Industry groups offer single air cargo voice
Four large shipping industry groups have agreed to form an advisory group led by The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) to ensure the air cargo industry has a strong unified voice in its dealings with worldwide regulatory authorities and other governmental organizations.
The groups made the pact at TIACA’s Air Cargo Forum in Amsterdam this week. In addition to TIACA, they are the International Air Transport Association (IATA), International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), and Global Shippers' Forum (GSF).
Some of the most pressing global regulatory air cargo issues are security, customs reform, e-commerce, and the environment. The advisory group said it hopes to “find common ground to best protect and promote the interests of the air cargo industry, the organizations and its customers.”
A collective review will also look at the associations' respective resources committed to industry affairs and consider how to make the most use of the existing and growing relationships TIACA, GSF, FIATA and IATA have with relevant government departments and other regulatory bodies.
In addition, the associations will discuss the involvement of other global industry groups in the air cargo supply chain and seek the support of bodies such as the World Customs Organization.
| Steen |
“This initiative is to look at how we can combine our respective strengths, contacts and resources in the area of regulatory affairs,” said Michael Steen, TIACA’s vice chairman, in a statement. “We are delighted that both FIATA and IATA have so readily committed to this important initiative for our industry, and that GSF has joined this effort. We all hope for a positive outcome over the next few months.”
 |
| Bisignani |
'The industry is working together to improve efficiency with programs like IATA e-freight,” said IATA chief Giovanni Bisignani. “But governments have not always received clear signals from industry on what is needed for efficient global air cargo operations. A strong and unified industry voice through the Global Shippers Forum is a step in the right direction. IATA looks forward to working with FIATA, GSF and TIACA to make it an effective industry tool.'
“We clearly have a lot of areas to consider but we believe it is time for associations like FIATA, TIACA and IATA and hopefully others, to look at how we can collectively approach the issue of regulatory and industry affairs as this is an area where we need the strongest representation,” said FIATA President Jean-Claude Delen. “We need to be able to influence decisions that are outside of our direct control but that can have the most dramatic impact on the effectiveness of the members of all our associations.'
 |
| Gatti |
'The importance and potential impact that this group can have should not be underestimated,' said Peter J. Gatti, executive vice president of the U.S.-based National Industrial Transportation League, speaking on behalf of the Global Shippers' Forum. 'Suppliers, vendors and their customers working together can be a powerful force in identifying supply chain needs and how they can best be achieved. This new working group presents an extraordinary opportunity to be heard by national policy makers.'