AIR CARG O WEEK


WEEKLY NEWS 60 Seconds With ... BY Anastasiya SIMSEK


Gio Manzella is Head of Operations at Equinox Charter, an ARGUS-certified private aviation brokerage specialising in complex global travel for the entertainment, sports, and corporate sectors. With experience across both commercial aviation, private charter, and cargo, Gio oversees worldwide flight operations, logistics, and safety compliance. He has managed international tours, urgent cargo movements, and time- critical aircraft recoveries, and is focused on delivering reliable, well-planned operations while continually improving standards and transparency across the industry.


What’s your most memorable moment in the air cargo industry? Coordinating the global movement of NEO, a massive humanoid inflatable structure, on behalf of a DJ duo. Its size and sensitivity meant it required careful planning, specialised handling, and precise timing across multiple countries. Seeing it successfully transported and installed was a great example of how air cargo enables complex, unconventional projects to come to life for the joy of thousands.


What was your dream job as a child? Pilot. I’ve always been drawn to aviation and the idea of connecting dif ferent parts of the world.


What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the industry? The move toward real-time information. Clients now expect instant updates and faster decisions, which has changed how we plan and operate.


Window or aisle seat? Window. Aviation still hasn’t lost its magic for me.


What’s the best business lesson you’ve learned the hard way? Never assume something is done — always double-check. The smallest detail can make the biggest dif ference. Describe your job in three words. Planning, responsibility, problem-solving.


What’s something on your bucket list? A round-the-world trip across multiple continents.


What’s the best airport in the world, and why? Hong Kong. It’s well run, ef ficient, and consistently delivers a high standard of service.


How did you get into airfreight/logistics? Through aviation operations. Cargo is a huge part of keeping aircraft and global travel moving, and I quickly became interested in the logistics behind it.


GIO MANZELLA Head of Operations at Equinox Charter


Looking back over your career, what would your message be to someone considering a career in logistics? It’s a fast-paced and rewarding industry. You learn quickly, solve real problems, and play a role in keeping global operations moving.


Cats or dogs? Dogs. All day long.


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www.aircargoweek.com


06 APRIL 2026 ACW


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