Opening its doors on Tuesday, the World Cargo Symposium (WCS) is looking to highlight the vital role the Middle East plays in global air cargo connectivity, innovation, and resilience.
Delivering the opening address at the 18th edition of the event in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Brendan Sullivan, Global Head of Cargo at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) began by transporting the audience to the Red Sea crisis of late 2023, where attacks on commercial vessels paralysed a critical shipping route.
“Among the affected cargo was a shipment of vital medical supplies headed for clinics in Sudan and Yemen that were under strain from conflict and shortages,” Sullivan said. When maritime routes stalled, airfreight filled the gap. “When the global supply chain stumbled, air cargo proved its agility—adapting, responding, and delivering,” he declared.
This agility is not just for crises. On any given day, 180,000 tonnes of cargo move by air, ensuring continuity in global trade and contributing to economic growth. Amidst rising trade tensions, he added, “air cargo will be there to deliver the goods people need and want.”
The foundation of air cargo
Pivoting to safety, Sullivan highlighted a case in East Asia where a sharp-eye averted a disaster.
An airwaybill listed “mobile phone accessories” – nothing out of the ordinary on a shipment but one package caught an inspector’s attention. It contained damaged, undeclared lithium batteries. The successful intervention of the inspector stopped a serious safety risk, that was just hours away from being loaded onto an aircraft.
“With lithium battery shipments increasing, the number of incidents or potential incidents will rise unless we are even more vigilant,” Sullivan warned. He called for action against rogue shippers and highlighted IATA’s efforts through its CEIV Lithium Batteries certification and Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA), which trained over 85,000 professionals last year.
Collaboration is key
Marking a decade since CEIV Pharma’s inception, Sullivan celebrated how standardised certifications have transformed cargo handling. “More than 250,000+ trade lanes operate using CEIV standards,” he noted, adding that 99 percent of certified companies reported a culture of continuous improvement.
“This is the future of air cargo standards—collaborative, transparent, and constantly advancing. We thank the industry for their trust, as together, we continue building the foundation of a modern safety culture.
An evolving threat
Amid intensifying geopolitical tensions and increasingly sophisticated threats, the security of air cargo has never been more paramount.
“Just as safety demands vigilance, so does security,” Sullivan declared. “Civil aviation must never be used as a pawn in geopolitical disputes. Acts like forcing down aircraft or hiding incendiary devices in cargo must be condemned—clearly and without exception.”
His comments come amid a series of alarming incidents where incendiary devices were hidden in cargo shipments—some of which were ignited. These events prompted a wave of state-imposed security responses. However, Sullivan criticized the lack of a unified approach, noting that “without coordination, responses were inconsistent. Some were ineffective. Others were later reversed. It was far from the joined-up risk-based approach based on global standards that was needed.”
To mitigate these risks and promote consistency, IATA has stepped forward with a set of industry-endorsed guidelines specifically designed to help airlines and supply chain partners manage threats related to incendiary devices. These were created with insight from across the global aviation community and are already helping fill the gaps left by uncoordinated government measures.
The accelerator of change
Illustrating digital transformation through a time-sensitive pharmaceutical shipment disrupted by an airport closure in Europe, Sullivan acknowledged “the power of digitalisation.”
“Thanks to advanced digital systems, the shipment was rerouted instantly. “Most importantly—the patient received their treatment on time.”
“But digitalisation is not just about speed. It is also about helping navigate an increasingly fragmented regulatory environment,” Sullivan explained, turning to the upcoming implementation goal of One Record by January 2026.
“ONE Record will become the preferred method of sharing data,” Sullivan continued, “And we’re well on the way. Airlines representing 72% of global air waybill volume are on track to implement it. More than 100 IT providers and 10,000 freight forwarders are already aligned.”
From commitment to urgency
Closing, Sullivan spoke to the industry’s sustainability aspirations, through the journey of a Hokkaido scallop shipped to Dubai. “More than that, it represents a global supply chain that connects producers… to international customers,” he said. This shipment was transported using SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel), met CEIV Fresh standards, and used low-emission ground equipment.
Despite progress, Sullivan voiced frustration at the slow pace of SAF adoption. “We don’t have enough SAF. And the cost of what is available needs to come down.”
He criticised governments for failing to support SAF production and accused fuel producers of “slow-walking—or sidelining—planned investments.
“Airlines are committed and determined. But this is not our show alone. We need much more action behind the words of regulators, fuel suppliers and manufacturers.”
Looking ahead
Wrapping up the opening session, Sullivan underscored the air cargo industry’s importance, particularly in an increasing unpredictable world. “From a faulty lithium battery intercepted, to a cancer medicine rerouted, to a scallop carefully delivered—these are not just anecdotes. They are proof that we make good on our aspirations even whether we are in the spotlight or not.”
“Let us continue to tell these stories. Let us continue to write this next chapter—together,” Sullivan concluded.
