Dallas, one of the most centrally located cities and a top business centre in the United States, is home to the 2024 CNS Partnership Conference, bringing together the leaders and decision-makers of the industry to explore and influence the future development of airfreight.
Attendees will have the chance to create connections with potential partners and prospective new businesses; learn about the latest trends and developments affecting the air cargo supply chain; and stay up-to-date with the latest government regulations and their impact on the industry.
“The CNS Partnership Conference has a dual role. As the name already says, as a partnership conference, the agenda allows plenty of time for the participants from across the value chain to network, while the various key-note speeches and workshops provide the latest update on industry trends, technology and innovation,” Alicia Lines, CNS President and Head of Cargo for IATA in the Americas, said.
“Dallas is a transportation hub. It’s a nexus for railroad, truck, and air travel, with Dallas Fort Worth International Airport providing nonstop access to more than 166 US destinations and 53 international cities, making the city an ideal location for our annual conference.”
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Industry outlook
Sustainability will be high on the agenda, as air cargo is critical to achieving the net zero carbon emission goal the aviation industry has committed to hitting by 2050. Not only do stakeholders need to work on decarbonising the value chain, they need to consider that the type of cargo flown by air – such as perishables or high-value electronics – is also in the spotlight for their commodity carbon footprint.
Digitalisation will also be a key topic. As the industry pushes for further digitalisation to become more efficient and agile, with too many paper-based processes still in air cargo, such as customs documentation. On the economic side, air cargo’s role in providing alternative transport options to sea shipping lanes that have been impacted by security threats or other reasons will no doubt be discussed. While these are a good revenue source, making capacities available will be a challenge. “From the feedback we have gathered over the past years, the participants value the fact that we have a wide-ranging attendance from across the value chain, enabling dialogue between various parties,” Lines highlighted.
“The mix of these opportunities makes the CNS Partnership Conference unique in the Americas.
“Our programme once again will offer a wide selection of workshops. The topic of safe transportation remains high on the industry agenda, along with technology and data, as well as diversity and attracting and training new talent to the air cargo sector.”
