The challenges ahead


In the long-standing tradition of the association’s leadership, the current vice chairman of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) is all set to take over the reins as chairman at its next annual general meeting in May 2011. He discusses the future with Megan Ramsay


ple organisations”, which seeks to promote healthy dialogue regarding the most pressing concerns affecting its members and the wider air freight industry. Steen is also senior vice president and chiefmarketing officer at


W


Atlas AirWorldwideHoldings, a leader in the provision of global air freight capacity, in which role he is no stranger to many mat- ters of concern within the world of global logistics and the air freight supply chain. He noted: “The TIACA organisation has been strengthened in


ith the broadest possible member base, TIACA’s membership includes companies fromall parts of the air freight supply chain – and their suppliers, too. Vice chairmanMichael Steen sees the associ- ation’s role as that of “a spokesperson for multi-


recent years; themain change this year is the healthy participation by global shippers – it’s so important to listen to your end cus- tomer, as they will shape the industry.” Shippers – which are defined by TIACA as the manufac-


turers, wholesalers/distributors, retailers, or as the ultimate importer/original exporter – were offered free membership of the association inMarch this year. This was amove designed specifically to allow air cargo service


providers to gain a more complete understanding of their ultimate customers through exchanging ideas and discussing changing needs and challenges, and thereby developing newbusi- ness opportunities. Having worked diligently for many years to attract new members from all over the world, TIACA has particularly


concentrated on increasing its presence in countries such as Korea, India and China, with the latter widely acknowledged to be driving global trade and therefore of special importance to the future of the air cargo industry. Steen observed: “There are


some challenges in these sort of less developed areas, whether political or Customs-related for example, but on the other hand there are some very good prac- tices there too–suchasCustoms operations in Korea, which are excellent.We want to replicate the best practices from one country in others.” In addition, he noted: “We are also introducing training for


Steen: “the path we’re on at the moment is very good”


upcoming participants in the industry with a focus on less devel- oped countries.We want to create a level playing field for the industry worldwide, and create global awareness of what we feel are the key issues.”


A FUTURE FOR AFRICA


One aspect of this objective is a scheme that will aim to educate air freight players of the future in Africa. Steen pointed out that the questions of collaboration, trade liberalisation and security are applicable to Africa as much as to any other part of the world, particularly as the continent’s importance for air freight continues to grow. “As in Europe, there are many countries with their own rules


and regulations across the African continent, so we want to focus on driving the same issues consistently, and replicate best practices pertaining to elements such as airport infrastructure or fleetman- agement,” he explained. “The pathwe’re on at themoment is very good,” Steenbelieves,


referring toTIACA’s existing activities. “Wewill continue to focus on trade and security. “Personally, Iwant to bring a genuine sense of urgency to the


organisation – we need to have a clear plan to tackle and resolve these issues.” He continued: “As chairman, Iwant to bring a business-focused


acumen to regulatory issues. For example, with regard to a single European sky, there are clear benefits for regulators, politicians and all involved.We’ve got to look at it with a critical eye: open skies wouldmeanmore business is generated and therewould also be an improved environmental outcome.


SINGLE EUROPEAN SKY


“We need to explain the benefits to stakeholders in the industry – these regulations do not exist in a political vacuum,” Steen pointed out. “The change to a single European sky can’t happen too quickly


of course,because it can’t takeplace inapurebusiness environment either, but instead of just bringing up the issue I think we need to take a proactive approach to finding ways to tackle it.We need a clear action plan to help the decision-makers and stakeholders in- volved,” he emphasised. Once again highlighting his belief in the importance of collabo-


rationforprogress, Steensaid: “There is a teamof strongplayers on the TIACA board, all sharing their experience as they work to- gether to represent the industry. “Butwewant to improve our collaborationwithother organisa-


tions too, such as IATA (the International Air Transport Association), freight forwarders’ associations and shippers’ councils because, although we are influential, we can’t do everything alone,” he concluded.


This feature has been adapted from one that first appeared in ACW Daily News published at Air Cargo Forum 2010 in Ams- terdam on 3 November


Page 24 29 November 2010


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