This year, World Routes will take place in Berlin from the 2nd to 4th October and is taking on more of a cargo emphasis than ever before. Globally the cargo aviation industry as a whole has had its profits squeezed due to demand dips brought about by the Japanese disaster, and trouble in the Middle East. Add to that the latest surge in fuel prices (up $40/b on last year), and an increased roll by some of the world’s foremost LCC carriers in moving cargo, and it might seem that the landscape for cargo carriers is a little bleak in the run up to World Routes.
However according to IATA, cargo markets will be squeezed but remain profitable this year. Global trade is now strong and companies worldwide are showing signs of spending on Capital goods. It would seem that, despite recent difficulties, the cargo industry can ride the storm of recovery better than the passenger industry. It is significant that at such a challenging time for the carriers they are attending World Routes in record numbers, with more senior delegations than ever before to discuss current issues with their peers.
This year, almost all of the major players within the industry are taking part in World Routes in Berlin including Air China Cargo, Jade Cargo, UPS, Emirates Sky Cargo, Saudi Arabian Cargo, FEDEX and many more. Many are attending to take part in The Route Development Cargo Strategy Summit which this year features some of the prominent speakers from the world’s airlines such as Des Vertannes, Global Head of Air Cargo, IATA, Lise-Marie Turpin, Managing Director, Air Canada Cargo, Shahari Sulaiman, Managing Director, MasKargo and many many more. Neil Mulligan, Routes’ Senior Airline Manager commented: “This is by far the most high calibre list of cargo attendees we’ve ever had at Routes. Demand has been such that we have also introduced Routes Cargo Talks Theatres which already have been filled by key industry players keen to use the platform of Routes to discuss the industry and brief the global audience on their own situations. We’re now seeing ACMI leasing companies and forwarders registering for stands at Routes and using Routesonline as well in order to highlight their services to the 350 plus carriers that attend the event”.
With their combination of Strategy summit and individual Routes Cargo Talks theatres, added to the normal format enabling carriers to pre-arrange one on one meetings with airports and other carriers, this year’s Routes looks set to embrace the cargo industry into its flagship event more than ever.
In order to be a sponsor or have the opportunity to speak at a Routes Talks Cargo Theatre or to list your leasing opportunities, please contact [email protected].