Liege Airport used ACE 2025 to reposition itself and challenge the traditional role of cargo airports, drawing over 400 logistics professionals and 27 airlines to what is becoming Europe's most cargo-focused event, reports London's Air Cargo Week.

Frederic Brun of Liege Airport said attendance more than doubled from last year's 150 participants. Torsten Wefers of LGG noted the event's strategic aim was to highlight Liege's appeal to forwarders and logistics firms, especially through its CargoLand initiative.

Liege's 24/7 operations and non-slot coordination make it attractive to e-commerce players. Brun said a 747 can be turned around in four to five hours, aided by fast lanes and Swissport's new pharma centre. Wefers added the airport aims to double cargo traffic to 2.3 million tons in 10 years.

Under its EUR500 million 2040 Master Plan, Liege is investing in infrastructure for verticals like pharma and automotive. Target markets include South East Asia, Miami and South America, driven by rising flower volumes.

A panel moderated by TIACA's Steven Polmans explored how airports can evolve from infrastructure providers to cargo community organisers. Kai Domscheit of CHI Cargo said most airport CEOs lack a cargo strategy and that communities often serve to placate stakeholders.

Panellists agreed that real cargo communities require shared decision-making. Domscheit said board control remains a barrier. Sahil Deshpande of Kale Logistics stressed education over sales in CCS adoption.

Wefers described LGG's digital strategy as incremental. Domscheit criticised service gaps and delays, while Awery's Vitaly Smilianets said governance helped drive CCS uptake. Slot booking systems drew criticism for failing to reduce dwell times.

Wefers acknowledged limitations but said data collection could lead to cost savings. Smilianets concluded that cargo must move beyond silos and embrace collaboration.