#INTHEAIREVERYWHERE
Tuesday November 4, 2025
|
#INTHEAIREVERYWHERE |
|
| Vol. 24 No. 46 | Tuesday November 4, 2025 |
|
|
||
|
Jan Krems Still Loves Sexy Cargo |
Of all the airline executives in the world today, no doubt, the most exciting, with a proven track record of success over an extended decade plus serving as President of United Air Cargo, is Jan Krems; now elevated or as it is said on the street, “upped” to vice-president of the entire airline itself. We once asked him what he thought about air cargo, he said: “I just think air cargo is sexy.” Jan Krems worked all his life in cargo, taking his basic training at KLM, and at a crucial fork in his career road, moved over to United Cargo at Willis Tower in Chicago. Air cargo at UAL has never been better. What Jan did when COVID hit, was keep the airline in the air with air cargo strapped onto seats and chock ‘o block into bellies. Jan pivoted and showed the way for an entire industry. Now a decade plus at the airline, Jan Krems is a key global cargo player and an air cargo executive who we have interviewed several times over the years, and we know this to be true: he loves a challenge, is good at managing complex situations, and is exuberant about the fortunes and future of air cargo. Jan Krems clearly enjoys his work and welcomes with open arms any situation thrown his way. He is also a clutch player. During the AF/KL/MP consolidation, Jan aligned the group’s processes before taking on the position of top U.S. executive within that group in Atlanta. The AF/KL/MP business model was a complex one, built on the respective networks and market expertise of the three carriers. Utilizing the historical strength of all three carriers the consolidation was honed to best serve a global customer mix. While all of this in the rearview mirror may seem complicated, Jan would often point to how the cross-trained sales force could expertly identify the best customer solutions and aircraft availability on a case-by-case basis. “Smooth interaction with staff, service partners, customers, and other stakeholders is always the goal. “Operations and processes are constantly coordinated and improved,” Jan said. Jan and his family started their global journey some years ago in Singapore, where his boys, now 15 and 12, were born. They later moved back to the Netherlands, then Paris, eventually hitting American shores by way of Chicago, where they spent four years before landing in Atlanta in 2011. Jan told us in 2011: “I am a positive person and remain cautiously optimistic after the recent economic upheaval. “I also try to maintain a balance in my life. I am into sports, golf and paddle, or platform tennis, which I enjoy very much.” Here in rapid fire responses Jan gets down to even more business as 2025 Trade Shows close the year in Abu Dhabi, November 4 at TIACA, and in Miami November 11 at Air Cargo Americas at the big Convention Center on Miami Beach. GA: You probably hold one of the most difficult positions with regard to the required level of compliance. Your career indicates a strong bond with the customer. At times we see that customers’ needs and a strong compliance culture seem to stand at either ends of the company’s interests. How do you manage to conciliate these two strong and unavoidable facets so successfully in your job? JK: At United Cargo, compliance isn’t separate from customer service: it’s part of it. We operate in one of the most highly regulated industries in the world, and our customers trust us precisely because we adhere to the highest standards of safety, security, and ethical conduct. Our approach is to make compliance a competitive advantage. We work closely with customers to understand their needs, and we build compliant, transparent solutions that allow them to ship confidently across borders. In the end, doing things the right way builds long-term relationships, not short-term wins. GA: How important is cultural diversity in your strategy? JK: Cultural diversity is at the core of United’s identity. Our cargo team spans more than 70 countries, and that diversity is a source of strength. It helps us think globally and act locally. Whether we’re developing products, expanding digital platforms, or improving customer support, diverse perspectives ensure that we’re creating solutions that reflect the needs of our global customers. It’s not just a value; it’s a strategic advantage that drives innovation and empathy. GA: It seems to be difficult for airlines to think of cargo at the same level as passengers in terms of strategy and importance. What about United’s view on this? JK: At United, cargo is an integral part of the airline’s business strategy. Our cargo operation supports the broader network by optimizing aircraft utilization, opening new revenue streams, and connecting communities through the movement of goods that matter. We’ve seen first-hand that when cargo and passenger operations work together, both sides benefit. GA: Looking back, the arrangements for the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines represented one of the largest logistics operations ever. From an economic point of view, did the operation stand on its feet, or was the benefit mainly from an image point of view? |
If
You Missed Any Of The Previous 3 Issues Of FlyingTypers Access complete issue by clicking on issue icon or Access specific articles by clicking on article title |
||
 Vol. 24 No. 43Romancing The ULD Chuckles for October 8, 2025 Indian Tariff Impact Continues Kai Tak Memories No More Kicking The Cans |
 Vol. 24 No. 44FIATA Unites In Vietnam FIATA Vietnam In The Picture More On FIATA Vietnam Happy Diwali! |
|
Publisher-Geoffrey Arend • Managing
Editor-Flossie Arend • Editor Emeritus-Richard Malkin |
Send comments and news to geoffrey@aircargonews.com
|
FlyingTypers
reserves the right to edit all submissions for length and content. All
photos and written material submitted to this publication become the
property of FlyingTypers Media.
100%
Green