The Central Asia Air Cargo Summit 2026 has announced a distinguished lineup of aviation and logistics leaders who will headline its third edition, bringing together senior executives from airlines, airports, freight forwarders, global logistics providers and international industry organisations to discuss the future of air cargo across Central Asia and neighbouring markets.
Scheduled to take place on 30 September–1 October 2026 at the Azimut Grand Hotel in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the summit will serve as a strategic platform for industry dialogue, knowledge sharing and business networking, with a focus on strengthening Central Asia’s role as a growing hub connecting Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Eurasia.
Among the confirmed speakers is Alina Fetisova, Regional Cargo Manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at OSS-Cargo, IATA, who will present the International Air Transport Association’s perspective on cargo standards, digitalisation and the integration of Central Asian markets into the global air freight ecosystem.
Erlan Ospanov, Owner and Chairman of the Board of Sary-Arka Airport, is expected to discuss airport-led cargo development, multimodal connectivity and infrastructure investment, drawing on Kazakhstan’s expanding role in regional logistics.
Representing Almaty International Airport, President Göker Köse will provide insights into airport capacity expansion, cargo infrastructure development and the airport’s growing importance as a transit gateway between East and West.
The airline perspective will be delivered by Darko Vučić, Leading Quality & Compliance at Silk Way West Airlines, who will examine quality management, regulatory compliance and operational excellence within increasingly complex international cargo networks.
Global freight forwarding and multimodal logistics will feature prominently through Thomas Kowitzki, Vice President and Global Head of ChinaRail/Multimodal at DHL Global Forwarding, who will explore the evolving role of China–Europe transport corridors, rail-air connectivity and integrated supply chain solutions.
Risk management will also be on the agenda, with Christelle Labeyrie, Chief Executive Officer of Aélia, addressing insurance challenges, liability management and the balance of interests between airports and cargo airlines in supporting sustainable industry growth.
Express logistics and network development will be represented by Dominik Shavernev, Head of the Strategic Development Department at FedEx, who will discuss emerging opportunities for global express operators in Central Asia’s evolving logistics landscape.
The charter and special cargo sector will be represented by Gerhard Coetzee, Vice President Cargo – India, Middle East and Africa at Chapman Freeborn Aviation Services DMCC, who will share insights into flexible cargo capacity solutions, charter operations and market dynamics across the IMEA region.
Joining the programme from Atlas Air is Michael Clements, Senior Director, Sales, Customer Support & Business Development for Europe, the Middle East and India, who will contribute expertise on global freighter operations, customer solutions and business development in international cargo markets.
The summit is expected to attract decision-makers from airlines, airports, logistics providers, freight forwarders, regulators and technology companies, reflecting Central Asia’s growing strategic importance as an emerging air cargo and multimodal logistics hub linking major global trade corridors.
