AIR CARG O WEEK


WEEKLY NEWS 60 Seconds With ...


What’s the most exciting place you’ve visited for work? It’s hard to pick just one. The great thing about our industry is the opportunity to travel all over the world, experience new places, and connect with people from different cultures. Every trip offers something unique.


If you could introduce one new regulation in air cargo, what would it be? More accountability for appropriate ULD handling. These are critical assets, and consistent global standards for care and responsibility would make a huge difference.


What’s your go-to karaoke song? Probably Sweet Caroline — it’s impossible not to get the room singing along.


Describe your job in three words Innovation. Kaizen. Mentorship.


What’s your hidden talent? I make a pretty mean cocktail — I’m a handy barman when the occasion calls for it.


If you could instantly master one skill, what would it be? Polyglotism. I’d love to be able to switch languages effortlessly when working across cultures.


What’s something on your bucket list? To ride a motorcycle from Alaska to Patagonia — it’s the ultimate adventure journey.


CHARLES DRUMMOND CEO of AviusULD BY Edward HARDY


Charles Drummond is the CEO of AviusULD B.V., a ULD manufacturer and technology company, pioneering smart and sustainable unit load devices and IoT tracking solutions. A Mechatronics Engineer and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Drummond has over three decades of experience in industrial engineering, operations, and logistics. Australian, he has lived in Thailand for 14 years, leading multicultural teams across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. Known for his focus on innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement, Drummond is passionate about advancing digital transformation in the air cargo industry. Outside of work, he’s a keen motorcyclist, rugby enthusiast, and proud father of two.


What was your dream job as a child? I wanted to be a commercial pilot. The idea of flight and global travel fascinated me from an early age — it seems I still found my way into aviation, just from a different angle.


What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the industry? The steady but unstoppable rise of digitisation. It’s been fascinating to watch technology move from concept to adoption, transforming how we manage assets, track cargo, and think about efficiency and transparency.


What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever shipped? Other than our products, AviusULD doesn’t ship cargo ourselves, but I’ve always wondered how you would go about shipping a giraffe.


What’s one buzzword you secretly dislike? “Reach out.” Somehow it feels a bit overused — I prefer a good old-


www.aircargoweek.com fashioned “get in touch.”


Window or aisle seat? Window on long haul for the view — but aisle for short haul, purely for convenience.


What’s the best business lesson you’ve learned the hard way? Perfectionism can be the enemy of progress. I’ve learned that getting things done and iterating often beats waiting until something feels perfect.


If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be? Perhaps Elon Musk for a day — to see how he manages to balance such diverse, fast-moving technology businesses.


Which three items would you bring to a desert island? An AviusULD SmartULD tag — so I’d be found quickly — a fishing rod, and a hammock.


Tea or coffee? Coffee, without question. Early in my career, I worked for a subsidiary of Suntory in Australia that owned a coffee roasting and packing business — so I developed a lifelong appreciation for a great cup.


What’s your guilty pleasure TV show or movie? Any Tarantino film or a game of rugby.


What’s the best airport in the world, and why? While I appreciate the big hubs like Dubai and Singapore, I value efficiency most. Helsinki Airport is my favourite when entering the EU — smooth arrivals, quick transfers, and a great Finnish gin in the lounge.


If air cargo had a mascot, what would it be? A hummingbird — agile, precise, and tirelessly in motion. It may be small, but it achieves incredible feats through efficiency and endurance — just like the air cargo industry.


How did you get into airfreight/logistics? I came to Thailand with Brambles, the world’s largest asset pooling business, following their acquisition of Unitpool in 2011 — it was my introduction to the world of ULD management and aviation logistics.


What quote has most resonated with you? Richard Branson’s: “Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of your clients.” It captures the essence of sustainable success.


What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done? I’m an avid adventure motorcyclist. My most recent long ride was a five-day trip around Lake Balkhash in Kazakhstan — an incredible mix of scenery, culture, and endurance.


If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would it be and why? Anthony Bourdain for the conversation and food stories, Nelson Mandela for wisdom and perspective, and perhaps Steve Jobs — to talk about vision, design, and relentless curiosity.


What’s something we wouldn’t know about you from your CV? That I’m happiest when I’m working with my hands — whether it’s fixing an old motorbike, crafting something in the workshop, or mixing cocktails for friends.


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01 DECEMBER 2025 ACW


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