BARIG names Jorge Carretero and Thilo Schäfer as co-chairs, set to lead changes in air cargo. They will work towards simplifying processes, improving digital systems, and boosting Germany’s freight business
Globally, air freight represents an annual volume of around 5 billion tons of goods—loaded and unloaded—with a total value of around 340 billion euros.
In Germany as well, air cargo makes a significant contribution to strengthening the economy and is considered an important backbone of the German export industry. Accordingly, the international airline association BARIG (Board of Airline Representatives in Germany) has been involved in this field for many years.
In its specialised BARIG Air Cargo Committee, important strategic and political topics are coordinated, for example in the fields of digitalisation and process optimisation. In order to work even more intensively and efficiently, the leadership of this committee has been further developed. With Jorge Carretero, Sales Director Central Europe at LATAM Cargo, and Thilo Schäfer, Director Cargo at Condor, two airline and air cargo experts with many years of international experience now act as co-chairmen.
“Although air freight volumes in Germany are almost at 2019 levels, there is still significant potential for growth to be utilized, particularly in the interests of the economy,” states Michael Hoppe, BARIG Chairman and Executive Director. “I am delighted that with Jorge Carretero and Thilo Schäfer we have two experienced airline and logistics professionals in the lead of our Air Cargo Committee.”
The Air Cargo Committee consists of the BARIG member airlines’ cargo managers. These include more than 30 airlines with their own designated freight divisions as well as around 100 passenger airlines that transport air freight on the lower deck.
“Germany continues to be a central hub for global air freight within the EU. However, this position should not be taken for granted as it is also under increasing pressure. This makes it all the more important to actively further develop the framework conditions in Germany and to sustainably strengthen its competitiveness in the European market,” Thilo Schäfer emphasizes. “I look forward to driving forward future-oriented topics such as automation, digitalization, and the optimization of processes together with the BARIG Air Cargo Committee.”
“Logistics and air freight in Germany are currently being confronted with many issues and challenges that will determine future developments,” Jorge Carretero points out. “In order to create the best possible processes and framework conditions, we develop innovative and practicable solutions in the committee with the expertise of our international community. Our aim is to ensure an efficient, modern, and competitive air cargo infrastructure for Germany.”
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