Menen to retire from Emirates Skycargo

The man who has led Emirates’ cargo activities since the airline’s launch 28 years ago has become an international icon of the air cargo business.

Des Vertannes, head of IATA Cargo was widely quoted saying: “There will never be another like him, He imparts knowledge, expertise and experience without wanting or seeking reward, and there cannot be another person whose overall achievements could be bettered.”

News of his planned departure came via an email to his colleagues and the industry in which he said: “Just to let you know that after nearly 40 years of being in the business, as I come of age and still being in good health to get to know what life is, I have decided to take early retirement, hang up my hat, to spend some quality time with family and friends. My wife Malou and I intend to spend summer in Europe, winter in Kuala Lumpur and also get some travels in to visit friends around the world.”

Menen led Emirates Skycargo to become the largest cargo combination airline in the world,

Vertannes said:. “He’s endured every global challenge – economic crises, wars, high fuel costs, security threats, while all the time building an airline’s cargo product based on unique principles. When everyone else was outsourcing their commercial activities, he didn’t. He put market intelligence and customers at the top of his focus. He always put the company and customers first – at the expense of his personal life – and I don’t think people realise how much he had to do to accomplish the growth at Emirates.”

A full-length feature interview with Menen will appear in the next issue of Arabian Aerospace magazine