The
tale of Tristan and Iseult might tell the tale of a
medieval romantic tragedy, but the story of Tristan
Koch, American Airlines Cargo Managing Director Cargo
Sales EMEA ISC, is far more uplifting.
To this fast-rising star, things
are looking better everyday.
“We want to ensure
that we maintain our reputation for first-class customer
satisfaction by being the most engaged team with flawless
service, all delivered in a professional manner with
a smile,”
Mr. Koch told FlyingTypers in an exclusive interview.
Tristan also casts a
wider net as an industry veteran—he was a big
player at British Airways Cargo for 11 years before
joining AA Cargo a little over five years ago. He operates
from his base at AA Cargo’s Heathrow Airport facility
in London, where he has responsibilities for the airline’s
regional cargo offices and GSA operations, among other
things:
“I would urge all
our industry colleagues to continue to find the time
and resources to take our businesses forward on the
technology front.
“I also would like
the industry to be better recognized for the major role
it plays in global commerce.
“Lagging behind
in these areas can result in missing out on embracing
critical efficiencies and being recognized for our customer
enhancements.
“We should all
look to the wider community of shippers, regulatory
bodies, and freight forwarders to join together in this
quest,” Tristan Koch said.
Thinking
Out Of The Box
Tristan admits that he
did not start out in life as an airline guy.
“The airlines found
me,” he smiles.
“I was a civil
servant working for the UK government on environmental
policy when an old university friend said British Airways
was looking for new people.
“There I was in
the cargo department one day, assuming that I would
transfer to the passenger division after six months.
“That was 17 years
ago.
“It looks like
an air cargo lifetime, and I’m quite pleased and
feel lucky to be in this great business.
“The past five
years and four months at American Cargo have been amazing.
“I am excited to
be working for such an established blue chip company
that is very clear about long-term investment in cargo
and the improvement of its products and services,”
said Koch.
“Now with the integration
of USAirways, the new American Airlines offers even
more possibilities and new challenges.
“The airline is
alive with great people, an unmatched route system and
service offering, and a willingness to cross the bridge
to deliver customer satisfaction—no excuses, every
time.”
We like Tristan—especially
the picture we obtained of the cargoman out for a walk.
Tristan is a smart and
engaged European cargo executive who at quick glance
has a breezy presence similar to the great musician
Boz Scaggs.
Tristan looks quite cool
and comfortable in his clothes.
“I wouldn’t
call it a special talent,” Tristan says, “
but I believe I bring an empathy to my role that not
only serves American well but, where possible, I look
to use that influence to help our industry in a broader
way.
“I have a natural
curiosity which I think helps also—I want to know
how things work and why things are done in certain ways
and, most importantly, how they can be improved to better
benefit our customers.
“I am also naturally
interested in people and understanding different interpretations
on issues, a characteristic which, I believe, gives
me a more rounded perspective.”
All
American
“The message that
we are clearly trying to promote in 2016 is that American
Airlines Cargo is a major international player in the
global market, particularly since our merger with US
Airways.
“In the past, the
European and Asian markets may have seen us as a medium-size
player, but with the merger (very successfully) behind
us, our capacity in Europe has grown around 50 percent
and our continued network expansion has taken us in
to new territories recently, such as Hong Kong (HKG),
Auckland (AKL), and Sydney (SYD).
“This coupled with
our new fleet of aircraft that are the most cargo-friendly
available (namely the 777-300s and 787s), we are making
a real impact on the International scene.
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Fast track Longevity
“Business is, in
a word, good, and American Airlines Cargo is doing great,”
Tristan Koch said.
“The markets are
challenging and the industry is evolving at a high speed,
with networks and capacity growing at an exponential
rate.
“The reason I am
still here 16-and-a-half years longer than I expected
is because I enjoy it.
“And I enjoy it
because it is a fast moving industry and one that deals
with real products and services that make a difference
to so many people’s lives, often without them
realizing it.
“Whether it is the
South American blueberries on a plate in London, Scottish
Salmon in a Los Angeles restaurant, or life-saving drugs
from Switzerland in New York, American Cargo is the
driver that delivers the world.
“Lastly, it is an
old cliché, but we do work in a people-centric
business and it is exactly those relationships that
make air cargo such a rewarding place to work.
“As we enter a more
automated and mechanical mode of doing business, let
us not lose sight of that and remember to still make
the effort to meet up and talk to each other.”
Reminds us that life is
a song…
Geoffrey
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