyone has their own perspective and their own story to tell.
I also enjoy making complex topics accessible. If someone reads an article afterwards and understands a bit more about how aviation works than they did before, then we’ve done our job well.
CFG: Where do you see the greatest challenges in our industry?
JT: The world has become much more unpredictable over the last few years, and our industry feels that every day. Supply chains, geopolitical developments, sustainability and digitalization all play a role. The challenge is to stay flexible while continuing to deliver reliable services for customers. Aviation has always adapted to change, and I believe that ability is one of the industry’s biggest strengths.
CFG: What advice would you give to people looking to get into the air cargo industry?
JT: Be curious and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Air cargo is much more diverse than many people think, and there are opportunities in operations, logistics, engineering, sales, communications and many other areas. Of course, a background in logistics or aviation is helpful, but what really makes a difference is an interest in the industry and a willingness to learn. I’ve met so many people over the years who were happy to share their experience, and that’s something I really value. It’s an industry where people support each other.
CFG: If the air cargo industry were a film/book, what would its title be?
JT: ‘The Invisible Network’
Because that’s exactly what air cargo is. Most people don’t think about it, yet it keeps the world moving every single day. At Condor, cargo and passenger business are closely connected and that is a real strength. Our long-haul network does not only connect people with destinations around the world; it also enables us to transport goods efficiently alongside our passengers. The new long-haul fleet has given this part of our business an important boost and created new opportunities for cargo. Behind every shipment are dedicated people, careful planning and a huge amount of teamwork. That combination of passenger travel, global connectivity and cargo is what makes the story so interesting to me.
Thank you very much, Johanna.
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.
