Air Cargo Podcast: De minimis, tariffs, and TIACA’s outlook for 2025

2025 has kicked off with unprecedented disruption across global freight, and air cargo is at the centre of the storm. In this episode, co-hosts Mike King and Alex Lennane unpack the biggest stories shaping the industry, from shifting U.S. trade policies to the evolving role of e-commerce in air freight demand.

In our exclusive interview with The International Air Cargo Association’s (TIACA) Steven Polmans and Glyn Hughes, we tackle key industry questions:

· How geopolitical tensions are impacting supply chains and air space

· Whether TIACA is effectively serving members and attracting enough forwarders

· If their events are priced accessibly and sufficiently inclusive

We preview TIACA's key 2025 events: June's Executive Summit in Hong Kong (hosted by Cathay Cargo) focusing on US-China trade tensions, and November's Air Cargo Forum in Abu Dhabi—now competing directly with Munich's 'transport logistic 2025.'

The episode also examines payment and settlement system challenges, sustainability initiatives, and efforts to diversify industry leadership and event panels.

This episode is sponsored by Air Charter Service.

Guests:

Raymon Krishnan, president, The Logistics & Supply Chain Management Society

Steven Polmans, chairman, TIACA

Glyn Hughes, director general, TIACA

Peter Sundara Swamickannu, Singapore-based freight executive for a large BCO

Alex Lennane, publisher, The Loadstar

Mike King, podcast host and creator, The Loadstar

Credits: Produced, edited and hosted by Mike King for The Loadstar www.theloadstar.com