The TIACA Executive Summit 2025 officially opened in Hong Kong with a welcome ceremony that brought together key figures from across the global air cargo industry. With performances, speeches, and a strong sense of regional pride, the event set the stage for two days of discussions focused on innovation, resilience, and collaboration.
Cathay Cargo’s Director Cargo Tom Owen opened the welcome session by underlining Hong Kong’s strategic position in trade: “Hong Kong acts as that vital hub within this regional growth engine, leveraging the integrated infrastructure with all the other cities within the GBA.”
He also previewed Cathay’s future direction: “We have started to add more than 100 state-of-the-art aircraft to our fleet… This includes orders for six new generation A350 freighters, with the right to acquire an additional 20.”
Owen concluded by reaffirming Cathay’s commitment: “Together with our industry partners, we hope to shape a smarter, more sustainable and more connected future.”
Hong Kong’s global role reaffirmed
Cissy Chan, Executive Director, Commercial of Hong Kong International Airport, began by extending “a very warm welcome again to Hong Kong” and expressed her gratitude to TIACA for bringing the Executive Summit to the city. She highlighted the strategic developments that have reinforced Hong Kong’s position as the world’s busiest cargo airport in 2024.
“So I would like to start by giving a big thank you to all of you, to the entire air cargo community. Thanks to your support. We are Hong Kong International Airport is prime again, the world’s busiest cargo airport in 2024.”
She also outlined key infrastructure investments, including the full operation of the three-runway system and the ongoing integration with the Greater Bay Area. “This actually allows us to extend our service area to the Greater Bay Area with one more cross-efficient, effective intermodal transport system.”
Chan further spotlighted the airport’s commitment to digitalisation and business facilitation, with initiatives like the Hong Kong IA Data Community Platform and the newly launched Skytopia project. “What we are trying to do here is to combine commercial activities with art, popular culture, entertainment and leisure activities.”
Sector leadership, connection, and opportunity
Wilson Kwong, CEO of Hactl, addressed the summit as both a sponsor and local industry leader. “I’m thrilled because Hong Kong is, of course, the world’s busiest cargo airport, but it is only possible through the collective effort of everyone we have in the room.”
He also acknowledged the importance of collaboration across all cargo stakeholders. Touching on industry-wide changes, he reflected on current challenges and new dynamics: “We are going through interesting changes in our industry, shaped, of course, by changing geo-economic and geopolitical circumstances, shaped by advancing technology… and our own generational shifts.”
Connecting through shared values and resilience
TIACA Chair Steven Polmans opened with appreciation: “We cannot say how happy and grateful we are as TIACA to be gathering here in Hong Kong… There is truly no better place to meet, reconnect with old friends and make new ones.”
He reflected on the human element of the industry, noting both its community spirit and recent moments of loss: “The recent tragic Air India incident and the passing just this weekend of Fred Smith… remind us of the deep connections and shared values we hold.”
Polmans also emphasised the importance of mindset: “Where others only see risks, we also see opportunity. That mindset is what drives us forward in this ever-evolving global landscape.”
