Hactl - Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited CEO Wilson Kwong and The International Air Cargo Association TIACA Executive Director Glyn Hughes at the TIACA Executive Summit got up close and personal in a wide-ranging, no-holds barred conversation this week.
     But the closer here as the conversation ended was an air cargo first, as the esteemed Hactl chief walked over to Glyn and hugged him on stage.
     More about that amazing moment later, but first here is how the conversation unfolded:

Glyn:        Please provide a background of the real Wilson Kwong.
Wilson:   I have been closely associated with air cargo for 7 years, started on the passenger side.
     At Hactl the least important person is me.
     It’s about the collective effort of all our employees. My role is to facilitate, to provide the scaffolding.

Glyn:        Hactl has massive capacity! How is business and 2025 working out?
Wilson:   Despite uncertainty, 2025 is a year of two halves; plenty of uncertainty for sure. But first, we have numbers that have landed at this point a little ahead.
     I’m always bullish about this industry. There will always be a role for air cargo.

Glyn:        Have you seen a reduction in activity?
Wilson:   Yes, we have seen a drop in throughput to the U.S. but the gap has narrowed as other continents have picked up!

Glyn:        How about Hong Kong more generally? Offer a long-term view?
Wilson:   Firstly our government is very committed to our success. Also, we have a very strong network effect. I don’t see any likelihood for change over the long term.
     From Hact's point of view, we never stop investing and this truly reflects the spirit of Hong Kong.

Glyn:        Can you share some thoughts about innovation and what you are most proud of at this point in 2025?
Wilson:   Probably Robotics. Very proud of our thermal detection system. With high risk of e-commerce shipments, Hactl rolled this technology out for pallets and now is extending capability to all cargo.
     If we can identify any possible thermal event, everybody wins.

Glyn:        What is it about people that work at Hactl? The tradition at Hactl, as I understand is, that there are many very long-term employees. How do you manage to keep up team spirits and involvement in bettering service delivery?
Wilson:   We never forget how important our team members are. As example, presenting long service awards are key to our motivation. For our employees having these awards are always a high point.
     Hactl managers always ask, “how would we like to be treated?”
     We dedicate resources upgrading all our people facilities, lockers, lounges, rest rooms, you name it.
     Supporting people by your actions is how to make a difference.

Glyn:       What would you say to a young person about joining the logistics industry?
Wilson:   We have a major effort to spread the word that air cargo impacts all our lives.
     
     Handshakes and air kissing are so yesterday!
     But then Wison departed from the norm stating:
     "The new air cargo inclusivity is the hug!"
     With that Wilson crossed the stage and hugged Glyn Hughes!
     Hugging A New Normal At TIACA?
     Why not, we say.
     At a meeting like TIACA or anywhere else for that matter there would be no heroes if all the conferees were just satisfied with the status-quo.
     Love Wilson Kwong creating a Big Hug takeaway from his session at TIACA Hong Kong.
     Everyone feels better after a big hug once in a while.
     Hugging gets our vote to become the  unique signature  close of every TIACA Yearly Executive Session from now on!
     But here today, how about a pick-up hug-fest amongst you, dear readers?
     Hugging only takes two to tango when you think about it!
     Here is an idea.
     Feel better—send us an email with a picture of your couple or team hug.
     Tell us about your group hug picture, and a bit about who you are and what you do in air cargo.
     Send to geoffrey.arend@gmail.com and we will publish and share the joy in this space!
     Get it on!
Geoffrey

     Awards more rewarding, debuted some firsts at TIACA Hong Kong Executive Session 2025 (Photo left), where the great Jan Krems, United Cargo President is pictured flanked by Steven Polmans Chairman TIACA (r) and Glyn Hughes Executive Director TIACA (l), as he is inducted into TIACA Hall Of Fame.
     Photo Right—TIACA also recognized Vitaly Smilianets (r) who was tabbed as first recipient of the TIACA Inspirational Leader Award.
     Smilianets founded Awery Aviation Software and has led the company to prominence amongst tech providers in the industry. Moritz Claussen (l) of cargo.one was selected as first winner of the TIACA Rising Star Award. Claussen co-founded cargo.one with the vision of bringing seamless digital booking and visibility to airfreight. Under his leadership, the platform has grown rapidly to become a global partner for airlines and freight forwarders alike.