HONG KONG—Cathay Pacific has named Rakesh Raicar as the airline’s new Regional General Manager for South Asia, Middle East and Africa (SAMEA) who will be based in Mumbai.
Raicar who has over 30 years of experience working with Cathay Pacific in various leadership roles will be responsible for the growth of the airline’s business and operations in the said regions.
“My journey with Cathay Pacific has been very enriching. Cathay Pacific has always seen SAMEA as an important region in the network to grow our passenger and cargo business. As an airline with a vision to be one of the world’s greatest service brands, we continue to stay true to our brand ethos and move forward for our customers and partners by offering them a series of enhancements and services across our business verticals,” said Raicar.
Raicar holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Mumbai and a post-graduate diploma in Marketing from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies.
PARIS—Tom Lynch has been appointed Senior Vice President, Commercial for the Americas by Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) to lead the company’s commercial strategy and business development of its cargo and ground handling operations in North and South America.
In this role, based in Dallas/Fort Worth and reporting to Mike Simpson, WFS Executive Vice President Americas, Tom will build out WFS’ sales capabilities through collaborative training and mentoring, work closely with the operations group to ensure successful implementation and ongoing operations with new and existing customers, and challenge current practices to increase revenue and maximize profitability. He will also work closely with WFS’ international commercial team to ensure alignment with the Group’s strategy and objectives.
Tom brings 30 years of experience to WFS from across his previous B2B and B2C roles in industries including consumer goods, food and beverage, and waste disposal. He has worked with leading publicly traded companies as well as in the private equity environment and has a proven track record in driving revenue and margin growth, strategic market share expansion, improved employee retention and increased employee engagement.
“Tom is recognized for his communication skills and ability to build strong relationships at all levels of the organization, from the C-Suite to the front line. I am confident he will be an engaging leader who places an emphasis on building, coaching, and developing high caliber, diverse teams. He will play a key role in our continued growth in the Americas and use his broad experience of other industries to inject innovative, fresh ideas to build our existing and new customer relationships,” Simpson said.
Commenting on his new role, Tom added: “WFS has a strong and growing presence in the handling market in the Americas and I am excited to work with our sales team and operations group to identify the commercial benefits we can derive from demonstrating the scope of our network and the quality of our cargo and ground handling services.”
WFS operates in 97 airport stations in North America – including the major North America airport hubs in New York JFK, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Atlanta, and Houston – and a further 19 stations in South America (Brazil). In North America alone, WFS provides ground handing and passenger services for some 140,000 flights per annum and handles more than three million tons of cargo a year.
DUBAI, UAE—UPS has appointed Ufku Akaltan as President for the Indian Subcontinent, Middle East and Africa (ISMEA), following the retirement of Jean-Francois Condamine.
A growth-oriented leader, Ufku will be responsible for more than 70 countries in the Indian Subcontinent, Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia. Including high growth markets, as the region is an important part of UPS’s international strategy.
In his new role, Ufku will be responsible for driving inclusive growth to help UPS customers tap into increasing cross-border opportunities. He will lead the implementation of UPS’s asset-light strategy to help businesses connect seamlessly with their customers around the world through our global smart logistics network. He will also help shape this large and multi-faceted region’s thrust on diversity and inclusion. Among his priorities will be contributing towards UPS’s Environment and Sustainability Goals of carbon neutrality for our global operations by 2050.
“I’m excited to increase collaboration with small businesses to uplift them through faster and more efficient logistics. We will continue to innovate within the healthcare sector and drive greater sustainability and inclusivity across international trade,” said Ufku. “I’m equally committed to our people – making UPS an even better place to work and an employer of choice. We also look forward to capitalizing on the opportunities created through our role as the Official Logistics Partner of Expo 2020.”
Ufku started his career with UPS in 2001 as an intern while simultaneously working towards earning his master’s degree. Following this, he quickly progressed within UPS’s marketing division, and in 2010, he was appointed as Marketing Director for UPS UK, Ireland and Nordics, and then moved to Germany as Marketing Director.
He subsequently held several leadership positions in the company, including Country Manager for UPS Turkey in 2014, Country Manager for UPS Belgium, The Netherlands, and Luxembourg in 2018, and President, East Europe district in 2020.
