The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) has called on governments to exempt air cargo from any bans because of the vital role it will play in the fight to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
TIACA said that the air cargo industry has a decisive role to play in the fight against COVID-19 and the industry’s voice must be fully heard by regulators and governments.
This is why TIACA has joined the ICAO Technical group on joint actions related to COVID-19.
"The goal is clear: to draw attention both to the fundamental role that the air cargo industry plays and to the need to protect its continued existence and vitality," the organisation said.
"In the current major crisis, airfreight is essential for the transport of food, basic necessities and health-related products – in other words, everything necessary for people to survive. The global economy also needs airfreight to continue to supply businesses and factories."
TIACA said that airlines are facing multiple financial issues are emerging: Leasing payments for aircraft; salaries, energy supplies, and payments to service providers and equipment providers; taxation; and difficulties arising from uncoordinated travel bans, restrictions imposed on crew movements, airport slots and route changes, etc.
“TIACA sees its role in the ICAO Technical Group as using ICAO’s mechanism to reach out to governments and remind them that air cargo is a significant contributor to the global economy and international trade and that it plays a very important role in preventing and battling the disastrous effect of coronavirus,” said Vladimir Zubkov, TIACA secretary general.
“We support IATA’s appeal to have air cargo recognized as vital in the fight against COVID-19 and for action to be taken – in particular, removing all travel restrictions on air cargo operations and taking all necessary measures to allow air cargo to continue to circulate around the world,” said Steven Polmans, TIACA chairman.
