Envirotainer is a well-known name in our air cargo industry, known for its innovative and reliable temperature-control solutions. Yet, how many of you have heard of Mercy Ships and what they do? These days, between 5,500 and 6,500 ships traverse the oceans at any given moment. The majority of those are cargo ships. A fraction are passenger cruise ships, and precisely two are non-governmental hospital ships: namely the Africa Mercy® and the Global Mercy™. On board of these two ships, are surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, cooks, and engineers – all volunteers (around 2,500+ in total from 60+ nations) who come together to offer free and safe surgical, anesthetic and health care to those with limited access, and who need it most, as well as local healthcare training. Founded in 1978 as an international faith-based organization, Mercy Ships has offices in 16 countries and an Africa Service Center in Dakar, Senegal. Some 122,000+ surgical procedures have been carried out since its founding, and more than 55,500+ healthcare professionals have received training, thus helping local communities to help themselves once the ships have left.

The latest volunteer has now come on board in the shape of Envirotainer, which has partnered with Mercy Ships and is donating the use of its cold chain solutions to ensure that the lifesaving medicines being transported are stored correctly and safely. This is done, for example, with its ProofPak solution, “a robust, reusable and easy-to-use packaging system that enables medicines to remain safe and effective even in the most challenging environments,” the release says.

Niklas Adamsson, Interim CEO and COO at Envirotainer, stated: “Supporting Mercy Ships’ mission to provide essential medical care in underserved regions aligns closely with our own vision of enabling global access to medicines. We are proud to contribute our cold chain expertise to help ensure that critical medicines remain safe and effective for the patients who need them most.”

Simone Jones, Director of Global Corporate Partnerships at Mercy Ships, explained: “Every day, our volunteer crews work to bring hope and healing to patients who would otherwise have no access to safe, affordable surgery. Partnerships like this one with Envirotainer, help make our work possible, ensuring that we can deliver the medicines and treatments needed to transform lives across the communities we serve.”

Menzies Aviation has appointed Marco di Mario as Executive Vice President Fuels, reinforcing its position as the world’s largest independent aviation fuel services provider. Menzies’ focus is on delivering safe, efficient, and integrated fueling solutions to airlines, airports, and fuel suppliers. Menzies currently provides into-plane fueling (ITP) and fuel farm management at 79 airports in five countries, annually handling 3.3 million fuel turns and nearly 40 billion liters of fuel. It boasts a strong safety record and a highly trained team of fuel operations specialists. “With an established fuels footprint in Europe and the Americas and further expansion planned in OSEA and MEAA, Menzies supports customers at every stage of the fueling process – from fuel receipt and storage through to aircraft delivery. This integrated approach helps airlines enhance on-time performance and safety, while enabling airports and fuel suppliers to maximize compliance, and operational resilience,” the release emphasizes.

Marco, who joined Menzies in 2022 after two decades of aviation fuels experience in senior roles at Skytanking and Shell Aviation, will continue to lead the European fuels business while expanding growth across Oceania, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. He will collaborate with regional leaders such as SVP Fuel Americas. Kevin Lager, to ensure global service coordination. To date, at Menzies, Marco managed the expansion of its European fuels network; the launch of ITP operations at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), as well as a number of start-ups across the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark.

Philipp Joeinig, Group CEO, Menzies Aviation, said: “Aviation depends on safe, efficient fueling, and it’s an area where we’re continuing to grow and invest. Marco’s industry experience and proven track record of growing our European operations make him ideally placed to lead our global fuels portfolio as we continue to expand and invest in long-term partnerships.”

Marco di Mario, EVP Fuels, Menzies Aviation, added: “It’s a privilege to take on this expanded role at such an exciting moment for our fuels business. We have built strong foundations in Europe and the Americas, and I look forward to working with colleagues worldwide as we strengthen our capabilities and unlock new opportunities across the Menzies network.”

