Celine Hourcade to lead TIACA Sustainability Program as project manager

August 30, 2019: The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) has appointed Celine Hourcade as project manager to support the Association’s ongoing transformation programme.

Hourcade, who will join TIACA from September 2019, will prioritise the development of the Association's Sustainability Program, including the first Sustainability Award, and the delivery of the Cargo Service Quality (CSQ) objectives for the tool, which went live in February 2019. She will also head further projects as the Association is on a growth drive.

“I am very happy and excited that Celine is joining our team. With her industry knowledge, her passion for air cargo, her experience and expertise, she will be a great addition to the current TIACA team. It was, and is, our clear ambition to transform the organisation and deliver more content to our members. With Celine on board, we are more than ever ready to do so," said Steven Polmans, TIACA chairman, and director, cargo and logistics, the Brussels Airport Company.

Polsman added that Hourcade is well respected in the industry and did a great job when working for the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

During her long association with IATA, Hourcade developed a wide range of projects including the Future Air Cargo Executive (FACE) programme to attract, develop, and retain young talent in air cargo, the Air Cargo Makes It Happen campaign, the Air Cargo Carbon Footprint measurement standard, the Global Shippers Surveys, the Air Cargo Innovation Awards, and the StB Cargo program.

Hourcade has 18 years of experience in international business, mainly in the aviation industry, working for WaveStone, Amadeus, and then for IATA for 13 years, joining its cargo department in 2008, where she focused on advocacy, sustainability, industry transformation, and innovation projects. She is a member of the Advisory Board of the Swiss drone start-up Rigi Technologies, and the Lake Victoria Challenge, and is part of the World Economic Forum’s Drone Innovators Network.

“From the e-ticketing project on the passenger side, to the wonderful world of cargo, I am proud of the transformation initiatives I have been privileged to contribute to, launch, and drive,” said Hourcade.

Air commerce expert Dr John D Kasarda recently appointed Hourcade as senior fellow of Aerotropolis Institute China (AIC) and expert advisor to the Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone (ZAEC).

“I have known Celine virtually from the first days when she joined the cargo department of IATA, where she showed enthusiasm, skill, and dedication, and I welcome her addition to the TIACA team,” said Vladimir Zubkov, secretary general, TIACA.

She graduated in 2001 with a MSc in Information and Communication Technology Business Management, from the French Institut Mines-Telecom Business School.

“I am thrilled to join the TIACA team and work with Steven [Polmans, TIACA chairman], Sanjeev [Gadhia, TIACA vice chairman], and Vladimir [Zubkov, TIACA secretary general] to put sustainability and diversity at the top of its agenda. I believe it will address what the industry wants and needs and will further strengthen TIACA’s relevance. I am passionate about sustainability in its broader sense and believe that sustainably-minded companies will perform better than average,” she added.