Airforwarders Association Commends Congress for the Passage of H.R. 302

WASHINGTON - Oct. 9, 2018 - PRLog -- The Airforwarders Association applauds the US Congress for the passage of H.R. 302, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2018. This bipartisan legislation is of significant importance to the forwarding industry, including specific air cargo provisions that turn prior initiatives and ideas into required mandates.

H.R. 302 incorporates provisions that will impact many aspects of the aviation industry, and will greatly improve both clarity and security for the cargo and shipping industries. The bill mandates evaluation of the Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP) by TSA of its effectiveness at fully addressing threats to cargo security. Additionally, the FAA reauthorization requires the TSA Aviation Security Advisory Committee to conduct a comprehensive review and security assessment of the Known Shipper Program and to provide a recommendation on if the program is necessary now that 100% of physical screening of air cargo is required. Following a recent pilot program, FAA legislation now mandates a canine screening initiative, and TSA promises to have privately supplied certified canines screening cargo by December of this year.

One of the most important aspects of this legislation however, is that TSA will now be required to relaunch an air cargo security division, designed to inform and support stakeholders in all aspects of implementing agency policy.  The office will be staffed by no fewer than four full-time TSA employees, demonstrating the agency's commitment to providing the cargo industry with resources that are knowledgeable of the industry and capable of providing practical assistance.

"The passage of H.R. 302 was a long time coming, and will provide necessary clarity in many aspects of aviation, but it will have particular significance for the forwarding industry," said Brandon Fried, Executive Director of the Airforwarders Association. "AfA has worked closely with TSA on measures to improve both security and efficiency for air cargo, and has advocated strongly for the relaunch of an air cargo security division, and we are encouraged by the bipartisan support for this legislation."

For more information on becoming a member of The Airforwarders Association, please visit us here.

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About the Airforwarders Association
The Airforwarders Association (AfA) represents more than 275 member companies dedicated to moving cargo throughout the supply chain. The association's members range from small businesses with fewer than 20 employees to large companies employing more than 1,000 people and business models varying from domestic to worldwide freight forwarding operations. In short, they are the travel agents for freight shipments, moving cargo in the timeliest and most cost-efficient manner whether it is carried on aircraft, truck, rail or ship. For more information, visit the association's website at www.airforwarders.org.