Air cargo’s adaptability and resilience took centre stage at the IATA World Cargo Symposium 2025 press conference in Dubai, as industry leaders addressed trade uncertainty, sustainability goals, and transformative infrastructure investment.
Cargo remains strong despite global turbulence
Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA, opened with cautious optimism: “Cargo is in good shape. The industry generally, I think, is in good shape.” He pointed to 2024’s performance, noting cargo tonne-kilometres (CTKs) were up 11.3%, with further growth forecasted for 2025.
Despite geopolitical uncertainty, including ongoing tariff discussions, Walsh said, “Our industry is very good at adapting to uncertainty. I’ve no doubt that the industry will respond, will pivot to where the demand exists.”
Brendan Sullivan, Global Head of Cargo at IATA, called for accelerated digitalisation and harmonised regulatory support, especially in light of growing lithium battery volumes. “We must be exchanging data,” he said, highlighting IATA’s push for ONE Record adoption by January 2026.
“Fragmented national responses are simply not enough in this global, connected supply chain,” he added. “Digitalisation is the vehicle. ONE Record is the way.”
Sullivan also reinforced the need for shared environmental responsibility: “Our commitment [to sustainability] is clear, but we need support from governments, fuel suppliers and manufacturers. Airlines can’t do it alone.”
Dubai’s bold cargo vision
“Dubai is where the future happens,” said Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President at Emirates SkyCargo. He unveiled an ambitious roadmap to double the carrier’s freighter capacity by 2026 and expand its network with 20 new freighter destinations.
“In 2025, we started with a 15% increase in capacity… and we have plans to expand this further in the coming months,” Abbas said. “We’re not just meeting demand, we’re shaping the future.”
He also spoke about Dubai’s planned expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport, which aims to become the world’s largest cargo hub, capable of handling 12 million tonnes annually. “It will be a game changer,” he said.
Clive Sauvé-Hopkins, CEO of Airport Operations at dnata, reinforced the region’s leadership in cargo infrastructure. “In the last 12 months, dnata delivered over a million tonnes of cargo in Dubai,” he said, with 300,000 tonnes handled at the expanding DWC terminal.
He announced dnata would open three new state-of-the-art cargo facilities in 2025, investing over $110 million in Amsterdam, Erbil, and Dubai South. “What sets Dubai apart is our integrated ecosystem,” he said. “Smart infrastructure, the right talent, and innovative technology—all connected.”
On the topic of SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel), Walsh stressed its importance and clarified its broader role: “It’s a sustainable fuel, not just for aviation. But it needs the right feedstock and industry-wide support.”
