AIR CARG O WEEK


WEEKLY NEWS 60 Seconds With ... BY Anastasiya SIMSEK People. Interviews. Listening.


What’s your hidden talent? I can survive in complex conditions, under pressure, and with limited financial resources. If left on an island with just the bare minimum, I would figure something out.


If you could instantly master one skill, what would it be? Playing a musical instrument—perhaps the piano. What’s on your bucket list? I have a big event planned this year, but I can’t disclose it just yet. I plan to pursue further education to expand my HR knowledge. I want to continue renovating our house and building a life with my best partner—both in life and in business.


How did you get airfreight/logistics? I was looking for a traineeship while studying at Riga Technical University. DB Schenker offered me a job—which was even better because it was paid. At that time in Latvia, traineeships were usually unpaid. I thought it was a great opportunity.


OLGA ROMANOVA founder of CargoHR


What quote has most resonated with you? “We don’t know how much we can do until we need to do it.” I also have this quote framed in my office calligraphed by a friend. It reminds me that many limitations exist only in our minds—anyone is capable of achieving a lot.


What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone has different life circumstances and goals, and you never know what’s beneath the surface. Go at your own pace, with your own standarts and morals. What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done? Skyscraping on an old building when I was a teenager. Looking back, I don’t even know how I managed it.


Olga Romanova is the founder of CargoHR, an international recruitment agency specializing in Aviation, Air Cargo, and Logistics. She enjoys working with people—connecting with candidates, partnering with companies, and discussing recruitment strategies. Building connections and creating value through dialogue comes naturally to her.


What’s your most memorable moment in the air cargo industry? I was 24 and had just moved to a new country on my own—Austria. I had an interview with Turkish Cargo in a glass building at Vienna Airport’s Office Park. It was a mix of emotions: starting a new life in a new place while interviewing with one of the world’s biggest airlines. I can still feel the excitement when I think back to that sunny spring day.


What was your dream job as a child? At an early age, I wanted to become a sports dance teacher. But looking deeper, I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur and build my own company—or even a group of companies.


What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the industry? Our industry has become much faster, with significantly more data exchnage. Companies and individuals now need to adapt quickly to managing large amounts of data. When I started in air cargo, far less data was exchanged and much less technology was available. Today, more and more processes are being taken over by AI—we are right in the middle of a major transformation.


What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever shipped? Bumblebees in “snooze mode” for transport.


What’s one buzzword you secretly dislike? Sustainability.


Window or aisle seat? Aisle, 100%—so I can stretch my legs.


What’s the best business lesson you’ve learned the hard way? Patience. I’ve learned not to expect big results immediately from day one— unlike the maximalist mindset I had in my 20s.


If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be? Perhaps Nikolay Storonsky, the founder of Revolut. I admire people who build things from scratch. They often have a unique life philosophy, an exceptional mindset, and healthy habits.


Tea or coffee? Coffee in the morning, tea in the evening or in random sequence —both are


great, so why choose?


What’s your guilty pleasure TV show or movie? I don’t watch many TV shows because I usually fall asleep. I prefer going to the cinema. Recently, I watched a Netflix movie about the Austrian skiing legend Franz Klammer—it was very good.


What’s your go-to karaoke song? The German song “99 Luftballons” by Nena. Describe your job in three words.


www.aircargoweek.com 02 MARCH 2026 ACW


If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would it be and why? Donald Trump – I admire his self-confidence. His character may be questionable, but there is still something to learn from that level of confidence. Anna Netrebko – I consider her an extraordinary talent and a strong personality. Princess Diana – For her kindness & humanity. I don’t know what would be the topic, but I guess we woiuld have fun.


What’s something we wouldn’t know about you from your CV? Alongside my work, I also help my life partner with another family business whenever I can.


What hobby have you always wanted to try but never got around to? I’d like to pursue a Sports Teacher License to train group classes. I’m currently figuring out when and how to fit it into my schedule.


If you hadn’t pursued a career in airfreight, what other field would you have liked to go into? Perhaps teaching—either as a school teacher or sports teacher—or even becoming a doctor.


If you could have any superpower, what would it be? To make all people healthy and happy.


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