Vesa Paukkeri, chief commercial officer at CTS Engines, will join Cargo Facts Symposium for the panel discussion “Tackling sourcing and procurement challenges facing freighters and engines” on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 16:00 (GMT-5).

The 32nd annual Cargo Facts Symposium will take place Oct. 21-23 at the Grand Hyatt in Nashville, Tenn., where industry leaders and decision makers will gather to assess the latest trends and developments in the freighter sector, while sharing their insights to project the market’s growth trajectory.

View the Cargo Facts Symposium 2026 agenda.

Paukkeri will be joined on the panel by:

• Les Cronin, vice president of sales and marketing at MTU AENA; and
• Jim Neff, chief executive and founder of Western Global Airlines.

They will expand on the challenges freighter operators face sourcing and procuring engines, including:

• Minimizing component, material, inventory and labor cost escalations, particularly for aging freighter types;
• Overcoming limited engine feedstock and inventory; and
• Solutions to the global parts dilemma.

Paukkeri has provided executive leadership at CTS Engines for more than fourteen years. He became the company’s chief commercial officer in June 2024 after serving as chief executive for more than five years.

CTS Engines provides aircraft engine maintenance, repair and overhaul services, specializing in the CF6-80A, CF6-80C2, CF6-80E1, CF6-50, PW2000, F117 and GP7200 engine families. Founded in 2002, the company focuses on providing cost-effective engine maintenance solutions while emphasizing safety, reliability and customer service.

Cargo Facts Symposium 2026, the premier event for the freighter aircraft and air cargo industries, will take place in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 21-23. Find out more and register here.