• Roos Bakker, Chair of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) has called for collaboration and forward-thinking in her latest words to the industry.
• As the speed of technological developments increases with digitalisation and artificial intelligence, Bakker asks what customers may expect from the industry not just now, but in the next decade.
• Bakker’s comments come almost a month before TIACA’s Air Cargo Forum in Miami this October.

Roos Bakker, Chair of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) has addressed the industry calling for collaboration and forward-thinking, ahead of TIACA’s October Air Cargo Forum in Miami.

With technological developments in digitalisation and artificial intelligence being announced at an unprecedented pace across the globe, Bakker has posited the question, “what [will]our customers will expect from us five or ten years from now, and whether we are building toward that today?

“If we begin with that question, many of the conversations around technology, infrastructure, processes and investment become much clearer. We stop designing the future around what is convenient for us and begin designing it around the people we ultimately serve…

The volume dial on conversations surrounding the future of AI, digital integration and digital systems is continuing to turn itself up as organisations look towards automation and digital efficiency to improve their operations.

“Air cargo has always been defined by change. We adapt to shifting trade patterns, new regulations, evolving security requirements, economic uncertainty and changing customer expectations. We respond because that is what our customers, partners and the global economy depend upon us to do. Today, however, the pace and complexity of change feels different. Artificial intelligence is moving rapidly from possibility to practical application,” stated Bakker.

This was paired with a reminder of the importance of collaboration across the entire air cargo ecosystem, highlighting how each chain in air logistics is only as strong as its links with others.

“When one link struggles, the effects can move quickly across the chain. Yet we can still have a tendency to approach shared challenges from within our individual organizational boundaries. Digitalization cannot reach its full potential if information cannot move between stakeholders. Sustainability cannot be addressed by one sector acting alone. Security depends upon coordination. Resilience depends upon strong partnerships before disruption occurs, not simply rapid reactions afterward,” said Bakker.

“Our industry’s greatest challenges cross organizational boundaries, and our solutions must do the same. Collaboration is not always easy. Different organizations have different priorities, commercial realities and responsibilities. But meaningful progress rarely comes from everyone agreeing on everything. It comes from creating enough trust to listen to different perspectives, identify common objectives and move forward together.”

TIACA’s Air Cargo Forum 2026 will take place in Miami, Florida, from 26th to 29th October at the Miami Beach Convention Center. It is expected to host over 4,000 visitors with more than 250 exhibitors taking part.

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