Press Releases

Countries with poor communications strategies must not rely solely on industry to interpet, raise awareness of or enforce new air cargo supply chain security measures, says the Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG).

The International Civil Aviation Organization should serve as the focal point for implementing global air cargo supply chain security standards, the Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG) says.

A 'roadmap for paperless air cargo' has been created by the Global air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG) to accelerate the industry's adoption of e-Cargo in 2013.

Members of the World Customs Organization (WCO) should embrace and implement the principles of the Revised Kyoto Convention and shift from a dependency on paper documents to a full e-Customs environment, says the Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG). In a new position paper, GACAG said harmonization of global customs procedures will play a pivotal role in establishing e-Customs platforms and has pledged the support of the entire air cargo industry in this effort.

The issuing of ad hoc directives and potentially impractical rules by national regulatory bodies seeking to implement advance electronic information would have an adverse and costly impact on air cargo security, warns the Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG).

Companies across the air cargo supply chain and regulatory bodies can now obtain updates on the lobbying activities and views of the Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG) online following the launch of its new website - www.gacag.org.

The Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG) has endorsed use of a standard Consignment Security Declaration for air cargo shipments to standardize and harmonize the reporting of physical security requirements. GACAG is recommending that international organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), World Customs Organization (WCO) as well as national regulators adopt the declaration for inclusion in their guidance materials.

A commitment by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to produce a proposal to regulate airline emissions by the end of 2012 is a vital step forward and must be supported by the aviation industry and international governments, says the Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG).

The Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG) today urged the EU to draw back from implementing the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) for aviation. Implementation, which is scheduled to take effect this month, will spark a divisive and ultimately costly dispute with the international community and the global aviation industry, including the air cargo sector and its customers, says GACAG.

E-commerce is a critical component of the future security, efficiency, sustainability and overall commercial success of the air cargo supply chain, says the Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG), and the changeover from current processes will happen. GACAG will drive its development and encourage progress through several initiatives by its E-Commerce Task Force.

The air cargo industry and national regulatory authorities need to continue working together on pilots to test the feasibility and processes for advance electronic data for air cargo shipments, the Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG) told Alan D. Bersin, Commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), at a meeting in Washington DC. Industry and regulatory authorities should also assess whether advance data can help support a risk-based approach to air cargo screening.

The Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG) has completed the formation of four Task Forces to focus on security, e-commerce, customs and trade facilitation, and sustainability of the global air cargo industry. Each Task Force will be responsible for addressing GACAG's objectives -based on representation from all aspects of the air cargo supply chain and customers - and to present recommendations to the Group's Steering Committee.

Air cargo security and e-commerce will be the priorities of the newly-formed Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG) after its four founding member associations finalized and signed the basic principles of the Group at the IATA World Cargo Symposium in Istanbul.

Security and safety have always been and continue to be of paramount importance to the members of the newly formed Global Air Cargo Advisory Group "GACAG" (TIACA, IATA, FIATA and GSF). The air cargo industry has a good track record in this regard, but recent events have raised the importance of security protocols, especially risk assessment.

The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) ,the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations and the Global Shippers' Forum (GSF) have signed a letter of intent committing to work towards the formation of an industry advisory group facilitated by TIACA to ensure the air cargo industry has a strong, unified voice.