Patrick Hollenfeltz (Imperial Cargo Airlines): "Logistics true passion"

Hollenfeltz became CEO in 2015 at ECDC Logistics, which provides high-quality and cost-effective solutions for emerging cross-border e-commerce platforms and is an expert in customs clearance. In 2023, he founded TLS Express, which develops activities for trucking and distribution. When Liège-based Coastair Cargo, of which Imperial Cargo Airlines is part, went bankrupt a few months ago, Hollenfeltz saw the opportunity to take over the air cargo company. “Now we can offer the full chain,” he says.

Not just Africa

Imperial Cargo Airlines’ offering was mainly limited to Africa. Hollenfeltz now sees two options: continue the African lines or open new destinations. “We work a lot with China and TLS Express opened a branch in Los Angeles. We are now evaluating Imperial Cargo Airlines’ capacity to support directions other than Africa. Some people are already contacting us, which is a good signal.”

Imperial Cargo Airlines faces several challenges. One of them is rebuilding the company’s image. “A company that goes bankrupt sometimes leaves a bad taste in the industry, especially with the people who were not paid because of the bankruptcy. We explain that we are now new owners, are a stable company and have big developments ahead.”

E-commerce

Imperial Cargo Airlines’ DNA is e-commerce. “It is very challenging. When you work with Chinese people, things cannot go fast enough. The network and experience we have built up with ECDC Logistics and TLS Express are an asset. We are driven by data. These confirm that e-commerce and air cargo still have great potential.”

Imperial Cargo Airlines will not limit itself to e-commerce, but also expand into general cargo. Meanwhile, the air cargo company is already in talks with several partners to see what is possible in China and the United States.

Solid partner

Hollenfeltz has had an eventful year. Customs accused the company of undervaluing imported goods, but the court of first instance in Liege ruled in favour of ECDC Logistics in 2023. “That we were suspected of fraud was hard for us to hear. Customs said ECDC was probably involved in fraud 13 times, but the court said no 13 times. We are happy that the court did its job well and proved that ECDC is a solid and reliable partner. Several players have gone bankrupt due to similar lawsuits, but we survived.”

Passion

For Hollenfeltz, logistics is a real passion. “If you are not fascinated by it, it is difficult in the long run to keep working in this niche,” he says. He has just returned from a business trip in London. “I only had a few hours of free time and only bought one thing: paintings of planes and ships. Instead of a figurine of Big Ben or the British flag, I came back with paintings of logistics,” he laughs.