The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) has urged the global air cargo industry to place greater emphasis on workforce development, cross-sector collaboration and continuous learning as it prepares for an increasingly digital and technology-driven future.
In the second edition of his “From the Desk of the Chair” message, TIACA Chair Roos Bakker outlined the association’s vision for addressing emerging industry challenges, stressing that people, education and collaboration will remain the foundations of long-term success in air cargo. The letter forms part of an ongoing series intended to share TIACA leadership’s views on key industry issues while encouraging feedback from members worldwide.
Bakker reaffirmed that one of TIACA’s defining strengths is its diverse membership, bringing together stakeholders from every stage of the global air cargo supply chain—from airlines, airports and ground handlers to freight forwarders, technology providers and shippers. This broad representation, she said, enables the association to foster collaboration and develop integrated, customer-focused logistics solutions.
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The Chair noted that the traditional career path within air cargo has evolved considerably. In previous decades, many industry leaders progressed through operational roles before moving into senior management, gaining valuable hands-on experience along the way. Today’s industry, however, offers fewer opportunities to follow that route, making structured learning and professional development increasingly important.
According to Bakker, the industry must rethink how it attracts, develops and retains talent by creating clear career pathways for the next generation of professionals. She emphasised that air cargo continues to offer rewarding long-term career opportunities across a wide range of disciplines, provided organisations invest in education and skills development.
The letter also highlights the growing importance of diversity and inclusion. Bakker said organisations that embrace technological change while encouraging collaboration, innovation and broader participation from women and younger professionals are better positioned to adapt to economic and market shifts.
“Behind every shipment, every innovation and every success, there are people,” she wrote, stressing that the industry’s future depends on maintaining a culture where employees are heard, respected and encouraged to contribute new ideas.
As digital technologies, automation and artificial intelligence reshape logistics operations, Bakker argued that continuous training must become a strategic priority rather than an operational expense. She said organisations should equip employees with the knowledge needed not only to use new digital tools but also to better understand the broader supply chain and deliver greater value to customers.
Routine manual tasks, she noted, are increasingly being automated, allowing employees to focus on innovation, customer service and the development of higher-value logistics solutions. Achieving this, however, requires stronger collaboration across the supply chain and a deeper understanding of each stakeholder’s evolving capabilities.
Bakker also proposed reviving TIACA’s former Education and Research Committee, suggesting it could be redesigned to meet the needs of today’s air cargo market. A modernised committee could develop industry-wide training programmes, workshops and educational resources tailored to professionals at every stage of their careers and across all sectors of the supply chain.
She pointed out that customer expectations continue to rise, driven largely by the service standards established by integrators, dedicated e-commerce airlines and online retailers, where rapid delivery—often within 72 hours—has become the benchmark.
Concluding her message, Bakker encouraged the industry to embrace fresh thinking, support emerging leaders and continue sharing knowledge to overcome future challenges. She also invited TIACA members to contribute ideas and feedback, reinforcing the association’s commitment to shaping the future of global air cargo through collaboration and continuous improvement.
