Ecs announced Martinelli’s death on 27 March 2025, marking the loss of a key figure in air cargo transport not only in Italy, but on the international stage. Born in 1938, he began his career in 1960 with the cargo division of Boac (British Overseas Airways Corporation), and later worked for South African Airways and Alitalia. In 1979, he founded Atc (Air Transport Consultants), which became one of the first GSAs in Italy. Atc went on to establish itself as a leader in the sector, being voted the country’s best GSA for ten consecutive years.
Martinelli’s entrepreneurial vision and his ability to build strong relationships allowed Atc to grow steadily, eventually becoming part of the international Ecs Group in 2012. He was described as a passionate, dedicated, and determined man—qualities that contributed to his success and his reputation within the industry. In addition to Atc, he also co-founded other companies in the 1990s, such as Adp and Airlog, together with his son Sauro.
