A gathering of the size and scale of World Cargo Symposium provides an ideal opportunity for IATA to meet with its members and associates, for the presentation of awards and certifications. Here are some of the highlights for Cathay Cargo and its subsidiaries.

Cathay Cargo takes the lead on digital

Cathay Cargo has become one of the founding signatories to IATA’s Digitalization Leadership Charter, signed at the World Cargo Symposium (main image).

The charter aims to highlight the need for global standards across the entire air-cargo supply chain, while building operational resilience through digital infrastructure and ensuring the ethical use of emergent technologies such as generative AI.

‘Digitalisation is imperative for the air-cargo industry,’ said Brendan Sullivan, Global Head of Cargo at IATA. ‘It requires alignment to ensure a unified and effective approach. IATA has introduced [this charter] to spearhead this alignment.’

Other founder signatories include Lufthansa Cargo, LATAM Cargo and Hong Kong’s very own Global Logistics System HK Co Ltd, which is the development partner for many of Cathay Cargo’s own innovation and digitalisation projects.

An environmental first for Cathay Cargo Terminal

Cathay Cargo Terminal has achieved full certification in IATA’s Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) programme, becoming one of the first two cargo facilities in Asia to receive this accreditation.

IEnvA certification is awarded after scrutiny of organisations’ environmental sustainability management systems, as well as their plans for future improvement.

The two Asian certifications were both awarded to facilities at Hong Kong International Airport. Cathay Cargo Terminal received its certificate alongside neighbouring facility HACTL at this month’s World Cargo Symposium. Speaking at the presentation Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist said: ‘Their commitment to sustainable aviation sets a strong example for the industry and demonstrates the positive impact of IEnvA certification in the cargo space.’

Cathay Cargo Terminal Chief Operating Officer Mark Watts added: ‘Having IEnvA-certified facilities at Hong Kong International Airport further strengthens Hong Kong’s position as the world’s leading air cargo hub.’

Air Hong Kong joins IATA

Air Hong Kong has become the first new IATA member of 2024.

The cargo airline, which flies a fleet of Airbus A300-600 and A330 freighters, is a Cathay Group subsidiary and a collaborative effort between Cathay Pacific, which provides the pilots, and DHL Express, which owns the fleet that Air Hong Kong operates. It operates regularly scheduled routes to destinations largely around Asia such as Shanghai, Bangkok and Tokyo.

Lead image: Global Logisitics System HK Co Ltd Chief Executive Simon Ng (first from left) and Director Cathay Cargo Tom Owen (third from left) on stage at WCS as co-signatories to IATA’s Digitalization Leadership Charter