The recently concluded AIR CARGO INDIA 2008 international conference and exhibition is the latest talk of the trade. The magnitude of the event and hospitality of the organizers has left the participants speechless. The exhibition which was inaugurated by Mr. B.C. Khatua, Chairman, Forward Markets Commission (FMC), India, was immediately flooded with trade visitors form around the world. Priyo Patra, Director Events, said that “the overwhelming response and support that we have received from the participants and the entire international air cargo fraternity has helped made the event such a huge success.” The ecstatic event director has promised that AIR CARGO INDIA will be back in 2010 and will surely exceed everyone’s expectations.   

 The event which was organized by the STAT TRADE TIMES, an integrated media house specializing in integrated transport industries including air cargo had previously organized the AIR CARGO INDIA 2006 event which was also lauded by the entire air cargo industry. However the ACI 2008 event has been a tremendous success in every aspect compared to ACI 2006, be it the number of exhibitors, visitors, delegates or galaxy of international high profile international speakers, AIR ARGO INDIA 2008 has smashed all records. The event has registered 52 exhibitors and 238 delegates from 27 countries. Over 1800 trade visitors who attended the exhibition were bedazzled by the enormity of the event and did not loose any time in making optimum use of the opportunity.      

Attended by industry leaders from the Air Cargo Industry around the world, Air Cargo India 2008 had its theme “Opportunities in an Emerging Air Cargo Market”. The business sessions in the concurrent conferences was inaugurated by His Excellency Dr. S.S. Sidhu, the Governor of Manipur who was the first Indian to become Secretary General of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The business sessions were anchored by BBC World Business News Presenter, Mr. Aaron. Heslehurst and Mrs. Harpreet Singh, Head of Quality Management Systems, NACIL. The speakers for the business sessions included some of the most eminent personalities form the air cargo industry like Mr. Ram Menen, Divisional Senior Vice President Cargo, Emirates Skycargo, Mr. Stan Wraight , Chairman of Board, Cargoitalia s.p.a., Mr. Alex Popovich, Global Head of Cargo, IATA, Mr. Carsten Sphor, Chairman and CEO, Lufthansa Cargo AG, Mr. Michael Proffitt, CEO, Dubai Logistics City, Dr. Dinesh Keskar, Senior Vice President – Sales Boeing Commercial Airplanes, K.C. Jena Chairman, Indian Railway Board, Mr. Robert. Arendal, Chairman of the Cool Chain Associates and others.     

The evening sunset on all the three days proved to be a perfect stress buster as the organizers had arranged for a welcome Dinner on the 23^rd, a Gala Award Dinner on the 24^th and the launch party for AIR CARGO INDIA 2010 on the 25^th.

 The biennial event was a huge success which was proven by the reactions of the participants and has acclaimed an important place in everyone’s itinerary.