The wind of change in TIACA began blowing in earnest towards the end of 2019. In the past two years, the association has been “transitioning to greater service”,
and when it comes to membership and industry focus, TIACA’s efforts are bearing fruit.
The press releases came in thick and fast last week, echoing the news that had been issued to the press in an exclusive online conference on 24FEB22: things are looking good. Membership has grown
considerably in the past 12 months. Whereas 2020 had been the most difficult year in the industry and TIACA saw a dip in members, 2021, on the other hand, not only saw a solid rebound, but
heading into 2022, the numbers continue to grow including an additional 9 new trustees – a sign, therefore, that the industry, which is now represented across all geographical areas as well as
all industry sectors, has faith in the work the association is doing. TIACA Chair, Steven Polmans stated “For the first time in more than 10 years, the number of trustees has grown
significantly, and this is very encouraging!” These positive changes have led to a better overall financial situation, and TIACA “wants to be profitable every year”, with budgets
now being planned for three instead of just one year, and with the long-term impact in mind.
Bigger Board, greater expertise
Last week, too, TIACA welcomed six new members to the Board of Directors “The new Board members bring a wealth of experience from the airport, airline, and handling sectors. New Board members
include, Kai Domscheit, CHI Handling; Dan Sheehan, UPS; Tushar Jani, Cargo Service Center India; Kamesh Peri, Celebi Ground Handling; Roos Bakker, Schiphol Airport and Massimo Roccasecca,
Verona-Brescia Airport,” the press release revealed, yet it also drew attention to the fact that more Board positions are open and that interested parties should get in contact. Steven
Polmans commented: “With the appointment of the six latest Members, we have continued our commitment to expand the Board of Directors across the industry sectors to ensure every sector's view
is well represented within the group. We look forward to the perspective and experience that each of these Board members will bring to the table.”
Adding a little Hungarian cargo spice
One of the fastest growing and most modern cargo airports in Europe, Budapest Airport, has now become a Trustee Member of TIACA: something it has been working towards ever since hosting the TIACA
Executive Summit in NOV19, coinciding with the inauguration of its new Cargo City terminal at the time. “Air cargo is about teamwork, collaboration, adaptation and continuous
improvement,” József Kossuth, Head of Cargo, Budapest Airport, illustrated. “One of our strengths at BUD Cargo, is that we have a good air cargo community around us with high
collaboration effort and openness for improvements. We would like to approach this opportunity responsibly and use our new co-operation with such a professional partner like TIACA to do great
things together in the future in cargo digitization, cargo processes and organization, technology upgrades, regulatory environment, and other cargo developments.”
Benefits for both parties
René Droese, Chief Development Officer, Budapest Airport, added: “We are happy to join TIACA at the highest level and be part of a global organization which has similar goals and knowledge
behind it. I believe our cooperation with the association can bring benefits for both parties.” Steven Polmans applauded the airport’s recent development: “Not only their growth, but
especially their vision and approach involving the entire air cargo community makes me believe we share a common goal. […] we look forward to collaborating with them as Voting Members. By joining
the association as a Trustee Member, Budapest Airport shows their support for our transformation and work of the association and the benefit TIACA can bring to Budapest Airport and the entire air
cargo community around it.”
Spreading out across the world
Regional impact, too, should be improved. At the press conference on 24FEB22, Glyn Huges, Director General of TIACA, revealed that the Board had agreed to expand the organization to ensure a
strong regional presence in those areas that would most benefit from a local contact. The three key areas mentioned were China, Latin America, and Africa, with plans to also hold regional
symposiums in the relevant local language(s). These regional presences will be set up this year.
Positive shifts in Sustainability
One of TIACA’s core focus topics, Sustainability, has also seen a positive shift. Not only did 62% more company voices participate the second annual survey, but the findings also revealed that
Sustainability has gained momentum: the topic has moved from being a marketing buzzword towards becoming a defining factor in business relationships. “Despite the challenges presented by
covid these past 24 months, sustainability remains a key priority area for the industry and for TIACA as we must reflect the interests of the global society which we collectively serve. We must
now take the next leap forward in setting specific targets measuring results and reporting with transparency,” Glyn Hughes, summarized. Steven Polmans, added: “This second annual report
clearly demonstrates some great progress in a number of key areas, the increased focus on the people category is a crucial reflection of one of the challenges the industry has been facing,
attracting and retaining staff. The report is also extremely valuable in helping establish where next for the TIACA sustainability program and we are excited about our upcoming initiatives to
help move the industry forward. We are also examining our own sustainability developments and collaborative relationships are a critical aspect.”
Preparing to win
Finally, TIACA concluded by announcing the winner of the Corporate Category in its 3rd Sustainability Awards program, alongside the shortlisted three Start-Up and Small Business category projects
that will be voted on at the upcoming Executive Summit / Transport Logistics Americas Forum in San Francisco, 22-23MAR22. “Firstly, I want to congratulate all the organizations that submitted
an entry. The jury comments were very well received and focused on the overall high quality of the applications. I would also like to thank the jury members for their time and dedication in
reviewing the entries and the results of their deliberations. And of course, it gives great pleasure to congratulate United Cargo for being selected as the overall corporate winner and to the
three startup / small business finalists. I look forward to their participation at the upcoming Executive Summit in San Francisco,” Steven Polmans announced.
And the (potential) winners are…
United Airlines won in the Corporate Category, for its Eco-Skies Alliance program: a SAF purchase share initiative which already counts more than 20 major corporations among its participants.
Over in the Start-Up and Small Business category, the following three companies will be competing for the USD 10,000 cash prize, with the two runners up receiving USD 2,500 each: Mission GO
unmanned systems (which uses unmanned aviation technology for life-saving organ transport), WAVES (visible sustainability through cloud technology and the Sustainability Management Platform
(SMP)), and Xfret (an innovative container that can be placed on empty seats in commercial aircraft cabins and thus make efficient use of cargo space in the cabin).
All eyes are now on TIACA’s Executive Summit in San Francisco, 22-23MAR22, in as far as recent world developments do not end up having this shifted to online.
Brigitte Gledhill
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