Veit Dinges is VP of Enterprise Solutions at cargo.one, leading the airfreight procurement platform’s services for large enterprise customers. Prior to joining cargo.one, Veit gained experience in professional services, where he focused on Corporate Strategy, Joint Improvement Programmes and Financing. Veit travels extensively around the world in his work but is based in Berlin.

How did you get into airfreight?

I worked on a lot of aerospace and defence projects with Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and others – everything from strategy to MRO, and so aviation had pulled me in for many years. The move to logistics and to helping airlines digitalise their airfreight distribution didn’t feel like that big of a leap. Now, the good part of a decade in, I’m happy to be here.

What quote has most resonated with you?

It’s a bit grand to take a Karl Sagan quote, but “Extinction is the rule and survival is the exception” leaves me with a sense of awe and a quick reality-check of what is essential.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

For work, my father always encouraged me to do what I had promised to do, to do what I said I would do, and to take professional relationships seriously – that has stuck with me for many years.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

It was a wild camping trip with a tent and canoe full of all the food we needed for two weeks in Algonquin Provincial Park. Portaging all my equipment between lakes and hoisting food up into the trees away from bears must be up there on that list.

What’s something we wouldn’t know about you from your CV?

My mother is disappointed that I bought a motorcycle! 

What hobby have you always wanted to try but never got around to?

The idea of doing stand-up comedy scares and excites me at the same time.  I would love to get around to writing a set and then inevitably bombing on stage, but I’m walking away with the feeling that I’ve pushed myself out of my comfort zone.

If you have not pursued a career in airfreight, what other field would you have liked to go into?

Building B2B technology, whether a marketplace or vertical SaaS, and, to be honest, ideally in logistics again.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Great question! At cargo.one, we talk about enabling digital superpowers. From a practical perspective, teleportation would make meeting our customers and partners in 116 countries a lot more comfortable – but I’m also open to free flights as a second choice if these are going.

Early riser or night owl?

Definitely a night owl. Working at night, with no emails coming in and some music on, is when I am most focused. 

Looking back over your career, what would your message be to someone considering a career in logistics?

Definitely go for it. Air logistics involves constant learning and discovering new solutions to complex and dynamic requirements. It’s also about the power of connectivity and partnerships globally, which is great to be involved in building.

How do you motivate your team?

The question implies that motivation is something I bestow upon the team as a manager, when in reality motivation in my team and more broadly at cargo.one comes more from investing heavily in hiring for cultural fit and having a clear, defined view of what that culture should be in the first place. After this, you give your team slightly more responsibility than you are naturally comfortable with, and the team will want to push hard themselves. If all else fails, you can try gifting them free UEFA Champions League tickets – I had won a pair from Turkish Cargo at the World Cargo Symposium one year, and I re-raffled them – this seemed to do the trick  

Who is your role model?

I’m often in awe of painters who have produced an incredible amount of artwork, can be productive, and overcome phases where their work doesn’t speak to them, yet still produce works of art that few other humans could. 

What would your autobiography be called?

Well, the ChatGPT suggestions for this question do not have much to go on here, but my stab at it would be “Freight, Flight, and Foresight.”

What’s the best and worst purchase you’ve ever made?

I generally spend a ton of time researching stuff first. But both my best and worst were coffee makers. My Bialetti is a champ and an important life companion!  

What is the one item you can’t travel without?

Over the years, there have been many photos floating around the office of me on red-eye flights, trying to get some sleep, wearing a neck pillow and an eye mask. Despite all the ribbing from my colleagues, I still swear these help me survive the flying and be a bit more fresh for meetings.

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