Elfi Chik began her career as a ground handler of Hong Kong Airport Services Limited, followed by pivotal roles at All Nippon Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways, where she was responsible for duties including customer service management and sales.
She joined American Airlines Cargo in 2016 as Senior Global Account Manager in Asia Pacific, where she was responsible for the success of the airline cargo sales activities in the region. Before joining Jettainer at the beginning of this year, she served as the Commercial Director of Asia Pacific for the ground handler Worldwide Flight Services (WFS).
How did you get into airfreight/logistics?
When I was a kid, I read about how ancient Chinese people used to take months to travel from one city to another. There and then, I realised the significance of air transport to the modern world. Knowing that Hong Kong International Airport was one of the significant hubs, it would at least be a fruitful journey for me to have been part of the airfreight industry. It didn’t take long for me to decide to start as an aircraft loading supervisor, and I worked up to where I am today. After almost 20 years in this industry, I still thank myself for taking that first step.
If you have not pursued a career in airfreight, what other field would you have liked to go into?
The culinary field probably, as I am qualified to pursue a career as a professional chef and open a restaurant in France. I spent nine months completing the Disciples Escoffier Professional Diploma in Culinary Arts, when travel restrictions were still around in Hong Kong due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
I tend to think back, ahead and a lot. If I allow myself to just dwell on these thoughts, I would fail to take action when I should and miss out on opportunities when they present themselves. Therefore, the best piece of advice for me is “be ready and live in the moment”.
What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?
It took me some time to decide whether it should be visiting the Mount Everest Base Camp in Tibet, China or travelling solo to Iceland for nine days. I think the latter deserves the crown because it meant a lot to be able to believe in myself, run ten kilometres at the annual Reykjavik Marathon and experience the whole process on my own.
What’s the best and worst purchase you’ve ever made?
Best buy: definitely my trustworthy made-in-Germany suitcase, which I have carried with me in over 400 trips — and still counting!
Worst buy: I guess it would be my saxophone. I have had lessons for about a year before the pandemic hit. After that, I just didn’t have time to pick up this hobby again.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Hong Kong-style egg tart with Hong Kong-style milk tea. I will treat you to this nutritionally devilish set if you come to Hong Kong, and you shall see.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Telekinesis to make someone’s cell phone drop at will because I am a driver and have just seen too many pedestrians crossing the busy roads in Hong Kong without ever looking up from their mobiles.
Looking back over your career, what would your message be to someone considering a career in logistics?
If you are considering, it means that you want it — so just take the leap of faith and dive in! You will be fascinated as I have been by the intricacies of the dynamic and ever-changing world of logistics, and if you really decide to leave the industry afterwards, what you have gained and learnt will equip you well for your next step.
What would your autobiography be called?
I’d like to call it “In The 195 Skies”, alluding to the fact that I spent my life flying all over the skies of the 195 countries which constitute the whole wide world today.
If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Zhuge Liang: I have always wondered what it would be like to chat and eat with someone so very clever and wise and from ancient China. I would love to ask Zhuge how he felt when Liu Bei visited him thrice to recruit him into his cabinet and how each of the ancient heroes was like in person, such as Guan Yu and Cao Cao.
Angela Merkel: Merkel served as Chancellor of Germany from 2005 to 2021 and was the first woman to hold that office. I think it would be enlightening to be able to discuss with her about why she embarked on a political career as a chemist and how she sees life and the world today.
Ellen Degeneres: I just want to tell her I love her show and how amazingly funny and cool she is.
What’s something we wouldn’t know about you from your CV?
My surname “Chik” means planting and is one of the rarest surnames in China. According to an online article in relation to the Chinese dictionary of surnames, people surnamed “Chik” constitute 0.05 percent of the national population.
What hobby have you always wanted to try but never got around to?
Yoga, interestingly. The idea of stretching for an hour intrigues me, but whenever I’ve got the time, I always prefer something more active and sweaty, e.g. running, hiking, etc.
Cats or dogs?
I prefer cats’ inquisitive purr over dogs’ intrusive bark.
Early riser or night owl?
I am flexible. Such flexibility had been developed over the years when I served in various international corporations and held conferences with/ responded to urgent emails from colleagues working in different time zones.
