Abu Dhabi Air Cargo Forum: From Golf to Global Visions
- The countdown has begun to the Air Cargo Forum (ACF) 2025, which will be held at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi from 3 to 6 November – promising more exhibitors, more knowledge and more networking than ever before.
- Expect intensive sessions on digitalisation, sustainability, e-commerce and workforce transformation, as well as exclusive ‘Oasis-side chats’ with Etihad Cargo’s Stanislas Brun and Amazon Air’s Rahul Srinivasan.
- From the Etihad Cargo Golf Championship and beachside networking at Café Del Mar, to the Ferrari World Gala, ACF 2025 blends serious industry knowledge with unforgettable experiences.
The countdown has begun to the Air Cargo Forum (ACF) 2025, scheduled to take place from November 3 to 6 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Following the success of ACF 2024, which hosted more than 250 exhibitors and attracted more than 3,500 visitors, this year’s edition looks to raise the bar even higher.
“ACF 2025 will remain a world-class global event, bringing together the entire air cargo community to foster innovation, collaboration and growth within the industry,” the International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) said.
Communicate in style
The event kicks off on November 3 with the Etihad Cargo Golf Championship at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. Starting at 7:30 a.m., participants will enjoy breakfast, transportation from host hotels, and tournament services before setting off at 8:30 a.m.
Later that afternoon, registration opens, leading to the ACF welcome reception and official dinner at the Café del Mar Beach Club. From 6:00pm, guests can enjoy an evening of networking, reconnecting with colleagues and meeting new contacts.
Insightful sessions
The Forum officially begins on November 4 with a welcoming ceremony including speeches, gift giving and ribbon cutting marking the beginning of four days of industry knowledge.
An early highlight will be an oasis-side conversation with Stanislas Bruun, Chief Cargo Officer at Etihad Airways, the event’s co-host, who will be joined by Glenn Hughes, Managing Director of TIACA. Attendees will hear about Etihad Airways’ plans to more than double its cargo fleet, expand routes, and introduce new service offerings, all while embracing digital innovation.
Next, Ryan Quiros, CEO and co-founder of Rotate, will present the 2026 air cargo forecast, analyzing how the challenges of 2025 – such as tariffs, regulatory pressures and weak consumer activity – are shaping the outlook for next year. Later, TIACA President, Stephen Polmans, will speak about his six-year tenure, and share the achievements and his vision for the future of the association.
The day also explores digital transformation, sustainability and operational excellence. Noura Al Sharhan, Head of Environment, Social and Governance at Etihad Airways, and Emma Murray, CEO and Co-Founder of Meantime Communications, will discuss progress and challenges in achieving carbon emissions targets in the aviation sector. Stefan Kreiken, Global Head of Air Cargo at DSV, will provide insights into how the world’s largest freight forwarder is coping with current market pressures.
Innovation and workforce development
On November 5, sessions will focus on e-commerce, innovation and workforce challenges. E-commerce, which represents more than 20 percent of air freight volume, has faced policy shifts, tariffs and capacity changes during the first half of 2025. Air Cargo Belgium’s Nathan Goethals and Suneli Simons II, founder of Mall for Women, will explore these dynamics, while an Oasis-side conversation with Rahul Srinivasan, M.D. President of Amazon Air Cargo, highlights how the company is expanding its fleet, global network and digital capabilities to meet growing demand.
The committees will also address workforce challenges. Roland Zestler, Managing Director of GrowNow Group KG, and Moza Al Falahi, Vice President, Cargo Clients and Service Audit at Emirates Air Cargo, will discuss strategies to attract, retain and develop the next generation of air cargo professionals. Led by Jessica Panijari, founder and CEO of Goods2Load, and Amar More, CEO and co-founder of Kale Logistics, the innovation sessions will examine how artificial intelligence, automation and robotics are reshaping operations.
The evening concludes with a Connecting Cargo reception and dinner at Ferrari World.
