Flying Talkers Broadcast

Alaska & Hawaiian Air Cargo in 2026: One Network, Bigger Reach

Today we’re talking air cargo momentum from Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian, and why 2026 matters. With the two carriers operating as one, a single cargo operating system and booking platform (launched Jan 10) deliver alignment and scale that go beyond simply combining networks. That means faster, more reliable moves across a Pacific network anchored by Seattle and Honolulu, nonstop Seattle–Tokyo/Seoul service five days a week, and expanded reach to 14 locations across Asia, the South Pacific, Canada, and Mexico. Importantly, GoldStreak premium service now reaches Hawaii, improving the customer experience, while new Europe plans signal broader global ambitions. In short: operational unity in 2026 aims to give shippers clearer, more consistent service and expanded reach across the Pacific and beyond.

Alaska & Hawaiian New Horizons In Air Cargo

Ian Morgan  the old cargo pro-outlines a bold 2026 for Alaska & Hawaiian Air Cargo.
Focused on customer service, technology and partnerships, Morgan stresses measured innovation—exploring AI while keeping a people-first approach—and deepening forwarder relationships to support global expansion. The message: 2026 is a pivotal year of growth, investment and opportunity for the carrier and its customers.

Is There Life After Air Cargo?

After two decades shaping dnata Cargo and pioneering practical tools like CAMIS and CALOGI, Jean Pierre “JD” De Paw chose a deliberate exit from the high-pressure world of air cargo to a quieter life in the Philippines with his wife and daughter.This episode follows his rise in Dubai, the innovations and leadership that defined his career, and the peaceful second act that proves you can build something great, walk away on your own terms, and still find purpose and joy beyond the ramps and schedules.

MCO Cargo: Orlando’s Quiet Rise as a Global Air Freight Gateway

On today’s Flying Talkers we’re live in Orlando ahead of the big air cargo event, talking with Tod Willman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority about why MCO is becoming a serious cargo gateway. From growing international widebody belly capacity and a 70% integrator presence to high-value imports and exports in aerospace and life sciences, Orlando is more than a vacation airport.We cover network growth, Foreign Trade Zone benefits, landside and facility planning, and a clear industry challenge: digitize now—eAWBs and better scanning—to boost transparency and efficiency. Plus, hear how partnerships and workforce development are shaping the airport’s plan to capture more global trade.

Boston Seafood Expo 2026: Where Air Cargo Meets Fresh Seafood

Flying Talkers dives into the bustling crossroads of logistics and fresh food at Seafood Expo North America in Boston (March 15–17, 2026), highlighting the event’s massive global footprint, 1,215 exhibitors, and the critical role trade shows play in connecting shippers, carriers, and cold-chain solutions.The episode explains why top carriers—including Alaska, United, Delta, Southwest, and Cathay—attend, how new nonstop routes and expanded services support perishables, and why airlines use these shows to line up demand and win business. Sponsor PayCargo is noted for speeding payments and cargo release across the supply chain.We also cover Diversified’s event circuit, the New Product Conference and SEA awards, and the community impact of donating thousands of pounds of leftover seafood through the Greater Boston Food Bank.

United Airlines Cargo Celebrates 100 Years: This Week’s Air Cargo Headlines

United Airlines Cargo Celebrates 100 Years — a concise look at the airline’s origins from National Air Transport and the Kelly Air Mail Act through mergers, milestones, and historical figures who shaped the industry. This episode explores United’s evolution, the intertwined histories of early airmail, Continental Airlines, and the modern cargo business, while honoring a century of innovation and service.

Is There Life After Air Cargo?