MIAMI, Florida—The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) says six new members have been elected by the Trustees to serve on the Board of Directors, expanding industry expertise of the body.
The new Board members bring a wealth of experience from the airport, airline and handling sectors. New Board members include, Kai Domscheit, CHI Handling; Dan Sheehan, UPS; Tushar Jani, Cargo Service Center India; Kamesh Peri, Celebi Ground Handling; Roos Bakker, Schiphol Airport and Massimo Roccasecca, Verona-Brescia Airport.
Kai Domscheitis the Chief Executive Officer of CHI Deutschland Cargo Handling – CHI Deutschland Cargo Handling offers forwarding and airline handling; trucking and air cargo security in the largest air freight hub in Europe, Cargo City South, Frankfurt.
• Dan Sheehan is the Director of Industry of UPS – UPS’ comprehensive hub-and-spoke network provides you with access to key transportation centers across the U.S. and beyond.
• Tushar Jani is the Chairman of Cargo Service Center India – Cargo Service Center India is an end-to-end cargo handling group that handles both general, sensitive, as well as perishable cargo.
• Kamesh Peri is Chief Executive Officer, Delhi Airport – Celebi Ground Handling is a ground handler offering Ramp, Passenger, Cargo Handling, Warehouse Management, Bridge Operations, Trucking, General Aviation, Airport Lounge Management and Premium Services.
• Roos Bakker, Director of Business Development for Airline Route and Network Development, Schiphol Airport – Schiphol Airport is renowned for its collaborative model. Schiphol Cargo successfully brings together our logistics community, Dutch Customs and academia.
• Massimo Roccasecca is the Group Cargo Director for the SAVE Group. The SAVE Group is the managing company for Venice, Verona, Brescia and Treviso Airports.
“With the appointment of the six latest Members, we have continued our commitment to expand the Board of Directors across the industry sectors to ensure every sector’s view is well represented within the group. We look forward to the perspective and experience that each of these Board members will bring to the table,” said Steven Polmans, TIACA Chair.
The association says it has additional Board positions open and those interested should reach out to the Secretariat.
HOLZWICKEDE, Germany—The Supervisory Board of Rhenus SE & Co. KG has named Tobias Bartz as the new CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of Rhenus Group effective 01 April 2022.
The 57-year-old Klemens Rethmann who has stepped down from his post as Rhenus CEO since 2008 will focus on his tasks on the Executive Board of the Group. “Tobias and I have worked very closely and successfully together since my early days in the Rhenus Group. In all these years, we’ve achieved a great deal together with all the members of the Rhenus family. We respect and trust each other and I’m therefore proud to be able to name him as my successor,” he said.
Dr. Marco Schröter, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Rhenus SE & Co. KG, said Bartz was their top choice to continue the positive developments that Rethmann has initiated during his tenure as the Group’s CEO.
“We’re settling the issue of succession at an early stage in order to continue the positive developments at Rhenus. We have complete confidence that Tobias Bartz will achieve this. He has a wealth of international experience, first-class networks and is the best choice to lead Rhenus into a good future,” Dr. Schröter said.
Bartz, 45, began his professional career as management trainee at Rhenus in 2005. With strong leadership skills and hard work, he quickly climbed up the corporate ladder. His notable achievements at Rhenus include leading the Rhenus Road Freight business in France and Spain and promoting the growth of the Air & Ocean Division from Singapore for three years, before returning to Germany in 2018.
“We will strongly focus on further growth as well as green and digital transformation for the Rhenus Group during the next few years too. We’ll continue to expand our global network during this time,” said Bartz.
Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA—The Board of Management of Ethiopian Airlines Group has named Mesfin Tasew Bekele as the new Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group effective 23 March 2022.
Mesfin succeeds former CEO of the Airline group, Tewolde GebreMariam, whose early retirement request due to health issues has been approved by the board.
Mesfin has 38 years of experience in airline management and operations in the areas of aircraft maintenance and engineering, procurement, information technology, flight operations, capability development, capacity building, development of corporate strategies, airline operation management, and corporate leadership.
