Advocacy

The Airforwarders Association is the voice of the airforwarder in Washington, DC and beyond. Our advocacy isn’t just about being the loudest voice in the room; instead, it’s about effectively informing decision makers about our industry. We aim to secure policies that benefit our members. Your annual membership in the AfA supports our efforts in advocacy both in Washington and beyond. 

Congressional Testimony

The Airforwarders Association regularly provides industry perspective through testimony before Congressional committees. Our Executive Director and industry experts testify on the record on critical issues. These include air cargo security, transportation infrastructure, and supply chain resilience. By sharing frontline knowledge with lawmakers, we ensure that policy decisions are informed by real-world expertise from those who understand the complexities of air cargo operations and advocacy challenges.

Regulatory Comments

When federal agencies propose new rules or regulations that impact the industry, the AfA takes action. The AfA’s regulatory committee solicits feedback from members and works with counsel to craft and submit comments. These comments are in response to Notices of Proposed Rulemakings, offering detailed analysis and practical recommendations. Having those comments on file to be adjudicated is critical. While we don’t always get everything we recommend, the AfA’s advocacy reputation and positions receive strong consideration and evaluation from agencies. 

Industry Coalition Advocacy

The AfA regularly partners with other industry associations to amplify our collective voice on issues of shared concern. We sign onto multi-industry association letters addressing trade policies, infrastructure funding, workforce development, and other matters vital to our members’ interests. These coalitions vary by topic or issue. However, by lending our name and support, the combined size and strength of those associations makes an impression on the recipients of the broad-based coalition advocating for that particular issue.

Canine Screening Advancement

Effective cargo security begins with a risk-based, multilayered approach where multiple specific tools are employed. These tools are used to perform the screening task. The AfA recognized early on the contribution that canine screening could bring to air cargo security. We continue advocacy for it, actively working with the Transportation Security Administration to expand its use.

TSA Indirect Air Carrier Policy

The AfA works closely with the Transportation Security Administration to ensure that security programs are fair, equitable, and enable the efficient movement of cargo throughout the supply chain. IAC security programs interface with other stakeholders’ programs, and we pay close attention to how changes to one or more can affect them all. 

We collaborate with TSA in creating sensible policies that promote air cargo security without impeding the flow of commerce. Our ongoing engagement includes addressing changes to the KSMS & IACMS systems, security threat assessment procedures, and cargo acceptance policies. We also focus on improving the Indirect Air Carrier Standard Security Program.

Congressional Lobbying

Infrastructure challenges, particularly airport congestion, continue to cost our members thousands of dollars in cartage fees and waiting time expenses. The AfA actively lobbies Congress for infrastructure investment that specifically addresses air cargo needs. In partnership with the NCBFAA, we published a whitepaper and engaged Washington lobbying expertise. Our goal is to advocate for dedicated funding to improve cargo area infrastructure. Our advocacy efforts focus on ensuring that air cargo considerations are included in infrastructure legislation and federal budget allocations.

As a result of that work, the AfA secured funding in legislation that passed. It requires the Government Accountability Office to undertake a review of air cargo congestion and solutions. This review is underway today.