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Is There Life After Air Cargo? Happy New Year 2026 Many of us have a vision of what life without air cargo might be. Well, maybe not all of us. Richard Malkin, FlyingTypers’ Senior Contributing Editor, when he turned 101 in 2014 once told me: “[I’m] glad I came out of retirement at 100 to write air cargo history to share with future generations," as the man who invented air cargo journalism covering the Berlin Airlift in 1948 readied a return to conducting interviews with industry leaders in 2014.. “Actually,” Richard said, “I think writing is lengthening my life.” I kissed him when he said that. Richard Malkin lived until 2017 and he was still writing about air cargo all the way, continuing just a few days short of eighty years covering air cargo. Unfortunately, retirement plans abound elsewhere (albeit outside of our circle). Our friend Jean Pierre (JD) De Pauw was a well-known and much-respected genius of the air cargo handling form, when for two and a half decades was “Mr. Air Cargo,” serving as Divisional Senior Vice President at dnata Cargo Dubai. JD shepherded dnata Cargo from a “hump and run” air cargo handler to a big league visionary operation. By 2014 when he packed it in, dnata Cargo represented a “standard of the world. That was a time when what was exciting and new in our business seemed to have migrated to the busy global hub of Dubai. But JD had a plan including, a place, and the persona to pivot as an hotelier, opening a small bed & breakfast in the Philippines. Here, he explains: “It was my turn to take leave and say farewell to bustling Dubai. “ I had planned for many years, and looked forward to experiencing another life. “I handed over the reign of the dnata Cargo division and on June 27, 2014 and with my wife and daughter, we departed Dubai to take up full time residence at our home located in Maylaka- Biliran Province, Philippines, the country where the country where my dear wife Gina was born.” “We moved into a totally new direction (no consultancy role for me), away from air cargo—to something more manageable, less political, and far less complicated. ""We opened a small boutique hotel on a hill at the beach, overlooking the sea. "My retirement in 2014 was a new challenge, and together with my family we went right to it. “I had loved sharing with the industry my life in Dubai , working with a special group through good and—no hiding— sometimes challenging moments and difficult times. “So as we closed the book on my total of a 44-year career, all told from humble beginnings at Pan Am Clipper Cargo in Brussels to mighty dnata Cargo Dubai, it was farewell and happy landings to all…” JD DePauw began his air cargo career at dnata (Dubai National Air Travel Agency) in 1991, as dnata General Manager Cargo Operations at the Main (and only) Cargo Terminal located in the just opened Dubai Cargo Village. To say JD had a rocket by the tail during his time at DXB is no understatement. Because of the opportunity offered and his absolute brilliance to the task, a year later he became “Senior General Manager Cargo Operations, that later changed into “Senior Vice President Cargo”, and finally JD rose to “Divisional Senior Vice President Cargo” at dnata. Here as 2026 begins he unpacks some thoughts now more than a decade away from air cargo. JD in 2026 can be viewed post career as a good example that being objective, hardworking, and truthful really pays off. Asked to elaborate on ideas that stand out in memory he speaks of two initiatives from a long list of firsts brought on during his time at dnata Cargo for both the Middle East and also the world. Of course there were awards by nearly all the associations and publications but as time went on JD emerged as a true innovator in Dubai and pioneer of the way to do business and handle cargo that continues today in greater and lesser degree