Air cargo innovator Saskia van Pelt quits Schiphol

Saskia van Pelt, director business development cargo for Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, is to leave the group in yet another shake-up for the Dutch air hub.

Ms van Pelt, who has been instrumental in developing Schiphol’s innovative cargo strategy over the past decade, has followed in the footsteps of head of cargo Jonas von Stekelenburg, who resigned this summer after the cargo division was merged into aviation marketing.

The division was moved to the remit of head of aviation marketing Maaike van der Windt, before the capable Bart Pouwels was offered the role of head of cargo in the restructured department.

Sources indicated at the time that some executive management at Schiphol felt it had sufficient numbers of senior women, after the appointment of Ms van der Windt, although this has not been confirmed.

Before joining Schiphol nearly 11 years ago, Ms van Pelt was senior marketing manager for the port of Rotterdam.

In a note to friends and customers she wrote: “I have decided to move forward and take a next step in my professional career. Having experienced many changes and developments in the air cargo industry, the time has come to explore new routes and continue to grow further in this exiting industry.

“I look forward to remain in contact with you and would like to thank you for your support to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and our friendship in the past years.”

Ms van Pelt, one of the leading characters and innovators in air cargo – and a refreshing and bright speaker at industry events – will be sorely missed. The Loadstar would like to offer her the team’s best wishes for her career – and we hope to see her pop up elsewhere in logistics.