AIR CARG O WEEK


WEEKLY NEWS 60 Seconds With ... BY Anastasiya SIMSEK


David Linford is Vice President of Sales and Account Management at CHAMP Cargosystems. With a career in aviation dating back to 1994, he began at Continental Airlines in London Gatwick and steadily rose to oversee European operations. A lifelong aviation enthusiast — the kid who used to bike to the airport just to watch planes — Linford brings both deep industry experience and passion to his role.


What was your dream job as a child? Easy: pilot. Fighter pilot, airline pilot — anything that flew. I was the kid cycling to the airport to watch planes land and take off.


What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the industry? Since Covid-19, cargo has finally earned its seat at the executive table. Airlines now see its strategic value. On the tech side, AI is gaining real traction — not just hype. I think the next 3–5 years will be incredibly exciting.


What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? From a former MD at Delta Airlines: “Kill them with kindness.” Treat everyone with dignity and respect — it goes a long way, especially in an industry as tightly connected as cargo.


Which three items would you take to a deserted island? If I can’t take my wife or the dog? Then something practical: a firelighter, a knife, and some rope. If it’s more holiday-mode: a good book, my phone, and headphones.


If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be? It has to be aviation-related — I’d love to fly with the Red Arrows or take the controls of an F-16 for a day.


What’s your go-to karaoke song? I’m a big Elvis fan, so it has to be My Way. Describe your job in three words. Exciting. Challenging. Networking.


DAVID LINFORD VP Sales & Account Management, CHAMP Cargosystems


What’s the best airport in the world and why? I’m going to say London Heathrow — partly patriotic, but also realistic. It’s a true global hub with incredible traffic variety, and I’m excited about its future expansion, including the third runway.


If you could introduce one new regulation, what would it be? More enforcement. I’d push for zero tolerance on undeclared dangerous goods, especially lithium batteries. Most companies do things right — but we can’t take chances with safety.


What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve done? I secretly learned to fly helicopters — and surprised my kids by flying in to pick them up from school.


Which three people would you invite to dinner? Stephen Bartlett — for an entrepreneurial mindset. Elvis Presley — for the music and the mystique. Barack Obama — for the conversation.


What’s something we wouldn’t know about you from your CV? Before aviation, I started in retail — I was one of the youngest managers at a UK wine superstore called Bottoms Up. It was either wine or wings — and aviation won.


What’s your favourite place visited for work? Rome is always special — romantic, historic. But after visiting Hong Kong last year, I fell in love with it. That’s the city I’m telling my wife we have to visit next.


www.aircargoweek.com 09 FEBRUARY 2026 ACW


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