60 Seconds With… Joachim von Winning

Joachim von Winning is the Director of Cargo Partnerships at Frankfurt Airport, bringing 25 years of experience across the industry, including ground handling, real estate, retail, food and beverage, and air cargo. Throughout his career, he has held key roles, notably serving as Chief Commercial Officer of Cairo Airport during the Arab Spring and spending eight years as the Executive Director of Frankfurt’s Air Cargo Community.

Since 2023, von Winning has been focused on strengthening industry collaboration and enhancing Frankfurt’s position as a leading global cargo hub. He holds an MA in Logistics and IT from the University of Mannheim and an MBA from the University of Nottingham, combining academic expertise with extensive practical experience in airport operations and air cargo logistics.

How did you get into airfreight/logistics?

After studying logistics as my major and serving on the German board of AIESEC, the international student organisation, it was clear that my career would be in global logistics. Coming from the southwest of Germany, maritime shipping wasn’t a natural fit, so aviation was the logical choice.

What quote has most resonated with you?

It’s not the most historic quote, but I recently heard “groups prefer their members,” which explains so many things.

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

“Erst schlucken, dann lachen” (First swallow, then laugh).

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

Skydiving during my internship in South Africa.

If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Friedrich von Hayek for his insights into economics, Adam Smith for his foundational work in economic theory, and Margot Robbie for her “fascinating stories from the film industry” (don’t tell my girlfriend)

What’s something we wouldn’t know about you from