‘It’s been a cargo movement wonderful ride, and I still enjoy it every day’

For Gerard ter Bruggen, working in the aviation industry is inevitable. It was the only career path he saw. For him, it’s not just a job. It’s a passion that kept him going for over 45 years.

“It’s been a wonderful ride, and I still enjoy it every day,” says Gerard, now the Business Development Director at Strike Aviation Group. His enthusiasm still palpable and ready to soar.

But his journey, much like his career, has been anything but ordinary. His aviation story began in 1979 when he started at Martinair Holland N.V. as a Traffic Officer, managing the arrival of cargo by truck and overseeing the buildup of aircraft pallets in a DC10F aircraft. “Back then, Martinair was flying all over the world, with large DC10F aircraft,” Gerard recalls. It was his first taste of the aviation world, and he was hooked.

Fast forward to 1982, and Gerard found himself at Pan Am, working with the iconic Boeing 747 freighter. “It was the first time the world had seen such a massive aircraft,” Gerard remembers fondly. It wasn’t long before his talents were spotted, and he was promoted to the sales and marketing department. His responsibilities took him across BENELUX and Scandinavia, giving him a wealth of international experience that would serve him well in the years to come.

After stints at various companies, Gerard’s career took another turn in 2000 when he joined Dragonair Cargo, playing a key role in setting up operations across Europe and helping the company establish itself as a formidable force in the air freight industry. Dragonair’s eventual acquisition by Cathay Pacific didn’t slow Gerard down-he continued to thrive in the fast-paced world of air cargo.

His career continued to soar with Qatar Airways when in 2010, he was appointed Director for Europe. He went on to lead Cargolux Airlines International in Europe from 2015 to 2022, streamlining operations and developing niche markets like the horse business, a particularly complex but rewarding segment of air cargo.

In 2023, the opportunity to join Strike Aviation presented itself.

Frank Ziesemer, Strike Aviation owner, asked Gerard to bring his years of experience and passion to the company. “It felt like the perfect fit,” Gerard says. “Now, I get to help expand Strike Aviation globally with a fantastic team of experts.”

But while Gerard’s career has been marked by impressive achievements, it’s the challenges that have kept him engaged. The world of air freight is nothing if not unpredictable, and Gerard has seen it all-the market’s seasonality, the impact of global events like the COVID-19 pandemic, and the strikes that can disrupt cargo operations. He likens the ability to adapt to these challenges to that of a chameleon. “You have to change your approach when the market needs you to,” he says. “It’s all about being creative and innovative to stay ahead.”

Despite the high-pressure demands of his job, Gerard is a firm believer in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. He credits his wife, a flight attendant, for providing a solid grounding in balancing work with home life. “We never run out of things to talk about-planes, airports, destinations. Even our kids are involved in logistics, so there’s always a new topic to discuss.”

Outside of work, Gerard keeps active with football, tennis, and golf. He’s also a regular at the pub with friends, where they enjoy a Heineken and talk about life’s latest happenings. “It’s a nice way to relax and unwind after a busy week,” he says. And as a football fan, he often makes time to watch matches live, giving him a chance to step back and enjoy the simpler things in life.

Gerard also has a love for food, particularly Indonesian cuisine, and can often be found enjoying a traditional Dutch “rice table,” which pairs perfectly with a nice Heineken or a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

For now, his globe-trotting career continues, bringing him to every corner of the world, including Dubai, his favorite place to visit.