World's Busiest Cargo Airport to Host IATA World Cargo Symposium in 2024

(02/05/23)  IATA has confirmed that Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has been confirmed as the host airport for the World Cargo Symposium (WCS) in 2024, with Cathay Cargo the host airline.

The event, scheduled to take place from 12 to 14 March at AsiaWorld-Expo, is expected to attract over 1,000 attendees from around the world.

Fred Lam, Chief Executive Officer of Airport Authority Hong Kong, said, “It is a great honour for HKIA to serve as the host airport of WCS 2024. The high profile gathering of aviation leaders in Hong Kong will send a strong signal to global markets that Hong Kong is fully open to the world and that our aviation industry is engaging with our counterparts worldwide. We look forward to welcoming everyone and showcasing HKIA’s initiatives as we take the next steps towards consolidating HKIA’s role as the world’s No.1 cargo airport.”

Cathay Cargo B747F taking off from HKIA. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com

The WCS is an annual meeting of the global air cargo industry that brings together airlines, freight forwarders, ground handlers, shippers and regulators to discuss the latest trends, challenges and opportunities.

The event features plenary sessions, specialised streams, workshops and executive summits, tackling aspects related to technology and innovation, security and customs, cargo operations, and sustainability.

Ronald Lam, Cathay Chief Executive Officer, said, “Our home hub of Hong Kong has always sat at the heart of air freight in Asia, and remains the busiest international air cargo centre in the world. Importantly, Hong Kong is the major gateway to the continuously growing freight market in the Greater Bay Area. As the leading air cargo carrier in Hong Kong, Cathay Cargo is excited to welcome the global air cargo industry to our home and for them to rediscover the vibrancy, energy and progressiveness of this great city as a place to do business.”

HKIA has for many years been the world’s leading air cargo hub and was recently named the world’s busiest cargo airport in 2022 by Airports Council International, with 4.2 million tonnes of air cargo handled last year.

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