Advancing Air Cargo in a Dynamic World

By Brendan Sullivan, Global Head of Cargo at the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Global trade is being reshaped in real time. Tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and policy uncertainty are altering trade lanes, fragmenting supply chains, and increasing the premium on speed and reliability. In this environment, air cargo is no longer just a mode of transport—it is a strategic enabler of global commerce.

In 2025, air cargo demand grew by 3.4%. But that headline number masks a more complex reality. Growth was uneven, reflecting shifting trade patterns, re-routing, and increasingly diversified supply chains. There was a clear shift in cargo flows from Asia–North America to Asia–Europe driven by tariff pressures and the removal of the US de minimis exemption. These dynamics are not temporary. As we look to 2026, volatility is likely to remain a defining feature of global trade—and adaptability will remain air cargo’s greatest strength.

The question facing the industry is not whether air cargo can respond to change—it has proven that repeatedly—but how it can continue to do so faster, more efficiently, and more sustainably. That challenge sits at the heart of the discussions taking place at the IATA World Cargo Symposium (WCS) in Lima in March 2026.

This year’s symposium focuses on advancing air cargo in a dynamic world by moving from diagnosis to delivery. Across dedicated tracks on regulation, digitalization, and special cargo, industry leaders, policymakers, and practitioners will examine how to strengthen the foundations that allow air cargo to perform under pressure.

Regulation is one of those foundations. Well-designed, globally aligned rules enable trade; fragmented or outdated regulation constrains it. As supply chains become more complex, regulatory frameworks must keep pace—particularly for special cargo such as pharmaceuticals, live animals, lithium batteries, perishables, and e commerce shipments. At WCS, regulators and industry will engage directly on how to maintain high safety and security standards while improving efficiency and predictability across borders.

Digitalization is another critical enabler—and one where progress is now tangible. The industry is moving beyond discussion toward implementation, with initiatives such as ONE Record demonstrating how standardized, end-to-end data exchange can improve visibility, reduce errors, and support smarter operational decisions. Practical sessions in Lima will showcase real airline use cases and live system demonstrations, underlining that digital cargo is no longer a future ambition, but an operational necessity.

The symposium will also address how air cargo can improve environmental performance while continuing to deliver the speed and reliability global trade depends on. A dedicated plenary session will explore practical pathways to reduce emissions, accelerate the adoption of new technologies and processes, and enhance operational efficiency and resilience across the supply chain.

Hosting WCS in South America for the first time reflects the region’s growing importance in global air cargo. The sector plays a vital role in connecting South American producers to global markets—particularly for time- and temperature-sensitive exports—and in supporting economic development across the region. Lima provides a fitting setting to focus on how air cargo can continue to enable trade in an increasingly dynamic environment.

The air cargo industry has proven its resilience through crisis and disruption. But resilience alone is not enough. Continued success will depend on the industry’s ability to strengthen regulation, accelerate digitalization, and invest in the capabilities needed to handle increasingly complex cargo flows safely, efficiently, and sustainably.

In a dynamic world, standing still is not an option. The conversations in Lima are about ensuring air cargo continues to move forward—together.

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