TIACA names Mammen Tharakan next Director General

The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) has appointed Mammen Tharakan as its next Director General, the association announced. Tharakan will officially take up the role in August 2026, succeeding Glyn Hughes, who has led TIACA since 2021.

The appointment follows a search process TIACA formally launched in early March, after Hughes announced his intention to step down following five years at the helm. Hughes, who joined TIACA in February 2021 after a career that included serving as IATA's Global Head of Cargo, had told the industry it was time to find a replacement, with the board opening the search to applications from across the industry.

Led by TIACA's Executive Committee and Board of Directors, the selection process considered leaders from across the global air cargo community before Tharakan was unanimously chosen to lead the association into its next phase of growth. Hughes is expected to remain engaged with TIACA in a supporting capacity as the handover takes shape, with further details on the transition timeline expected in the coming weeks.

Tharakan brings more than 25 years of international aviation leadership spanning airlines, airports, ground handling, e-commerce, route development, infrastructure, tourism and investment attraction. His interest in air cargo took root during his early career at Air France-KLM and carried through senior roles at Edmonton International Airport in Canada and King Salman International Airport in Riyadh.

Most recently, Tharakan served as Vice President, Airlines, Commercial, Public Venues, Cargo and Logistics Partnerships at King Salman International Airport Development Company, where he helped shape the commercial and cargo strategy of one of the region's landmark aviation infrastructure projects. Before that, he spent several years at Edmonton International Airport as Director, E-Commerce, Cargo & Aviation Real Estate, and Air Service & Business Development, where he was credited with strengthening the airport's position as a North American cargo and logistics gateway. Tharakan has also held ground handling and airline-side roles earlier in his career and has served on TIACA's Board representing the technology domain. He holds an MBA from Hult International Business School.

"His exceptional leadership experience, deep understanding of the global air cargo ecosystem, and proven ability to build meaningful partnerships make him the ideal person to lead TIACA into its next chapter,” TIACA Chair Roos Bakker said about Tharakan’s selection to the TIACA role.

Hughes, reflecting on his tenure, called the past five years "one of the greatest privileges" of his career and pointed to TIACA's strengthened position as the global voice of air cargo, expanded programs and events, and growing relevance across the industry. "I am delighted to hand over the leadership of the association to Mammen," he said. "His experience, energy, and passion for aviation make him exceptionally well suited to build on the strong foundation that has been created."

Tharakan struck a similar note on succession, saying it was "a tremendous honour" to lead TIACA at a critical time for the industry. "The path forward is clear; grow our membership, deepen the value we deliver, and strengthen our visibility globally," he said, adding that he was eager to work alongside the Board, members and the Secretariat team to foster greater collaboration across the value chain.

As Director General, Tharakan will lead TIACA's secretariat and work with the board to advance the association's vision of a safe, profitable and united air cargo industry, representing stakeholders across the full value chain — shippers, forwarders, ground handlers, airports, airlines, manufacturers and technology providers. His mandate will include strategic direction, financial oversight and TIACA's representation on the global stage, building on a platform Hughes has described as well-positioned for its next chapter.

Speaking to The STAT Trade Times, Tharakan said he would be based in Toronto and would make frequent visits to TIACA's headquarters in Miami.