He has a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the Open University in the UK, MSc degree in Electrical Engineering, specializing in Communications Engineering, from Addis Ababa University, and BSc degree in Electrical Engineering from Addis Ababa University. In 1984, the Addis Ababa University Faculty of Technology recognized him as Outstanding Graduate of the Year.
Ethiopian Board Chairman Girma Wake said, “I would like to congratulate Mr. Mesfin on his new appointment and I am fully confident about his capabilities. We believe that Mr. Mesfin will lead the airline to an even greater success, keeping it on the right track that will see it grow through many generations to come. I urge the 17,000 employees of Ethiopian and the board members to stand with the new Group CEO to keep the airline fly high. We are also thankful for the remarkable contributions of the former Group CEO.”
Mesfin, for his part, said, “I am honored and humbled to be appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group which I have been serving for nearly four decades in various positions. My new role gives me the opportunity to carry on with the fast and profitable growth of our beloved airline and take it to the next level. I call on all my colleagues at Ethiopian to join hands and forge ahead for further success.”
Mesfin has been a key player, responsible for planning and execution of strategies, that led the airline to
shine in the African skies and beyond. He assumed responsibilities including but not limited to overall maintenance of Ethiopian fleet, capability and capacity development, leading the automation project of the Maintenance and Engineering Division and managing projects related to aircraft acquisition.
He has served as the Chief Executive Officer of ASKY Airlines since 2021 and has led the airline with a profitable growth strategy until the time of his new appointment. He has served as a Chief Operating Officer of Ethiopian Airlines from 2010 –2021 and successfully led the operation of the airline in an efficient and cost-effective way by optimizing processes and developing internal resources to cope up with the airlines’ growth strategy.
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND—Unilode Aviation Solutions, the market leader in outsourced ULD management and repair services, announces the appointment of Ross Marino as Chief Executive Officer, effective 28 February 2022.
Marino has over 30 years of aviation experience, having worked in numerous senior and executive management roles at leading global ground handling organizations and airlines. He succeeds Benoit Dumont who has stepped down from his Chief Executive Officer position.
Marino had a 15-year-long career at dnata, one of the world’s largest providers of ground handling and air services, where he was instrumental in growing dnata into a leading global organization, and most recently held the position of Chief Executive Officer Europe.
He holds a Master of Science degree in Aviation from the University of New South Wales, Australia, and completed an executive education program of the London Business School.
John Hanna, Partner, Head of Europe, Basalt Infrastructure Partners, said: “We are very pleased that Ross has joined Unilode as its new CEO and are confident that he is the right person to continue driving Unilode forward in these very exciting and challenging times of the aviation industry. Ross is a proven leader with exceptional strategic and business development vision and broad aviation industry experience, and we look forward to growing Unilode’s business together.
“I would like to thank Benoit Dumont, Unilode’s departing Chief Executive Officer, for his leadership, commitment and dedication over the past four years. During his tenure Unilode undertook a massive transformation that saw the development of new services, the launch of digital solutions, the expansion of its network and the growth of its customer base. We wish Benoit the very best in his future endeavors and welcome Ross at the helm of Unilode.”
Dumont, for his part, says: “I am very proud of Unilode’s great achievements and thankful for the exceptional drive and dedication of Unilode’s staff, the trust and support of its customers and investors, and wish every success to the organization and my successor Ross Marino.”
Unilode’s new CEO has this to say: “I am very excited to join Unilode in the role of Chief Executive Officer and build on the great foundation and growth potential of the business. Unilode’s customer-focused and innovation-driven business strategy makes it well-positioned for continued success. I look forward to continuing providing high-quality services to our customers and developing the company with a clear ambition of capturing the opportunities in the markets we serve. I am committed to successfully leading Unilode in its next chapter of growth and look forward to working with my new team.”
ISTANBUL, Turkey—A US-educated industrial engineer and international academician has been named as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines, the national carrier of Turkey.
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat replaced Ilker Ayci who resigned from his post in February to take on the challenge of leading the now privately-owned Air India after the Indian government sold the debt-ridden airline to Tata Group.
