Sanjeev Gadhia is the Founder and CEO of Astral Aviation, one of Africa’s leading cargo airlines. Originally from a small town in Western Kenya, he studied in Bangalore and London before starting a banking career in London and Nairobi. His entrepreneurial journey began with a UN procurement business, the success of which he reinvested to launch Astral Aviation 25 years ago. “I am a banker by profession, an entrepreneur at heart, an aviator by chance, and a family man by divine grace—truly blessed and thankful to the Almighty for the richness of my journey,” he reflects.

What was your dream job as a child?

I have always wanted to be like my dad, who was a career banker in Kenya.

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

The biggest change I have witnessed was the growth of the aviation industry in Africa due to the contributions of the private sector.

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

Grass Seedlings were shipped by sea from Australia for the UN to be used in a stadium in Kigali to celebrate the liberation, which got spoiled due to a leaking roof and then a second consignment was airfreighted just in time for the celebrations

What’s one buzzword you secretly dislike?

It’s impossible and it can’t be done.

Window or aisle seat?

Depends on who is sitting next to me.

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

It takes years to build a relationship and seconds to destroy it.

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

Sir Richard Branson would like to experience his life for a day.

Which three items would you bring to a desert island?

Swimming Costume, Sunglasses and a Book;

Tea or coffee?

Masala Chai.

What’s your guilty pleasure TV show or movie?

Tintin is my favourite as i love the adventures in every journey.

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

Shanghai for the vibe, Delhi for the parties, Jerusalem for the spirituality and Dubai for the buzz.

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

Cargo should only travel on a freighter. Baggage and courier on the belly.

What’s your go-to karaoke song?

When I’m Back on My Feet Again by Michael Bolton.

Describe your job in three words.

Connectivity within Africa.

What’s your hidden talent?

To lead from the front.

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

Empathy.

What’s something on your bucket list?

Visit 150 out of 195 countries in the world, and I am 50 percent there.

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

Doha is my favourite airport due to its design and green zone with a range of the best F&B options.

If Air Cargo had a mascot, what would it be?

If air cargo had a mascot, it would undoubtedly be Lord Hanuman from the Ramayana. Symbolising speed, strength, and unwavering dedication, he embodies the essence of air freight—swiftly traversing the farthest corners of the world to deliver vital goods, from life-saving medicines to urgent messages, just as he served Lord Rama with divine devotion.

How did you get into airfreight/logistics?

By default, being a vendor for the UN in Africa, we are evolving into a cargo airline to deliver the goods we procured

What quote has most resonated with you?

Do Your Best and Let Life Do the Rest by Robin Sharma.

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

The most excellent advice I’ve gotten is to “Embrace life’s challenges with the belief that every experience, good or bad, serves a greater purpose and happens for the best”

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

Skydiving in Palm Jumeirah with my family on 31st December 2020 to celebrate victory over Covid-19

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

1. Shree Narendra Modi for his vision for India
2. Fred Smith for how he scaled FedEx to the largest freighter airline in the world.
3. Late Michael Chowdhry of Atlas Air on his dream to create the largest B747-400F ACMI operator in the world

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

The happiness I get from being of service to our clients.