• Frankfurt’s Air Cargo Conference has become a major international industry gathering, attracting more than 400 delegates from airlines, freight forwarders, handlers, technology providers, suppliers and other parts of the global air cargo supply chain.
• Resilience is a central theme, with geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, conflicts, economic uncertainty and regulatory change testing supply chains. Speakers highlighted airfreight’s speed, flexibility and ability to keep goods moving when other transport routes are disrupted, while supporting critical sectors such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, technology and manufacturing.
• The conference is focused on collaboration and innovation, combining keynote sessions and panels with an exhibition, startup pitches, networking tools and commercial meetings. Organisers stressed the importance of sharing expertise, developing new ideas and strengthening partnerships to help the industry respond to a rapidly changing market.

More than 400 delegates from across the international air cargo and logistics industry have gathered in Frankfurt for the 11th Air Cargo Conference, hosted by Air Cargo Community Frankfurt e.V. at the Congress Center of Messe Frankfurt on 2nd and 3rd September.

The event marks the latest chapter in a conference that began more than a decade ago as a small initiative involving industry professionals, academics and students. After ten years of growth, including last year’s anniversary event at Frankfurt’s football stadium, the conference has developed into an established fixture in the European air cargo calendar.

“We have airlines, we have freight forwarders. We have handling agents. We have suppliers, technology providers, and we do have a lot more from our supply chain representatives of all the different kinds of services we have in our very long, long supply chain here in cargo, in the air as well as on the ground,” Michael Hope, Member of the Board of Air Cargo Community Frankfurt, explained, as he launched the event. But this diversity makes our business very complex, but at the same time, it’s our strength because we do have many, many sets of things that we know very well, and we do very good jobs everywhere. Otherwise, the whole system wouldn’t work.”

The conference’s growing international reach was evident in the audience, with participants travelling from across Europe as well as China, Ethiopia, India, the United States and other markets. For the organisers, the international turnout reflects both Frankfurt’s position as a major logistics gateway and the inherently global nature of the air cargo business.

“Our guests are not from Frankfurt local and not Frankfurt Downtown. No, this conference developed into an international conference in the meantime. We have people from across Europe. We also have participants here from China, from Ethiopia, from India, United States, and also other parts of the world. So that makes it a really international event,” Hope continued.

That global perspective comes at a challenging time. Geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, conflicts, economic uncertainty and regulatory changes are reshaping the conditions in which cargo operators and their customers work.

“We have learned not only in the pandemic but also before that always crises bear a lot of potential for new ideas and new opportunities, and crises make us think differently. So that helps to develop and that helps to reshape the industry again. When common sea transport routes don’t work properly, aircraft keeps goods moving. That means that we are able to be flexible and to be very speedy in global connectivity,” Hope argued.

The resilience of air cargo is therefore becoming increasingly relevant as shippers and logistics providers navigate an unpredictable trading environment. For airlines, the cargo business also provides an important source of revenue and a means of strengthening the overall resilience of their operations.

But the industry’s contribution extends beyond its commercial role, with airfreight supporting sectors ranging from pharmaceuticals and healthcare to technology and manufacturing.

“Cargo is about much, much more than only the transportation of goods. Cargo connects industries, people, and connects also countries and cultures. It brings together aviation and brings together the air and the ground. So our business is everywhere,” Hope affirmed.

That broader role is reflected in the programme being delivered over the two-day conference. Delegates can expect keynote presentations, panel discussions, startup pitches and opportunities to examine new technologies and approaches emerging across the sector.

“For the second time, we will have eight startups in the afternoon presenting their innovative solutions to us and to a jury,” Felix Toepsch, Executive Director of Air Cargo Community Frankfurt, highlighted. “This year, once again, we have an exhibition area right in front here. So during the break, I encourage you to have good coffee and chats, but also check out the exhibition booths and exchange with their colleagues there.”

The expanded exhibition provides a physical showcase for companies working across the cargo ecosystem, while private meeting rooms give delegates space for more focused commercial discussions. An event app also enables participants to connect with one another and submit questions directly during conference sessions.

“This is, as always, a community effort, and all that you have seen, that you have experienced already, and that we will see in the next upcoming days, would not have been possible without the tremendous support of our partners. Our partners help us setting up the agenda, our partners support us with services, with presenting keynotes and other things that are needed for a conference like this. Thank you very much for that,” Toepsch affirmed.

The conference will also provide a more informal opportunity for delegates to continue conversations, with a sunset cruise on the Main River scheduled for the end of the first day.

Ultimately, the organisers are positioning the event as a forum for more than simply exchanging views. With supply chains being tested by geopolitical and economic pressures, the focus is on building relationships, sharing expertise and identifying practical responses to a rapidly changing market.

“These conferences like today are very important. They allow us to learn from each other. They allow us to meet new people, to get new ideas, discuss challenges, identify new opportunities and strengthen partnerships to shape the future for our industry. We wish you a very fruitful day today as well as tomorrow,” Hope concluded. “Cargo connects the world and cargo connects all of us.”

The post Frankfurt cargo community gathers for 11th Air Cargo Conference appeared first on Air Cargo Week.