IATA WCS launches with insight into dynamic air cargo market

Digitalisation, sustainability and safety and security will once again be the central themes of the IATA World Cargo Symposium (WCS).

The event will also reflect on demand and capacity and how these are impacting the industry, alongside offering workshops, executive summits and plenty of networking opportunities.

Day one of the WCS will kick off with executive keynotes from Kemal Yuksek, acting director general, Directorate General of Civil Aviation; Ahmet Bolat, chairman of the board of directors and the executive committee, Turkish Airlines; and Turhan Ozen, chief cargo officer, Turkish Airlines.

Following this, IATA’s global head of cargo Brendan Sullivan will discuss the industry’s successes and challenges, while also addressing priorities for the coming year.

Delegates will next be given an insight into the most pressing cargo topics in IATA’s boardroom currently, in a session with IATA director general Willie Walsh; and Mehmet Tevfik Nane, managing director, Pegasus Airlines and chair of the IATA board of governors.

Next up is an economic outlook led by IATA economist Bojun Wang that will address how the airfreight industry has been impacted by economic pressures in the past 12 months and what might lie ahead.

After the first networking break of the day, Sander Schuringa, manager market intelligence, Seabury Cargo, will explore rapidly changing aspects of the air cargo market.

Then, ahead of ahead of day two’s digitalisation stream, a panel discussion on digitalisation will explore whether advances in technology, such as AI, can help improve legacy customer experiences and inefficient processes.

After a networking lunch, the focus will turn briefly to air cargo security with David Pekoske, administrator, TSA; and this will be followed by an introductory insight with UNICEF and Airlink into the challenges of transporting relief goods by air.

There will then be a panel discussion on the future of air cargo mobility, looking specifically at cargo’s role in the move towards safer, cleaner and more inclusive transportation systems, and  optimising the delivery of goods across modes and countries.

After the last networking break of day one, the plenary will focus on talent attraction and retention with an introduction to the topic from Kendra Kincade, president and chief executive, Elevate Aviation, followed by a panel discussion on air cargo talent challenges.

The final session of the day will be a panel discussion on the air cargo sustainability mission, what measures are going to have the biggest impact, and what is in store for sustainability development in the industry.