US airlines and forwarders welcome Trump’s big beautiful bill

The US Airforwarders Association (AfA) and Airlines for America (A4A) have welcomed US president Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” being signed into law.

The AfA said that the bill, which became law earlier in July, would include cash to modernise US aviation infrastructure, such as air traffic control and airport runways.

The bill included $12.5bn for airport and air traffic control infrastructure projects over the next four years.

“The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a landmark moment for the air cargo and logistics industry,” said AfA executive director Brandon Fried.

“This legislation delivers the modernisation our industry has long needed from billions in Federal Aviation Administration funding to overhaul outdated radar, telecommunications, and air traffic control (ATC) systems, to major investments in runway safety and airport surveillance.”

Lobbying group A4A also welcomed the bill being signed into law.

"For years, A4A has been sounding the alarm about ATC staffing shortages and antiquated equipment, such as copper wires and floppy disks," the airline group said.

"Given the challenges facing the air traffic system, these funds are a vital down payment on updating the technology that guides 27,000 flights, 2.7m passengers and 61,000 tons of cargo every day — all while driving 5% of our nation’s GDP."

A4A also pointed out that the bill includes investments in Customs and Border Protection personnel and training for the aviation workforce.

The bill also includes changes to the de minimis exemption, which currently allows packages worth less than $800 to enter duty and customs scrutiny free.

The exemption has already been removed for packages from China and Hong Kong, where the vast majority of US e-commerce goods originate, but this will be rolled out across the rest of the world starting July 2027.

It also introduces a new civil penalty of up to $5,000 for a first violation and $10,000 for subsequent violations for any misuse of the de minimis privilege. These penalties will be implemented 30 days after the enactment of the bill.

“Significant changes to the De Minimis exception, due to come into effect in less than 30 days, alongside a surge in Customs and Border Protection funding, will reshape how we handle e-commerce and cross-border compliance. I will continue to engage and support our members through this period,” added Fried.

“While challenges lie ahead, this Bill is a clear win for forwarders, infrastructure, and the future of air cargo.”