and should not be forgot. “While I cherish all of our accomplishments,"he declared,"… the list is very long… (and also not afraid of talking about our failures), overall, we had little opportunity to get bored…. what a ride is was and still is to think about. “If I have to choose, two projects stand out by their uniqueness and complexity (neither of them had ever been tried before anywhere else in our industry)”: “No doubt, the introduction of CAMIS back in 1993” (after a lot of hard work conceptualizing and designing), “finally gave us clarity on quality and process efficiency that helped tremendously in improving the level of service quality to the customer. “CAMIS also gave us the tools to address the cost efficiency of delivering great service.” CALOGI, an acronym for Cargo Logistics International, comprehensive, integrated, and cost-effective trading platform was developed for the air cargo supply chain,to facilitate online business and a paperless environment. “CALOGI was no doubt the most exciting, challenging, complex, demanding of them all .“ CALOGI that continues today was still partly unfinished though very successful in Dubai where a market share touched the 70% when I retired. “It was thrilling to be developing and rolling out a concept never tried before, creating the equivalent of a passenger GDS (Global Distribution System) for the Cargo Industry worldwide (http://calogi.com),”JD DePauw smiled. Today at home JD says simply that he” enjoys the quiet life of a retiree”. “We built our home here in 2014/2015,”JD said . “We did not continue with our commercial ambitions (doing business in Philippines was a lot more complex than what JD had imagined). “Our place is now where we regularly entertain family and friends. “Travel every year to Belgium (my home country) for a couple of months. “On the way back we usually make a stop for about one week in Dubai (my former residence for 20+ years) and meet up there with a few friends and former colleagues. And every year we also try to make at least one cruise (example a recent extended adventure around Japan). “The rest of the year here in Maylaka in Biliran Province, we enjoy regular walks in our big garden, along the beach, with our dogs, watching the incredible sunsets here, JD smiled. “Gina also has an extensive orchid collection which keeps her busy. “Life is very a regular routine, that is a lot less stressful than the life we were used to in Dubai,” JD said. ‘We gather friends & neighbors and local children and others to celebrate our annual Christmas party with lots of good food,music snd goodies bag giveaway which is always well attended. “Arriving at 78 years of age this year, my brain still feels young, but the body is not always in agreement anymore. “All in all we can't complain, life is good,” JD assures adding: “In my years with dnata life was never boring and I always knew despite the ups and downs of our indusry, dnata as a company had expansive thinking bosses that encouragedall of us to you use our entrepreneurial skills to the fullest. At a critical time we were encouraged and supported to expand and diversify, which in our case, often led us in to totally uncharted territories.” “Would be remiss not to extend sincere thanks to my great good friend and the man that launched Emirates Airline the late great Sir Maurice Flanagan who alongside Gary Chapman and Ismail Ali Albanna believed in me. “Equally a big thank you and tip of the hat to, the dnata Cargo Management Team for having supported the sometimes crazy ideas we came up with.” “It was a great pleasure and privilege to have known all the great people and spend many hours together discussing the industry, which is so dear to all of us", JD De Pauw concluded. You meet again with somebody like JD and the whisper of the word can help you soar with your soul. Best wishes and keep on keeping on dear friend. (Geoffrey)

