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US-UK air services pact provides new flight rights


The recent air services agreement signed by the US and UK provides US cargo operators with rights they did not have under the US’s deal with the EU. The agreement, which was


New participants required for apprenticeship group


With the three-year review of the Freight Forwarding Apprenticeship standard coming up in the spring, it is a good time to re-form the employer-led Trailblazer group and BIFA is looking for people to get involved. BIFA is interested to hear from HR, learning and


development and subject matter experts across airfreight, ocean freight, European road, Customs and commercial disciplines to review the standard and ensure it is relevant and up-to-date for the next three years. Carl Hobbis, training development manager,


explained: “Since the Trailblazer group was formed back in 2016, many of the original contributors have moved in different directions, so it is essential that the group is now re-formed. “By re-forming the group, it will show initiative and


give us fantastic opportunities to discuss ways of encouraging fresh talent into the industry as well. “We need organisations of a mix of sizes, and rules


concluded two years ago and signed by both countries on 17 November 2020, ensures that flights continue between the two countries at the end of the EU-exit transition period, continuing the so-called ‘open skies’ between them. The new document adds an


additional provision that US airlines transporting freight between the UK and third countries will not have to land on US soil first. This would, for example, allow the US carriers to operate such all-cargo flights between the UK and EU unrestricted. “The US-UK agreement includes


stipulate that at a certain percentage of participants should represent companies employing under 50 staff. “I do not see this being much work, possibly the odd


Zoom meeting every quarter. Being part of the group is a good way of giving back to the industry.” The first meeting will take place on Thursday


28 January at 1000-1200 hrs. If you are interested in joining the group, get in touch with Carl Hobbis at c.hobbis@bifa.org


Decarbonisation tops agenda at RFG Conference 2020


Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris MP has reaffirmed the government’s commitment toward rail freight and outlined the crucial role it will play in helping to decarbonise the UK economy. In a recorded message at the 28th


Annual Rail Freight Group Conference, held online in October, he laid out the government’s vision for the future of freight transport, making it clear that rail would play a key role


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in cutting carbon emissions across the country and helping the UK meet its 2050 environmental targets. The minister said government


was committed to the modal shift of freight to rail and it would play a key role in the ambitious Transport Decarbonisation Plan. The conference was an excellent


opportunity to not only recognise the challenges the sector has faced but also the huge success of rail


freight in 2020. Modal shift to rail is seen as a big way of decarbonising transport and an opportunity for rail freight. This formed a key theme throughout the conference. Also tackled were the issues


around the COVID-19 pandemic, port connectivity, HS2, rail reform, Brexit and the economy. The full meeting report can be viewed at www.rfg.org.uk/rail-freight- conference-2020/


seventh-freedom air traffic rights for US all-cargo services,” the US Department of Transportation (DOT) said. “This means that US airlines can perform all-cargo services between the UK and a third country, without providing a commercial nexus back to the US.” “This right was not available to


US airlines previously under the US-EU agreement,” the DOT added. The previous air services


agreement between the EU and the US, signed in 2007, covered flights between the two countries. However with the UK’s Brexit transition period concluding at the end of 2020, the countries had to negotiate a separate pact that would encompass traffic between the UK and the US. The agreement will enter into


full legal force after completion of both sides’ procedures for an international agreement, with both parties planning to apply the agreement from 1 January 2021.


January 2021


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