In the first quarter of 2023, air cargo growth is rebounding from the impact of COVID and is expected to resume its typical annual increase in demand. However, this growth may lead to an overwhelming demand for airports in the next 20 years, as it is estimated to increase by around 50%. The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) and the Airforwarders Association (AfA) have expressed concern that many airports are already experiencing significant delays in handling cargo activity and may not be able to accommodate the expected increase in demand.
To avoid a potential air cargo infrastructure crisis, the NCBFAA and AfA have requested additional airport funding from Congress. They propose the following measures to address the issue:
- Provide direct financial support from the public sector to development initiatives.
- Introduce a universal digital electronic application to streamline cargo handling processes.
- Review and upgrade compensation policies to incentivize efficient cargo handling.
- Institute an industry-wide training program to ensure the proper handling and transportation of goods.
- Modernize the Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) badging process to improve security and efficiency.
- Implement consistent policy interpretation and reinforcement to promote uniformity and streamline operations.
The associations stress the importance of addressing the needs of the air cargo industry, which sustained many airports and airlines during the COVID pandemic. They urge Congress to take action to prevent an impending crisis in air cargo infrastructure.
