More than 70 exhibitors from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas will participate in the Air Freight Asia 2006 exhibition, which will be held in Shanghai in February.

In addition, more than 40 senior executives from various sectors of the air cargo industry will address the 12th Air Freight Asia conference, which will take place at the Shanghai International Convention & Exhibition Centre from February 14-17, 2006.

The event, which for the first time takes place in China, coincides with the annual Cargoweek, organized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which will be held at the same time and venue as Air Freight Asia 2006.

As in previous years, the event has been endorsed by the Federation of Asia-Pacific Aircargo Associations (FAPAA).

Air Freight Asia 2006 is organized by Payload Asia, the trade magazine for the air freight industry in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region.

Since 1986, the event has been held every even year at various locations in the Asian region, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Sapporo, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Seoul.

Among the Air Freight Asia 2006 exhibitors are leading international carriers and cargo airlines, including participants from Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the US, while a broad range of airports around the world is also participating.

Boeing and conversion specialists EADS-EFW and Pemco lead a wide range of other manufacturers and suppliers of cargo handling equipment, ULDs, IT systems and airport design consultants together with several ground handling companies and logistics providers.

'The demand for space has been overwhelming and unfortunately we had to turn away a number of potential exhibitors,' said conference organizer and Payload Asia publisher, Nol van Fenema. He added that the strong interest in the event reflected the huge potential of the Chinese air cargo market, which has been booming as a result of China's spectacular economic growth.

Turning to the Air Freight Asia 2006 Conference, van Fenema said more than 40 speakers had now confirmed their participation in the event.

'The fact that we are organizing Air Freight Asia 2006 in the same venue and at the same time as the IATA Cargo Week, means that many senior air cargo executives of the world's leading airlines, will participate in our conference.' He said networking opportunities for all participants had tremendously increased following the decision to organise the two events together.

The Conference will have two Round Table Discussions one - on each day plus eight sessions where senior executives will present their view on a wide range of subjects, including 'Alliances, partnerships or joint ventures,' 'Are airports seriously investing in cargo,' 'The quest for reliable cargo data,' and the growing demand for regional feeder services.'

Other subjects include: 'Is China's air cargo growth sustainable, 'How real is cargo's commitment to safety and security?,' 'How cool can it get?' and 'Are shippers getting a seamless cargo product?'

Based on previous attendance records, Air Freight Asia 2006 will be attended by senior executives of airlines, shippers, freight forwarders, international airports, government bodies, logistics providers, express and mail companies, automation & warehousing specialists, aircraft and cargo handling equipment manufacturers and the trade media.

Delegates have traditionally come from Asia, Australia/New Zealand, the Middle East, Europe, Africa and North America.

Apart from the two-day conference on February 15 and 16, delegates will also be able to visit the cargo handling facilities of the Sino-German joint venture ground handling company, Shanghai Pudong International Airport Cargo Terminal Co., Ltd (PACTL). This site visit will take place on February 17, 2006.