India Cargo Defined by Resilience

 If 2025 taught Indian air cargo one lesson, it was this: growth alone is no longer a guarantee of comfort. Volumes moved, exports held up, and India retained its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing air freight markets—but the second half of the year exposed just how thin the margin for error has become. Geopolitical shocks, capacity disruptions, regulatory friction and the IndiGo crisis combined to test the system in ways not seen since the pandemic years. Yet, as the year drew to a close, the dominant story was not collapse, but continuity.“India is known to be resilient. Our ability to overcome challenges and find good alternates is well established in all fields,” said Sameer Shah, President of the Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI). His words were indicative of the experience of freight forwarders in 2025, who were compelled to invent solutions on a daily basis, change the routes of shipments at night, and bear the blows so that exporters could continue to operate. The defining disruptions of 2025 were largely external. “The major challenges have been geopolitical and the IndiGo crisis,” Shah noted bluntly. For an industry that depends on predictability, global conflicts and airspace constraints left little room for strategic planning. “There is little we can, as a sector, do in the case of a geopolitical crisis except find immediate alternates and enable our clients to continue their EXIM movements with the same speed and minimal cost burden,” he said. That improvisational ability—finding capacity via new routings, alternate hubs and temporary solutions—became the sector’s primary defence But resilience, Shah cautioned, cannot rest on jugaad (Hindi word meaning 'a flexible approach to problem-solving that uses limited resources in an innovative way') alone. “As long as all stakeholders realise that compliance is the key to sustainability and continuity, there will be no problem.” In 2025, compliance was no longer a back-office issue; it became a survival skill. One of the quieter shifts this year was a change in tone from regulators. “In the recent past, regulators have shown a willingness for dialogue and pre-intimation of any major changes. Industry must take advantage of the same,” Shah observed. That dialogue matters as India rapidly expands its airport network and logistics infrastructure. New international and domestic airports, combined with government initiatives through MSMEs, MOHR and other agencies, are steadily strengthening the backbone of air cargo. “All of this will work towards making the air cargo industry more robust and healthier,” Shah said. Yet 2025 also revealed a persistent gap between intent and execution—one that continues to frustrate operators on the ground. Despite the turbulence, Indian exporters did not retreat inward. Instead, many looked outward—to new products, services and markets. “Expansion of business is what everyone aspires to,” Shah said, pointing out that growth was no longer just about volumes, but diversification. “Self-reliance and self-interest have become India’s mantra in international affairs. This will reflect in our approach to international business,” he added. That shift was visible in the growing appetite among Indian freight forwarders to take calculated risks. “The average Indian freight forwarder has an appetite to take risks and explore new markets, new networks and new agents. A similar trait has been shown by exporters,” Shah said. The government’s push to finalise FTAs with non-traditional partners reinforces this trend. The result, he believes, will be “a wider and bigger market for Indian exporters in the future.” Perhaps the most uncomfortable introspection of 2025 concerns sustainability—not environmental alone, but commercial. Shah was unequivocal: “In my opinion, we are not in a buy-sell industry, but one where domain knowledge, coupled with an understanding of political and international affairs, is critical.” For too long, he argued, freight forwarders have subsidised trade by financing exporters instead of pricing expertise. “It is essential that the industry makes a studied move from financing the EXIM trade to being a true service provider, asking for its due credit.” This transition will not be easy in a market conditioned to razor-thin margins. But Shah believes collaboration—not cut-throat competition—will define survival. “Good working principles and an effort to ensure that all actions are for the common good, with each looking at the other as a co-opetitor, are essential.” Cargo volumes, he is confident, will continue to rise. “Cargo movement will increase, as will international business. The industry will survive,” he said—provided stakeholders remain “agile, adaptable, stay in touch with changes, and are not caught by surprise.” If 2025 was about capacity shocks, 2026 may be about paperwork. Shah issued a clear warning: “Non-tariff barriers will increase along with more FTAs and more cargo movement.” In his view, complexity will become universal. “I see a possibility of every cargo facing a non-tariff barrier, both when going out of India and when entering another country.” For regulated sectors like pharmaceuticals, electronics and perishables, this could mean higher costs, longer dwell times and greater exposure to regulatory risk. Asked what more the government and regulators can do, Shah’s answer was direct and unsentimental. “The present need is more ease of doing business, and lesser intervention in both spirit and practice.” He called for “simpler, achievable, unambiguous and not expensive regulations” and clearer statutory language that leaves little room for interpretation. “There is a gap between the intention of the government and regulators and the practice on the ground,” he said. But responsibility, he insisted, does not rest with the state alone. “Not only the government, but every stakeholder will have to participate in India’s growth as a global player, putting the nation above personal needs.” Indian air cargo exited 2025 tougher, wiser and under no illusion. Growth will continue—but without reform, discipline and collaboration, it will remain stressful rather than sustainable. As Sameer Shah’s reflections make clear, the next phase is less about flying more cargo and more about flying smarter. If resilience defined 2025, credibility may define 2026.
 

