SPOTLIGHT
A look at the US air freight industry with AfA executive director Brandon Fried The Airfreight Forwarders Association acts as the voice of air freight in the US transport and logistics sector, where it works closely with other industry associations to ensure a sustainable future for the sector. The group has actively lobbied about making critical investment in air cargo infrastructure at the country’s airports and helping shippers prepare for imminent changes to cargo screening requirements. In an interview, Brandon Fried, AfA executive director, outlines the group’s top priorities as well as the challenges for the industry in the coming years. PLA: What are your top priorities for the AfA in the coming year? BF: Our top priorities for the AfA in the coming year are to continue to advocate for funding on Capitol Hill for airports to address the growing cargo area truck congestion issue. This is a critical issue for our members and their customers. Truck congestion can cause delays and increased costs,
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hurting businesses and consumers.
New technologies like blockchain and artificial intelligence are disrupting the air freight industry. Forwarders need to be able to adopt these technologies to remain competitive.
Next is to educate our members about the upcoming TSA air cargo security changes coming November 1. These changes are designed to improve security and streamline the cargo screening process. We want to make sure that our members are prepared for these changes so that they can continue to operate industry events, networking with efficiently. foreign forwarder associations, and advocating for policies that support Another top priority is working with the free flow of goods across borders. members to create awareness of lithium batteries and other dangerous PLA: What are some of the biggest goods to ensure flight safety. Equally challenges that the US air freight important is increasing awareness forwarding industry will face in the about the upcoming US Customs & coming years? Border Protection export manifest BF: Some of the biggest challenges requirements. that the industry will face in the coming years include e-commerce Finally, we need to increase our growth, technology disruption, international engagement. We the lithium battery challenge, and believe being involved in the global geopolitical uncertainty. air freight community is essential. We plan to do this by attending The growth of e-commerce is putting
AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2023 | www.payloadasia.com
