Archives
Air, Freight News
Canada test-bed for new airfreight programme
[ August 15, 2017 // Chris ]The new IATA-FIATA Air Cargo Program (IFACP), which aims to modernised relations between airlines and forwarders, has been pilot-launched in Canada
It will be rolled out globally following the Canadian pilot, replacing the existing Cargo Agency Program, and will be jointly managed by forwarders and airlines as equal partners in the decision-making process.
A new IATA-FIATA Governance Board (IFGB) will run the programme, which provides a framework of industry standards in line with best practices and safety regulations.
Existing Cargo Agency Program members will join IFACP with no further assessment and will continue their existing enrolment in Cargo Account Settlement Systems (CASS), which remains unchanged.
IFACP aims to clarify liability issues on cargo claims, as well as supporting members to work towards key industry goals such as e-freight adoption.
Incoming chairman of FIATA’s Air Freight Institute, Keshav Tanna, said: “FIATA is pleased that the implementation phase is now a reality, a true testament to the hard work and sustained efforts of both Forwarders and Carriers over the past few years. We are optimistic that the IFACP will foster innovation to deal with the commercial challenges facing the air cargo industry.”
During the roll out, current participants of the IATA Cargo Agency/Intermediary Program will be provided with a new agreement and will automatically join IFACP and continue their existing enrollment in CASS once they have signed and returned the paperwork.
New applicants will need to submit a form and meet the defined financial and operational criteria.
Executive director of the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA), Ruth Snowden, explained: “Our relatively small, well-connected airline and forwarder community makes Canada a natural for the IFACP pilot country.
