BARIG has today announced that Jorge Carretero of LATAM Group and Thilo Schäfer of Condor are now Co-Chairman of the Air Cargo Committee, and will together drive digitalization and optimization in the business.
On Thursday (February 13, 2025), the Board of Airline Representatives in Germany (BARIG) announced that the Air Cargo Committee will now be co-chaired by Jorge Carretero, Sales Director Central Europe at LATAM Cargo, and Thilo Schäfer, Director Cargo at Condor. Together, they will coordinate important political and strategic topics, including the fields of digitalization and process optimization, among others. Globally, airfreight has an annual volume of around 5 billion tons of goods loaded and unloaded, with a total value of approximately €340 billion. Air cargo also makes a significant contribution to the economy in Germany, and is considered an important backbone of the German export industry.
In Thursday’s announcement, BARIG’s Chairman and Executive Director, Michael Hoppe, said,
“Although air freight volumes in Germany are almost at 2019 levels, there is still significant potential for growth to be utilized, particularly in the interests of the economy. I am delighted that with Jorge Carretero and Thilo Schäfer we have two experienced airline and logistics professionals in the lead of our Air Cargo Committee.”
BARIG’s Air Cargo Committee consists of member airlines’ cargo managers. This includes over 30 airlines with their own dedicated freight divisions, as well as approximately 100 passenger airlines which transport belly-hold cargo.
Also commenting on the need to drive innovation in air cargo, BARIG’s Air Cargo Committee’s Co-Chair, Thilo Schäfer, said,
“Germany continues to be a central hub for global air freight within the EU. However, this position should not be taken for granted as it is also under increasing pressure. This makes it all the more important to actively further develop the framework conditions in Germany and to sustainably strengthen its competitiveness in the European market. I look forward to driving forward future-oriented topics such as automation, digitalization, and the optimization of processes together with the BARIG Air Cargo Committee.”
BARIG’s Air Cargo Committee’s Co-Chair, Jorge Carretero, added,
“Logistics and air freight in Germany are currently being confronted with many issues and challenges that will determine future developments. In order to create the best possible processes and framework conditions, we develop innovative and practicable solutions in the committee with the expertise of our international community. Our aim is to ensure an efficient, modern, and competitive air cargo infrastructure for Germany.”
Founded in 1951, Frankfurt am Main-based BARIG (Board of Airline Representatives in Germany e.V.) represents over 100 national and international airlines in the scheduled, charter, low cost and air cargo sectors. The association works to improve conditions in the aviation industry in Germany and is the key industry contact for politics, authorities, industry and media.
Source: BARIG/Classen Communication