The Airforwarders Association (AfA) has welcomed a US Government Accountability Office (GAO) report which raises concerns over the nation’s airport air cargo infrastructure that it has raised repeatedly with legislators, it says.
AfA says that the “pivotal document”, directly mandated by the FAA Reauthorization Law, validates long-standing industry concerns and follows AfA’s advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill.
AfA executive director, Brandon Fried said: “For years, we have highlighted the critical need for investment in our ground-based air cargo infrastructure. This report provides the irrefutable, government-backed evidence we need to drive real change and secure essential federal funding.”
The report’s initial findings confirm the challenges faced by freight forwarders and stakeholders across the US supply chain, including aging airport cargo facilities, that are struggling to keep pace with modern operational demands and larger aircraft; operational bottlenecks such as insufficient truck parking, poorly configured roadways, and crowded cargo aprons; limitations in the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) air cargo data, which hinders planning and decision-making; and a lack of engagement by the Department Of Transport with the air cargo industry.
Fried said: “Our goal is to reduce airport truck lines, modernize facilities, and ultimately lower operational costs for our members, ensuring a more efficient and resilient supply chain.”
He thanked Government Relations Director Michael Taylor for his outstanding efforts in advocating the report. “We also thank our coalition partner, the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA), and acknowledge all contributors to our 65-page briefing paper, especially the late Dan Muscatello, whose foundational insights were instrumental in making this report a reality,” he added.