Is There Life After Air Cargo

Happy New Year 2026
   All of us have a vision of what life without air cargo might be.
Well, maybe not all of us.
   Richard Malkin, FlyingTypers’ Senior Contributing Editor, when he turned 101 in 2014  once told me: “[I’m] glad I came out of retirement at 100 to write air cargo history to share with future generations," as the men who invented air cargo journalism covering the Berlin Airlift in 1948 readied a return to conducting interviews with industry leaders in 2014..
   “Actually,” Richard said, “I think writing is lengthening my life.”
   I kissed him when he said that.
Richard Malkin lived until 2017 and he was still writing about air cargo al the way lasting just a few days shory of eighty years covering air cargo.
   Unfortunately, retirement plans abound elsewhere (albeit outside of our circle).
   Our friend Jean Pierre (JD) De Pauw was a well-known and much-respected genius of the air cargo handling form, and for the past two and a half decades has been “Mr. Air Cargo,” serving as Divisional Senior Vice President at dnata Cargo Dubai.
   JD  shepherded dnata Cargo from a “hump and run” air cargo handler to a big league visionary operation; in 2014 dnata Cargo represents the “standard of the world” and is still growing.
   Along the way, what is new and different has migrated from almost everywhere else on earth to the busy global hub of Dubai.
   One tends to worry when a hard driving guy like JD puts down the sword and says he is going home.
   But JD has a plan, a place, and a persona: as an hotelier, opening a small bed & breakfast in the Philippines.
   Here, he explains:
   “It was my turn to take my leave from bustling Dubai.
   “A leave I  planned for many years, and looked forward to experiencing
   “I handed over the reign of the dnata Cargo division and on June 27, with my family, we departed Dubai to take up residence in our home in Philippines.
   “It was a great pleasure and privilege to have known all the great people and spend many hours together discussing the industry, which is so dear to all of us…
   “I moved into a totally new direction (no consultancy role for me), away from air cargo—something more manageable, less political, and far less complicated, a small boutique hotel on a hill at the beach, overlooking the sea… my retirement was a new challenge, one I worked on together with my family.
   “I loved sharing with the industry my life in Dubai for 23 years, working with a special group through good and—no hiding— sometimes challenging moments and difficult times.
   “So as we closed the book on my 44-year career,  all told from a humble beginning at Pan Am Cargo Brussels to mighty dnata Cargo Dubai it was farewell and happy landings to all…”
As we experience January take- off into the wild blue future of air cargo  for another year after a break in the daily routine for some days with family, loved ones and friends  it occurs to us in this ever -aging population that more than one conversation or perhaps some fleeting thoughts  whilst at home  included pondering what’s next in our future?
For those of us who have reached decades of service the thought creeps in silently like the evening tide:
“Is there life after air cargo?’
Take the case of the aforementioned  JD DePauw who began his air cargo career at dnata (Dubai National Air Travel Agency) for the air cargo supply chain, taking off in Dubai in 1991 as dnata General Manager Cargo Operations at the Main (and only) Cargo Terminal located in the just opened Dubai Cargo Village.
To say JD had a rocket by the tail is no understatement.
Because of the opportunity offered and his absolute brilliance to the task, a year later he became “Senior General Manager Cargo Operations, that later changed into “Senior Vice President Cargo”, and finally JD rose to “Divisional Senior Vice President Cargo” at dnata.
Here in the spirit of celebrating his two decades plus year record of achievement at laying the foundation of building dnata logistics with a great team and sympathetic management through great dedication and hard work into an innovator and powerhouse during his years from 30 September 1991, we spend a few minutes celebrating a great career and then moving on to his life after JD retired.
Here we will briefly share how a very high- powered industry executive built a colossus and then packed it in and said goodbye.
Today in 2026 JD is living proof that in retirement reaching paradise is possible ,and for some there is indeed life after air cargo
Louis JeanPierre DePauw jdepauw3@yahoo.com smiles here  pictured
with his wife Gina and daughter Joanne at home in the Philippines.
JD (as everybody called him) as far as I can tell is still the same as before; a brilliant light once among us that never looked for the limelight, even when we first met him, or today as he unpacks some thoughts for us a decade away from air cargo.
Understanding what JD brought to the table that benefitted air cargo from his example is critical to really understanding what it takes to win in air cargo.
What was it about Louis JeanPierre DePauw?
We recall observing that the dnata Cargo, team was neatly tied up and developed by Jean Pierre De Pauw,  when we knew him as DSVP Cargo.
