The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) has expanded its team to increase its expertise vis-à-vis border management and to have a dedicated representative in the Middle East region.
TIACA has contracted Gordon Wright, an expert on air cargo border and security issues, to help it with issues such as trade restrictions, tariffs, Pre-Loading Air Cargo Information (PLACI) requirements, security compliance and other challenges.
Wright has led capacity-building projects on behalf of prominent organisations such as the UK Department for International Development, World Customs Organization, Asian Development Bank and the European Commission.
He has also held senior positions at IATA, the European Commission, the International Road Transport Union, UK Border Force, HM Revenue and Customs, DHL and CT Strategies.
Steven Polmans, TIACA chair, declared of the need for Wright’s help: “Our members look to us for guidance to help them through these times of great complexity and rapidly changing regulatory environments.”
Plus, TIACA has extended its regional presence by appointing Mazen Al-Homsi as its regional director for the Middle East.
He will lead TIACA’s activities in this important region for air cargo (and which is the venue for the Air Cargo Forum on 3-6 November 2025).
Al-Homsi has over 30 years of global experience in aviation, airline and logistics management. His career has included positions with World Top Cargo Alliance, IATA, Emirates, Etihad and Gulf Air.
Glyn Hughes, TIACA director general, remarked: “Mazen will enhance our relations with governments, regulatory authorities and the entire supply chain throughout the [Middle East] region.
“With regional representation already established in Latin America and India, this is further illustration of TIACA’s Board commitment to support the entire global air cargo community.”
Growing footprint
In February, TIACA revealed that both its membership numbers and revenues rose last year.
During a webinar to update on the latest developments at the association, Hughes said that the trade body had welcomed a total of 33 new members in 2024, bringing its total membership to 480 companies and organisations.
Six of the new members were registered as trustees, 16 were corporate members, six joined as small businesses and five as start-ups.
