The 2025 edition of air cargo Europe in Munich was more than just the largest to date—it was a signal that the airfreight sector has stepped into a new era. With a 66 percent share of international exhibitors and a doubling of exhibition space, the event reflected both the structural evolution of the logistics sector and strategic recalibrations within Messe München itself.
“This remarkable growth is the result of the deliberate internationalisation strategies that we have pursued over the past few years,” said Dr Robert Schönberger, Global Industry Lead at Messe München. “We significantly expanded our global sales and partner network, focusing on key logistics hubs across Asia, North America and the Middle East.”
The decision to expand air cargo Europe into two dedicated halls was not made lightly. According to Schönberger, it was a direct response to overwhelming demand. “Air cargo is no longer a niche within logistics; it’s a central driver of global supply chains, especially in the context of e-commerce, pharmaceuticals and technology,” he explained. “Companies want more room to present end-to-end solutions, including digital platforms, aircraft handling systems, ULD innovations and smart cargo monitoring.”
But it wasn’t just about physical space. The show’s growth also mirrors the industry’s growing ambition to showcase integrated logistics solutions. “The additional space enables us to more accurately reflect the complexity and ambition of today’s air cargo sector,” Schönberger added.
Tangible innovation, and the tech takeover
One of the key strengths of this year’s edition was the depth of its conference programme. For Schönberger, a standout moment was the panel on AI-driven resilience. “The discussion went beyond buzzwords, focusing on actionable strategies for predictive routing, demand forecasting and disruption mitigation,” he said.
Another highlight? A keynote examining how geopolitical realignments are redrawing air cargo corridors. “It addressed nearshoring, regulatory divergence and the effects of changing trade alliances. These conversations informed and helped set the agenda for how air cargo stakeholders will navigate the coming years,” Schönberger noted.
Tech’s influence wasn’t confined to conference stages. It was alive and hands-on across the exhibition halls. “Several exhibitors gave live demonstrations that truly pushed the envelope,” said Schönberger. He pointed to a standout digital twin platform that let visitors simulate cargo flows in real time. Another major draw: a blockchain-based air waybill system with live interoperability demos.
“What was once just ‘tech talk’ is now becoming tangible, and that shift was clearly visible on the show floor,” he said. The interest in cybersecurity also spiked, particularly solutions tailored to the airfreight ground environment and integrated IT systems.
Looking forward, Messe München plans to deepen its role in nurturing innovation. “In future editions, we plan to incorporate more curated tech zones, start-up accelerators and demo areas driven by use cases,” he said. The event also intends to draw on expertise beyond traditional logistics. “We see growing potential in cross-sector collaboration, such as bringing in AI experts from sectors like fintech and telecommunications.”
Regional divergence in a global industry
Sustainability was not just a buzzword in Munich—it was embedded across the board. From exhibition booths to mainstage panels, environmental impact took centre stage. “There was an increase in exhibitors showcasing initiatives related to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), electric ground support equipment and AI tools for optimising aircraft loading to reduce emissions,” said Schönberger.
Dedicated Green Logistics Sessions offered real-world case studies, including modal shift strategies and carbon accounting systems. Several important alliances and memoranda of understanding were also announced during the show, further signalling how green investment is now standard business practice.
“We’ve moved beyond pilot projects—sustainability is now a part of investment decisions, partnerships and procurement,” Schönberger affirmed.
Notably, regional differences in sustainability and technology priorities were on full display. “European exhibitors emphasised decarbonisation, compliance with EU climate targets and multimodal integration,” he observed. “Asian companies emphasised automation, AI and infrastructure scaling, reflecting their involvement in high-volume e-commerce and mega-hub operations.”
In contrast, exhibitors from the Americas zeroed in on resilience, infrastructure upgrades and risk mitigation. “These diverse approaches reflect different regulatory environments and strategic priorities in the global cargo landscape,” he said.
Building the next generation
The event also earned high marks for facilitating real connections and business deals. “Many companies reported signing new cooperation agreements or initiating strategic MoUs during the event,” Schönberger revealed. One cargo airline, for example, secured a partnership with a ground handler to expand into Southeast Asia—talks that began right there in Munich. Tech providers, too, are locked in pilot projects with major logistics firms.
For newcomers, Messe München made a clear effort to level the playing field. “We placed a strong emphasis on creating opportunities for newcomers to connect with industry leaders,” Schönberger said. “This included the Room for Start-ups, targeted pitch sessions and curated networking formats that paired young tech firms with seasoned executives.”
And this commitment to agility and relevance isn’t limited to the event days. “Between editions, we maintain dialogue through worldwide events, digital platforms and surveys,” he said. “This allows us to recalibrate our focus areas as new challenges emerge.”
Looking ahead to 2027, Messe München is already planning to elevate the event’s strategic value. “We want our conference programme to be a true Air Cargo Leadership Summit,” Schönberger said. Plans include region-specific spotlights and expanded green and tech corridors.
“Our goal is clear: to grow the influence, value creation and global connectivity of air cargo Europe, not just its size,” he concluded.
