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IATA head of cargo Des Vertannes retires, looks back on career

DES Vertannes, global head of cargo at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), looked back on his 44-year career in air cargo ahead of his retirement in June.

He is acknowledged by colleagues as a leader with a deep understanding of an industry that he joined in 1970 with British Airways, where he held several management positions over 14 years.

Mr Vertannes then went on to establish his own forwarding company until 1991 when he joined Air Canada as general manager of cargo.

After his time in AC Air Cargo, Mr Vertannes was made chief executive at Air Menzies International, then managing director at Menzies World Cargo and more recently as head of cargo at Gulf Air and Etihad.

He joined IATA four years ago with what many deemed a "thankless task" of changing the role of IATA in cargo.

Mr Vertannes has made a lasting difference in many areas particularly in making e-freight top of the agenda, adoption of e-freight transactions (e-AWBs) and modernising the association's approach to "agents"

This involved creation of GACAG, a healthier relationship with FIATA and a voice for ground handlers, reported London's Loadstar.

Despite the enormous challenges that face the industry, Mr Vertannes has continued to remain forward-thinking, embracing paperless freight," a bigger challenge than most people think".

He is optimistic that industry will get there in number of years despite the sheer complexity of paperless air freight.

"I would love to see it escalated and accelerated. I believe we will see that in the months and years ahead," he added, in a report from Atlanta-area Air Cargo World.

The future will involve more interaction along the air supply chain with airlines , forwarders, GSSAs and handlers working in partnership, as they never have before.

The industry's aims to reduce 48 hours off transit times is achievable supported by taking on board cohesive data transfer procedures, he added.

Mr Vertannes admits to being an optimist. He believes that growing populations in megacities that will rely heavily on "very good air cargo service" will support the cargo industry.

Former IATA head Ram Menen said that Des is a "true visionary and icon" and will be a hard act to follow. He is one of the most knowledgeable, passionate and hard-working people I have met. He is also one of the best salesmen I have come across - he can sell 'ice to Eskimos' with the greatest of ease."