Industry leaders to navigate the rapidly evolving air cargo landscape
Mark Drusch, Chief Officer Cargo at Qatar Airways,
Ali Turk, Chief Cargo Officer at Turkish Cargo
Air Cargo China is set to return to the Shanghai New International Expo Centre from June 25 to 27, 2024, following a six-year hiatus due to the global pandemic. This eagerly awaited event promises to be a significant milestone for the air cargo industry, featuring conference programs packed with high-caliber speakers and thought-provoking discussions.
High-Caliber Speakers and Thought-Provoking Discussions
The Air Cargo China exhibition and conferences are poised to be a major event, bringing together industry leaders to navigate the rapidly evolving air cargo landscape. The conference will feature a range of sessions addressing the industry’s most pressing challenges and opportunities.
Keynote by Qatar Airways’ Chief Officer Cargo on day one
The conference will commence with a keynote address by Mark Drusch, Chief Officer Cargo at Qatar Airways, the world’s largest cargo carrier. In his keynote titled “The Air Cargo Industry Must Modernize,” Drusch will explore critical questions such as why the air cargo sector lags behind the passenger aviation business in terms of modernization and digitization. He will also discuss how the industry can enhance speed and visibility across the value chain amidst the proliferation of digital commerce, drawing lessons from the passenger aviation sector to improve efficiency. Drusch will challenge industry stakeholders to consider: If not now, when?
Navigating the E-Commerce Revolution and Trans-Pacific Trade
The conference will delve into pivotal issues such as “Navigating the E-Commerce Revolution in Air Cargo Logistics” and “Trans-Pacific Air Cargo Trade – Is the Best Yet to Come?” The pandemic, disruptions in ocean container shipping, and geopolitical issues have significantly impacted air cargo volumes on the transpacific route from Asia to North America. Despite these challenges, the market is poised for a busier summer than usual, with robust demand expected in the last quarter of the year. Contributing factors include disruptions to ocean freight services in the Red Sea, a resilient US economy, and the e-commerce boom originating from China. Asia remains the top region for air cargo demand, followed by North America.
The Growing Influence of E-Commerce on Air Cargo
According to the cargo Industry reports there has been a substantial increase in cargo volume from cross-border e-commerce channels. By 2022, this segment had doubled from 10% to 20% of total air cargo volume, and it is projected to reach approximately 25% by 2027. Per IATA, one out of every five parcels currently transported by air has been purchased online, with this ratio expected to grow to one in three by 2027. Consequently, air cargo will play an increasingly critical role in the movement of goods from e-commerce channels. Discussions will address important questions such as: What does this demand from air cargo industry stakeholders? How can they build capabilities to handle rapid increases in e-commerce cargo volumes globally? How can technology enable the movement of cargo with enhanced security, speed, efficiency, and transparency?
Embracing Digital Transformation in Air Freight on day 2
On the second day of the conference, Ali Turk, Chief Cargo Officer at Turkish Cargo, one of the world’s top three cargo carriers, will deliver a keynote address titled “Future of Air Freight is Digital – How Will Cargo Airlines Enable Digital Transformation through Process Automation and Technology.” Turk’s session will emphasize the critical need for the air cargo industry to embrace digital transformation. He will discuss how this transformation can help navigate economic uncertainty, evolving customer needs, and fierce competition within the air cargo market.
Paving the Way for the Future of Air Cargo Logistics
Air Cargo China 2024 is set to be an essential forum for the industry, addressing the pressing issues of digitalization, modernization, and the e-commerce revolution. This event will pave the way for the future of air cargo logistics, ensuring the industry is well-equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly changing global marketplace.
