Qatar Airways Cargo, Swissport and JAS Worldwide open their doors to the next generation in aviation and air cargo management and invite Auburn University students to Atlanta Airport.
A group of students currently studying logistics and supply chain management at Auburn University were given an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of air freight at Atlanta Airport on March 25, 2022. It was a joint initiative planned by Auburn University, JAS Worldwide, Swissport and Qatar Airways Cargo.
The 7.5-hour event began in the afternoon, starting with lunch at the JAS WW Campus Sandy Springs, a meet and greet session with JAS and Qatar Airways Cargo management, and company presentations before heading to Atlanta Airport. After the airport introductory presentation, the students were given a tour of the Swissport warehouse and then airside to witness the arrival of Qatar Airways Cargo flight QR8141 from Doha, Qatar, and the subsequent unloading and reloading.
In smaller groups of five, the students took turns visiting the main deck, observing the operation of the high loader on the main deck and learning how the Swissport warehouse works, from building up to breaking down the cargo, as well as flight planning and preparation. Refreshments in the Swissport warehouse rounded off the educational and informative introductory tour.
Matthias Frey, Global VP Airfreight Operations at JAS highlighted the importance of logistics at the event as it has become very visible over the past two years, while in the past the industry has been the silent strongman in the background, struggling to attract customers the air freight managers of tomorrow.
Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer Cargo at Qatar Airways, commented on their past collaboration with Auburn University, held speaking sessions and participated in their Job Fair.
Halleux pointed out that the Atlanta airfreight facility will be their first joint introductory tour with the university, and certainly not their last, as they look forward to making it a recurring event, having already planned a second in the fall.