TIACA

An international trade group settles on Miami as the regular location for its semiannual air cargo expo.

The International Air Cargo Association has been waiting two years to hold its big annual conference. Members will now have to wait another six months because of COVID.

The air cargo industry quickly pulled together to deliver critical COVID vaccines and PPE last year. The same type of teamwork can be applied to other social needs, such as the environment and diversity, air cargo leaders say.

Pharmaceutical companies often get nervous that carelessness by a transportation provider will spoil a shipment of COVID vaccines or other medicines. Airfreight experts say data sharing and teamwork can eliminate most glitches.

From IATA to TIACA. That’s a lot of alphabet soup for new CEO Glyn Hughes to digest, but by all accounts he’s up to the task.

How do you prepare for the Super Bowl if you don’t know who your opponent is? That’s how airlines and freight managers feel about preparations for transporting a COVID-19 vaccine when one is approved because manufacturers aren’t freely sharing shipping details.

Some countries are making it easier for airlines to adjust operations in response to the coronavirus crisis, but the airfreight community wants greater cooperation from governments.

Advocates for rules exemptions characterize freighters as mission-critical for delivering medical supplies and feeding the public.

Misdeclared cargo is a big problem for air carriers when it comes to dangerous goods like lithium batteries. Regulators are too complacent when it comes to enforcement, airfreight industry groups claim.

The International Air Cargo Association is trying to unify the air cargo industry on common issues and practices through a new membership approach.

Santa seems likely to leave some coal in the airfreight industry’s stocking this year, but some see 2020 turning to glitter if the industry can get past what is poised to be a difficult Q1.

“Undercover boss” believes average international airfreight shipment times should be at least a day faster. Experts agree the sector can up its game.

Demand could pick up next year, but U.S. elections are one of multiple potential pitfalls delegates at TIACA’s 2019 Executive summit heard this week.

Uncertainty around trade wars and Brexit have been the biggest drags on air cargo markets this year, but Steven Polmans is an optimist.