Air cargo relies on a robust road feeder service to bring in and distribute shipments, yet truck congestion is often a headache at airports. And when that airport is one of the top ten cargo hubs in the world, then action is needed to remove the obstacles. And that is what Airforwarders Association and Miami International Airport’s newly launched Miami Air Cargo Association (MACA) have agreed to tackle, among other things. During the recent MACA launch celebration, Brandon Fried, Executive Director of the AfA, held a speech in which he committed to working together to solve challenges facing the airport’s air cargo community, such as the afore-mentioned truck congestion, infrastructure efficiency, and ensuring operational resilience. “The MACA has been established as a 501-C non-profit organization with full bylaws and an appointed Board of Directors, and aims to strengthen engagement across the local cargo community,” the release explains, going on to list “a program of five industry lunches in 2026, alongside a fall golf outing, a year-end holiday event, charitable initiatives, and the development of a scholarship program for members.”

Members of the MACA Board of Directors include Warren Jones, Vice President of Business Development, Alliance Ground International; Richard Garcia, Chief Operating Officer, Sterling Transportation; Patrizia Harmeier, USA Vice President of Sales, Swissport; Gizelle Sarmento, Regional Sales Director, Cargo Solutions Network; Dimitrios “Jimmy” Nairs, Section Chief of Aviation Marketing, Miami-Dade Aviation Department; Christine Richard, Cargo Consultant.

Brandon Fried, Executive Director, Airforwarders Association, stated: “The Miami Air Cargo Association provides an important new platform for collaboration at one of the United States’ busiest cargo gateways. Working together, we will press for solutions to tackle truck congestion and stand up for the day-to-day operational needs of freight forwarders.”

Warren Jones, President and Director, Miami Air Cargo Association, underlined: “The creation of the Miami Air Cargo Association gives our local industry a focused platform to connect, collaborate, and give back. We appreciate the Airforwarders Association’s willingness to partner with us on issues that directly affect day-to-day operations at Miami International Airport, and look forward to working with them.”

The press releases from TIACA came in thick and fast this week, as it ramps up to host several awards – mainly at the Executive Summit coming up in Warsaw, Poland, in early JUN26. Three award categories were opened for nominations on tiaca.org’s website. First up is the ‘Inspirational Leadership Award’ which lauds industry leaders from all sectors of the global air cargo ecosystem (airlines, airports, freight forwarders, ground handling, technology providers, regulators, and associated organizations), who have made a positive, lasting impact on the air cargo industry, by demonstrating inspirational leadership, innovation, industry dedication, a positive impact on society and digitalization, and fostered the development of young talent. “The Inspirational Leadership Award reflects TIACA’s commitment to recognizing leadership that strengthens the industry today while shaping its future,” the release says, naming an independent 8-member jury who will judge the nominations received by 08APR26.

Next up is the 2026 Rising Star Award, now in its second year, which recognizes ‘outstanding individuals under the age of 35 who are making a meaningful impact on the air cargo and logistics industry through innovation, leadership, and measurable achievement’ – again, nominees can come from any air cargo industry stakeholder.

And finally, TIACA’s long-established Hall of Fame Award, which honors a lifetime achievement: someone who has truly impacted the air cargo industry over the course of their career. Here, the deadline for nominations is 16MAR26.

Roos Bakker, TIACA Chair, stated: “Strong, principled leadership is essential to the continued success and resilience of the air cargo industry. The Inspirational Leadership Award recognizes individuals whose influence extends beyond business performance, inspiring people, fostering collaboration, and helping to move our industry forward. The Rising Star Award is about recognizing the people who are not just participating in our industry but actively shaping where it is headed. The TIACA Hall of Fame represents the very best of our industry, those individuals whose leadership, vision, and commitment have created meaningful and enduring change. We encourage the entire global cargo community to take part in this process by nominating the leaders who have inspired them and helped move our industry forward.”

Glyn Hughes, TIACA Director General, commented: “The credibility of this award is grounded in the rigor and independence of its judging process. By bringing together a highly respected international jury, we ensure that the Inspirational Leadership Award truly reflects the values, diversity, and global nature of the air cargo industry. The response to the inaugural Rising Star Award highlighted just how much talent and ambition exists within our industry. As we open nominations for the second year, we look forward to discovering and celebrating the individuals who are shaping the future of air cargo. The Hall of Fame shines a light on those who have challenged the status quo, championed progress, and helped define the modern air cargo and logistics industry.”

