The Airforwarders Association (AfA) has announced the winners of its prestigious 2025 Industry Awards during this year’s AirCargo Conference in Dallas, Texas. The event, which drew over 1,000 industry professionals and nearly 100 exhibitors, marked a new milestone as one of the largest gatherings in the air cargo sector.
The annual AfA Industry Awards recognize excellence and dedication within the freight forwarding and air cargo community, celebrating organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry.
Honoring Excellence in Air Cargo
The winners for 2025 include:
• International Airline of the Year – Lufthansa Cargo
• Domestic Airline of the Year – Southwest Cargo
• Surface Carrier of the Year – Sterling Transportation
• Vendor of the Year – 7LFreight
• Jim Foster Memorial Award – Geoffrey Arend (Publisher, FlyingTypers)
One of the event’s most notable moments was the presentation of the Jim Foster Memorial Award to Geoffrey Arend, the longtime publisher of FlyingTypers. Arend’s publication, which has been a cornerstone of air logistics reporting for five decades, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Brandon Fried, Executive Director of the Airforwarders Association, highlighted the importance of collaboration in the industry.
“This year, collaboration has been key to navigating the latest challenges in air logistics. It’s incredible to see so many of our members coming together to discuss the future of air cargo,” Fried said.
Speaking about Arend’s recognition, Fried added:
“It was an honor to present Geoffrey with the Jim Foster Award, which holds so much meaning for our industry. After 50 years of front-line reporting on air cargo, he is truly a well-deserved winner.”
A Growing Event for a Growing Industry
This year’s AirCargo Conference underscored the strength and resilience of the air logistics sector. With a record number of attendees and exhibitors, the event provided a platform for industry leaders to connect, share insights, and explore innovations shaping the future of freight forwarding.
As the air cargo industry continues to evolve, the Airforwarders Association remains committed to recognizing excellence and fostering a strong, collaborative community.
