About Robert Arendal...
Robert S. Arendal has more than 40 years of experience in the air cargo industry, through various management positions in both shipping and air cargo in Europe as well as the United States.
In 1970 he became part of the management team that founded Cargolux Airlines International SA and later became Senior Vice President Sales, Marketing and Cargo Services as well as Deputy CEO, leading a team of 275 people and generating annual revenues of over US$ 450 million (1997).
Mr. Arendal's responsibilities covered all Cargolux Marketing, Sales and Cargo System Service Departments in head-office and throughout the world. From concept through assessment and completion, he developed and implemented marketing, sales policies and programs in order to generate maximum revenues and profits as well as to satisfy a variety of corporate objectives. Also included in his responsibilities were the company's commercial route planning and economics. This covered financial route evaluation, economic aircraft performance, yield and load factor studies as well as route selection based on most profitable overall results.
He actively maintained and promoted the company's reputation and image through media interviews and at industry conferences as well as seminars. Mr. Arendal was equally responsible for all commercial matters and activities. These included setting tariff, client-relation, and forwarder policies; establishing sales and commission procedures; overseeing ground transport and handling arrangements; defining aircraft schedule and routes; and working closely with other airlines to negotiate co-operation and pool agreements as well as negotiate traffic rights on a world-wide basis.
During the 29 years that Mr. Arendal held his management position with Cargolux, the company was profitable through all the years except two, a proof that with the right strategy - an all cargo airline can be a very profitable venture.
He left Cargolux in 1998 to start his own business - ra associates - an air cargo management group as well as becoming Advisor to the Chairman and CEO of Atlas Air. (Until 2001)
In 2003, he founded Cool Chain Association which works towards harmonizing the movements and handling of perishables and temperature sensitive products. He was elected their first Chairman and has been in that position until May 2012.
In 2001, he founded - together with other industry leaders in Luxembourg - the Luxembourg Air Cargo Club (LACC) and was appointed Chairman of the Club.
In August 1999 Robert Arendal was appointed Chairman of the Board of Kallax Cargo Airport.
He is a founding father and first Chairman of TIACA (The International Air Cargo Association). He is a Past President and presently a member of TIACA's President Council and entered the legendary TIACA Hall of Fame in 1997.
He was a representative for the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in the ASEM appointed "Asian-European Vision Group" as well as a member of the "Asian-European Business Forum".
Robert Arendal is a Goodwill Ambassador for Copenhagen, Denmark.