TIACA Air Cargo Forum 2026 to examine market trends, technology and geopolitical risks
The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) will bring together leaders from across the global air freight industry in Miami from 26 to 29 October for the Air Cargo Forum (ACF) 2026, with discussions set to cover market developments, emerging technologies, supply chain resilience and the impact of geopolitical tensions on global logistics. Taking place at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Florida under the theme “Uniting the world of air cargo”, the event will convene representatives from airlines, airports, ground handlers, freight forwarders, technology providers, shippers and industry associations. Organisers expect more than 250 exhibiting companies at this year’s forum. The previous edition, held in 2024, attracted more than 250 exhibitors and over 3,500 unique visitors, according to the supplied event report. The conference programme is expected to address changing cargo demand, capacity and pricing, evolving trade lanes, customer expectations and the operational pressures facing air freight businesses. Discussions will also focus on service quality, shipment visibility, sustainability, innovation and collaboration across the supply chain. Market outlook and customer expectations Market conditions and the outlook for global air cargo will be central themes, as industry participants assess economic uncertainty, changing trade flows and the balance between capacity and demand. The programme will also examine how customer requirements are evolving, particularly in areas such as real-time shipment visibility, reliable service, resilience and sustainability. Airlines, airports, freight forwarders, ground handlers and technology providers are expected to discuss how closer cooperation can improve performance and address increasingly complex logistics needs. Leadership, investment priorities and the future direction of global logistics will form part of the wider debate, with a focus on how the industry can adapt to shifting market conditions. Geopolitical risks and maritime chokepoints Geopolitical tensions and disruption along major maritime routes are expected to feature in discussions about supply chain resilience and the relationship between air and ocean freight. The Strait of Hormuz, the Panama Canal and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait remain strategically important to global trade. Disruptions, restrictions or security risks affecting these routes can alter shipping schedules, transit times and transport costs, with potential consequences for cargo flows and demand for alternative logistics solutions. For air cargo operators, understanding these developments is important for capacity planning, route selection and customer communication. The extent to which maritime disruption translates into additional air freight demand will depend on the type of goods being transported, the urgency of delivery and the availability and cost of air capacity. The programme will also address cross-border e-commerce and the integration of postal and air cargo networks. Discussions are expected to cover data exchange, operational standards, security, customs compliance and coordination between postal operators and air freight stakeholders as international parcel flows continue to evolve. Industry leaders set to participate The event’s speaker roster spans airlines, airports, cargo handlers, technology companies, shippers and industry associations. Airport and infrastructure representatives named in the supplied programme include Ralph Cutie, director and CEO of Miami International Airport; Jonathan Daniels, director and CEO of PortMiami; Geert Aerts, chief cargo and real estate officer at Brussels Airport; and Frédéric Brun, vice-president of sales and marketing at Liege Airport. Airline cargo leaders listed include Andrés Bianchi, CEO of LATAM Cargo Group; Diogo Elias, CEO of Avianca Cargo; Peter Penseel, president of Delta Cargo; Ian Morgan, vice-president of cargo at Alaska Airlines; Dominic Perret, director of cargo at Cathay Cargo; and Ramesh Mamidala, head of cargo at Air India. Martin Drew, chief strategy and transformation officer at Atlas Air Worldwide, is also among the industry executives identified. Ground handling and cargo services will be represented by Jared Azcuy, CEO of Alliance Ground International; Steven Polmans, senior vice-president of global cargo at Swissport; Martin Holme, chief commercial officer at SATS; Carsten Hernig, vice-president and deputy general manager at PACTL; and Cherry Ho, head of customer services at HACTL. Technology speakers named in the supplied material include Manuel Galindo, CEO of CHAMP Cargosystems; Amar More, CEO of Kale Logistics Solutions; Matt Petot, founder and CEO of CargoAi; Vitaly Smilianets, founder and CEO of Awery Aviation Software; and Olivier Houri, executive vice-president of SmartKargo. Shipper and manufacturing perspectives are expected from Mark Chadwick of Global Shippers Association, Kim Knouse of GE Vernova and Lucas Martin of Lockheed Martin, alongside representatives from Airbus and Boeing. ...
