Air Cargo Committee

The Air Cargo Committee is committed to advancing the industry’s understanding and knowledge of air cargo economics and practices. Its focus is to assist airport operators in the management of existing air cargo resources, maximization of potential air cargo opportunities and the enhancement of air cargo revenues, in addition to providing a forum to discuss cargo-related security issues and developing concerns in the air cargo industry.

Upcoming ACI-NA Air Cargo Committee Meetings

ACI-NA Air Cargo Committee meeting will be held in conjunction with the AirCargo 2026 Conference on February 15 – 17 in Orlando, FL.

Resources

• Air Cargo Guide – prepared in September 2019, this document is intended to provide general, practical information to airport officials and others involved in air cargo development.
• E-Commerce At Airports – What Airport Managers Need to Know – prepared in November 2020, this briefing paper provides information on how airport operations, facilities, and infrastructure could be affected by E-commerce.
• Air Cargo Revenues and Fees Report – prepared in February 2019, this report contains survey data from airports in the United States and Canada on financial policies related to cargo.

Air Cargo Committee 2025 Accomplishments

Released the Updated Air Cargo Guide
The ACI-NA Air Cargo Guide has long been recognized as a definitive resource for helping airports understand and manage all aspects of their cargo operations and business strategies.  Considering recent industry developments and evolving operational needs, the Committee initiated a comprehensive update of the Guide.  The revised edition was released to members of the Air Cargo Committee before the end of the calendar year.

“Faces of Air Cargo” Video Series
The Industry Affairs Working Group developed the “Faces of Air Cargo” video series. After the release of ten individual episodes, the final close-out video was released at the committee meeting held during AirCargo 2025 summarizing all 10 individual episodes, bringing this project to a great conclusion.

AirCargo 2025
In collaboration with the Air & Expedited Motor Carrier Association and the Air Forwarders Association, we successfully organized AirCargo 2025 with 1000+ attendees, sold-out exhibit hall, and 60+ sponsors. We demonstrated our value by increasing attendance from the ACI-NA membership. Additionally, we organized a committee meeting and planned three educational sessions on relevant topics for our membership during this event.

Organized the committee meeting and two sessions during the Air Cargo America 2025
The Committee held its fall meeting on November 13th during Transport Logistics Americas/Air Cargo Americas 2025, organized by Messe Munchen.  The meeting attracted 40+ members.  Attendees had a breakout discussion on industry challenges and brainstormed ideas for 2026 work plan.

In addition to the committee meeting, committee leadership also planned two educations sessions: “Impact of unpredictability of policy on air cargo flows” and “How to maximize air cargo facility space at airports”.  Both sessions attracted great participation from not only ACI-NA members but also attendees of the trade fair with standing room only!  Many attendees commented that these were the best sessions of the overall conference!

AirCargo 2026
In collaboration with the Air & Expedited Motor Carrier Association and the Air Forwarders Association, the planning process for AirCargo 2026 continued with bi-weekly planning calls and marketing calls every three weeks.  2024-2025 Committee Chair Patrick Haley, 2026-2027 Chair Simon Wood, 2026-2027 Vice Chair Sarah Barton, Steering Group member Tod William, along with ACI-NA staff, represented ACI-NA during these calls.  As one of the three organizers of this conference, we are focused on demonstrating our value by increasing attendance from the ACI-NA membership.  Additionally, we plan to hold an in-person committee meeting and contribute to two educational sessions on relevant topics for our membership during this event.  For the first time, ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin Burke will speak at the session on impact of tariff and trade policy on air cargo.

Industry Affairs Working Group Hosted Successful Quarterly Roundtables
Q1 Roundtable was held on March 27, attracting 40 registrants. The meeting covered various aspects of the air cargo industry, including recent performance trends, legislative concerns, and industry challenges. Participants discussed the Transportation Research Board Air Cargo Subcommittee and opportunities for involvement, as well as the upcoming Air Cargo Committee fall meeting. The importance of air cargo in economic development and job creation was emphasized, along with its role in critical situations such as vaccine delivery during the pandemic.

Q2 roundtable was organized on June 26 drawing participation from over 50 registrants. The Q2 Roundtable featured CBP Port Director Joseph Martella from the Manifest and Conveyance Security Division, Cargo and Conveyance Security, who discussed various resources available through the CBP website.  Additionally, Dahye Han, Product Manager at ACI World, delivered a live demonstration on how to navigate and utilize the ACI World Intelligence Hub.

Q3 roundtable was organized on September 18. The Q3 Roundtable focused on the recent GAO report titled “DOT Should Communicate Data Limitations and Identify Stakeholder Challenges.”  The session included an in-depth presentation by Danielle Giese, Acting Director of Physical Infrastructure Issues at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).

Both sessions provided valuable insights and fostered meaningful dialogue among stakeholders across the air cargo and airport communities.

Q4 roundtable was organized on Dec.18, drawing participation from 50 registrants. With the announcement of the newly established Miami Air Cargo Association at Air Cargo America’s in November and success of other air cargo associations around North America, the Industry Affairs Working Group dedicated its December Quarterly Roundtable to a conversation regarding the successes of air cargo associations in Canada and the United States. Representatives from local air cargo associations in Miami, Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles were invited to share their success stories as well as lessons learned.

Autonomous Ground Handling Equipment Webinar
The Industry Affairs Working Group presented the autonomous ground handling equipment webinar featuring Tenille Houston, Vice President, Public Relations and Communications, Aurrigo, and moderated by Jason Tse, Manager, Cargo Development and Partnerships, Vancouver Airport Authority with 50+ registrants.

Air Cargo Market and World Freight Fleet Forecast Webinar
The Industry Affairs Working Group organized the annual “Air Cargo Market Trends and Outlook” webinar featuring Calvin Jin from Boeing Commercial Airplanes Market Analysis on August 21 with 115 registrants.

You can find the Air Cargo webinars on the Centerlines Connect committee library (ACI-NA account sign-in required).