Born in Konya in 1959, Prof. Dr. Bolat graduated from Istanbul Technical University in 1981 as an Industrial Engineer. In 1984, he graduated from M.Sc. Operations Research program at Stanford University and in 1988, he obtained his Ph.D. in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan.
Prof. Dr. Bolat started his career in 1981 as a Design and Production Engineer at Yıldız Kalıp Şirketi. Between 1985 and 1988, he held a various of roles at the University of Michigan including as teaching assistant, research assistant and assistant professor. From 1988 to 2005, he worked as assistant professor, associate professor and professor at Industrial Engineering Department of King Saud University, Riyadh.
He was assigned as Senior Vice President of Investment Management at Turkish Airlines Inc. in 2005 and served as Chief Investment and Technology Officer between 2012 and 2022.
During his tenure, Prof. Dr. Bolat managed strategic growth plan for Turkish Airlines and led the team in procuring around 550 aircraft to grow Turkish Airlines fleet. Responsible for international relations and alliances, he has managed government affairs issues and commercial agreements with airline partners, ensuring partnership and network development with enhanced bilateral relations. He also led the feasibility study of alliance selection project for Turkish Airlines.
MUMBAI, India—Tata Group, the new owner of Air India headquartered in Mumbai, has announced the appointment of Ilker Ayci, the former Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines, Turkey’s national carrier, as the new CEO and Managing Director of Air India from 01 April 2022.
Tata Sons Pvt Ltd Chairman N. Chandrasekaran made the surprise announcement on 14 February during their board meeting. Tata Sons is the principal investment holding company and promoter of Tata Group which is made up of 30 companies across 10 verticals and operates in more than 100 countries across six continents. The companies’ combined income in 2020-21 reached $103 billion. The Tatas recently wholly acquired Air India, the debt-ridden national airline of India, for $2.4 billion.
A close ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Ayci served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Turkish Airlines from 2015 until his resignation in February 2022.
“Ilker is an aviation industry leader who led Turkish Airlines to its current success during his tenure there. We are delighted to welcome Ilker to the Tata Group where he would lead Air India into the new era,” said Chandrasekaran.
Ayci was born in Istanbul in 1971. He graduated from Bilkent University’s Department of Political Science and Public Administration in 1994. After a research stay in political science at Leeds University in the UK in 1995, he completed a Master’s Degree in International Relations at the Marmara University in Istanbul in 1997.
“I am delighted and honored to accept the privilege of leading an iconic airline and to join the Tata group. Working closely with my colleagues at Air India and the leadership of the Tata group, we will utilize the strong heritage of Air India to make it one of the best airlines in the world with a uniquely superior flying experience that reflects Indian warmth and hospitality,” said the incoming CEO and MD of Air India.
ABU DHABI, UAE—Abu Dhabi Airports today welcomed long-time cargo executive Steven Polmans as its new Vice President of Business Development & Regulatory Affairs at Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone (ADAFZ).
In his new role, Polmans will establish an integrated long-term strategic plan for ADAFZ, oversee regulatory affairs and compliance matters and be responsible for new projects from inception to completion.
Polmans brings a wealth of cargo experience to ADAC from previous roles as Chief Customer Officer at Nallian, Chairman of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) and Founder and Chairman of Air Cargo Belguim.
“We are excited to have Steven on board and we are confident his experience in both aviation and cargo would help drive further expansion at Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone that is a fast-growing business and an increasingly attractive option for businesses that wish to set up in Abu Dhabi and leverage our strategic location, excellent connectivity through three international airports and a wide range of landside and airside facilities,” said Francois Bourienne, Chief Commercial Officer, Abu Dhabi Airports.
Abu Dhabi Airports is part of ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies with a diverse portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s non-oil economy. It was established in March 2006 to spearhead the development of the Emirate’s aviation infrastructure.
In September 2006, Abu Dhabi Airports assumed responsibility for the operation and management of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain International Airports. In 2008, it added Al Bateen Executive Airport (an exclusive business aviation airport), as well as Sir Bani Yas and Delma Island Airports to its portfolio.
These airports are geared to serve the various segments of air travellers, the aviation marketplace, and will help contribute to Abu Dhabi’s development as a destination for both business and leisure tourism.
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