At the World Cargo Summit 2025 in Ostend, Belgium, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) played a significant role in the Executive Panel that kick-started the conference.
The panel, titled “The Big Picture,” was moderated by Glyn Hughes, Director General of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA). It featured distinguished industry leaders Wilson Kwong, CEO of HACTL; Eduardo Arenas Perez, VP Cargo at Avianca; and Dr. Stéphane Graber, FIATA Director General. The discussion delved into the key opportunities and challenges facing the industry in 2025, offering invaluable insights on how to navigate ongoing disruptions.
Key topics included pressing airfreight issues such as digitalization and workforce shortages, alongside the broader implications of geopolitical tensions on global supply chains. 2025 is poised to test the air cargo industry’s ability to maintain efficiency and sustainability amidst this turbulence. Industry stakeholders must adapt to volatility, demonstrating agility and resilience in an increasingly complex landscape.
Despite these challenges, air cargo continues to be a vital enabler of global trade, benefiting from maritime disruptions and the sustained rise of e-commerce. Shifting consumption patterns and demographic changes are bolstering demand for faster deliveries, while capacity constraints at major hubs are driving the development of regional airports.
However, significant hurdles remain in 2025:
Aging freighter fleets, increasing operational costs, and evolving regulatory frameworks that risk fragmentation.
Growing sustainability expectations and the urgent need for industry-wide digitalization.
The necessity to redefine collaboration, strengthening ties between carriers, freight forwarders, ground handlers, and airports to drive innovation, efficiency, and sustainability.
The digital transformation of logistics remains a crucial focus, with FIATA emphasizing the need for interoperability and interconnectivity. They warned against the risks of fragmented digital systems that could create isolated “digital islands.” Cybersecurity, data protection, and governance must be prioritized to ensure digital advancements enhance efficiency without creating new barriers.
Additionally, FIATA highlighted the importance of harmonized global regulations that balance security requirements with industry feasibility. Recent regulatory shifts have underscored the dangers of unilateral decisions, reinforcing the need for early engagement between authorities and the private sector. Moving forward, dialogue and cooperation will be key to building a more resilient, adaptable, and future-ready logistics sector.
Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd (HACTL) emphasized the need to look beyond digitalization and consider 2025 as the year of Robotics. With workforce shortages intensifying, automation and robotics present practical solutions to enhance efficiency, reduce labor constraints, and future-proof operations.
As the industry navigates the road ahead, adaptability, innovation, and collaboration will remain the cornerstones of success.
