At least temporarily, because on the initiative of Ostend-Bruges International Airport, this year’s World Cargo Summit will take place in the Belgian city from 27-29JAN25. A total of 110+ companies from the air cargo industry have registered, including world-famous players as well as smaller firms and specialists. The event is being organized by the Swedish trade fair planner, Euroavia International, which specializes in air cargo events. CargoForwarder Global (CFG) spoke to its founder and CEO, Lars-Gunnar Comén (LGC) about the event and why it might be worth attending.

CFG: Ostend is, with all due respect, a small name on the cargo industry’s list of major addresses. Why is the event being held there and not in Brussels, Liège, or Amsterdam, to name just three attractive and world-renowned locations in Benelux?
LGC: Ostend Airport invited us to arrange World Cargo Summit 2025 in their beautiful city. The others you mention did not. That’s one simple answer. However, you must understand that Ostend has a long history as the European continent’s gateway for the UK. Many classic air carriers have flown cars, passengers and lots of cargo to the British Isles in the past. Ostend has the perfect location for cargo operations in Western Europe. It is close to major hubs such as LHR, CDG, AMS, BRU, LUX, FRA, etc., and we notice a lot of registrations coming in from what we can call the heart of Europe. Good to see that our event will attract several delegates from North America, the Middle East and Asia as well. They are eager to see what Ostend has to offer and meet our distinguished speakers.
CFG: The panel ‘The Role of Regional/Secondary Airports’ should be exciting. In the run-up to the symposium, are there any indications as to whether they can continue to fulfill their complementary function, or will international freight traffic increasingly concentrate on the major hubs?
LGC: This year’s World Cargo Summit is a must for all airport executives. We have two panels focusing on airports, both moderated by experts belonging to Netherlands Airport Consultants (NACO). Panelists will discuss, for instance, how regional/secondary airports can step up cargo operations, the role of intra-modality, and how to create excellence in their competitive edge. This said, I am delighted that Airport Directors from Central Asia and the USA will join the discussion.
CFG: Sustainability is an important topic mentioned in the program. However, it lacks any reference to the prospect of electric or H2-powered freighters. Is this gap deliberately intended and if so, why?
LGC: Important indeed. We have a great panel moderated by Glyn Hughes, and three really interesting speakers; Francine Carron, ESG, Anna-Maria Kirchner, Finnair Cargo, and Dr. Fabio Piccinno, Kuehne+Nagel. Have given them pretty free hands to assess the most relevant sustainability issues for the moment, so I cannot say what will be highlighted or not. Maybe even H2 freighters…

CFG: Cargo handling is facing many challenges since e-commerce is constantly outgrowing general freight and also special cargo products. What new insights can participants expect?
LGC: Our e-commerce and Cargo Handling panels will address the current challenges and what can be done in order to facilitate increased volumes in our cargo terminals around Europe and worldwide.
CFG: Does the industry need ‘Influencers’ to better its reputation?
LGC: Well, our ‘reputation’? Do we have any issues? Air cargo and air logistics are enablers for globalization, trade, prosperity, job creation, peaceful relations between countries, making lives for millions and millions consumers better and happier. Industry people should be proud of the highly important role we play in connecting business and trade. If there is a really cool influencer out there who can highlight all the good we do, why not? But not sure if it is a big thing.
CFG: And finally: The Air Cargo Executive Networking Party on the evening of the first conference day, held in the breathtaking ancient city of Bruges, should not be missed, should it?
LGC: Right! This year’s Air Cargo Executive Networking Party will be very special. Our host, Ostend Airport, and their co-partners have prepared a truly remarkable happening in the Provinciaal Hof (Provincial Court) in the heart of medieval center of Bruges, Europe’s most beautiful city! Night walk in historical surroundings, food, entertainment. A spectacular place for networking!
CFG: Lars-Gunnar, thank you for this input and much success in Ostend.
Why don’t we read any thing on …
John, thanks for the post.
We have conducted an interview with the organizer of the upcoming Air Cargo Symposium, Ostend.
Only he is responsible for his statements, not us.
If you do not agree with his assertion, please contact his agency directly.
This said, we would like to point out that we only publish posts in which the full name of the author and his/her function are mentioned.
In this case this does not apply.
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Best, Heiner (editor CFG).