Air Cargo Forum (ACF) 2025, hosted by TIACA from 3rd-6th November at Yas Island Arena in Abu Dhabi, brought the community together for an event packed with strategic announcements, leadership changes, and future-focused dialogue.
The forum marked several firsts: the first ACF hosted in Abu Dhabi, the first held inside a major sports arena, and the first edition under TIACA’s new annual schedule, reflecting the association’s growing ambition to keep pace with the industry’s rapid evolution.
The event also saw a notable leadership transition, as Roos Bakker officially assumed the role of Chair of TIACA, taking over from Steven Polmans. With a focus on inclusivity, sustainability, and innovation, Bakker’s appointment signals a fresh chapter for the organisation.
As host city, Abu Dhabi played a strategic role in reinforcing the Middle East’s emergence as a major global cargo gateway. With world-class infrastructure and proximity to Asia, Europe, and Africa, the emirate provided a fitting venue for a high-level gathering focused on innovation, connectivity, and operational excellence.
“Hosting the global logistics community here highlighted Abu Dhabi’s role as a centre for innovation and sustainable growth,” said Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer at Etihad Cargo.
TIACA launches key strategic initiatives
During ACF 2025, TIACA used the platform to unveil several strategic initiatives aimed at fostering long-term innovation and collaboration:
TIACA and HAUS61 MoU to drive innovation and support air cargo start-ups
The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) and HAUS61 GmbH have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation and promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and start-up development within the global air cargo and logistics industry.
This partnership underscores TIACA’s ongoing commitment to fostering innovation and supporting emerging businesses that are reshaping the future of air cargo. By partnering with HAUS61, TIACA aims to create new opportunities for collaboration between established industry leaders and innovative start-ups.
“At TIACA, we believe that innovation is essential to the continued growth and sustainability of the air cargo industry,” said Roos Bakker, Chair TIACA. “Our partnership with HAUS61 will help bridge the gap between start-ups with fresh ideas and the industry stakeholders who can bring those ideas to life.”
Executive Summit 2026 Announced for Warsaw
TIACA confirmed that its Executive Summit 2026 will take place in Warsaw, Poland, from 1st-3rd June, hosted by LOT Polish Airlines. The event will gather 350+ industry leaders to explore issues ranging from digitalisation and sustainability to the evolution of trade corridors in Central and Eastern Europe.
ACF 2026 Returns to Miami
Following the success of previous editions, ACF 2026 will be held in Miami Beach from 26th-29th October, continuing the association’s mission to unite the global airfreight community through action-oriented dialogue and strategic collaboration.
Etihad Cargo unveils Hybrid VTOL drone partnership with LODD Autonomous
One of the most forward-looking announcements at ACF 2025 came from Etihad Cargo, which revealed a new partnership with LODD Autonomous to trial the integration of ‘Hili’ hybrid VTOL aircraft into UAE logistics operations.
The Hili aircraft offers a 250kg payload and 700km range, capable of point-to-point transfers without runways—ideal for high-value, time-sensitive cargo. The aircraft’s autonomous design also supports reduced emissions and decentralised logistics models.
“Together with LODD Autonomous, we hope to open up new possibilities for air cargo—creating smarter, faster, and more sustainable ways to move goods across the country,” said Stanislas Brun, Etihad Cargo’s Chief Cargo Officer.
Astral Aviation appoints TAM Group as GSSA for Hong Kong and Macau
In another ACF 2025 announcement, Astral Aviation named TAM Group as its exclusive General Sales and Service Agent (GSSA) for Hong Kong and Macau from November 2025 to October 2027.
The partnership aims to expand Astral’s presence in East Asia, targeting general freight, e-commerce, and high-value cargo, while strengthening trade lanes between Africa and Asia.
“This partnership brings China and Africa closer together,” said Sanjeev Gadhia, CEO of Astral Aviation. “TAM’s regional footprint gives us the opportunity to reach underutilised markets beyond traditional gateways.”
Strong conference themes
The ACF 2025 conference agenda was broad in scope and sharp in focus. Key themes included:
Digitalisation: With speakers from IBS Software, Awery Aviation Software, and Freightos, the sessions highlighted how the air cargo industry is moving toward full integration of AI, automation, and smart platforms.
Sustainability: Discussions on aviation’s journey to net zero by 2050 explored SAF deployment, emissions tracking, and collaboration across the value chain.
Workforce Development: From upskilling to attracting new talent, panellists from Emirates SkyCargo, Aviation NOW, and others addressed the critical need to close the talent gap.
Regional Growth: With the Middle East expanding its infrastructure footprint, speakers from Saudi Cargo, NAFL, and Etihad outlined how regional players are building competitive advantages in connectivity and cargo resilience.
