IATA confirmed that Glyn Hughes, head of cargo, will leave the organisation by end of January next year, as part of a restructuring process.  

Together with colleague Gordon Wright, head of cargo border management, Mr Hughes, who has been six years in the job, applied for the voluntary/early retirement scheme initiated by IATA and was accepted. 

IATA’s comment read, “Due to the devastating economic effects of COVID-19 on the aviation industry, IATA is undergoing a restructuring process to ensure the long-term sustainability of the organization. 

A voluntary departure scheme was announced as part of this process for which Glyn applied and was accepted.   

He will remain with IATA until 31st January 2021. During this time there will be no change in the support, advice and services IATA provides while we work to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities following his departure.” 

Mr Hughes has been with IATA since 1991, and has been part of many initiatives to modernise and digitalise the air cargo industry. 

In a recent media briefing, the outgoing cargo chief introduced IATA One Source, a platform that gives movers of air cargo access to timely information about the infrastructure and certifications available across the supply chain. 

This is particularly timely with the industry facing the greatest financial and health crisis and with air cargo capacity constrained due to grounded planes as a result of border restrictions and passenger hesitation to travel. 

Hughes and his team have been working with aid agencies, pharma manufacturers and local communities to ensure readiness once a coronavirus vaccine is approved. 

He urged governments and industry stakeholders to work together and prepare for worldwide distribution, the magnitude of which would take 8,000 747 freighters to transport to the 7.8 billion people for a single dose. 

Social media posts and well wishes from colleagues about his departure at a critical time just show how much he was beloved by the air cargo community. 

All the best, Mr Hughes!