AIR CARG O WEEK


WEEKLY NEWS 60 Seconds With ...


I’d bring a desalination machine, seeds and vegetables to grow and a boat to leave if I ever wanted to.


Tea or coffee? Coffee.


What’s your guilty pleasure TV show or movie? Don’t judge me….Pretty in Pink.


What’s the most exciting place you’ve visited for work? I lived in New York for 4 years - that could get very exciting at times.


If you could introduce one new regulation in air cargo, what would it be? Payment for shipments booked but not delivered or that are cancelled late… just like hotels do. Respectfully, please cancel in time so that the capacity can be resold.


What’s your go-to karaoke song? Wonderwall by Oasis… what else?


What’s your hidden talent? I like to drive on race circuits (I live next to the Yas Marina F1 Circuit in Abu Dhabi).


If you could instantly master one skill, what would it be? Realising and deploying the full potential of AI.


What’s something on your bucket list? To visit and hike Antarctica.


What’s the best airport in the world, and why? Not wanting to be obvious but it’s Abu Dhabi (AUH). It’s perfectly clean, supremely well organised, fast and efficient.


ANDY NEWBOLD Head of Commercial at Etihad Cargo BY Anastasiya SIMSEK


Andy Newbold is a proud father of four. 12 months ago, he moved to Abu Dhabi after 35 years with Air France KLM Martinair Cargo to join Etihad Cargo as its Head of Commercial.


What was your dream job as a child? Being an astronaut was my very first choice but driving a big red London Routemaster Bus was right behind – two very different ways to travel. I managed to achieve one of these ambitions before joining KLM!


What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the industry? Digitalisation which positively changed so much in the industry. Beware the corresponding loss of ability to do anything manually any longer.


What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever shipped? Many amazing automobiles but The Batmobile stands out. Shocked to see live sharks in the warehouse and very recently dinosaurs for the


new amazing Natural History Museum in Abu Dhabi (visit it if you can)!


What’s one buzzword you secretly dislike? ‘Move the needle.’


Window or aisle seat? Window as long as I’m not sitting next to someone a similar size to me.


What’s the best business lesson you’ve learned the hard way? The hardest lesson I learned is that delaying tough conversations only makes things worse. Addressing issues early, directly with respect builds trust, strengthens relationships and keeps the business moving.


If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be? One of the astronauts on the International Space Station.


Which three items would you bring to a desert island? www.aircargoweek.com


If air cargo had a mascot, what would it be? It has to be the Peregrine Falcon, fast and accurate.


How did you get into airfreight/logistics? I never minded hard work and I dreamed of travelling cheaply. I had an uncle, Ron Blackshaw who worked in the KLM Cargo warehouse in London. I simply asked for a job and the rest followed.


What quote has most resonated with you? A quote I value is Confucius’ “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” For me this helps to manage huge, complex tasks by making steady, step-by-step, deliberate and clear step.


What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? The best advice I think I ever received was from my father: Never cheat anyone for anything..it will come back to bite you.


What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done? I’ve been blessed with amazing opportunities but touring Tibet and visiting the base camp of Mount Everest is probably my number 1.


If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would it be and why? Confucius, Princess Diana and Rosé from BlackPink (maybe not at the same time)!


What’s something we wouldn’t know about you from your CV? I left home very early at 16 years old. This was very tough but shaped who I am.


02 FEBRUARY 2026 ACW 13


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