Photo: Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
Aviation and logistics leaders gathered in Guangzhou from June 2 to 3 for the IATA Cargo Day-North Asia & Guangzhou International Air Cargo Hub High-Quality Development Conference 2026. Jointly organized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Guangdong Airport Authority (GAA), the two-day event brought together hundreds of airlines, airports, and logistics executives to discuss air cargo growth, digital transformation, and supply chain resilience, as Guangzhou continues to strengthen its role as a key gateway for international trade.
The conference comes as global air cargo demand continues to rise, largely driven by cross-border e-commerce. IATA data showed worldwide air freight demand increased by 3.4% in 2025, with Asia-Pacific carriers recording the strongest growth at 8.4%. Against this backdrop, officials highlighted the strategic importance of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), where a group of seven airports handled 2.37 billion passenger trips and 9.72 million tonnes of cargo and mail in 2025, underscoring the region’s growing role in global manufacturing, trade, and supply chains.
The Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport handled more than 2.4 million tonnes of cargo and mail last year. Industry representatives at the conference discussed strategies to enhance the airport's role as an international cargo hub, focusing on enhanced connectivity, digitalization, and cross-border logistics cooperation.
Broader discussions at the conference then turned to industry-wide trends. In keynote speeches and panel sessions, representatives examined global logistics networks, the concept of “super cargo hubs,” and airline strategies, highlighting a long-term shift towards a more technology-driven global supply chain system. A separate session on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area air cargo market focused on the impact of e-commerce, evolving trade regulations, and digital transformation.
Photo: Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
Attention also turned to air cargo digitalization, with IATA officials presenting the global market outlook and industry executives exchanging views on sector trends. Highlighted initiatives include the ONE Record data standard, which enables a single shared real-time shipment record across the supply chain, as well as broader efforts to modernize cargo operations through digital platforms and electronic settlement systems.
Photo: Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
A key infrastructure update announced at the conference was the upcoming opening of the International Cargo Terminal 3 at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, part of the airport's ongoing Phase III expansion project. Located adjacent to the cargo apron and customs supervision area, the facility is designed to provide seamless connectivity between aircraft and cargo operations. Covering approximately 420,000 square meters, the terminal is expected to handle more than one million tonnes of cargo and mail annually.
Photo: China Southern Air Logistics
The conference also saw the announcement of several cooperation agreements and infrastructure initiatives. China Southern Air Logistics and FedEx signed a strategic memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation in areas such as network connectivity and cargo operations. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport also signed a strategic partnership agreement with Glasgow Prestwick Airport in the United Kingdom, creating new overseas opportunities for Guangzhou's air cargo network. In addition, the Guangzhou Smart Airport Inspection Center and the Zhaoqing Inland Cargo Terminal project were officially launched, while an accompanying trade exhibition showcased products and services linked to Guangzhou's growing air logistics sector.
Reporter: Zeng Xiangxing
