The four major trade associations involved in the air cargo industry have joined forces to present a single voice to regulatory authorities around the world.
The move comes in the wake of the discovery of bombs in freight on aircraft, including one on an aircraft at East Midlands airport on 29th October.
The organisations involved are: The International Air Cargo Association, the International Air Transport Association, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations and the Global Shippers’ Forum.
The agreement commits TIACA, GSF, FIATA and IATA to work together to look at their current positions on issues such as security, customs reform, e-commerce, and the environment.
Michael Steen, vice chairman of TIACA, said: “This initiative is to look at how we can combine our respective strengths, contacts and resources in the area of regulatory affairs.”
The associations will also 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.
“We all share a common goal to protect our members against costly and sometimes unnecessary changes in legislation and to have a practical input into any future regulatory challenges before they become mandatory,” said Steen.
“We also want to have the strongest possible voice when it comes to highlighting to policy makers the vital role air cargo plays in world trade, in employment, in consumer choice and in the growth of developing markets.”
Representatives of IATA, GSF, FIATA and TIACA will begin meetings after the 25th International Air Cargo Forum & Exposition.
