Exactly 406 participants, a kaleidoscope of intriguing air freight and logistics topics, and plenty of networking opportunities: the 10th Air Cargo Community Conference, which took place on 03-04SEP25 in the Deutsche Bank suite at Champions League contender, Eintracht Frankfurt’s soccer stadium, was worth attending. Those who missed it will regret their absence given the wealth of exciting impulses delivered by speakers and representatives of the cargo industry.
Fashion illustrates the fundamental changes in trade
Glyn Hughes, Director General TIACA, started off the first day of the event with these keynote remarks: “Trade patterns have shifted. Global manufacturers, who benefitted from liberal economic practices for many decades, are meanwhile suffering increasingly from trade restrictions and relocations of production. This is exemplified by the evolution of fashion which changed from High Street pedestrian shopping facilities to online platforms like Temu or Shein.”
Line-up of key cargo airports
The panel, “Strategic Challenges and Opportunities in Air Freight”, brilliantly moderated by Timo Stroh, Managing Director of Becon Projects GmbH, picked up on Glyn’s introductory remarks. Together on stage with him, were top executives from the leading European cargo airports AMS, LHR, FRA, CDG, and BRU, which accounted for 52% of all shipments loaded or unloaded at European airports in 2024.
Stroh emphasized right at the start that he wouldn’t focus on the unfavorable global economic climate. “Lamenting is not part of my genes,” he exclaimed. Instead, by looking forward and identifying opportunities for the industry this panel should concentrate on, he set the guidelines for the panelists. The first speaker Timo addressed, was Edouard Mathieu, General Manager of Real Estate Development at Aeroports de Paris Airport.
ADP announced investment shift
In terms of growth opportunities for the members of the Aeroports de Paris Group, especially Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY), these are “above all, e-commerce that is outpacing other commodities.But what we also need is public acceptance of our business. So far, this has been lacking,” Edouard stressed. He also announced major investments in the airports’ cargo infrastructure. Originally, these had been primarily designed to support the exports business. However, with the ever-increasing growth of e-commerce, the tide has turned and import shipments have become more important, which has shifted investment decisions in favor of incoming goods.
AMS focuses on belly freight
According to Arthur Reijnhart, Chief Commercial Officer of Amsterdam Airport, Schiphol’s air cargo future “is bright and full of opportunities.” He pointed out that after years of almost unlimited growth in passenger and cargo traffic,Amsterdam has entered a phase of consolidation due to slot restrictions, regulatory hurdles, and social resistance. To overcome stagnation, management has set up a ‘belly-first’ program. The network offered out of Amsterdam comprises around 300 destinations. “If the bellies of passenger aircraft are not filled with cargo, we lose traffic, since cargo is a major contributor to passenger airlines’ revenues,” Arthur reminded. Consequently, Schiphol will invest EUR 6 billion by 2029, to improve the infrastructure for ground processes.
Building alliances is key, says Aerts
Geert Aerts, Chief Cargo & Real Estate Officer at Brussels Airport Company, pointed out that pharma/life science in combination with perishables, will remain the main drivers of freight growth. That said, working in alliances is rewarding for all participants. In this respect, he lauded the airport’s close partnership with Air Cargo Belgium that comprises 165 member companies. In addition to digitalizing and streamlining processes, investing in people and implementing best practices is crucial to attracting young talent to the industry. “As an industry, we ought to speak with one voice if we want to be heard,” Geert urged. And he warned airports and the entire industry that, as EU-based players, “we need to be careful not to fall behind in global competition.”
FRA presented an ambitious masterplan
Dominique Prümm, Executive Board Member for Aviation and Infrastructure at Fraport, reminded that Frankfurt is the number one cargo airport in Europe. “And we are determined to maintain the leading position, supported and enabled by a comprehensive master plan.” This project was explained in more detail in another panel by Alexander Laukenmann, Senior Executive Aviation, Fraport. The manager expects air freight at FRA to grow by 50% come 2040, due to infrastructural expansion in combination with traffic growth. In addition to freighters, passenger traffic is expected to play a major part in this development. By 2040, FRA will handle 90 million passengers annually, Alexander stated – an increase of almost 30 million compared to the 62 million counted in 2024. FRA expects Passenger Terminal 3 to be a major enabler for this growth. It will be operational in early 2026, “according to schedule and in compliance with the original price tag,” he assured.
LHR’s ‘bellies first’ strategy
In his remarks, Javier Echave, Chief Operating Officer Heathrow Airport, stressed the complex role of airports which extends far beyond air traffic. “London Heathrow is not just an airport, but a service company,” he explained. Although growth is driven by passenger traffic, cargo continues to make an important contribution to revenue. Exactly one third of all exports leaving the UK by air are handled at LHR, which corresponds to a belly cargo ratio of 95%. “Similar to the team of Champions League contender, Eintracht Frankfurt, Heathrow employees have a winning mentality and a positive ‘we can do it’ attitude,” he stressed. This could serve as an example for others, was his indirect message to the ACCF attendees.
Fraport’s executive Prümm sends Berlin policymakers a wakeup call.
Rounding up the topic, Fraport executive, Dominique Pruemm outlined the outstanding economic importance of the global connectivity that airports offer. This said, he issued an urgent wake-up call to German politicians to acknowledge and appreciate the significant economic role and service rendered by airports. “We are amid the third consecutive year of economic recession in Germany. But we feel no support from politicians. Those responsible do not seem to understand that connectivity is an important part of the economy and a major supporter of public welfare.”
Prümm would like to see less indifference from the federal government in Berlin toward the concerns of the aviation industry, and a change of heart with the aim of providing political support for aviation matters.
Sad decline of a once leading industry
It remains to be seen whether the Berlin government will respond to his appeal. However, as things stand, the chances are rather slim. In the country of aviation pioneers like Hugo Junkers, Claude Dornier, Otto Linienthal, Willy Messerschmitt or Ernst Heinkel, aviation tends to play a rather minor role – one that has lost its former significance and role model function of yesteryear.
