Kitty Liao is a pioneering figure in the air cargo industry with over 30 years of experience, best known as a co-founder of Global Airline Services in 1995. Her career began in the Netherlands with TMI and Jetlink before she joined forces with Kees de Groot and Jos Busscher to establish Global Airline Services, laying a solid foundation for the company through strong partnerships with both forwarders and airlines. Liao is recognised for bridging cultural gaps between Chinese and Western business practices and is known for her pragmatic, relationship-driven leadership style. Under her guidance, Global Airline Services grew from a four-person team to a leading European GSA.

What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever shipped?

A happy Buddha which we received from the family. He was too big to take it in a suitcase so we shipped it by ocean. Buddha has been travelled many countries and arrived in Holland a year later. We still have him at home, bringing luck and good fortune.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Able to speak all the languages of the world. This would make communication easy and direct.

How do you motivate your team?

Motivating people can be done by talking or by acting.

I prefer acting and showing them that by hard work and keep on going you always will be successful.

What is the one item you can’t travel without?

Passport!  Of course But a solid preparation about the business you want and of course the kind of people you are going to meet. You need to have these things in place before starting the journey.

Who is your role model?

The people who are working hard and never are stepping forward to show what they have done. They show loyalty and commitment as a normal way of living.

I really like that.

Cats or dogs?

Both have their own character. Both characters have their positive and negative sides. Trying to understand both will bring you the best of two worlds.

What quote has most resonated with you?

Be yourself; do the best you can ; there is a place under the sun for everyone!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

To stay in the business point of view: Don’t choose the side of the airline or the agent. A GSSA represents the airline but also have to understand the position of the cargo agent. Choosing one side will be the start of many problems.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

Blocking 40 tonnes allocation on each flight in advance without having the shipment on hand. Due to controlling the space we got the deals.