ACF ABU DHABI REVIEW Executive Summit 2026 Announced for


Warsaw TIACA confirmed that its Executive Summit 2026 will take place in Warsaw, Poland, from 1st-3rd June, hosted by LOT Polish Airlines. The event will gather 350+ industry leaders to explore issues ranging from digitalisation and sustainability to the evolution of trade corridors in Central and Eastern Europe.


ACF 2026 Returns to Miami Following the success of previous editions, ACF 2026 will be held in Miami


Beach from 26th-29th October, continuing the association’s mission to unite the global airfreight community through action-oriented dialogue and strategic collaboration.


Etihad Cargo unveils Hybrid VTOL drone


partnership with LODD Autonomous One of the most forward-looking announcements at ACF 2025 came from Etihad Cargo, which revealed a new partnership with LODD Autonomous to trial the integration of ‘Hili’ hybrid VTOL aircraft into UAE logistics operations. The Hili aircraft offers a 250kg payload and 700km range, capable of


point-to-point transfers without runways—ideal for high-value, time- sensitive cargo. The aircraft’s autonomous design also supports reduced emissions and decentralised logistics models. “Together with LODD Autonomous, we hope to open up new possibilities


for air cargo—creating smarter, faster, and more sustainable ways to move goods across the country,” said Stanislas Brun, Etihad Cargo’s Chief Cargo Officer.


Astral Aviation appoints TAM Group as


GSSA for Hong Kong and Macau In another ACF 2025 announcement, Astral Aviation named TAM Group as its exclusive General Sales and Service Agent (GSSA) for Hong Kong and Macau from November 2025 to October 2027. The partnership aims to expand Astral’s presence in East Asia, targeting


general freight, e-commerce, and high-value cargo, while strengthening trade lanes between Africa and Asia. “This partnership brings China and Africa closer together,” said Sanjeev


Gadhia, CEO of Astral Aviation. “TAM’s regional footprint gives us the opportunity to reach underutilised markets beyond traditional gateways.”


Strong conference themes The ACF 2025 conference agenda was broad in scope and sharp in focus. Key themes included: Digitalisation: With speakers from IBS Software, Awery Aviation


Software, and Freightos, the sessions highlighted how the air cargo industry is moving toward full integration of AI, automation, and smart platforms. Sustainability: Discussions on aviation’s journey to net zero by 2050


explored SAF deployment, emissions tracking, and collaboration across the value chain. Workforce Development: From upskilling to attracting new talent,


panellists from Emirates SkyCargo, Aviation NOW, and others addressed the critical need to close the talent gap. Regional Growth: With the Middle East expanding its infrastructure


footprint, speakers from Saudi Cargo, NAFL, and Etihad outlined how regional players are building competitive advantages in connectivity and cargo resilience.


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AIR CARG O WEEK


www.aircargoweek.com


24 NOVEMBER 2025 ACW


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