Chris de Man, Director, Air Service, Halifax International Airport Authority, leads air service development for Halifax Stanfield International Airport, working closely with global airline partners to expand connectivity and drive economic growth for Atlantic Canada. In addition to passenger growth, de Man is actively advancing Halifax’s role in global cargo, building on Nova Scotia’s strength as a gateway for live Atlantic Canadian seafood exports while supporting diversification into new high-value cargo segments.

What’s your most memorable moment in the air cargo industry?

I think one of my most memorable moments in the air cargo industry is when I first started working on the cargo side and I got to visit my first 747 freighter aircraft and boarded the aircraft and got to explore it a little bit as cargo is being loaded. But weeks later, I was walking through the streets in Rome and I could see Nova Scotia seafood exports of lobster being sold and just instantly knew that I was part of that value chain to bring that lobster to that location.

What was your dream job as a child?

My dream job as a child was to be a pilot. I knew I wanted to work in the airline and aviation industry from a very young age. As I got older I realised I wanted to work in the business development side of aviation and really being part of the reasons why aeroplanes fly to where they from, where they come from to where they go. 

What’s your guilty pleasure TV show or movie?

I’m a big fan of comedy movies. I love to laugh and I love to focus on funny moments.

If you could introduce one new regulation in air cargo, what would it be and why?

The new regulation that I would introduce is greater visibility on data, creating a deeper ecosystem that airports, airlines, freight forwarders and all those in the value chain can work collaboratively to build new business cases and expand the opportunity for exports and imports within our respective regions.

Can you describe your job in three words?

Evolving, changing and fun.

How did you get into the air freight and logistics industry?

So I started in the aviation industry working in an operations role on the passenger side, which led me into working for a small carrier operating in Canada’s High Arctic that was moving passenger and cargo as an operations duty manager. And from there I moved my skill sets into business development on the passenger and cargo development through airlines and airports.

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

The best advice I’ve ever received is always be curious, never stop searching, never stop trying to build and adapt and evolve.

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?

The most adventurous thing I’ve ever done is always through travel. I enjoy going to new places, new destinations and exploring new spots. I think the one that sticks out most to me is going on safari in the African savannah.

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

If I could have any superpower, I would be able to learn a new language within a day.

The post 60 Seconds with … Chris de Man appeared first on Air Cargo Week.