Latest Press Releases from the AfA
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Airforwarders Association Holds Quarterly Board Meeting at Rickenbacker International Airport (June 13, 2018)
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Airforwarders Association Announces Alliance with The International Air Cargo Association (January 25, 2018)
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Airforwarders Association Presses for Nomination of New TSA Administrator (March 16, 2017)
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Airforwarders Association Urges Infrastructure Investment in First 100 Days (November 14, 2016)
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Airforwarders Association Cheers Passage of Critical Trade Bill (June 24, 2015)
- Airforwarders Association Applauds Confirmation of Peter Neffenger to be the New TSA Administrator (June 22, 2015)
- Statement of AfA Executive Director on Management Changes at TSA (June 2, 2015)
- AfA Chief Reappointed to Key Homeland Security Advisory Committee (May 22, 2015)
- Airforwarders Association Hails Nomination of New TSA Administrator (April 28, 2015)
- Airforwarders Encouraged by Advancement of Trade Bill in Congress (April 17, 2015)
- Airforwarders Association Presses for Nomination of New TSA Administrator (March 18, 2015)
- Final Preparations Underway for Air Freight Industry Conference in New Orleans (February 19, 2015)
- Air Freight All-Star Jim Crane, Owner of the Houston Astros, to Keynote AirCargo 2015 Conference (November 17, 2014)
- Allow Privately Trained Dogs to Screen Air Cargo at Off-Airport Facilities, Airforwarders Urge Congressional Panel (June 24, 2014)
- Airforwarders Hail Enactment of Ports and Waterways Legislation (June 10, 2014)
- Coalition of Air Freight Forwarders Urges Feds to Resolve Small Business Issues Before Implementing New International Air Cargo Data and Screening Rules (June 4, 2014)
- Airforwarders' Executive Director to Interview IATA Leader at CNS Cargo Event (May 1, 2014)
- Airforwarders Hail Confirmation of CBP Chief (March 7, 2014)
Industry News
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Man Bites Dog
We now know that new rules from ICAO have forced change to air cargo as 100% industry screening went into effect June 30. Simply put, these ICAO international air transportation standards mandate that all-cargo aircraft flights receive the same level of security screening and scrutiny that cargo shipments on passenger fights do. So the shorthand is that as July unfolds, stakeholders in some cases are stepping up to a new reality. Expect air cargo webinars and discussion groups in plenty on this topic. Attention is drawn to a webinar later this month on July 21 put up by The Airforwarders Association. For more click here. Read more. -
Cargo prices skyrocketing as companies and the federal government rush medical supplies to the US
(CNN)The cost to ship goods to the US has jumped up in recent weeks as demand for medical supplies and other goods has skyrocketed and the number of flights has dropped amid the global coronavirus pandemic. Hospitals, states and numerous front-line businesses have been desperate to acquire personal protective equipment, much of it coming from China. The urgent need for supplies has come at the same time that much of the world's travel has ground to a halt. Around 50% of the world's cargo flies in the bellies of passenger planes, so as flight capacity has dropped 65% this quarter, the amount of air cargo space has plummeted and prices jumped sharply. The shortage of air cargo space is making it substantially more expensive and more difficult for importers to bring urgently needed medical supplies into the country. In the worst cases, goods are getting stuck at airports or rerouted and trucked over land in an attempt to speed up shipments. The US has banned most foreign nationals traveling from China, Europe and the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, countries around the world have locked down their populations in an effort to slow the spread of the virus. Richard Thompson, president of the Americas for Air Charter Service, said prices are fluctuating a great deal, but a month ago, the cost to charter a full 747 from East Asia to the United States was $500,000. Now, he's seen pricing on the same route as high as $1.2 million. Shippers are also often having to pay a round trip price for airlifting goods from China, because the economic shutdown means very little is being sent in the opposite direction. Continue Reading -
Unprecedented turbulence hits air cargo industry
With the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the current prospects for the air cargo industry are bleak. Before COVID-19 had much of an impact on cargo volumes, International Air Transport Association (IATA) data had already reported that demand, measured in cargo tonne kilometers (CTKs), decreased by 3.3% in January 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, while capacity rose by 2.1%. These figures were their worst since 2012. In the meantime, freight performance was its weakest since the global financial crisis in 2009 when airfreight markets contracted by 9.7%. January also marked the 10th consecutive month of year-on-year declines in cargo volumes. “There was optimism that an easing of U.S.-China trade tensions would give the sector a boost in 2020,” says Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general and CEO. “But that has been overtaken by the COVID-19 outbreak, which has severely disrupted global supply chains. We’re in unknown territory, and, for sure, 2020 will be another challenging year for the air cargo business. Tough times are ahead.” ATA maintains that it’s unlikely COVID-19 had much to do with January’s weak performance. “Complicating freight volumes and load factors is the fact the Chinese Lunar New Year started early this year—January 25 compared to February 5 last year—and was extended two weeks due to the coronavirus,” says Niall van de Wouw, managing director of Amsterdam-based CLIVE Data Services. Continue Reading -
Airforwarders Association executive director stresses the importance of air cargo amidst covid-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has scrambled America’s freight landscape, causing supply chain disruptions as well as increased demand for medical and consumer goods that are scarce. In a race against time, many shippers are relying on the air freight industry to get critical goods to their destinations. Brandon Fried, executive director of The Airforwarders Association, explained the importance of the air freight industry and how it has adapted to accommodate the needs of a nation in crisis with FreightWaves CEO Craig Fuller on the FreightWavesTV show, “Fuller Speed Ahead.” The Airforwarders Association (AfA) is a global alliance of indirect air carriers, cargo airlines and affiliated businesses. The association represents member companies, ranging from small businesses to those with over 1,000 people, dedicated to moving cargo throughout the supply chain, according to its website. Freid said that many of AfA’s members are suffering economic hardships due to the coronavirus outbreak. For instance, freight forwarders involved heavily in automotive transport as well as the niche markets such as the entertainment industry have seen declines in business as Americans participate in social distancing. Continue Reading
Media Inquiries
Please Contact
Adair Douglas
Airforwarders Association
Phone: (202) 207-1107
Email: info@airforwarders.org
AfA in the News
Cargo shipments surge at O'Hare, Crain's Chicago Business, May 6, 2015
Obama’s TSA pick praised, The Hill, April 30, 2015
Shippers grapple with delays at Chicago’s O’Hare airport, Journal of Commerce, April 2, 2015
How to respond when the feds come knocking Air Cargo World , March 3, 2015
Strong air freight demand to remain as US port backlog cleared Journal of Commerce, February 24, 2015
West Coast slowdown could help PortMiami Miami Herald, February 24, 2015
Air cargo conference examines urgent congestion issues Logistics Management, February 19, 2015
Dual Customs Facility at Lambert Gets Key Support St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 3, 2014