Atlas Air COO and Boeing 747 Captain Klaus Goersch: “Being Out There and Seeing Operations First-Hand Is Essential”

Atlas Air Chief Operating Officer Klaus Goersch spoke with HavaSosyalMedya during the IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Rio de Janeiro, regarding the company’s Airbus A350 freighter order, the current state of the global air cargo market, and his recent return to the flight deck as a Boeing 747 captain.

Describing Atlas Air’s order for Airbus A350 freighters as a significant milestone for the company, Goersch emphasized the strategic flexibility the aircraft will provide. “The A350 order is monumental for Atlas. It positions us for the future. While we need to replace some aircraft, we also want to grow. Bringing Airbus into the fleet gives us additional opportunities and flexibility depending on what becomes available in the marketplace,” he said.

Although Goersch spent much of his career in the passenger airline sector before joining Atlas Air, he noted that the cargo industry has quickly demonstrated its long-term potential. “I’m learning a lot about cargo. What I’ve recognized is that there is strong demand for the services we provide. If more freighters were available today, we could introduce them into the market. However, there simply aren’t enough aircraft available,” he explained. He also pointed to Atlas Air’s business model as one of the company’s strengths. “We operate under long-term agreements with our customers. That provides stability and a steady cash flow for the future. It’s a very exciting industry, and I’ve really enjoyed becoming part of it,” he added.

Beyond his executive responsibilities, Goersch recently returned to active flying duties and now serves as a Boeing 747 line captain. He piloted the Atlas Air Boeing 747 flight carrying Atlas Air CEO Michael Steen from Miami to Rio de Janeiro for the IATA AGM. Reflecting on his return to the cockpit, Goersch described the experience as both professionally rewarding and operationally valuable.
“I hadn’t flown for several years, so having the opportunity to return to the flight deck has been wonderful. The Boeing 747 is a classic aircraft. Many pilots dream of flying it at some point in their careers, and I’m grateful that I had that opportunity,” he said.

Goersch further emphasized that maintaining direct exposure to day-to-day operations helps him perform his role more effectively as Chief Operating Officer. “In my previous experience with passenger airlines, operations were often limited to major cities. At Atlas Air, we operate all over the world. As COO, being out there and seeing what is happening first-hand is extremely important. I’m excited that I can do it, and I intend to continue doing so,” he concluded.

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