Yap Wei Bin began his career in the air cargo industry in 1996, following a period in his family-operated business. His first exposure to the airline cargo sector was with LTU International Airways, which laid the foundation for his professional journey. He later managed Swiss Cargo following the acquisition of SR on LT, and subsequently led Qatar Airways Cargo in Malaysia, which was then expanding its network to Kuala Lumpur, all in the GSA environment.

In 2006, he relocated to Australia and commenced his tenure with Japan Airlines. The following year, he joined M&C Aviation as General Manager, where he led the MASkargo team across Australia and New Zealand from 2007 to 2013, overseeing the airline’s regional cargo operations and commercial performance.

Yap was promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO) in 2013, assuming responsibility for multiple airline products within the GSA environment. In 2015, he was elevated to Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Working closely with the board and his team, he successfully led the group’s strategic expansion and diversification of its air product portfolio to its current scale.

Throughout his career, Yap has valued the breadth of opportunities afforded through the GSA environment, which has enabled him to work across diverse nationalities, languages, cultures, and geographies within dynamic and time-sensitive settings — exposure few peers in the industry have experienced.

What was your dream job as a child?

I spent my childhood living right next to the runway, often admiring aircraft as they took off and landed. I thought it would be amazing to be part of that world one day — and here I am. A great coincidence indeed.

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

Pace, complexity, compliance, and expectation.

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

Princess Diana exhibition.

What’s one buzzword you secretly dislike?

MGR (not secretly now) in Australia & New Zealand, and ZFW in Asia.

Window or aisle seat?

Window.

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

Trust.

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

A musician who plays in a live concert.

Which three items would you bring to a desert island?

A boat, water, and food. I do not want to be there and will escape.

Tea or coffee?

Almond latte.

What’s your guilty pleasure TV show or movie?

Mostly YouTube now.

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

Istanbul.

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

Regulated human capital development through training, examination, certification, and accreditation to enhance workforce competency as compulsory.

What’s your go-to karaoke song?

Not a singer.

Describe your job in three words?

Ups & downs.

What’s your hidden talent?

Strong analytical and intuitive reasoning abilities.

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

Be a musician.

What’s something on your bucket list?

Have the opportunity to say goodbye and bid farewell to persons I treasure.

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

Singapore. Efficient and found my comfort food there.

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

Eagle – visionary, persistent, and strong.

How did you get into airfreight/logistics?

Leaving the family business, this was the first available opportunity at that time. Tag line was “opportunity to travel.” Oh yes, indeed.

What quote has most resonated with you?

If you are emotional to every word said to you, you are living for others.

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

Whatever knowledge you acquire stays with you. You are doing it for yourself. – From my mother.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

Relocating to another country with no plans.

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

With three of my mates for the past 46 years. No holds barred, no mind games, and no one would be upset over whatever differences.

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

I was a licensed to and have designed and conducted over hundreds of controlled blastings in the mines while my family-operated business.