TIACA issues call to action for air cargo

Air cargo group TIACA has outlined five areas of development that the industry should focus on over the coming years.

The cross-supply chain group said that the industry should embrace digitalisation, sustainability, safety and security, liberalisation, and partnerships and collaboration in order to modernise and provide enhanced solutions addressing customer demands.

On digitalisation, TIACA said that efficient and effective solutions should harness the power of data to “modernise processes and provide transparent quality services”.

“Great moves forward have been experienced during the past 12 months as the industry was forced to find new ways of working. We must now take this even further and we urge all parties to establish and implement digital transformation plans,” the group said.
  
TIACA said that sustainability should focus on people, planet and prosperity.

“In order to flourish in the years to come, we must create equal opportunities for all, embrace technology and innovation and ensure we implement environmental responsible solutions designed to protect the planet today and for generations to come.”

The group also called on governments to ensure security regulations are relevant and workable, aligned with the reshaped world and to work with industry in tackling counterfeit and non-compliant shipments. TIACA also called on authorities to take appropriate action against those who seek to evade regulations.

On liberalisation, TIACA said that fair and liberal trade policies will ensure the continued growth of the global economy.

“Supportive trade regulations, coupled with fair and liberalised air and ground regulations will ensure the industry can develop and grow aligned with market needs,” TIACA said. “We as an industry must come together to ensure our voice is heard to support trade policies that positively impact the global economy.”

Finally, the group said that success can only be achieved through effective collaboration between supply chain partners, supply chain customers and those who regulate the industry.

“We as an industry must unite around a common vision for an efficient, effective, sustainable global supply network established through strong community relations.”

Steven Polmans, TIACA, chair, said: “TIACA is committed to working with its members, the broader industry, association partners and government agencies to ensure we have a united and successful air cargo industry.

“We have demonstrated considerable success over the past months but as we go forward new challenges will materialise.  We will need be more innovative, agile and focused as an industry to overcome them.”

The call to action follows a year of change at the organisation. TIACA director general Glyn Hughes and Polmans recently provided a media briefing on the internal reorganisation and the changing of its governance structure.

Polmans and Hughes said the changes to the governance structure will see the director general manage all aspects of the organisation; an extended and more diverse board of directors; fixed terms introduced; board appointed chair, vice chair, treasurer and secretary; a code of conduct to ensure transparency and neutrality, an executive committee to provide monthly reports; paperless process and electronic voting; and a focussed task force based delivery model.