The first IATA Cargo Experts Conference (CEC) held in Brussels, Belgium, brought together over 350 delegates from more than 40 countries. It was a great success and a fantastic opportunity to dive into the latest challenges and opportunities in Digital Cargo, Operations, Pharma and Cargo Claims & Loss Prevention.
The conference highlighted how digitalization, data-driven technologies, and collaboration are transforming air cargo, pharma logistics, e-commerce operations, and cargo claims management. Key themes included implementing global standards like ONE Record, enhancing supply chain visibility, leveraging AI for efficiency, and adopting sustainable practices to ensure resilient, patient-centric, and customer-focused operations.
Find out more about each event below:
Digital: Shaping the Future of Cargo Through Digitalization
The Digital track at the IATA Cargo Experts Conference wrapped up after two dynamic days, highlighting digitalization as a catalyst for transformation in the cargo industry. Discussions underscored how technology is streamlining operations, enhancing transparency, and driving efficiency across the supply chain.
Key themes included the implementation of ONE Record as the preferred standard for seamless data exchange, the role of open-source solutions in accelerating innovation, and the game-changing potential of artificial intelligence to boost efficiency and predictive capabilities. The urgent need to digitize cargo security processes, with the Consignment Security Declaration (CSD) and e-CSD as prime examples, was also emphasized.
Speakers stressed that technology alone cannot drive progress—collaboration, knowledge sharing, and global standards are essential for success. Participants were encouraged to embrace digitalization not just as a project, but as a mindset that enables bold innovation and lasting change.
Operations: E-Commerce Drives Transformation in Air Cargo
The Operations track showcased the rapid transformation of air cargo in response to the booming e-commerce market. With 80% of global B2C shipments transported by air and e-commerce projected to reach $8 trillion by 2027, industry leaders emphasized the critical need to meet rising consumer expectations and growing cross-border demand.
Speakers discussed the importance of enhanced data classification and visibility, pointing to initiatives like ONE Record, which aim to facilitate seamless information sharing across the supply chain. Despite technological advances, speed remains air cargo’s defining value proposition, reinforcing its position as the preferred mode for e-commerce fulfilment.
Sustainability and innovation also emerged as key themes. Addressing plastic waste has become a top priority, with calls for the adoption of new materials and circular processes to reduce environmental impact. The sessions further showcased how automation, robotics, and digital compliance are driving operational excellence, ensuring the industry remains agile in a fast-evolving market.
As e-commerce continues to grow, the air cargo sector is clearly embracing both technological innovation and sustainable practices to meet the demands of tomorrow’s global supply chain.
Pharma: The Future of Air Pharma and Cold Chain Logistics
The Pharma track brought together 60 industry experts to examine the current landscape of Air Pharma and explore emerging trends shaping the Cold Chain sector. The discussions underscored the industry’s resilience, emphasizing that patient safety remains paramount and that errors in the supply chain are unacceptable.
A recurring theme throughout the event was the urgent need to digitalize the supply chain. Speakers highlighted the benefits of enhanced visibility and transparency, enabling stakeholders to integrate systems for real-time information, planning, and operational optimization. Compliance and robust quality management systems were also emphasized as essential tools for maintaining standards and safeguarding patient outcomes.
Joint sessions with Cargo Claims and Digital Cargo specialists focused on optimizing high-value shipments, reducing risks, and harnessing predictive analytics to transform healthcare logistics. The discussions showcased how data-driven technologies can enhance service quality and operational performance.
The track also highlighted the critical role of Intelligent Life-Saving Corridors during global disruptions and crises. Presentations stressed the importance of agile operations, capacity optimization, and efficiency in reaching patients worldwide. A digital-first approach was identified as key to reducing temperature excursions, minimizing costs, and lowering the carbon footprint.
A major emerging focus is Personalized Medicine Logistics, a segment requiring tailored transportation solutions. Cell and gene therapies demand strict controls on temperature, speed, real-time monitoring, and traceability. Industry leaders agreed that pharmaceutical companies must provide clear guidance to supply chain partners to ensure these high standards are consistently met.
The Pharma track concluded with a shared vision: digital integration, predictive analytics, and customized logistics are central to the future of Air Pharma, ensuring patient-centric, efficient, and resilient supply chains.
CCLP: Building Stronger Industry Connections to Tackle Supply Chain Challenges
Managing cargo claims remains one of the most complex aspects of airline cargo operations, and preventing such incidents is equally demanding. Each type of claim presents its own set of challenges. These complexities were thoroughly explored during the 2025 edition of the IATA Cargo Claims and Loss Prevention Conference, which featured two days of highly interactive sessions involving airline claims managers, legal experts, and supply chain partners. The event opened with a legal perspective, examining the implications of the newly increased Montreal Convention liability limits and the evolving dynamics of supply chain responsibilities. A joint session with the Pharma audience also enabled a thorough discussion on how to address and prevent claims in this highly sensitive field. “Managing claims involving high-value pharmaceuticals requires more than process efficiency—it demands absolute precision, trust, and regulatory compliance at every stage,” emphasized Nina Heinz of MSC Air Cargo during a joint session with the Pharma track.
Throughout the conference, participants shared best practices for preventing, investigating, and resolving cargo claims, focusing on building effective prevention dashboards, leveraging key performance metrics, and learning of specialized tools used by air cargo professionals. They also explored advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotic Process Automation (RPA), which ca be used to streamline routine processes and prioritize complex cases. “AI and RPA will not replace human expertise in claims, but they will transform how quickly and accurately we can process routine cases, leaving people to focus on the most complex challenges,” explained Cynthia Lew, Claims Manager at Air France KLM Cargo.
A significant portion of this event was also dedicated to fictional case studies, exchanges on latest case-law and dialogues on how to enhance collaboration, thus encouraging open dialogue on how to strengthen trust and cooperation across the cargo ecosystem — key elements in improving loss prevention and maintaining customer satisfaction.
Where to in 2026?
The event closed with appreciation for attendee engagement and a look ahead to next year’s conference in Budapest, Hungary, 22–24 September 2026.