CAAS- Summer 2026-Powerd by AI

The latest bouts of extreme geopolitical
turbulence in the last year to 18 months
have triggered a variety of short-term
and longer-term responses to keep supply
chains moving to, from, through, or
around different parts of the world. This
issue of the magazine examines some
of these shifts in patterns and processes
through the experiences of air cargo
stakeholders, from various perspectives.
For example, Washington’s trade war, modal
shift, and supply chain restructuring are among
the factors affecting pharma air logistics supply
chains, as manufacturers seek to minimise risks
and costs, and improve quality and resilience,
as discussed in the Pharma report (page 4).
Meanwhile, new packaging innovations and
cost pressures have encouraged a move from
active containers towards passive solutions.
The Middle East report (page 16) explores
how the sector has adapted to this year’s
extraordinary challenges and fast-changing
developments, within a high-risk, highly
volatile environment. Among the many
reflections, these developments have
underscored the region’s importance within
interconnected global supply chains, and the
ability of air cargo stakeholders to keep cargo
moving despite extreme disruptions.
The situation in the Middle East has
also added to various already fast-evolving
dynamics in Africa’s air cargo markets (page
10), as geopolitical shifts push more traffic
through this continent, and where reliability,
flexibility, and smarter digital execution are
increasingly valued amid the continuing
infrastructure challenges.
The recent turbulence has further
underlined air cargo stakeholders’
extraordinary agility, and the crucial role the
sector plays in global trade resilience and
economic growth. It also illustrates the growing
role of data and technology in resilience and
reacting rapidly, effectively, and efficiently to
fast-changing circumstances. The magazine
also highlights the increasing contribution
generative Ai is beginning to make and
expected to deliver, but also air cargo’s role in
transporting global Ai-related goods. These
were among the themes at IATA’s World Cargo
Symposium in March, highlighted in the WCS
Conference Report (page 52).
The magazine also features an in-depth
Women in Air Cargo report (page 32)
exploring the state of gender diversity
within the sector following the conclusion in
December of IATA’s 25by2025 initiative. It
examines, among other things, why IATA’s
18-person Cargo Advisory Council is currently
100% male, and what progress is being made
to strengthen diversity in air cargo leadership
pipelines. It also asks various women working
within air cargo about their experiences, what
has supported and encouraged them, and what
more needs to be done to improve diversity
– which is vital for good decision-making,
for optimising the talent pool, and creating a
workplace and workforce fit for the future.