March was another active month for the Airforwarders Association, with strong engagement across our committees. My thanks to David King and the Cargo Theft Committee (formerly the Truck Fraud Committee), Bob Imbriani and Tom Paciello leading Regulatory Compliance, Amanda Barlow with Technology, Aaron Ambrite guiding Membership, and Warren Jones for his leadership of our Education Committee. These groups continue to stay focused on real issues and practical solutions that matter to our members.
We also held another members-only town hall, organized by Ally Norat, which remains one of our most effective ways to stay connected. These sessions give members a chance to hear updates, raise concerns, and speak candidly about what’s working—and what isn’t.
The biggest challenge this month continues to be the conflict in the Middle East. Our members are feeling it across the board—tight capacity, rising rates, higher insurance costs, and increasing fuel surcharges. This is not a temporary bump; it’s an ongoing disruption that’s forcing forwarders to constantly adjust in an already volatile environment.
On the regulatory front, the TSA workforce furlough has now ended—for the time being—but its impact was felt. To the agency’s credit, the cargo industry’s model—where certified operators carry out screening and compliance—kept freight moving. However, the absence of TSA leadership and policy decision-makers during that period slowed critical processes. Delayed answers, stalled guidance, and recertification bottlenecks created uncertainty that our industry doesn’t have the luxury to absorb.
March also had me covering ground quickly, with two panel appearances in less than 24 hours—Los Angeles with the Los Angeles Air Cargo Association, followed by New York with the JFK Air Cargo Association. I appreciate both organizations for the opportunity to bring the forwarder perspective to the discussion. And for once, everything lined up—on-time flights and manageable TSA lines made it possible.
Later this month, we expect to engage directly with TSA at two key sessions. One will focus on the future of the Known Shipper Program and how it needs to evolve. The other is an Indirect Air Carrier summit at TSA headquarters. Several of our members will participate, and we’ll bring forward practical, experience-based input. We’ll report back on those discussions in May.
Thanks, as always, for your engagement and support. There’s no slowdown in the challenges—but there’s no slowdown in our efforts either.
Sincerely,
Brandon