Michelle House led the UK subsidiary of ECS Group, Globe Air Cargo (GAC) UK, until the end of last year. She retired after 44 years in the industry – the final decade of which was as Managing Director for GAC UK. Steve Hughes has now stepped up in her place. He was appointed as new Managing Director for Globe Air Cargo (GAC) UK, and spent the last three months working alongside Michelle House, (whom he had previously already worked with at Virgin Atlantic), to ensure a smooth handover into the new year. His cargo journey began in 1998, with British Airways Cargo, moving on to Virgin Atlantic Cargo in 2005, and shifting to GSSA management in 2017. Before joining Globe Air Cargo, he spent 7 years as Managing Director of Wexco Cargo GSSA. His experience covers regional sales and customer management (EMEA and the Americas), global key account management, and GSSA operations.

Steve Hughes, Managing Director of Globe Air Cargo UK, commented: “I join the Globe Air Cargo UK team at an optimum moment – we have a great team, established airlines and loyal customers. My focus is on continuing the growth and development of our relationships and business, making full use of our market-leading data suite and digital infrastructure to improve efficiencies and offer truly customized solutions. The combination of ECS Group’s international reach, our excellent UK team and my local knowledge, experience and network, creates an unparalleled service offer to airlines and forwarders alike in the UK, and I look forward to discussing how Globe Air Cargo UK can deliver on the market’s requirements. Exciting times ahead!”

Jean Ceccaldi, Chief Executive Officer of ECS Group, confirmed: “With Steve Hughes, Globe Air Cargo UK and its customers are getting the best of both worlds. He understands how airlines work and what they expect from their GSSA, and he is well-versed in the ins and outs of managing a GSSA. Steve’s strong focus on customer-centricity, process optimization and positive sales results is very closely aligned with our ECS Group values, and our joint strategy going forward, will be on further improving the load factors for our existing customers, as well as expanding Globe Air Cargo UK’s customer base to new regions. At this point, I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks, also on behalf of ECS Group, to Michelle House for her outstanding contribution to Globe Air Cargo UK over the past ten years, and we wish her a happy and well-deserved retirement after an impressive 44 years in the industry!”

Awery has started the year as it means to go on: expanding its team to support its growing customer base and portfolio. New on board are Christian Gessner and David Kerr. Both gentlemen bring decades of air cargo experience and a range of skills across marketing, sales, business and digital transformation, consulting, and technology. Kerr, who joins on a consultancy basis, previously held senior positions at Etihad Cargo and European Cargo, after a long stint at American Airlines. He will assist with the technology provider’s overall strategic growth and customer engagement as it seeks to promote digital transformation across the air cargo industry. Gessner takes on the role of Business Development Manager in Awery’s commercial team, and brings in his expertise gained at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and other significant aviation software providers, to support the development and adoption of Awery’s air cargo technology.

Christian Gessner stated: “Awery has built a strong reputation for delivering ERP solutions that genuinely support cargo operators day-to-day, while also playing a key role in accelerating technology adoption across an industry that has historically been slow to digitize. I’m joining Awery to tackle a critical industry challenge: accelerating the adoption of practical technology that delivers measurable gains in efficiency, compliance and performance for cargo operators worldwide.”

David Kerr commented: “Having worked closely with airline cargo teams for many years, I understand the operational priorities and challenges Awery’s customers face, and what it takes to deliver tools that bring real improvements. I am excited about the opportunity to join the dots of cross-industry initiatives, and to build on the current momentum of industry digitalization with Awery’s practical and effective tools.”

Tristan Koch, Chief Commercial Officer, Awery, explained: “As Awery continues to grow, we are building out our team with the very best from the industry. Both David and Christian have established reputations within air cargo, and their experience will be invaluable in continuing Awery’s success as we expand our commercial reach.”