TIACA (the International Air Cargo Association) held its Air Cargo Forum in Miami, Florida this November, attracting some 3,500 delegates from more than 80 countries over its four days. Here’s what you need to know about the event and what it means for the industry.

1) It was a growing event – with a growing global footprint

The event was part exhibition, part conference and part networking opportunity, spanning the latest advances, tech and discussion of issues affecting the global air cargo industry. This year’s panels featured 85 industry leaders on the main stage, while the Spotlight Stage enabled delegates to feature their latest products and solutions. Previously biennial, the event will become annual from 2025, alternating between Miami and Abu Dhabi.

2) Air cargo will continue with strong demand in 2025

It looks likely that the strong demand for air cargo could continue into the new year. Speaking at the Forum Ryan Keyrouse, Chief Executive of air cargo data and analytics specialist Rotate, said that the continuing growth in cargo demand, led by e-commerce, was set against global passenger services being back to near normal and a shortage of production freighters, which would put pressure on capacity. “We are almost at maximum utilisation so the aircraft can’t fly more, and next year we see a maximum of 4.4 per cent capacity growth,” he said. 

Keyrouse said that while there are risks to the continued growth of e-commerce from tariffs and stricter legislation against imports to the US and Europe, that there were still markets where penetration of the some of the newer e-commerce giants was lower, and that the model still supported air cargo. 

3) We may see a pre-US-inauguration shipping rush

One of the hot topics at Air Cargo Forum was the likely effect on the industry of the actions of the new US administration, with TIACA Director General Glyn Hughes pointing out that President Trump stated during his election campaign that he would implement tariffs of 60 per cent on all imports from the Chinese Mainland and up to 20 per cent on goods from other countries, plus the likelihood of tighter controls on e-commerce goods under the US$800 de minimis exemption. 

DB Schenker Executive Vice-President Global Airfreight Asok Kumar predicted that that tariff increases would see shippers rushing to move cargo ahead of implementation. He added that that e-commerce giants on the Chinese Mainland have prepared for de minimis changes, so impact from those would be limited.  

4) Cathay Cargo exhibited for the first time

The Air Cargo Forum featured more than 300 booths covering the airport, airline, ULD and IT industries. It featured for the first time a Cathay Cargo stand, which acted as a base for the team to meet customers, partners and suppliers, and was busy throughout. 

“Our stand provided an ideal setting for our regional customers and the Cathay Cargo team to connect and discuss business,” says Head of Cargo Marketing, Ricardo Lo. “Exhibiting at the event gave us a brand presence alongside other global players.”Finally, Cathay Cargo hosted a cocktail event for more than 100 customers, where they were welcomed by Fred Ruggiero, Vice President Cargo Americas. 

5) It was a real relationship-builder

With the Cathay Cargo stand at Air Cargo Forum acting as a fulcrum for meetings, it was a great opportunity to meet existing and new potential customers. Head of Global Partnerships Chris Bowden was in attendance: “This was a great opportunity to engage and spend time with key stakeholders across my portfolio as well as other stakeholders in the Cathay Cargo business, including our exceptionally talented team at GSA Force Group, whose team helps us extend our services into Central and South America,” he said. 

“The event was also great from a global perspective – the key movers and shakers in airfreight attended and it was a great opportunity for us to showcase our reach, but also to link with our customers from the Americas, and our global customers too.”