Mathieu Sérafimoff is the Managing Partner for Operations and Quality Compliance at SkyForge Consulting and founder of Aeris Logistica. For more than 10 years, he has led 24/7 air-cargo operations across Belgian airports, driving operational excellence, digitalisation, and compliance. Loadmaster-trained with GDP/CEIV experience and an active mentor with YAN.

What was your dream job as a child?

Aircraft mechanic.

What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the industry?

Swift change from economical-driven operations to humanitarian aid driven supply chain in all aspects.

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

A panda.

What’s one  buzzword you secretly dislike?

“Woop Woop”, don’t even ask me why.

Window or aisle seat?

Window seat.

What’s the best business lesson you’ve learned the hard way?

I’ve learned to balance urgency with patience and sequencing the work, aligning stakeholders, timing decisions in order to achieve the goal decisively.

If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be?

A fighter jet pilot.

Which three items would you bring to a desert island?

Multitool, notebook, lighter.

Tea or coffee?

Coffee.

What’s your guilty pleasure TV show or movie?

Borat.

What’s the most exciting place you’ve visited for work?

Chongqing, China.

If you could introduce one new regulation in air cargo, what would it be?

What’s your go-to karaoke song?

Don’t you want me? The human league. All night long.

Describe your job in three words.

Inspiring, challenging, satisfying.

What’s your hidden talent?

Cooking.

If you could instantly master one skill, what would it be?

Data storytelling.

What’s something on your bucket list?

Skiing in Canada/New Zealand.

What’s the best airport in the world, and why?

Ostend airport as it gave me a true passion as a small kid being born and raised close by.

If air cargo had a mascot, what would it be?

Big Lion.

How did you get into airfreight/logistics?

Logistics and freight via family blood, air via Ostend airport.

What quote has most resonated with you?

Try and you might, don’t and you won’t.

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

“Keep your feet on the ground.”

It reminds to stay humble, test assumptions with facts, and stay close to the operation: listening first, acting second. Results always speak louder than titles.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

A 10-day mountain camping tour in Slovenia.

If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Napoleon & the Wright brothers. It would be a very cosy & inspiring evening.

What’s something we wouldn’t know about you from your CV?

I’m a ski teacher.