Celine Hourcade will join The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) as project manager from September 2019, supporting the association’s transformation program.
Her first two priorities will be the development of TIACA’s Sustainability Program, including the first Sustainability Award, and the delivery of the Cargo Service Quality (CSQ) objectives for the tool, which went live in February 2019.
Hourcade will head up further projects as the association continues to roll out new transformation initiatives as part of an ongoing drive to grow the organization and deliver a reinvigorated value proposition for members.
She left the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in May after more than 13 years. Her last role was head of cargo transformation.
“I am very happy and excited that Celine is joining our team,” said Steven Polmans, TIACA chairman, and director, cargo and logistics, at Brussels Airport Company.
“With her industry knowledge, her passion for air cargo, her experience and expertise, she will be a great addition to the current TIACA team.
“It was, and is, our clear ambition to transform the organisation and deliver more content to our members.
“With Celine on board, we are more than ever ready to do so.
“Celine is very well respected in our industry and did a great job when working for the International Air Transport Association (IATA), no doubt she will continue to do so when working for TIACA and our members.”
Hourcade has 18 years of experience in international business, mainly in the aviation industry, working for WaveStone, Amadeus, and then for IATA for 13 years.
“From the e-ticketing project on the passenger side, to the wonderful world of cargo, I am proud of the transformation initiatives I have been privileged to contribute to, launch, and drive,” said Hourcade.
“I am thrilled to join the TIACA team and work with Steven [Polmans, TIACA chairman], Sanjeev [Gadhia, TIACA vice chairman], and Vladimir [Zubkov, TIACA secretary general] to put sustainability and diversity at the top of its agenda.
“I believe it will address what the industry wants and needs and will further strengthen TIACA’s relevance.
“I am passionate about sustainability in its broader sense and believe that sustainably-minded companies will perform better than average.”
Hourcade developed a wide range of projects at IATA including the Future Air Cargo Executive (FACE) program to attract, develop, and retain young talent in air cargo, the Air Cargo Makes It Happen campaign, the Air Cargo Carbon Footprint measurement standard, the Global Shippers Surveys, the Air Cargo Innovation Awards, and the StB Cargo program.
Hourcade is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Swiss drone start-up Rigi Technologies, and the Lake Victoria Challenge, and is part of the World Economic Forum’s Drone Innovators Network.
She was recently appointed by Dr John D.Kasarda as Senior Fellow of Aerotropolis Institute China (AIC) and Expert Advisor to the Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone (ZAEC).
Entries are now open for TIACA’s Sustainability Award, which is free to take part in and is open to any person or company related to any aspect of the air cargo industry.
Entries need to address issues relating to the sustainable development of air freight and the winner will receive a US$15,000 prize, with $3,500 for two runners up.
The winners will be chosen at TIACA’s Executive Summit (ES), which takes place from 19-21 November 2019 in Budapest, Hungary.
To find out more about the award or register for the ES, visit tiaca.org
