An important decision of the Cargo Agency Conference (CAC) will give freight forwarders a stronger voice in the development of CAC resolutions. This is the result of a newly adopted resolution of the CAC that will require consultation with Regional Joint Councils before any future resolutions (or amendments to resolutions) are proposed to and considered by the CAC.

The CAC is composed only of airlines. The Regional Joint Councils are composed of local freight forwarder associations affiliated with the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), as well as individual freight forwarders and airlines.

Obtaining Regional Joint Council views in advance of adopting resolutions will strengthen the Air Cargo Programme by ensuring the efficient global implementation of resolutions.

“This is a major improvement for all concerned. The Air Cargo Programme works to improve the safety, security, and efficiency of cargo distribution. Considering the views of all interested parties at the beginning of the decision-making process is a win-win. The freight forwarders and their associations will have a stronger voice to influence the process. The CAC will be able to make better decisions with broader input to the decision-making process. And once decisions are made, they can be implemented universally with stronger support from all parties,” said Muhammad Albakri, IATA’s senior vice president for customer, financial and digital services.

The new streamlined consultation process will help to run the Air Cargo Programme more efficiently, reduce costs, and improve and enhance cargo distribution performance throughout the industry. This is particularly crucial during these times of a global pandemic and economic crisis.

IATA is the secretariate for the CAC.