Air Cargo Belgium (ACB), the new air cargo community organization at Brussels airport, recently had its official launch.

The new organization, whose formation was announced in December last year, groups all companies at BRUcargo, the airport’s airfreight cluster, as well as related stakeholders and official organizations.

“Traditionally, there have been several organizations active at Brussels Airport, grouping a certain part of the logistical chain such as airlines or forwarders,” said a BRUCargo statement. “These continue to exist but also participate in this new organization, as they are complementary and serving different needs for the cargo community.”

Brussels Airport saw 2015 full year freight volumes grow 7.8 percent to just over 489,000 tons, helped by the arrival of four new cargo carriers in the full freighter segment and the development of express services at the Belgian hub.

“Although we facilitate where possible it is the cargo community that make the difference,” said Steven Polmans, head of cargo at Brussels Airport. ““Without them, nothing happens. With this new organization, we can work even closer together in improving our cargo area to the benefit of all.”

“The Air Cargo Managers Association Belgium believes in a strong bond between airport, forwarders, handlers and airlines,” said Bas Van Goch, chairman of ACMAB. Together we can tackle the challenges that we have, for example the electronic air waybill and ready for carriage delivery. If we all come together, with a joint target, we can make sure to keep Belgium as a center for airfreight, both for on-line and off-line airlines.”

The ACB mission statement expresses its ambition to “represent the entire air cargo community and make BRUcargo the most attractive, efficient, innovative, and successful logistical platform”.

Several companies have already joined the new organization and more are expected to come on board “very soon.”

ACB will create working groups on topics such as digitization, operational efficiency, and pharmaceuticals.