Air cargo supply chain organisation TIACA has selected Cargojet founder Ajay Virmani as the recipient of its Hall of Fame award, while Hong Kong cargo handler Hactl has scooped one of the organisation’s sustainability awards.
TIACA said that under the leadership of Virmani, Cargojet had established a robust overnight domestic network that reaches communities and businesses across Canada while continuing to expand beyond Canada’s borders into international markets.
“Today, Cargojet is recognised for its reliability, customer service, and industry-leading on-time performance,” Tiaca said.
Virmani began his career in logistics through his family’s trucking business before expanding into air cargo.
“Through entrepreneurship, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to customer excellence, he went on to found Cargojet in 2002 and build the company into Canada’s leading overnight air cargo airline and a growing global carrier,” Tiaca said.
TIACA chair Roos Bakker said: “Ajay Virmani’s journey is a remarkable example of vision, perseverance, and leadership. From humble beginnings to building one of the world’s most respected cargo airlines, his contribution to the air cargo industry has been both transformational and enduring.
“Through his commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and people, Ajay has helped shape the future of our industry and inspired generations of leaders across the global air cargo community.”
TIACA director general Glyn Hughes added: “He has built Cargojet into a critical pillar of Canada’s supply chain while consistently championing safety, reliability, and industry collaboration.
“His leadership extends beyond business success through his philanthropic efforts and his support for the broader aviation and healthcare communities.”
Virmani said: “It is a privilege to receive this recognition from Tiaca and from an industry that has been such an important part of my life.
“While this honour carries my name, it truly belongs to the incredible people who have helped build Cargojet into what it is today.”
Hactl scoops sustainability award
Meanwhile, TIACA and partner CHAMP Cargosystems announced that Hactl had won the Sustainability Award corporate category for its project, “Redefining Cargo Packaging Through Circular Materials”.
Hactl’s initiative addresses the waste generated by the use of plastic wrap through the development of aviation-grade polyethylene cargo films made from post-consumer recycled materials.
The project successfully achieved lab validation of the industry’s first 100% post-consumer recycled cargo film capable of meeting aviation-grade operational and mechanical requirements.
“The project combines material innovation, operational deployment, and closed-loop recycling processes to reduce reliance on virgin plastics while supporting circularity within cargo operations,” Tiaca said.
At full deployment, the initiative has the potential to divert approximately 700 tonnes of plastic waste annually from landfill while significantly reducing lifecycle carbon emissions associated with cargo packaging.
Hughes said: “The level of innovation and commitment demonstrated by this year’s applicants continues to show how seriously our industry is embracing sustainability.
“Hactl’s initiative stands out because it tackles a long-standing operational challenge with a solution that is practical, measurable, and scalable for the wider air cargo community.”
TIACA also announced the three finalists in the Start-Up/Small Business Category for the 2026 awards: BioNatur Plastics, CargoAi and Goods2Load.
The Start-Up/Small Business finalists will present their initiatives in Warsaw during TIACA’s Executive Summit, where the audience will ultimately decide who the winner of the $10,000 cash prize will be.
