IATA Cargo Conference Shifts Air Freight Debate from Technology to Execution

August 21, 2026 in Business, Trade & Industry, Transport by Editor

IATA’s 2026 Cargo Experts Conference will focus on turning digital standards, AI, automation and real-time data into practical improvements in air cargo operations, safety, security and pharmaceutical logistics.

 

The air cargo industry is moving into a more operational phase of digital transformation, with technology, data and global standards increasingly being applied to solve everyday challenges in cargo handling, security and delivery reliability.

That shift will be a central focus of the 2026 International Air Transport Association (IATA) Cargo Experts Conference (CEC), which will bring industry specialists together in Budapest, Hungary, on September 23–24 under the theme “From Expertise to Execution.”

Rather than focusing solely on emerging technologies or industry standards, the conference will examine how cargo operators can translate expertise into practical improvements across the supply chain.

“CEC brings cargo experts together to share what works, tackle common challenges, and take away tangible ideas they can apply in their own organizations,” says Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo.

The conference will examine three areas that increasingly determine the efficiency and resilience of modern air cargo operations: digital cargo, safety and security, and pharmaceutical and cargo operations.

The other significant area of focus will be the continued adoption of ONE Record, IATA’s framework for creating a common digital record of a shipment and enabling information to move more seamlessly between participants in the cargo chain.

The conference will look at how APIs, artificial intelligence and automation can move beyond experimentation and become part of routine cargo operations.

The emphasis will include cargo security, shipment visibility, data quality and interoperability — issues that are particularly important as cargo journeys involve multiple airlines, airports, handlers, customs agencies and logistics providers.

For African markets, where fragmented processes and paper-based documentation can still add friction to cross-border trade, greater interoperability could help reduce delays while improving the visibility of goods moving through regional and international supply chains.

The conference will also address the changing security environment facing air cargo, including the safe handling of dangerous goods and the growing challenge posed by undeclared lithium batteries.

As batteries become increasingly embedded in consumer electronics and other products moving through global supply chains, accurate shipment information and stronger risk assessment are becoming essential to aviation safety.

Better information can also help operators identify risks earlier and strengthen oversight across the cargo journey.

Pharma puts resilience under pressure

The third track will examine pharmaceutical and cargo operations, where the cost of operational failure can be particularly high.

Temperature-sensitive medicines and other pharmaceutical products require reliable ground handling, cold-chain management and compliance throughout their journey. IATA says smarter compliance and real-time data can strengthen resilience and improve the management of pharmaceutical shipments.

The broader message ahead of the conference is that the future of air cargo will not be determined simply by having better technology, but by how effectively operators integrate that technology into everyday processes.

The Budapest conference will therefore offer a window into how the global air cargo industry is attempting to turn digital standards and technological capabilities into measurable operational improvements.