Cargo Facts is pleased to announce that the thirty-second annual Cargo Facts Symposium will return to Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 21-23.

Cargo Facts Symposium 2026 serves as a platform for industry leaders, stakeholders and air cargo executives to assemble and discuss the latest trends and developments in the freighter sector, providing attendees clear insight behind the leadership shaping the market.

View the full Cargo Facts Symposium agenda.

One of the highlights of the 2026 Symposium will be a fireside chat with Richard Smith, chief operating officer of international and chief executive of airline at FedEx.

Smith will discuss the company’s recent work bringing its MD-11Fs back into service, along with topics including fleet strategy and renewal, the express market and global e-commerce trends.

Even as the Iran war drags on and continues to disrupt global aviation and trade, demand for widebody freighters remains strong. Operators are implementing strategies to increase capacity while awaiting the ramp up of 777 conversions along with new deliveries of production freighters.

This year’s Symposium will bring back the “type talk” format from 2025: focused sessions dedicated to specific key freighter types. The type talks this year will cover 777s, A321s and 737s.

Other sessions at the event will include:

• A panel on rebalancing capacity in the global freighter market;
• A panel on the technical aspects of freighter conversion and fleet management;
• A presentation on tackling sourcing and procurement challenges facing freighters and engines;
• A panel on current freighter values and lease-rate trends; and
• Special sessions presented by Airbus and Boeing.

To kick off the Symposium, Cargo Facts Consulting will share its analysis on the latest market developments during its freighter strategy presentation on Oct. 21.

Cargo Facts Symposium 2026 is the premier event for the freighter aircraft and air cargo industries. It provides attendees, investors and air cargo executives an opportunity to strengthen relationships while expanding networks around the world.

Find out more about Cargo Facts Symposium 2026 and register by Sept. 4 to take advantage of early-bird pricing.