GACAG Industry Priorities Under Scrutiny

GACAG remains useful to the industry
This is at least what Mr Zubkov stated in a recent weekly TIACA newsletter rundown. He went on to elaborate that GACAG is actually “the only platform where the shippers, freight forwarders and airlines and the multidisciplinary TIACA can meet, exchange views, consider challenges and even take practical steps supporting its members with a unified voice.“
The effectivity of GACAG, which was founded in 2010 was the main theme of a  meeting of TIACA, FIATA, IATA and GSF  executive members held at the end of August in the FIATA offices in Zurich.

2017 Industry Priorities paper under scrutiny
At the end of 2016 GACAG published a 14 page document titled “GACAG Industry Priorities“ which listed what they considered at that time the main common issues facing the GACAG members as a whole. The paper touched upon subjects such as  the importance of air cargo for economic growth, shipping cargo safely, security regulations and other relevant air cargo supply chain issues.
Because of the criticism faced, the Zurich meeting looked at how to possibly revise the paper and present it in a new form to the members.
Zubkov made it clear that it was not the aim to divert from priorities previously published and that the present listing of priorities:

1.    Safe transport of lithium batteries
2.    Effective border security and advance cargo information
3.    Efficient border management and trade facilitation
4.    Accelerating industry modernization
5.    Responding to Environmental issues
-    would remain the same -

An interesting listing which is an essential means of action if the air cargo industry is to prove its worth even further.

But - who is leading and guiding?
As is the case when there are many cooks in the kitchen, sometimes the meal gets spoilt and unappetizing. Is this what has happened with the well meant priorities laid out by GACAG? Or is it also maybe a lack of input from members on the floor or guidance from the top?
It’s good to see that TIACA  boardroom has taken up the issue and is trying to establish a better framework for members and attract the necessary responses from them. Apparently it is being considered that two new priorities be added, Border Liberalization and Slot Allocation Issues.
TIACA’s Secretary General has taken the lead and points out that the organization needs to “establish a measure of success“ which can be presented to global entities such as OECD, ITF and the World Bank.
The new paper, when finished, is planned to be presented on the websites of GACAG and the member- associations.
Member support and follow up is needed to make it work!

John Mc Donagh