allivate names Hupka and Petri as new managing directors for 2026

Frankfurt-based IT company allivate has appointed two new managing directors to head its operations from the start of 2026. Matthias Hupka and Niklas Petri, both former senior consultants at the company, took over leadership on 1 January.

Matthias Hupka will focus on IT, project management, and product development, including the technical and strategic development of allivate’s FAIR@Link platform and the integration of new modules and services. A computer scientist by training, he has previously worked at Fraport, cimt, and the consulting firm WSP, bringing extensive experience in air cargo, consulting, and IT development.

Niklas Petri will lead sales and oversee the operational design of digitised and automated air cargo processes. He will drive market expansion, strategic development, and the creation of new services and business models. An economist specialising in logistics and a qualified forwarding agent, Petri has experience at DB Schenker in air cargo and at DB Cargo in project management and strategic development.

The two managing directors have identified process consulting and strategic expansion as their joint priorities. They said: “Our unique selling point is how we work closely with the community on the digital transformation to achieve the best possible result for the air cargo industry. We want to apply the very successful concept of an established and shared Cargo Community System that has been developed at FRA to other airports.”

Hupka and Petri will work closely with joint venture partners DAKOSY and Fraport. Hupka will interface with DAKOSY, responsible for the FAIR@Link platform, while Petri will collaborate with Fraport, which contributes its air cargo network and community expertise – providing a strong foundation for growth beyond Frankfurt.

allivate began operations in January 2024 with Martina Schikorr and Dirk Gladiator as joint managing directors. After Ms Schikorr’s interim replacement by Denis de Farias Duarte in June 2025, Hupka and Petri now take over leadership. Gladiator will remain in an advisory role until 31 March 2026.