Air cargo plays a vital role as a global trade enabler, extending the reach of businesses by providing faster and more convenient access to markets. It enhances responsiveness to customer needs, strengthens connectivity between buyers and sellers, and supports efficient practices like just-in-time inventory management and build-to-order production.
Despite representing less than one percent of global trade by volume, air freight accounts for 35 percent by value, highlighting its critical importance to international commerce. Its cargo is diverse in both physical characteristics and value, originating from and destined for nearly anywhere in the world. This makes air cargo indispensable for the success of e-commerce, which relies heavily on its services.
The air cargo industry continues to evolve, shaped by advancements in aircraft technology, the rapid expansion of electronic transactions, and shifts in logistics services. Its integration with other modes of transport through intermodal supply chains is transforming how businesses interact with each other, consumers, and governments worldwide.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, air cargo played a vital role in the transport of humanitarian and medical goods, including personal protective equipment and vaccines, while still meeting demand for everyday consumer needs. This is due to aviation’s speed and reliability, giving it an advantage over other modes of transport in “same-day” and “next-day” delivery services and transportation of urgent or time-sensitive goods.
ICAO is holding the First ICAO Global Air Cargo Summit from 9-11 April 2025, an event that will provide a unique platform for a collaborative approach to addressing key challenges in the air cargo industry. The event, which is hosted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of Türkiye and sponsored by MNG Airlines, aims to develop a pragmatic roadmap to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the air cargo operating environment. By fostering a harmonized approach to safety, security, facilitation, economic regulation, and operational challenges, the summit will help define a practical and sustainable future for air cargo operations. We’re sharing the tentative programme for the Air Cargo Summit at the bottom of this article.
To continue to optimize the many benefits of air cargo services and to assure the sustainable growth of this unique sector, concerted efforts must be made to improve its operating environment by removing operational and regulatory constraints without compromising safety and security. In this regard, it would be necessary to establish a more liberal and flexible market access for air cargo operations and:
- put in place quality infrastructure commensurate with the current and future air cargo development;
- encourage improved and integrated supply chains under a liberalized marketplace;
- streamline security and safety measures to improve efficiency;
- foster the use of technology and innovation to enhance cargo processing speed, accuracy and safety;
- optimize the use of Pre-Loading Advance Cargo Information (PLACI) data for risk and aviation security purposes;
- intensify the use of unmanned aircraft systems to perform tasks of cargo deliveries; and
- encourage the ratification of the legal framework for global cargo operations, among others.
ICAO’s Air Cargo Summit will bring together stakeholders of air cargo services at various levels, including regulators, airlines, freight forwarders, airport operators, academia, and other strategic partners from relevant UN agencies. For more information on the event, click the link below.
