Markus Ek, CEO of SAS Cargo, along with Analytics and Performance Manager Niklas Borg, embarked on a journey to China, visiting Shanghai and Hong Kong. Before the IATA World Cargo Symposium in Hong Kong from March 12th to 14th, 2024, Markus spent two days in Shanghai, engaging in partnership discussions with some of our most important customers such as Scan Global, Geodis and Flying J. These interactions provided both the opportunity for Markus to recognize the customers importance for SAS Cargo and get a deeper understanding of customer needs and future collaborations. Markus also met our local team, including Zhu Jiqiang (Sales Executive), Sun Zheng (Country Manager), Deng Xiping (Supervisor Sales Support), and Zhang Ying (Sales Support & Operation) to discuss the activities to reach the local sales targets for FY24.
The symposium in Hong Kong served as a hub of innovation and collaboration, addressing pivotal themes shaping the future of air cargo such as digitalization, sustainability, safety, talent dynamics, and e-commerce. Discussions centered around ONE Record's potential to revolutionize data sharing by January 2026. Challenges in digital maturity and the transformative power of generative AI were explored. Sustainability emerged as crucial, exemplified by initiatives like IATA CO2 Connect for standardized emissions calculation. Furthermore, E-commerce took center stage as a dominant theme, showcasing remarkable growth projections and market shifts favoring forward inventory and commercial parcels. Among other meetings, Markus participated in the IATA Cargo Executive Meeting to discuss and elaborate on the cargo industry targets and movement for some of the areas above.
Reflecting on the trip, Markus emphasized the importance of engaging with essential customers and partners: “I cannot emphasize enough the importance of constantly meeting and being in close dialogue with all our key customers and partners to recognize their significance, address their needs, and understand future potentials. The discussions with our key customers in Shanghai and the participation at the IATA World Cargo Symposium were great opportunities to interact with customers and industry peers, discussing both the future of the industry and elaborating on possible partnerships to enhance SAS Cargo's footprint going forward.”