The International Air Transport Association said its 2026 World Cargo Symposium will focus on how the air cargo sector is adjusting to shifting global trade patterns, with demand growth, regulation, digitalization, and special cargo identified as key priorities.
The event will take place in Lima, Peru, from March 10 to 12, 2026, hosted by LATAM Cargo, marking the first time the symposium is held in South America.
According to the International Air Transport Association, the theme ‘Advancing Air Cargo in a Dynamic World’ reflects continued disruption to global supply chains driven by tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and changes in trade lanes.
The association said global air cargo demand increased by 3.4% in 2025, a performance it attributed largely to these pressures and one that is expected to shape market conditions again in 2026.
“Tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty have reshaped global trade and supply chains,” said Willie Walsh, director general of IATA. He said the 2025 growth pattern was strongly influenced by these developments and that similar dynamics are likely to persist.
Walsh added that the symposium will concentrate on strengthening the sector’s ability to adapt as trade routes evolve and as speed and reliability become more critical across supply chains.
IATA said the conference agenda will examine regulatory priorities, developments in special cargo, and progress in digitalization across specialized freight segments. The association has repeatedly identified these areas as central to improving efficiency, compliance, and transparency in air cargo operations.
Hosting the event in Lima underscores South America’s expanding role in global air cargo, IATA said. The region has recorded rising demand linked to exports of perishables, pharmaceuticals, and e-commerce shipments, alongside stronger connectivity with North American, European, and Asian markets.
“Air cargo plays a vital role in connecting South America to global markets and supporting the region’s trade and economic development,” said Andres Bianchi, chief executive officer of LATAM Cargo.
He said hosting the World Cargo Symposium in South America for the first time recognizes the region’s growing importance and supports industry collaboration on regulation, digitalization, and special cargo capabilities.
The symposium will feature keynote sessions and panel discussions involving airline executives, government officials, and logistics specialists. Confirmed speakers include Walsh and Bianchi, as well as Teresa Mera Gómez, Peru’s minister of trade and tourism, and Roberto Alvo, chief executive officer of LATAM Airlines Group.
Industry participation will also include executives from e-commerce and logistics companies, including Ali Faddis, director of global aviation operations at Amazon Global Air Technology & Infrastructure.
Separately, MBN reported that air cargo activity in Mexico declined across most major airports in 2025, highlighting ongoing pressure on trade-related logistics despite continued growth in passenger travel.
Data from Mexico’s Federal Civil Aviation Agency show air cargo volumes fell 3.2% year over year between January and November, while passenger traffic increased by 2.5% over the same period.
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