Qatar Airways Cargo, Swissport, and JAS Worldwide open their doors to the next generation in aviation and air cargo management, inviting 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 air cargo familiarization tour at Atlanta Airport on 25 March 2022. It was a joint initiative planned by Auburn University, JAS Worldwide, Swissport, and Qatar Airways Cargo.

The 7.5-hour event kicked off in the afternoon, first 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 transferring to Atlanta Airport. Following the airport’s introductory presentation, the students were given a tour of the Swissport warehouse and then taken airside to witness the arrival of Qatar Airways Cargo flight QR8141 from Doha, Qatar, and its subsequent offloading and reloading.

In smaller groups of five, the students took turns in visiting the main deck, observing the main deck high loader in operation, and learning how the Swissport warehouse operates from cargo build-up to breakdown, as well as flight planning and preparation. Refreshments in the Swissport warehouse rounded off the educational and informative familiarization tour.

Matthias Frey, Global VP Airfreight Operations at JAS at the event emphasized on the the importance of logistics as it became very visible over the past two years, whereas in the past, the industry was very much the silent strongman in the background, struggling to attract the air cargo managers of tomorrow.

Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer Cargo at Qatar Airways, commented on their partnership with Auburn University in the past, conducting speaking sessions and participating in their Job Fair.

Halleux pointed out the fact that the Atlanta air cargo facility will be their first joint familiarization tour with the university, and it will certainly not be the last, as they look forward to making it a recurring event having planned a second one already  in the Autumn.