Ask Amar More Kale Logistics Solutions Founder and guiding spirit who just attended ICAO’s first ever Global Air Cargo Summit at Istanbul April 9-11 about that organization moving into organized air cargo events and the erstwhile executive  always on the go in between flights onto Dubai for World Cargo Symposium that kicks off on Monday April 14 puts it this way:
     “ICAO where we participated in the sessions was been a smashing success attracting civil aviation authorities from over 80 countries, industry delegates, regulators and other industry associations such as TIACA, FIATA, ACI, WCO, IPSCA etc.
     ‘The summit is happened over 3 days (9th to 11th of April) and all the sessions are quite engaging.
     “Kale Logistics was pleased to be part of Session 3 of the ICAO event that featured a lively and informtive discussion infrastructure development for air cargo operations," Amar More said.
     Moderator was Miguel Marin, Deputy Director, Capacity Development and Implementation Bureau, ICAO. Panellists were: Lekan Thomas, Director, Cargo Development & Services, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria,Amar More, CEO, Kale Logistics,Claudio Eminente, Principal Director of Economic Planning and Infrastructure Development, ENAC Italy, Mürvet Sahin, Senior Regulatory Affairs Manager, Maersk Air Cargo A/S. Wilson Kwong, Chief Executive, Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminal Ltd. (HACTL)

Key Takeaways -

Current Challenges:
      •   Inefficient operational processes causing terminal congestion
      •   Excessive paperwork - one shipment can require 125+ document copies
      •   Limited dedicated cargo space at airports
      •   Environmental restrictions impacting operating hours
      •   Disconnected digital systems across stakeholders

Solutions Proposed:
      •   Pre-submission of cargo documentation and truck appointment systems
      •   Airport community systems for stakeholder collaboration
      •   Enhanced intermodal connectivity to streamline supply chains
      •   AI implementation for operational optimization and safety (e.g., thermal scanning for lithium batteries)
      •   Converting ICAO's common platform recommendation to a standard.

     Panelists emphasized that technology solutions already exist but require regulatory support, standardization, and—most importantly—mindset change across the industry.
     The discussion highlighted ICAO's potential role in facilitating common standards and bringing stakeholders together to create more efficient and sustainable air cargo infrastructure worldwide.
Geoffrey Arend/Ken Knitter