Air cargo critical to export goals, Transport Sec LaHood tells TIACA

A HEALTHY air cargo industry is essential in helping the US to achieve its goal of doubling its exports by 2015, said Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood to delegates at Tiara's International Air Cargo Forum & Exposition in Atlanta, Georgia.

"We are committed to your industry - because what's good for air cargo is good for the US economy," said Mr LaHood. "A strong air cargo industry expands international trade and contributes to job creation and prosperity at home. We will continue to work hand-in-hand with you, our partners here at home and abroad."

The air cargo industry is worth US$60 billion and delivers 35 per cent of world trade by value which is worth over $5 trillion annually but still struggles to make the agendas of lawmakers and politicians, according to The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) news release.

TIACA has built up partnerships with the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Transportation Security Association (TSA) as well as key bodies such as the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to highlight the significance of the sector to the economy and employment.

Mr LaHood said the creation of a new Freight Policy Council by the DOT is in line with US President Barack Obama's export goal to create strong freight movement across land air and sea. "We need a thriving air cargo industry to help America's leading industries move their products to market quickly and efficiently."

The recent signing of a transportation bill, "Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century" gives DOT $1.75 billion for its TIFIA loan programme that can be put to work to improve the nation's intermodal freight network. In 2010, President Obama set out a five-year goal to double US exports by 2015.

Said TIACA chairman Michael Steen: "Industry and governments need to work together. We want to engage in dialogue with governments and lawmakers around the world," he said.