The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) has announced that the Conference program for Air Cargo Forum (ACF) 2025 is now live, revealing a strong line-up of sessions and speakers for this year’s premier global gathering of the air cargo community. The event will take place November 3–6, 2025, at the Yas Island Arena in Abu Dhabi.
From leadership talks, digital transformation and sustainability to workforce development and regional infrastructure growth, the ACF 2025 will address the most pressing issues shaping the global air cargo industry. This year’s program brings together leading executives, innovators, and policymakers to explore solutions, share insights, and chart the course for a rapidly evolving logistics landscape.
Program highlights
Oasis-Side Chats
Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer, Etihad Cargo; shares insights on the carrier’s vision and the evolving role of Abu Dhabi as a logistics hub.
Tom Bradley, Director and General Manager Amazon Air Cargo; will share insights on their strategic plans
Two Industry Leaders Roundtables
Martin Drew, Atlas Air; Dirk Gooevaerts, Swissport; Wilson Kwong, HACTL; Asok Kumar, Morrison Express; Sanjeev Gadhia, Astral Aviation; and Chris McDermott, CHAMP Cargosystems; exchange perspectives on key industry challenges and opportunities
Digitalisation in Air Cargo
Vitaly Smilianets, Awery Aviation Software; Radhesh Menon, IBS Software; and Antonia Ambrozy, WebCargo by Freightos; examine technology’s role in driving efficiency and resilience.
Middle East as a Global Gateway Nadia Abdul Aziz, NAFL; Hashim Alshrif Saudi Cargo; and Steven Polmans, TIACA; will dive into regional infrastructure growth.
Workforce Challenges
Roos Bakker, ICTS; Moaza Al Falahi, Emirates SkyCargo; Roland Zistler, Aviation NOW; and other panelists will address attracting, developing, and retaining talent in a competitive global market.
Aviation Net Zero
Emma Murray, Meantime Communications; Helene Goury, Air France KLM Cargo; and Noora Al Sharhan, Etihad Cargo; and other panelists will discuss what the industry needs in order to achieve Net Zero Operations by 2050.
Industry Innovation
Amar More, Kale Logistics Solutions; and Jessica Panigari, Goods2Load; together with other panelists to be announced soon will explore how the air cargo industry compares to other leading industries when it comes to the rapid deployment of AI, automation, robotics and other tech-based tools.
Industry Trends and Outlook
Ryan Keyrouse, Rotate; and Marco Bloeman, Aevean; will dive into the future of the industry and share what we should expect.
Ecommerce
Sanele Simmons, Mall for Women; Ed Burek, SmartKargo; and other crew members explore what shippers expect from their air cargo supply chain partners.
The ACF 2025 program will continue to expand in the coming weeks, with additional high-profile speakers and sessions to be announced. Attendees can expect a dynamic agenda that reflects the latest industry developments and ensures meaningful dialogue across all areas of the global air cargo community.
“This year’s program reflects the breadth and depth of the issues shaping our industry. From digital innovation to workforce development, ACF 2025 will bring the right people into the right conversations at the right time.” said Steven Polmans, TIACA Chair
The Middle East air cargo market continues to expand rapidly, driven by its strategic location, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and commitment to innovation. Abu Dhabi sits at the heart of this growth—serving as a key hub linking Asia, Europe, and Africa, and fostering a thriving logistics ecosystem that blends efficiency, connectivity, and sustainability.
“Bringing the Forum to Middle East offers a unique opportunity to connect global leaders with one of the fastest-growing air cargo ecosystems. We look forward to insightful discussions that will shape the industry’s future.” stated Glyn Hughes, Director General