He was for more than two decades during the critical formative years in Dubai Cargo, a great strategist and visionary; a people person with an excellent eye for detail.
     JD in 2026 can be viewed post career as a good example that being objective, hardworking, and truthful really pays off.
Maybe best of all is realization for someone seeking a lifetime career in logistics that JDs love for the business and performance leaves little doubt that with dedication to hard work, and love for family and colleagues, plus a little bit of blooming luck- indeed there is a life after air cargo. 
Today JD says simply that he” enjoys the quiete(r) life of a retiree”.
 “We have built our home here in Philippines 2014/2015,”JD said .
“We did not go through with our commercial ambitions (doing business in Philippines was a lot more complex than what JD had imagined).
“Our place is now where we regularly entertain family and friends.
 “Travel every year to Belgium (my home country) for a couple of months.
“On the way back we usually make a stop for about one week in Dubai (my former residence for 20+ years) and meet up there with a few friends and former colleagues.
And every year we also try to make at least one cruise (last cruise was 3 weeks around Japan with Diamond Princess).
“The rest of the year we are at home, here in our Maylaka in Biliran Province, where we enjoy regular walks in our big garden, along the beach, with our dogs, watching the incredible sunsets here, JD smiled.
“Gina also has an extensive orchid collection which keeps her busy.
“Life is very a regular routine, that is a lot less stressful than the life we were used to in Dubai,” JD said.
Here are some few pictures that also include some of the various parties we hold and the annual Christmas goodies bag giveaway event which is always well attended.  
“Hitting 78 this year, my brain still feels young, but the body is not always in agreement anymore.
“All in all we can't complain life is good,” JD assures adding:
“In my 20 years with dnata life was never boring and I am confident it will not happen because, although we had our ups and downs, the great thing about dnata is having bosses whom let you use your entrepreneurial skills to the fullest, whom supported you in your endeavors to expand and diversify, which in our case, often led us in to totally uncharted territories.”
“Would be remiss not to extend sincere thanks to my great good friend and the man that launched Emirates Airline the late great Sir Maurice Flanagan who alongside Gary Chapman and Ismail Ali Albanna believed in me.
“Equally a big thank you and tip of the hat to, the dnata Cargo Management Team for having supported the sometimes crazy ideas we came up with.”
Asked to elaborate on ideas that stand out in JDs memory he speaks of two initiatives from a long list of firsts brought on during his time at dnata Cargo for both the Middle East and also the world.
Of course there were awards by nearly all the associations and publications but as time went on JP emerged as a true innovator in Dubai and pioneer of the way to do business and handle cargo that continues today in greater and lesser degree and should not be forgot.
“While I cherish all of our accomplishments… the list is very long… (and also not afraid of talking about our failures), overall, we had little opportunity to get bored…. what a ride is was and still is… but if I have to choose, two projects stand out by their uniqueness and complexity (neither of them had ever been tried before anywhere else in our industry)”:
“No doubt, the introduction of CAMIS back in 1993” (after a lot of hard work conceptualizing and designing), “finally gave us clarity on quality and process efficiency that helped tremendously in improving the level of service quality to the customer.
“CAMIS also gave us the tools to address the cost efficiency of delivering great service.”
CALOGI, an acronym for Cargo Logistics International, comprehensive, integrated, and cost-effective trading platform was developed for the air cargo supply chain,to facilitate online business and a paperless environment. “CALOGI  was no doubt  the most exciting, challenging, complex, demanding of them all .
“ CLOGI that continues today was still partly unfinished though very successful in Dubai where a market share touched the 70% when I retired.
“It was thrilling to be developing and rolling out a concept never tried before, creating the equivalent of a passenger GDS (Global Distribution System) for the Cargo Industry worldwide (www.calogi.com),”JD DePauw smiled.
You meet again with somebody like JD and the whisper of the word can make you soar with your soul.
Best wishes and keep on keeping on dear friend.
(Geoffrey)

LaGuardia’s Marine Air Terminal Saved: A 39-Year Preservation Triumph

In this episode Geoffrey Arend recounts the decades-long fight to preserve LaGuardia Airport’s Marine Air Terminal, from saving it in 1980 to a recent threat of demolition and the successful public push that secured its future.
He shares personal Pan Am memories, the story of the MAT mural and Clipper model, and highlights how community action and media attention led the Port Authority to confirm the landmark will remain intact.