My Luncheon With Wilson Kwong

     Have you ever noticed that almost every time someone hosts a big industry event, just after the encounter and the show leaves town, that they both kind of disappear from the media?
     Sure, there are events and sessions and awards and dinners; maybe a little golf or a fam trip to see some local delight, and all of that is good. But once that curtain comes down on an air cargo trade event, and the show is over, further word on the event disappears like that Cheshire Cat leaving only its smile in the Alice In Wonderland children’s story.
     Thinking 2025, the big event for The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) was that organization’s Executive Summit as the logistics world spent a couple of days with Hong Kong on the half shell, laying out all the bells and whistles, sharing some dynamic sessions and networking. Hong Kong was from all reports a grand industry gathering and lots of fun. Some people are still talking about that moment of high anxiety wherein a few brave conferees of the event ventured downtown to have a drink, sitting a couple of feet away from the 100 plus year old railroad train that roars through the middle of a main street of Hong Kong’s old town.
     All of this put up by HACTL and namely its CEO, Wilson Kwong. We noted the high-spirited tone Wilson set for the event and how during one session he concluded some remarks walking over to TIACA’s Director General catching the rather straight-laced Glyn Hughes in a joyful bear hug moment on stage!
In 51 years on this beat that unabashed joy on stage was an air cargo first and, no doubt, a moment to remember.
     Now as the 2026 trade show season takes off once again, we learned that Wilson and his smile and big hug is moving on up, having landed a big job as Hong Kong Transport Services Director, Hong Kong Mass Transit Corporation.
     Our Bob Rogers in Hong Kong caught up with Wilson during his final days at Hactl, as the duo along with Winnie Chan, Branding and Communications Executive Director, Hactl shared a look back and look ahead during an intimate, relaxed and informative grand luncheon.
     Spending a few hours with the always ebullient Wilson Kwong delivered some moments like the elevated excitement of Lunar New Year celebrations upcoming, just a few weeks away as 2026 year of the horse begins February 17.      Here Bob Rogers shares what was on the menu during his luncheon with Wilson Kwong.

     Wilson Kwong is very well-known (and admired) in the air cargo industry, which, given his role as CEO of Hactl, the longest standing and largest independent air cargo terminal in Hong Kong at the world’s busiest, cargo airport is not surprising. However, I think less well-known is that just last week on Monday January 19th, Wilson moved on from his office in Hactl, with its spectacular view over the ramp, to take up a new role as Hong Kong Transport Services Director of Hong Kong’s world leading Mass Transit Corporation.
     Over an excellent appetizer of Dim Sum and Signature Barbequed Pork, Wilson rattled off a summary of the giant system: 271 Km (168 miles) of railway, 98 heavy rail stations, plus the enormous Hong Kong West Kowloon High Speed Rail Station, 68 light rail stops, average weekday patronage of 5.6 million, where just last week he assumed command.
     “This mission is to serve Hong Kong,” he said, smiling.
     As we moved onto the Double Boiled Sea Conch Soup, the talk turned to the world of air cargo, where Wilson is very pleased to be leaving on a high note, an organization having a customer base of over 100 airlines, and contributing more than 40 % of Hong Kong International Airport’s annual cargo tonnage.
     While happy to take credit for the success, he is also not shy in saying how so many other players, such as the HK Government – including the Transport and Logistics Bureau, Customs and Excise, Civil Aviation Department, Airport Authority Hong Kong and others, contribute to this success story. “It's a team effort,” Wilson said.
     Moving onto the Wok Fried U.S. Angus Hanger Steak, we touched on how the air cargo industry is so totally dependent on people and how Hactl has managed to create an inclusive environment for its 2000+ staff. 
     “Hactl is very proud of its diverse staffing policy, with 40% female senior management staff and over 23% growth in its overall female staff ratio over the past 10 years, which is impressive given the highly “hands on” nature of air cargo warehouse operations,” Wilson assured.
     And in line with its wider inclusivity efforts, Hactl has initiated a “menstrual equity” program across the terminal and in the local community - certainly an industry leading initiative. And here I can speak from my personal visits to the Hactl facilities, compared to many cargo terminals I have had the opportunity to visit, Hactl’s Super Terminal 1 stands out as being an extremely pleasant place to work, even having full air-conditioning of the cargo working areas as well as the offices.
     With Braised Asparagus and Crabmeat now on the table, the conversation turns to sustainability and here Hactl has a continuous program to find ways to recycle and upcycle rather than dispose wherever possible, even old staff uniforms are upcycled into various practical gift items, while the terminal roof carries an extensive solar panel installation.
     With Pan Fried Rice Flour Roll with Prawns next, the talk turns to the application of future technologies to future Hactl operations and here Wilson is very clear: “Hactl has already moved by establishing a bespoke private 5G system for their sole operations, creating a platform for the use of autonomous vehicles and robotics throughout the terminal. Given Hong Kong’s proximity to the technology hot house just across the border in Shenzhen, Hactl is super well placed to remain ahead of the curve when it comes to innovation, a hallmark of this organization’s success.”
     Time for the Baked Chestnut Pudding in Ginger to wrap up lunch, as Wilson has to rush off to yet another meeting, having spent the morning trying to clear out some of the accumulation of years as CEO of Hactl, which will in 2026 celebrate its 50th birthday, (more on that later!) and it’s not just moving on from Hactl, as this move means Wilson will leave Jardine’s, one of Hong Kong’s longest standing business groups; indeed his first position 27 years ago was with Jardine Aviation Services, back in the good old Kai Tak days!
     Will he miss working in this environment? “I will miss the air cargo community and the opportunity for extensive travel to participate in industry events.
     It’s been an incredible experience, but like everything else it’s time to move on and we can be very confident that he also will bring the same commitment and enthusiasm to his new position.
     “This is Hong Kong,” Wilson declared, “where anything and everything is possible.”
     Our luncheon with Wilson was elevated to a tri-part conversation of sharing both moments of an incredible journey with Winnie Chan. It was also not without a moment of shared feelings and thanks, as we wished Wilson happy landings (and our hug for good luck) as now he moves forward, working on the railroad.
     And thanks for the ride.
Bob Rogers