There is no shortage of topics for discussion in air cargo these days. Geopolitical uncertainty, changing trade flows, digitalization, artificial intelligence and growing customer expectations continue to shape the industry’s agenda. Unsurprisingly, these issues will dominate the 11th Air Cargo Conference, organized by the Air Cargo Community Frankfurt (ACCF), on 02-03SEP26 at Messe Frankfurt.
According to the organizer, this year’s program is designed to combine strategic perspectives with practical experience. Keynote speeches, panel discussions and case studies will bring together airlines, airports, logistics providers, shippers and technology companies to discuss where the industry is heading and how it intends to get there.
Airline panel
One discussion likely to attract particular attention is the C-Level Airline Panel, featuring executives from Lufthansa Cargo, Cathay Cargo, Ethiopian Airlines, LATAM Cargo and Delta Air Lines. Competitiveness and resilience remain recurring themes across the air cargo industry, although opinions on how to tackle them are likely to differ depending on airline strategy and market focus.
India in the spotlight
Another session is scheduled to examine the growing trade relationship between Indian Airports and Frankfurt. As manufacturers continue to diversify supply chains, and new production hubs emerge, India is increasingly viewed as one of the markets with long-term growth potential for air cargo. Whether those expectations materialize will largely depend on future trade developments and global economic conditions.
AI and security matters stand high on the agenda
Artificial intelligence also returns to the conference agenda. While AI has become one of the industry’s most frequently discussed topics, its practical implementation varies considerably across companies. The scheduled Reality Check session therefore promises a timely discussion on where automation and AI are already creating measurable value – and where expectations may still exceed operational reality.
Security is another key topic and the focus of a dedicated session on high-security shipments which will address cooperation between airlines, handling agents and other supply chain partners, reflecting the growing importance of secure and resilient logistics processes.
So do new trucking developments
Cargo Forwarder will moderate a panel titled “Without Trucking, No Air Freight” which will feature prominent industry representatives presenting the latest developments in the road feeder sector and discussing them with the audience. According to statistics, trucking accounts for about 7% of total CO2 emissions in Germany. A key question will be how quickly the transition to “clean” trucking can be achieved while maintaining secure supply chains. The panel will address issues such as whether AI and consistent digitalization can accelerate the shift from the fossil fuel era to “clean” trucking, and what supporting measures are needed from policymakers to get the e-wheel turning faster. In short: This panel promises plenty of food for thought.
ACCF is worth attending
Haus61 and Lufthansa Cargo are organizing startup pitches organized as part of their Innovation Award, providing young companies with an opportunity to present new ideas to an audience of established industry players.
Whether the conference produces concrete solutions or primarily identifies the industry’s next challenges, Frankfurt is once again set to become a meeting point for decision-makers looking to exchange views on the future of global air cargo.
More information and registration at: https://aircargocommunity.com/events/air-cargo-conference-2026/
