AIR CARG O WEEK


WEEKLY NEWS 60 Seconds With ...


What’s the most exciting place you’ve visited for work? Baku stands out as the most exciting work trip. It was a wonderful experience—the people were so friendly and gave a genuinely warm welcome. I especially enjoyed the great food, and it was reassuring how safe the environment was.


If you could introduce one new regulation in air cargo, what would it be? A requirement for all air cargo to implement real-time, end-to-end shipment tracking, similar to systems used by express carriers.


What’s your go-to karaoke song? My go-to karaoke song is “Les Lacs du Connemara” by Michel Sardou. It’s a famous, popular French song that’s traditionally played to close out nightclubs in the French Provinces around 5:00 AM, signaling time for people to leave.


Describe your job in three words? Conforming, Guiding, Foresight


What’s your hidden talent? A keen observer


If you could instantly master one skill, what would it be? To master the art of political rhetoric.


What’s something on your bucket list? I’ve ticked off three of the seven Wonders of the World so far. My goal is to see the rest!


JEAN-BAPTISTE FLAMAND COO - Directeur des Opérations at XCR Airport BY Anastasiya SIMSEK ORIGINALLY from the Burgundy region of France, Jean-Baptiste


Flamand now resides in Paris, where he has built up over 20 years of experience working in the aviation Industry.


What was your dream job as a child? My dream job as a child was to be a baker.


What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the industry? The biggest change I’ve seen in the air cargo industry is the rise of AI and its potential for development and application within the sector.


What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever shipped? The most unusual thing I shipped was bank notes on a full Boeing 777 freighter.


What’s one buzzword you secretly dislike? The buzzword I secretly dislike is ‘impossible’, because I always try to change it to ‘I’m possible.’


Window or aisle seat? Aisle seat! I’d rather not bother my seatmates when I need to get out.


What’s the best business lesson you’ve learned the hard way? The best business lesson I learned the hard way was the importance of patience.


If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be? I’d trade places with a baker. It’s difficult work, but for the French, it’s incredibly vital. Making a baguette is a real art and a core part of our French expertise.


Which three items would you bring to a desert island? Caol Ila, Cigars, and a Deck Chair.


Tea or coffee? Coffee! What else?


What’s your guilty pleasure TV show or movie? I’d say The Crown. I know it’s a bit serious for a “guilty pleasure,” but I’m completely hooked on the drama of the English Monarchy.


www.aircargoweek.com


What’s the best airport in the world, and why? HKG is my personal favourite so far because of its smooth operations from check-in to boarding, as well as the quality of its duty-free shopping and lounges. However, I haven’t yet experienced some of the top-rated airports, like SIN, which I’ll be visiting later this month for the Air Cargo Southeast Asia event.


If air cargo had a mascot, what would it be? A chameleon, because it can adapt its coloring to its environment, just as XCR Airport needs to be flexible and adapt to the specific needs of each customer.


How did you get into airfreight/logistics? I got into it when I switched from the passenger side to Cargo because I wanted to be a relief station manager. But I absolutely loved the work once I started, so I just stuck with airfreight.


What quote has most resonated with you? Persist through failures. Obstacles are simply a part of the path to success.


What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Take a step back.


What is the most adventurous thing you have ever


done? Getting my Private Pilot License, especially since I’m afraid of heights!


If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would it be and why? Michael Collins from Apollo 11. I am fascinated to know how he mentally processed the fact that he did not walk on the moon, despite his crucial role as an excellent pilot in such an important mission. Paul Bocuse. He’s known worldwide as a protector of French cuisine and for how he reinvented it. Tim Burton. I’m a big fan of all his dark, imaginative movies.


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23 FEBRUARY 2026 ACW


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