Air Cargo Europe has been the leading platform for international networking in the air freight industry since 2003. This year, however, together with its sister trade fair, transport logistic, it is taking place under special circumstances. The reason: the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration and their impact on global supply chains. They are likely to be the dominant topic among exhibitors and visitors – including at Air Cargo Europe, which will be held from 02-05JUN25. CargoForwarder Global (CFG) spoke to Robert Schönberger (RS), Global Industry Lead transport logistic & air cargo exhibitions, about this and other current industry issues.
CFG: Robert, have the recently announced U.S. tariffs already found their way into the trade fair program of transport logistic / Air Cargo Europe?
RS: The recently announced U.S. tariffs are certainly an issue of great importance within the global logistics and air cargo community. While they were not part of the initial planning phase of the trade fair program, we are continuously adapting our content to reflect current developments. Given the potential impact of these tariffs on international supply chains, we are already in discussions with key industry stakeholders and experts to ensure that the issue is addressed – be it through panel discussions, expert forums, or exhibitor presentations. Our goal is to provide a platform, where pressing global trade issues such as these can be analyzed and discussed in real time.
CFG: Besides the tariff issue, what are the major differences this time compared to the 2023 Air Cargo Europe?
RS: First, we are proud to announce for the first time ever, we have been successful in allocating two complete halls for exhibitors from the air cargo industry and their customers. This means that the total area has increased to approximately 22,000 square meters or 220,000 square feet of exhibition space. This increase in space is also necessary because the number of exhibitors has grown by 20% compared to the 2023 trade fair. We see this high demand as further proof of the great attractiveness of Air Cargo Europe as an independent event within the transport logistics sector.
CFG: And what exciting topics are on Air Cargo Europe’s agenda?
RS: Compared to the previous trade fair, Air Cargo Europe participants will offer attendees four dedicated and highly engaging sessions. In a nutshell, these are the growing influence of AI, cyber threats and phishing attacks, latest sustainability efforts, and steps to protect the digital infrastructure and therefore the supply chain. Our survey of exhibitors and visitors, with over 1,800 responses, showed that the manufacturing industry is very concerned about cybersecurity. At the same time, however, many logistics companies have some catching up to do. That is why we found a certain amount of reluctance. However, electronic interfaces in particular harbor vulnerabilities and gateways for paralyzing the digital infrastructure. Through the panels, we hope to raise awareness of this risk that the transportation industry is increasingly facing.
CFG: Messe München runs a growing number of trade shows, including air cargo fairs, be it in China, Africa, India, Singapore or USA. Are there any spillover effects benefiting Air Cargo Europe in Munich?
RS: First and foremost, all of these exhibitions raise the profile of transport logistic & Air Cargo Europe. However, each of the regionally organized trade fairs is initially attractive to interested parties from the respective market environment. At the same time, they motivate exhibitors and trade visitors to take a closer look at the Munich-based transport logistic, which offers a wide range of multimodal topics, from air freight to ocean freight, road and rail services, as well as a large number of presentations on topics such as security, supply chain management, artificial intelligence and more, and is therefore well worth a visit. Our increased internationalization also has another important side effect: it compensates for the decline in exhibitors and visitors whose companies have disappeared from the map due to takeovers, such as Panalpina of Switzerland, the Austrian freight forwarder, cargo-partner or soon DB Schenker, which is being taken over by the Danish company DSV.
CFG: The trade fair management has always been open to suggestions and innovations. How about this format: speed dating. Five or six experts from different air freight sectors and products such as eTrade or pharmaceuticals answer questions from just as many trade journalists. After 15 minutes, the media representatives move on to the next interviewee. This would all take just under two hours, but should provide thematic impetus and lead to closer contacts between the press and industry. Would such a format be conceivable from the trade fair company’s point of view?
RS: As you rightly say, we are always open to new suggestions. The question would be who organizes such a speed dating event, because it requires a lot of preparation and coordination. Secondly, most company leaders will probably be busy meeting with customers at their booths and will not be available. But it would be worth a try provided that someone takes responsibility for managing the format.
CFG: Messe München is profitable. Who exactly earns money from transport logistic & Air Cargo Europe?
RS: Our trade fairs are a major economic driver for the region: the many visitors dine in restaurants, take taxis, stay in hotels, or book flights to get to Munich. This means that numerous companies and individuals earn money from the events we organize. We at Messe München also benefit – first and foremost as a trade fair organizer. But the money we earn is also needed and reinvested. Our exhibition center is 25 years old, and anyone who owns property knows that this is the point when major modernization work becomes necessary. This is being done step by step. Our company is publicly owned – by the City of Munich and the Free State of Bavaria. If there is a surplus at the end of the year, it is paid out to the shareholders – ultimately benefiting the local population.
CFG: Back to our initial question: Has the tariff conflict triggered by the USA had any impact on the number of participants at transport logistic & Air Cargo Europe so far?
RS: We have not seen any changes in booking behavior.
CFG: Thank you for this interview and good luck with the upcoming trade show in early June.
