Judging by the general feedback given to CargoForwarder Global during the transport logistic/Air Cargo Europe’s four-day transport extravaganza, the event proved its worth and then some. Although it didn’t quite make it to the potential 80,000 attendee milestone this time around, the organizers nevertheless counted a record-breaking 77,000+ visitors from 130+ countries. Here are CargoForwarder Global’s impressions from the Air Cargo Europe 2025 which took place in Munich from 02-05JUN25.
“Day 2 has started on Day 1 already!”, CargoForwarder Global (CFG) was told on the Monday afternoon. Seasoned Air Cargo Europe (ACE) exhibitors reported unusually high footfall already on the first day, almost from when the doors opened. And the total of 12 halls (10 more than 2 years ago) over a 150,000 m² surface (logistics doesn’t get any bigger when it comes to trade fairs!) were buzzing with movement over all four days – as were the food areas between them, where attendees went to ease their feet a little and enjoy the unusually warm weather.
Three days would be enough
While the first three days were crammed with business appointments and company announcements, the clientele on the fourth day was markedly different – more one of “Giveaway Shopper” – as well as a notable increase in young people for whom special panels had been arranged to whet their appetite for a career in logistics. Interestingly, these panels were held only in German and this time there were no interpreters to provide English as had been on offer for most of the other transport logistic panels, many of which had been in German (except for those billed as Air Cargo Europe). This was surprising, given that the main language in logistics is English, the event had an exceptionally high international reach (two in three exhibitors were from outside Germany), and that because of its multicultural nature, there are surely non-German speakers among the young people looking to start out in the industry. On a positive note, the young people took what they had been advised by their young, working peers, to do: go around the booths and inquire as to internships, as some exhibitors confirmed to CFG. Perhaps, therefore, a point to consider for the next event in 2027: have an internship information or young talent attraction package available in case of inquiries – or even host your own talent acquisition event/panel/milkround.
That said, one exhibitor told CFG that three days were likely enough for the trade fair – four days were a touch too long.
Big budget, big booths, big deal
Exhibitions are always a huge expense for any company looking to promote its services and seek new leads, and some of the budgets quoted were eye-wateringly high*. From Fiats to Ferraris, the range of exhibition booths in size, quality, and creativity was amazing, with some opting for interactive games or even flight simulation to attract visitors. (Not to mention the many booth parties vying for attention every late afternoon, offering magicians or live music, for example.) Here again, records were broken: 2,722 exhibitors from 73 nations participated in the transport logistic, with Air Cargo Europe taking up two entire halls for the first time in its history, almost doubling its presence compared to two years ago. And, as already stated, the share of international exhibitors rose to 65% from 60% in 2023.
If you had to choose just one, ACE would be it
Some companies had chosen to go for a booth for the first time, bringing larger employee teams than in the past, when they had attended as visitors. Exhibitors had the option of booth spaces of varying sizes or tables in group areas. One thing worth considering, is a quiet area for meetings – either in a closed off booth room, or on the second level of the booth, as some of the larger companies had done. Booths nearest the throughfares to the other halls, the food courts, or the toilets, as well as those in the center of the halls seemed to fare best. One exhibitor told CFG, “It’s getting to the point that, if you could only choose one of all the events in the year, ACE would have you covered. I have everyone I need to see in one place, and participation is more cost-effective than some of the other events around, which demand really high ticket prices.” Another said: “Everything is here now – all logistics stakeholders and even a huge tech component this year, compared to previous events. It is so much more international!”
Cargo vibes
One very apparent thing was the incredibly positive atmosphere helped along by the humorous official opening (albeit also in German, and following a great jazzy musical intro by “Brass Twins”) at 11:00 on Day 1. Messe München GmbH’s Global Industry Lead transport logistic, air cargo & ceramitec exhibitions, Robert Schönberger, and Exhibition Director transport logistic, Caroline Thiemt, both gave off very convincing fake AI rappers, among other figures. (You had to be there.) Their optimistic, tongue-in-cheek energy set the pace of the show and even the new German Transport Minister, Patrick Schnieder, commented on the obvious passion he had noticed during his official tour of the trade fair, earlier that morning: “Da will man was bewegen!” [“People want to really move something” – I am not sure he intended for the pun, but he was not wrong.] Readers may be interested to learn that Schnieder is planning not only large investments in German infrastructure – road, rail, waterways, and air – but is also committed to reducing bureaucracy (could that spell the end to the ridiculous truck journeys across the border for customs reasons?), as well as pushing for autonomous trucks (who would have thought?). EV infrastructure and SAF also figured in his ACE address. Let’s see!
Official statement
Stefan Rummel, CEO of Messe München’s official summary statement read: “transport logistic 2025 has impressively shown the central role that logistics plays in our connected world. It is the lifeline of the global economy. Without smooth supply chains, our everyday life would come to a standstill. I was especially pleased that the new Federal Minister of Transport, Patrick Schnieder, opened the trade fair. The significant increase in the number of participants led to a very lively and positive atmosphere. This underscores the importance of transport logistic as a world-leading trade fair.”
Yes, and…
Yes, no doubt it was the largest of its kind, and there was much focus on digitalization, sustainability and artificial intelligence, with a great many partnership announcements as well as product improvements (often with digital components) being announced over the first three days. It was an excellent opportunity to meet company representatives and learn about their business. Panel discussions were interesting, though sometimes an acoustical challenge with all the other noises happening in the halls, also caused by constant announcements. As mentioned, many of these were in German and perhaps people were unaware that they could borrow headphones for live, English interpreting since only 10 to a maximum of 25 of the 50 headphones available were ever requested.
The press event on the first day was a rather damp squib – more like a silent movie as a number of mainly German-speaking media trailed the new German Transport Minister around a total of 8 German company booths and stood in silence as he spoke with each booth representative, hearing nothing since no one wore a mic. CFG had been warned by fellow international journalists that this would be a waste of time, so only had herself to blame. (Plus, it actually began 25 minutes earlier than originally scheduled…). On the other end of the spectrum, Air Cargo Week’s World Air Cargo Awards 2025 on the evening of 03JUN25, drew in a large crowd with much celebration for all the winners. Having been an independent jury member and spent many hours at the start of this year assiduously vetting over 120 presentations – it was great to see the final results.
Tips and tricks
With the amount of standing and walking over the four days – and the full tour of the 150,000 m² facility, wearing trainers was a lifesaver. It was interesting, too, to see that a couple of companies had incorporated corporate ID sneakers as part of their ACE uniform. The increasing number of crutches in use over the 4 days, also pointed to various trip hazards caused by slightly raised booths or sloping entrances – something to bear in mind for next time. From the tip to the trips to a possible trick: it was amusing to spot a certain company advertising its services on every second mirror in the Ladies’ toilets… Novel, yes. Effective? I’d be keen to hear how many ladies washing their hands, saw the ad and thought, “Oh yes! I ought to pop by their stand!” Maybe I’m wrong, but toilets are the last place I’d be placing a company ad that is not somehow related to the location’s functions.
See you there next time?
It’s certainly worth visiting. If you’ve got a pencil at the ready, you may wish to note the dates for the next Air Cargo Europe/transport logistic in Munich in two years from now. It will take place a little earlier on in the year, next time: 26APR27-29APR27.*Just by the by: For just 1-3% of the money you spend on an exhibition booth to attract around 77,000+ people in the space of 3-4 days, you can also reach a good 25,000 on 4 consecutive Sundays. And you’d be supporting free journalism and a respected digital paper that regularly shares your news with the air cargo world. If you’d like to know more, just drop us a line at hs@cgofor.eu
