Cooperative relationships among airfreight players are essential in achieving common goals for providing better service, global experts said at an international aviation logistics forum Tuesday.
The 27th International Air Cargo Forum & Exposition, organized by The International Air Cargo Association, provided a platform for some 3,000 airfreight decision makers to meet and tackle some of the industry’s toughest issues, including technology innovation, information sharing and environmental issues.
“TIACA is unique in representing all stakeholders in the air freight supply chain and … provides a vital platform not only for us to debate the issues that matter but also to discover new ways to collaborate and forge lasting relationships to drive business forward,” TIACA chairman Oliver Evans said during the keynote address.
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| (From left) The International Air Cargo Association secretary-general Douglas Brittin, World Customs Organization secretary-general Kunio Mikuriya, International Civil Aviation Organization secretary-general Raymond Benjamin, Incheon International Airport Corp. CEO Park Wan-su, Transport Minister Suh Seoung-hwan, TIACA chairman Oliver Evans and Enno D. Osinga, senior vice president of Cargo at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, pose together at the 27th International Air Cargo Forum & Exposition held at Coex on Tuesday. (Incheon International Airport Corp.) |
He added that companies from all sectors of air cargo supply, including all-cargo airlines, forwarders, airports, customs brokers and logistics companies, should work together to develop data sharing technology and global standards to achieve the common goal of supplying safe and reliable trade.
“We believe there is a critical need for global standards and a risk and outcome-based approach to necessary security, while ensuring the free flow of air cargo,” said Evans.
During a keynote executive panel on “breaking barriers to global standards,” global leaders highlighted a cross-industry effort to learn from each other in order to cope with the unprecedented challenges the industry is facing.
Eum Jae-dong, vice president of cargo marketing at Korean Airlines and a participant in the discussion, said that the industry is under mounting pressure to reduce costs and respond to regulatory issues, but it also sees opportunities as e-commerce is fueling a demand for global air cargo.
Workshops to be held during the three-day event will deal with seven topics, including global shipping challenges, shredding the paper burden, and connecting commerce and customs around the globe.
Nearly 200 companies in the air cargo industry from around the world are showcasing their products and services at exhibition booths. Major airports including Incheon Airport, Changi Airport, Delhi Airport and Schiphol Amsterdam Airport are participating as exhibitors, offering networking opportunities.
By Park Han-na (hnpark@heraldcorp.com)
