The remarkable rise of air cargo, which plays a crucial role in international trade, is striving for recognition and respect.

At the 2026 IATA Annual General Meeting, Michael Steen, CEO of Atlas Air, and Janet Wallace, Managing Director of Cargo Operations at Air Canada, highlighted the crucial yet often overlooked role of air cargo in the global economy. They discussed the industry's profitability, diverse customer base—including industrial, military, and entertainment sectors—and the challenges posed by US trade tariffs and a looming capacity crisis. Both executives stressed the need for modernization, particularly through digitalization and standardization, to enhance operational efficiency and support the air cargo sector, which accounts for 35% of global trade value.