Sri Lanka hosts FAPAA’s 40th Executive Council Meeting

The Sri Lanka Freight Forwarders Association (SLFFA) hosted the 40th Executive Council Meeting and AGM of the Federation of Asia Pacific Aircargo Associations (FAPAA) in Negombo, Sri Lanka for the third time in the 28 year history of the organisation.

The meetings, held over two days at Jetwing Blue, Negombo, were attended by delegates from 16 member countries and/or regions of the Asia Pacific.

 FAPAA brings together the members once a year, to provide them with an opportunity to learn about developments within the industry from one another and to share information on important practical and technical aspects of the air freight forwarding industry.

The FAPAA meetings were opened by Diren Hallock on 8 June 2013. Diren Hallock, Past Chairman of FAPAA, praised the member associations for continuing their efforts to raise awareness for issues in the freight forwarding industry of the Asia Pacific at this important meeting.

“I salute the forefathers of FAPAA – the necessity of this organisation is more prevalent today than ever. The continued success of FAPAA is dependent on every link in the chain being strong, working together unified in purpose and goals,” said Hallock.

Members of FAPAA shared information and updates from their dealings with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), on the project to implement the eairway bill (e-AWB) by 2014 and the CASS system.

Indonesian delegate Arman Yahya of the Indonesia Logistics and Freight Forwarders Association, shared in great detail how their relationship with IATA and the CASS system has worked in Indonesia.

 The discussions amongst the group were fruitful and the camaraderie between the delegate countries will help for future implementation of IATA’s programs in their respective countries.

Security in the air cargo industry was again one of the most important issues discussed over the two days of meetings.

 Presentations from the Australian Federation of International Forwarders (AFIF) brought delegates up to date on security activities in Australia of interest to the region.

 Security is always high on the agenda at the FAPAA meetings as it is an essential part of the freight forwarding business operations. FAPAA welcomed two members from the Air Cargo Agents Association of Pakistan (ACAAP) attending for the first time after joining in 2012. Their delegates contributed greatly to the meetings sharing some of the issues they face with security, day-to-day operations and education and training.

 FAPAA is always looking to encourage new memberships from the countries within the Asia Pacific Region and to facilitate greater communication amongst the freight forwarding associations.

The meetings concluded with the biennial elections for the executive office holders, with Paul Tsui from HAFFA, Hong Kong China stepping down as chairman of the past two years.

Members thanked Tsui for his commendable efforts in making significant progress with a number of vital issues and for bringing FAPAA into closer cooperation with FIATA and IATA. Tsui welcomed the new Chairman, Willie van Heusden from CBAFF, New Zealand, into the position offering full support for his tenure in the position.

The Federation of Asia-Pacific Aircargo Associations (FAPAA) was formed in 1985 and has grown to include 19 country and/or region members, namely Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Vietnam.

FAPAA was created to provide a body focused on the particular needs of the members of its constituent country/or region associations and to enhance the growth and development of aircargo services within the Asia Pacific